Thapson
Peugeot 404 (1960-75)
“if a car is used for those roles, you know it’s robust and dependable”
What do you do when it’s time to update a car that’s done very well? You get Pininfarina to do it just right. This is what happened when Peugeot began phasing out 403 and ushered in the 1960 404. The result is a winner which is good looking both on the outside and the inside. In Southern Africa they were popularly used as Police Cars, Taxis, and Commercial vehicles. If a car is used for those roles, you know it’s robust and dependable. There are various versions of this car, but here I’ll stick to the sedan, station wagon, and pickup versions. I’ll touch on the other versions another time.
Peugeot 404 engines come in the 1.5 and 1.6 Liter 4-cylinder versions. There is also a 1.9 Liter diesel model. It checks all the popular design styles of that era.
Peugeout 404 Ad (1966) / ilovemypeugeot (YouTuble.com)
My Experience
Their robust nature was confirmed when a family friend bought one of these in white. With large seats, the car felt spacious, comfortable, and powerful. I loved the simplistic yet practical looking dashboard. The fact that I noticed this at that young age is a credit to the car. Rear window horizontal blinds cut out the sun giving it a feel of luxury. Occasionally I catch this car in a movie and everything comes right back. The 404 left a lasting impression on me as a car worth remembering. A true classic for sure.
Meanwhile, what was going on the other end of the English Channel during this period? Let’s check out below.
Hillman Imp (1963-76)
The Hillman Imp was the lesser known small British car other than the Mini made during that time period. Although not as “cute” or revolutionary as the Mini, this car was quite interesting all the same. As implied, the “Imp” was small. Also, there is no visible grill in the front just a design of sorts. That’s because this car is rear engine hence the unique front end.
1965 Hillman Imp Ad / ClassicCarCatalogue.com
Originally manufactured by the Scottish Rootes Group, Hillman Imp production continued when Chrysler Europe took over that company. It was assembled in a wide range of countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Costa Rica, Malta, Philippines, Uruguay, and Venezuela, among others.
Rootes Hillman Imp Ad 1968 / Anachronistic Anarchist (YouTube.com)
Overshadowed
The design changed very little over the years as did the engine which came in 875 cc and 998 cc, 4-cylinder versions. The only variations of this car is the Coupe, GT, and Husky – the last being a station wagon. Although it never achieved the popularity, and cult status of the Mini, the Hillman Imp is a also a very unique looking car and needs to recognized as such. My childhood friend had a die cast model of this car and, not surprisingly, it was the pride of his collection.
Let’s look at another relatively small British car from that era.
Ford Anglia – Fourth Generation (1959-68)
The 4th generation Ford Anglia is a popular and unique model on the roads from the 60s and 70s. Introduced in 1959, it was a jump in design from the 50s style of Anglia that existed till then. For some strange reason its predecessor reminds me of the “Thompson and Thomson” characters from “Tintin” comics.
Unique Looks
Like most cars from that era, the Ford Anglia is recognizable from a distance. The grill resembles the mouth of a bass fish, with headlights for the eyes. Its compact body with the sharp vertical rear lights were vogue then. The uniquely designed backward slanted rear window is apparently inspired from some American cars of the period. Lest I’m misunderstood, I make the above description with a good degree of admiration for its uniqueness.
Popular Abroad
Designed for a small family, the 59-68 Anglia was only available as a 2-door. There were sedan, estate, and panel van offerings – all having the one engine size just shy of 1 Liter. A success for Ford in the small car arena, it was popular abroad where it was assembled in Australia, and South Africa. In South Africa it remained popular even after the introduction of its successor: the Ford Escort. Relatively basic and unsophisticated, the Anglia did quite well for both utilitarian and family uses.
First on the Road with the Anglia 1959 / FordHeritage (YouTube.com
The Ford Anglia is yet another uniquely British classic. So British is its personality, it was featured in those Harry Potter movies.
While the Anglia was unique in its looks, the next car is unique in its rarity these days.
ISUZU Bellet (1963-73)
Isuzu Motors of Japan, currently synonymous with commercial vehicles, had many partnerships with other car companies in the past. But it also made some popular models of its own. One of which was the Isuzu Bellet.
Looked “Fast,” But Was It?
Manufactured from 1963 to 1973, the Isuzu Bellet remains one of my favorite cars from back then. Likely due to its somewhat low-slung profile and forward slanting rear end. This gave it an illusion of being a “speed demon”. But this wasn’t the case – at least with the family sedan. Although I had ridden in one driven by a guy who was “lead footed” – which did the trick for me. Looking at it as adult, I realize it was relatively generic looking compared to similar cars from Japan at the time.
Rarest of the rare
This model is very rare as I haven’t seen one in decades. It was made as a 2 and 4 door sedan, coupe, and a fastback coupe version. I realize they were also made as utility vehicles. But I wouldn’t remember them. After all, I “only had eyes” for the sedan and coupe versions.
It’s engine sizes range from 1.3 to 1.8 Liter. And, along with the 4 speed standards, they also come in 3 speed automatics.
1971 Isuzu Bellet GTR / BANKAKUEMIKO (YouTube.com)
Isuzu Bellet 1600 GTR Simulation / HSG Automotive (YouTube.com)
The coupe version with the right kind of trimming, paint job, rims, and other trimmings would make my day. I wonder how well they’ve aged and would they do same thing to me as when I was young? Maybe not, but definitely another unforgettable good looking classic to come out of Japan.
And that brings me to my quirky/unique car of the moment. And today we remember the:
The Chrysler Turbine (1963-64)
Back in 1963, Chrysler Motors conceptualized a turbine engine instead of the regular piston engine. The result was the unique looking Chrysler Turbine.
Lofty Ambitions
The engine could reportedly run on any type of fuel including perfume! It was thought that taking out the pistons would reduce the maintenance costs and increase reliability. However, despite this advanced design, it could only muster up 130 HP of power although the torque was very high at around 425 lb-ft.
Chrysler Turbine Concept / DtRockstar1 (YouTube.com)
The Lucky Few
Despite durability and smooth performance, the Chrysler Turbine project was shelved with most of the 50 cars that were made destroyed. Â Apparently only 9 survived and are spread out among Chrysler, private collectors (including Jay Leno), and museums.
But here we like to enjoy the aesthetics of our cars. I’m sure you’ll agree it looked sleek for its time. Despite the revolutionary engine, they tried to jazz up things in the interior as well.
And there you have it friends. This was my batch of classic cars worth remembering. I’ll be back with more fun cars to talk about. Until then, remember drive carefully when passing parked cars as anyone could open the door or dart out from behind them and onto your path.
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