4 subcompacts tested in 1980; auto show dates set
Forty years ago this week, on Feb. 9, 1980, I reviewed in The Denver Post four American-built subcompact two-door hatchbacks with 4-cylinder engines and 4-speed manual transmissions.
The four – AMC Spirit, Chevrolet Chevette, Dodge Omni and Ford Pinto – were tested during a snowy week with temperatures below zero during several nights.
The Ford Pinto was highlighted by excellent shifting, quick and smooth and easy on the downshift with its 2.3-liter overhead-cam engine. With its fast shifting, the 2,500-pound Pinto was the equal of Spirit and Omni and ahead of the Chevette in acceleration. Base price of the Pinto Runabout is $4,355 with $240 added for freight. Over the years, the Pinto acquired the reputation of a good snow car.
The AMC Spirit was set apart from its competition by 14-inch wheels and a big 21-gallon fuel tank. The others use 13-inch wheels and carry fuel capacities around 13 gallons. Firm, wide seats which sit higher made the Spirit more comfortable than the others. The Spirit at 2,615 pounds is heaviest and its base of $5,526 is highest-priced. The Spirit had the largest engine displacement, 2.5 liters, and the smallest cargo area.
The Dodge Omni 024 is a standout handler and its aerodynamically stylish car’s front-wheel-drive puts it ahead of its class in this fast-coming design. The 024’s 1.7-liter engine is quiet and smooth and the car’s turning circle of 33.3 feet is 3 feet more than the Chevette. The Omni weighs only 2,197 pounds and its base price is $5,271. With its rear seatback folded, the Omni offered the largest cargo volume.
The Chevrolet Chevette, America’s best-selling subcompact, is the lightest of the four tested at 2,050 pounds. Optional items of tinted glass, rear-window defogger and custom cloth bucket seats raised sticker price from a base of $4,288 to almost $4,900. The Chevette was equipped with a high-output version of its 1.6-liter engine. The Chevette’s overall length of 162 inches is shortest of the four models.
Fuel mileages ranged from 20.7 to26.3 for the Pinto, 20.4 to 28.5 for the Spirit, 23.5 to31.6 for the Omni and 21.3 to32.4 for the Chevette. Providing the new cars for the testing were Goodro Ford, 2121 S. Colorado Blvd.; the AMC Denver zone office, 5005 Lima St.; Northglenn Dodge, 759 W. 104th Ave.; and Stevinson Chevrolet, 14700 W. Colfax Ave.
Denver Auto Show
The 2020 Denver Auto Show will be a four-day event, running from Thursday, April 2, through Sunday, April 5, at the Colorado Convention Center, according to Tim Jackson of the Colorado Auto Dealers Association. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Preceding the show on Wednesday night, April 1, will be the annual Preview Gala, featuring the inaugural Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame Dinner at the convention center.