Renault 5 Turbo
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Taking one look at the 5 Turbo, you can tell this hatchback was built for rallying. Developed by Renault in 1980, the 5 Turbo was built on a slightly modified body from the Renault 5, but everything under the hood was drastically improved. The 5 Turbo had a 1397 cc turbocharged engine, increasing the top speed from 180 km/k to 200km/h. At the time of the release of the Renault 5 Turbo, it was the most powerful French car made.
The most noticeable changes from the Renault 5 to the Turbo was shifting from 4-wheel drive to rear wheel drive and moving the front-mounted engine to the middle of the rally car. All designed for superior performance on the rally stage. All those improvements and modifications paid off for Renault, in 1981 the Renault 5 Turbo won the coveted Monte Carlo Rally, the 1st race for this high-performance hatchback in World Rally Championship. The 5 Turbo achieved 3 additional World Rally Championship win before it was phased out in 1986.
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
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When we mention the Monte Carlo, we’re talking pre-1988, before it transformed to look just like every other car on the road. Our favorite of all the oddly cool cars Monte Carlo had to offer, was the 2nd generation that was in the automotive market from 1973-1978.
Chevy made some significant improvements to the handling, style, and comfort to the 2nd gen Monte Carlo, with better steering, shocks, tires and a vinyl roof you could only find in the 70s. American drivers loved this car, with almost 250,000 being sold in 1973 alone helping the Monte Carlo win the Car of the Year.
