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I got a bit carried away with my love for touring cars at this year’s Essen Motor Show. I didn’t focus much on anything else, but I don’t really regret it.
Actually, that’s not completely true. This is my second highlight on classic racers from the event. Unlike the famous cars I talked about before, these aren’t the big names from the Group A era.
Here we have some of the smaller fighters in the world of touring cars from a simpler era. This was when Group 2 regulations were in place, and starting in 1971, there was a European Touring Car Championship class for cars with engines under 1,300cc.
For those who think in cubic inches, that’s a mere 79 cubic inches.
One notable absence from this collection is the beautiful Alfa Romeo GT Junior, the first champion of the 1,300 division. Instead, we have a fascinating selection from various decades, countries, and drivetrain setups.
The NSU TT is one of my favorite designs from the 1960s. With its rear-engine, air-cooled, rear-wheel-drive configuration, it’s a unique little car. NSU was an intriguing brand that later became part of Auto Union, evolving into the modern Audi. It even inspired the famous Audi TT, in both name and design approach.
Italy and France have long been experts in small-car engineering. The stunning Fiat 128 Coupé was a strong competitor when it debuted in the 1972 series. And then there’s this Renault 5, which caught me by surprise. Aside from the wild R5 Turbo II in rallying, I didn’t know the Renault 5 had competed in any major circuit series.
The charm of the 1300 European Touring Car Challenge (1300 ETC) championship today is its openness. Any sub-1,300cc car that adheres to the regulations up to the 1981 FIA Appendix J rules can enter.
That’s why the Mk1 VW Polo is part of the lineup. In Europe, these small hatchbacks are known as Berg Cup hill climb machines. But after watching some 1300 ETC races, I can confidently say the competition is intense, regardless of the cars’ age or original purpose.
Preserving historic race series is crucial, but it can be extremely costly. These small yet powerful racers provide a relatively affordable gateway into the world of historic touring cars, and they deserve recognition.
I wonder how much a Mk1 Ford Escort 1300 costs these days…
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn, mariochristou.world
Website: mariochristou.world
The 2024 Essen Motor Show on Speedhunters
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