ROUND 4: 1976-85
A short summary of the era:
From a turbulent era, we are entering a brighter future that looked less and less dark for every day. The economy is getting stronger, so is also the hope.
What happened during this era? (OOC: Including this as it might reflect society as a whole, important to consider in this challenge)
1976: The childrens book writer Astrid Lindgren causes an uproar when she has to pay taxes of 102%, leading to the taxation rules being changed. King Carl XVI Gustaf marries Silvia Sommerlath. Björn Borg becomes the first Swede to win Wimbledon. The social democratic party loses the first election in 40 years. Torbjörn Fälldin from the centre party becomes the new prime minister.
1977: The Swedish krona is devalued, first by 6% and later by 10%. The crown princess Victoria is born. It becomes a large scandal when 140 barrels of toxic waste are found hidden underground at BT Kemi in Teckomatorp. The Landvetter airport outside Gothenburg is finished. The Swedish steel industry is in a deep crisis.
1978: Most of the steel industry is fusioned into SSAB. Ronnie Peterson dies from his formula 1 accident at Monza. The liberal Ola Ullsten becomes the new prime minister of Sweden.
1979: SVT introduces teletext to Swedish TV. Corporal punishment of children is banned. Ingemar Stenmark wins his 10th world cup victory in slalom. After the election, Torbjörn Fälldin once again becomes the prime minister of Sweden. Homosexuality is no longer classed as a mental illness. Stig Bergling is sentenced to a lifetime in jail for Soviet espionage.
1980: 8 people are killed when 7 cars drives off the bridge to Tjörn, that was damaged when the ship “Star clipper” collided into it. The decision is made to build the JAS 39 “Gripen”. After an election, it is decided to gradually end the use of nuclear power in the country.
1981: The Swedish Krona is devalued by 10%. The green party is founded. The Soviet U137 submarine runs aground in Gåsefjärden, Karlskrona. Production of the plastic bicycle “Itera”, which becomes a flop, is started.
1982: A heatwave causes forest fires to spread quickly in Sweden. The Social democrats are once again elected and Olof Palme returns as the prime minister. The Swedish Krona is devalued by 16%.
1983: Sweden gets its first case of death caused by AIDS. The stock market is shut down for a week due to computer trouble.
1984: The first successful liver transplant is done in the country. Women are now allowed in all kinds of military duty.
1985: Karin Söder becomes the leader for the Centre party. That means that she is the first woman to be leader for a political party in the country. Former prime minister Tage Erlander dies.
CAR RULESET:
Model year - 1985 or older
Trim year - 1976 - 1985
Engine family year - 1985 or older
Engine variant year - no newer than the trim year of the car
Banned parts:
Racing intakes
Racing tubular headers
Semi slicks
Catalytic converters (yes! and I will explain why later)
Restricted parts:
Alu or fiberglass bodies not recommended except for sports cars. May result in binning, if you are unsure, ask first. Partial alu is always OK.
Lockers are only allowed on 4x4 vehicles. LSDs are always OK
Fuel type: In reality unleaded gas was not available in Sweden at this time. However, since most engines in this era could actually run on unleaded, and to simulate the emissions regulations of 1976 that is complicated and can’t be implemented in the game, regular unleaded fuel should be used. To somewhat simulate the “leaded gas” dilemma, NO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS!
EXCEPTION: If the engine is smaller than 800 cc, or if the weight + maximum load capacity of the vehicle exceeds 2500 kg, you are also allowed to use the leaded fuel types…
Emissions/loudness: A maximum of 6000 engine emissions, which should be met without the addition of a catalytic converter. At least one muffler required. Maximum engine noise level is 46.
EXCEPTION: If the engine is smaller than 800 cc, or if the weight + maximum load capacity of the vehicle exceeds 2500 kg, no emissions regulations apply.
Safety: Since there was some more stringent standards on seatbelts introduced, the requirements are stepped up a bit. If using 60s safety, it has to be “Advanced”. 70s safety has to be “Standard” or “Advanced”. All types of 80s safety allowed.
EXCEPTIONS: Light duty trucks from 1983 and older did not have to comply with the regulations, which means that vans and pickup trucks are excepted. A SUV is classed as a light duty truck only if the last row of seats that can be used in the body is either empty or jump seats. So, if it’s a 2 row body, the second row can’t contain full seats. If it’s a 3 row body, the second row can, but not the third row.
Light duty trucks from 1984-85 has to use at least basic 70s safety.
Lights:
At least one pair of headlights required - can have any shape since Sweden never had any sealed beam regulations. White or yellow lenses forward. One pair of white or yellow parking lamps required - though they may be integrated in the headlight fixture. If using separate parking lights they has to be white or yellow though - not amber/orange.
Until 1983: Turn signals required front and rear. The exception is that one side mounted turn signal can be accepted, IF the lens is visible from both front and rear. Lenses should be orange.
1984-85:Turn signals required front and rear, as well as at least one side mounted turn signal. Lenses should be orange.
At least one pair of taillights and one pair of brakelights. They can be combined in the same fixture. One or two backup lights optional, not mandatory.
Wiper/washers: At least one windshield wiper required. If using only one wiper, it has to be mounted close to the centre so it can sweep most of the windshield. Real life examples: Mercedes 190 or Fiat Panda. At least one windshield washer nozzle required.
Wipers and/or washer nozzles for the headlights are mandatory. If using dual headlights, it is enough to have it only on the low beams.
Mirrors:
Two outside mirrors required
License plate:
One up front, one in the rear. The wide “euro size” plates has to be used, not necessarily this one but the ones that is close in size to this:
Gas cap: Has to be mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
Tyres: Crossplies or radials, but keep in mind that except for budget cars at the start of this era, crossplies were on their way out. Maximum rim diameter 17 inches. Minimum tyre profile 50 - but keep in mind that even at the end of this era anything below 60 was kind of “extreme”.
Others: Hard, protruding hood ornaments are banned.
Bumpers are required front and rear, though no requirements regarding size or strength. Exception: Light duty trucks.
Naming:
Model/Trim : SCCR4 - Your name / The name of the car
Family/Variant : SCCR4 - Your name / The name of the engine
DEADLINE:Tuesday the 2nd of November, 6 PM CET
Before this, I want the car file sent to me via PM, and also a presentation, ad, or similar of the car in this thread.
(Feel free to ask any questions!)