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Surprising Facts About The Legendary “Herbie” Volkswagen Bug

Cameron Eittreim October 6, 2023

The “Herbie” Volkswagen Beetle captured the hearts of a generation with its unforgettable adventures on the silver screen. But there’s more to Herbie than meets the eye. Beyond the distinct white racing stripes and lovable demeanor, the Herbie VW Beetle boasts a rich history that has left an indelible mark on pop culture. This spunky car made its debut in the 1968 film “The Love Bug” and quickly became a symbol of automotive joy and enthusiasm. The original Herbie, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, was sold at an auction for $126,500.

Herbie was known for his unique personality, displaying emotion through the positioning of his headlights and lovable horn honks. These playful quirks added a layer of endearment to the character that resonated with audiences worldwide. In this article, we’ll peel back the nostalgia and uncover the untold stories, quirks, and surprising tidbits that make this car an enduring symbol of automotive magic. So, fasten your seatbelts and join us to discover the unexpected facts about Herbie, a truly one-of-a-kind Volkswagen Beetle.

There Was a Chance Herbie Wouldn’t Be a Volkswagen

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Although the Volkswagen Beetle fit the personality of Herbie quite well, there was a rumor that it almost didn’t happen. Producer Bill Walsh had a few other ideas in mind for the movie. There was a Toyota, Volvo, and even an MG lined up. But when all was said and done, the Beetle seemed to fit the part perfectly. The spunky little car, looking back, was a great choice. The Herbie franchise wouldn’t have been the same without the Beetle (via Auto Evolution).

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The fact that there were a few options for Herbie just further complicates the complex history of this car. Nevertheless, the Herbie VW Beetle is by far one of the most iconic movie cars of all time. The cute little Beetle changed the way that we looked at the iconic Volkswagen. Before Herbie, there wasn’t a modern racing franchise associated with the car.

More Than One Original Herbie

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Although the original Herbie was an iconic ride, it wasn’t alone. During the production of the movie, there were at least 50 Volkswagen Beetles that were used. These cars all had different purposes and scenes such as the racing scenes and the general driving scenes. You wouldn’t think that it would take that many clones of a car to shoot a film, but it did (via Slash Gear).

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The original Volkswagen Beetle was an iconic car and millions were produced. A movie that was as in-depth as Herbie needed a lot of doubles to cover the stunts and driving scenes. Another reason for the multitude of VW Bugs during production was the fact that the air-cooled car was notorious for overheating and breaking down. Having an adequate level of backups was crucial to make sure that the filming remained on time and on point.

You’ll Notice Something Was Missing

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Everybody knew what Herbie was. But, if you look closely at the movie scenes you’ll be able to tell that something very important is missing. The Volkswagen logo was nowhere to be found on the car. The production company didn’t obtain licensing from Volkswagen to use the logos in the film. Thus, Herbie was just Herbie. But to those who knew anything about cars, it was obvious what model it was. The Beetle is such an iconic ride that it doesn’t need a nameplate to establish itself (via AACA Museum).

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The lack of a logo was not overlooked by most enthusiasts and they were quick to point it out. The Volkswagen logo was never a big part of the design of the Beetle. What made it iconic was the shape of the car. Known as the “people’s car,” the Beetle was a cute, friendly little car that changed the world. Herbie ended up influencing a generation of children who learned to love the movie and the car. There are also many endearing fans who’ve decided to decorate their own authentic Herbie cars.

A Real Herbie Isn’t Cheap

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The important thing to remember about the original Herbie was the fact that there were only 50 of them ever built. This means finding an original wasn’t an easy task. But some enthusiasts loved the movie and scoured the world to find these cars in their original condition. One such example of the car was sold at auction for a whopping $318,900. The car was sold to Planet Hollywood and was the car featured in the movie “Herbie Goes Bananas” (via Britannica).

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The results of this auction just go to show that enthusiasts will pay a ton of cash for a car they love. The original Herbie Beetle had a unique style and brought a lot of attention to the hip car. You’d never think of the Beetle as a race car but the Herbie movies changed that. With its white paint and iconic stripes, the Herbie Beetle was fun and had personality. This friendly little car lit up movie screens like other movie cars from the same era, but it did it with a wholesome feeling.

No White On White Paint Job

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Herbie was a car that had an original factory paint job, the coveted L87 pearl white paint job. But unlike most factory Beetles, Herbie didn’t have a white-on-white interior. Instead, the interior was a special non-reflective gray. The purpose of the gray interior was to prevent reflection from the light into the cameras during shooting. Thus, anyone who owns a true authentic Herbie model will be treated to an interior color that you’ll never see in a factory Beetle model from this era (via Frasier Engine).

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The original Volkswagen came in a lot of colors that were unique to the nameplate. Some were quite noticeable like the yellow ones, while others were quite mild-looking, like the pearl white ones. The film crew dressed Herbie up with a red white and blue stripe scheme and the iconic number 53 on the sides of the car. There was no denying that Herbie was indeed a race car; it had all the unique attributes of one. This is one reason why the movie ended up resonating with a new generation of fans.

Where Did The Name Come From?

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Herbie was a unique name and probably one of the most interesting TV car names ever created. Where did the name originate from? The name was created by Buddy Hackett’s comedy skit. The famous comedian once said, “If you ain’t got a Herbie, I ain’t goin.” Among the other choices on the table were Bugboom, Magic Volksy, and The Runaway Wagen. The movie had a lot of interesting titles on the table, but there was just something about “Herbie” that stuck with filmmakers (via MeTV).

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The Volkswagen was called “The Peoples Car” for a reason. It connected people to affordable transportation in the same way the Model T did. Naturally, using the bug for a children’s movie was a smart move because the car was friendly and inviting. Herbie changed the game when it came to children’s movies and the car ended up being its own star. There will never be another Herbie and the nameplate will remain an iconic piece of automotive history thanks to the wonderful story and fun car.

Some Original Herbies Had a Porsche Engine

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Since the original Volkswagen was already designed by Porsche engineering, it wasn’t uncommon to see a Porsche engine jammed into one of these from time to time. And that’s what happened during the filming of the original Herbie flicks because the stunt scenes were too much for the factory engine to handle. The movie crew utilized a 90-horsepower 1600-cc twin-carburetor flat-four engine for the models that were used in the stunts and racing scenes. The result was a car that performed considerably better, especially on video (via Auto Evolution).

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The Porsche engineering was an adequate first step in giving the car some real power. A factory Beetle just didn’t have the pep to deliver when it came to a real racing scene. The directors knew that but the design of the car fit the movie so well that they found a workaround. Thus, some original Herbie models are floating around that utilized a true Porsche engine under the hood. Finding one of these cars is a special experience and sure to leave a lasting impression on whoever ends up owning it.

Real Racecar Drivers Were Used in The Movie

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Perhaps one of the most unique things about the original Herbie movie was the fact that real race drivers were used in the production of it. Carey Loftin was the stunt driver in charge of the production and was acclaimed in the industry. That’s why most of the scenes have such a realistic feel to them because the drivers were well-trained to do this. The main thing that people talk about when they remember the Herbie movies is just how fun to drive the car looked like it was (via Auto Evolution).

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The sheer detail that went into every shot made the movie extremely enjoyable. Plus, who can forget the awesomeness of the striped Beetle racing across the screen? There is something about the Herbie franchise that’s extremely special. The car had a nice touch of reality coupled with a feel-good story, and most of us remember that.

What Did #53 Mean?

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If there’s one thing people remember about Herbie, it’s the #53 on the side of the car. But why exactly did the directors go with #53? Well, the number had some significance to it. The producer Bill Walsh had a fixation with baseball and his favorite pitcher wore that number. The number belonged to the legendary Don Drysdale. The colors were chosen because of the patriotic theme, which gave the car an inviting look and went with the factory white paint job (via Auto Evolution).

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That just makes Herbie even more special of a franchise because every bit of the car was unique. From the one-of-a-kind paint to the thought that went into every detail of it. Herbie was a special piece of movie history and something that a selection of fans are still holding onto.

Where Did The License Plate Come From?

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Maybe one of the most unique facts about Herbie was the license plate and where it originated from. The letters “OFP 857” were seen throughout the movie on a black standard California license plate. But, was there a meaning for that, or was it just a random plate? It turns out that the plate did have some meaning to it. The lettering stood for “Our First Production 8-57”, which was a nod to ‘The Love Bug’. The fact that this little easter egg was evident throughout the movie franchise is quite interesting (via Auto Evolution).

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There was no shortage of unique features when it came to the original Herbie. The car had a lot of love from the entire production crew, and the quality is evident when you watch the movies. The Beetle created a cultural phenomenon when it hit the market and that appeal can be seen in the movie when it hit the theaters.

Home Cars Failure To Launch: Sports Cars That Disappointed Performance Fans
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Failure To Launch: Sports Cars That Disappointed Performance Fans

Vukasin Herbez October 5, 2023

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One of the biggest indicators that the car industry is constantly improving is the rapid evolution of performance. The relentless quest for speed has inspired many engineers to make cars faster and more exciting, especially when it comes to sports cars.

However, while many car fans believe that all sports cars are fast, this just isn’t the case. There are more than a few sports car models that are downright disappointing due to the fact they’re ridiculously slow. We chronicled those engineering failures, so find out which cars attempted to create speed and failed right here.

Matra Bagheera

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For decades, French company Matra delivered innovative solutions, and new technologies while working with some of the biggest names in the industry. In cooperation with Simca in the early 1970s, Matra decided to produce a small sports car for the European market. Called the Bagheera, this three-seater was introduced in 1973 (via Hagerty UK).

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The Bagheera had three seats up front. Even though it was very compact, three people could sit comfortably next to each other. Unfortunately, the power came from diminutive 1.2 and 1.4-liter engines that didn’t provide any exhilarating performance. However, with three seats and some French charm, the Matra Bagheera was a moderate success.

ASA 1000 GT

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This little Italian sports car was once considered the next big thing in the car industry when it was introduced in 1962. Called “Ferrarina” (little Ferrari), the ASA 1000 GT was exactly that. It was built on a tubular chassis with a lightweight body and engine designed by then-Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarinni. It had four-wheel disc brakes, a sports suspension, and a nicely trimmed interior.

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Under the hood was a 1.03-liter four-cylinder with only 93 hp (via Classic Driver). Despite initial interest from customers, production stopped in 1967 after only 95 examples were built. Today, however, this little car is highly praised by collectors and car historians.

Bricklin SV-1

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The SV-1 was the brainchild of automotive entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin. It was produced in Canada from 1974 to 1975 in less than 3000 examples. For a short while, the SV-1 was marketed as the best and most advanced American sports car. But as soon as the first cars started rolling off the assembly line, it was clear that the SV-1 was not as good as people expected (via Car and Driver).

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The idea was to produce a safe, fast sports car as the name SV-1 (Safety Vehicle One) suggested. Bricklin designed the car with big bumpers, warning sensors, power Gullwing doors, no cigarette lighters, and an integrated roll cage. These details made it heavy and not very agile. Its power came from a 360 AMC V8 engine that wasn’t very powerful. Later the company turned to the 351 Ford V8. However, it still didn’t deliver any real performance.

Volkswagen SP2

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When the SP2 came out, the biggest car company in Brazil was Volkswagen. The combination of air-cooled quality, usability, and low price tags made Volkswagens the most popular cars in Brazil by far. However, Volkswagen didn’t have any performance credentials or a sports model. So in the early ’70s, Volkswagen wanted to get in the muscle/performance car market. They took the Beetle floor pan, a 1.7-liter flat-four engine, and tuned it to 75 hp. This wasn’t much but it was far more than stock (via Silodrome).

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The finished product was called the SP2 and it debuted in 1972. It had modern looks with a long front end, low profile, and sporty silhouette. The car cost more than any other Volkswagen. It did have some performance but failed to meet the expectations of performance-oriented car fans. The SP2 was in production for four years until 1976. During that time, Volkswagen made over 11,000 examples.

Marcos GT

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Produced from 1964 to 1971 and again from 1981 to 1990, the Marcos GT was the most popular model from this company. Basically, it was a kit car built on a custom chassis but with a choice of engines. The Marcos GT was a relatively cheap but capable sports car with aggressive styling, low weight, and decent performance (via Marcos OC).

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The GT could be had with numerous engines, mostly from Ford. The lineup started with small 1.5 or 1.6-liter four-cylinders. For a brief period of time, the Marcos GT was offered on the American market with Volvo’s straight six. However, not many cars were sold and their performance was poor.

SAAB Sonett

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SAAB was always known for its sedans and convertibles with turbo engines. But during the 1960s and early ’70s, SAAB produced a sports coupe. As expected, it was strange, obscure, and quirky just like the rest of their cars. In fact, there were three generations of the Sonett. The first one was a racing prototype from the ’50s but the second and third were regular production models (via Top Gear).

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Designed on a box chassis and fitted with a fiberglass body, the Sonett was initially equipped with tiny SAAB’s three-cylinder two-stroke engine with just 60 hp. As you can expect, customers were disappointed with its poor performance. But the company soon fitted it with a 1.7-liter V4 borrowed from Ford’s European division.

Porsche 914

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The Porsche 914 was built from 1969-76 as an entry-level model. It was designed and produced in cooperation with Volkswagen and is sometimes called a VW-Porsche 914. Behind the driver is a Volkswagen-derived flat-four engine with around 100 hp (via Porsche).

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It doesn’t sound like much because it wasn’t. Despite its low weight, this Porsche wasn’t really a sports car. It looked like one and was produced by a notable sports car company with the engine in the back. But unfortunately, you could beat it with a V8 family sedan.

Toyota Celica

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Toyota produced the Celica for decades as an affordable coupe built on a regular car platform. This meant that the Celica looked different, sporty, and fast, but it wasn’t much faster than the Camry or Corolla from the same model year (via Toyota).

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The last generation Celica was a really sharp-looking coupe with a wedge shape, a low silhouette and a supposedly big performance. But that just wasn’t true. It had only 110 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time of 10 seconds.

Hyundai Tiburon

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When it was released, the Tiburon was a breath of fresh air in the affordable coupe class. It was a good-looking, inexpensive, and exciting coupe to own. At least it was marketed as such. Under the body was a regular Hyundai chassis with a 2.0-liter, 140 hp engine and 172 hp engine as an option (via Car and Driver).

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Either way, it wasn’t fast or particularly rewarding to drive. The Tiburon was a total disappointment as a result like most of those front-wheel-drive coupes with ordinary drivetrains and small-displacement engines were.

Chevrolet Corvette C3 (1980)

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In 1970, the hottest Corvette had 435 hp. In 1980, the hottest Corvette had a much more modest 180 hp. It even had 10 hp less in California due to more strict emission standards in that state. So what happened in just 10 years and where did all those horses go (via CorvSport)?

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An economic recession, emission standards, and safety regulations appeared and killed almost all the performance from the legendary Corvette. The 1980 Corvette was sort of a dinosaur with old technology under the plastic skin. It had lazy engines and an outdated interior. It still looked the business but the years had caught up with it and the disco era had passed.

Porsche 912

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In 1965 after the end of Porsche 356 production, the brand-new 912 was released. It was a 911 but with a 2.0-liter, flat four-cylinder engine, 90 hp, and modest performance. The car was also significantly cheaper than the 911 and very fuel efficient with 36 mpg (via Porsche).

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Despite its slow performance, the 912 turned out to be a major hit for the factory. Between 1969 and 1969, more than 32,000 examples left showroom floors. In fact, the 912 proved to be a savior of the whole 911 series because it secured the financial stability of the factory until buyers fully accepted the 911.

Skoda 110 R

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During the 1960s, Skoda’s main sedan model was the 110, a basic four-door car with a rear-mounted four-cylinder engine. At that time in Eastern Europe, sports cars were almost nonexistent as a category. Skoda wanted to introduce a sports coupe to widen its appeal and export sales. The result was the Skoda 110 R, a true sports coupe with a dynamic fastback design and more power (via Skoda Storyboard).

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The 110 R was introduced in 1970 and immediately became a  sought-after model in Eastern Europe. It retained the basic technical layout but had an upgraded engine boosting 62 hp. Of course, the performance was diminutive by today’s standards. But back in the early ’70s in Czechoslovakia, this was a proper sports coupe.

Opel GT

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Opel needed a sports car based on its entry-level model, the Kadett. In the mid-1960s, it got approval from GM to introduce such a vehicle. The design was heavily influenced by Corvette and GM’s concepts from the ’60s. With covered headlights, a curvy Coke bottle design, twin round tail lights, and a similar silhouette, the Opel GT was a scaled-down version of the Corvette. And it even appeared on the market at the same time as the Vette’s third generation (via Auto Express).

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With 1.3 and 1.9-liter four-cylinder engines, the Opel GT didn’t have the Corvette’s power or performance but it had the looks. It was sold in America through the Buick dealership network. Interestingly enough, it actually sold well. In fact, more Opel GTs were sold in the US than in Europe during its five-year production run.

Ferrari Mondial

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Introduced in 1980, the Mondial was the successor of the 308 GT4. It was a compact Grand Turismo sports car with a 2+2 seating configuration and a mid-engine layout. That meant it offered more space than the 308 and 328 GTB models, which were two-seaters only (via Ferrari).

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Despite the fact that the Mondial was more practical and somewhat cheaper, it wasn’t particularly popular So today it is one of the rare poorly regarded models in the Ferrari community. The design wasn’t very dynamic and its performance figures were much slower than the rest of the Ferrari lineup.

Lancia Scorpion

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In 1976, Lancia presented the Scorpion, a US-spec version of its Beta Montecarlo model. For the American market, the Montecarlo name couldn’t be used since Chevrolet already had the Monte Carlo. So Lancia decided to go with the more aggressive Scorpion name (via Motor Trend).

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However, despite the car’s modern looks and technical layout, the Scorpion wasn’t exactly a great performer since its four-cylinder engine delivered only 81 hp in US spec. The Scorpion was on sale for two years in 1976 and 1977 and sold around 1,800 examples in America.

Pontiac Fiero

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By the standards of its time, this was the most advanced American production model. Customers were hyped by the appearance of the Fiero. With its cool and modern design and advanced technology, the initial response was more than good (via GM Parts Centar).

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It was a bold move for Pontiac to introduce a compact, rear-wheel drive car with the engine positioned behind the driver and to pair it up with a five-speed manual transaxle gearbox. But one of the Fiero’s main problems was the fact it was underpowered. With 93 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time of over 10 seconds, it was painfully slow.

Fiat 128 3P

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Based on the economy family sedan called the Fiat 128, the Coupe and 3P (Tre Porte – Three Doors) models presented a supposedly sporty alternative. Introduced in 1971, the 128 Coupe and 3P featured front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engines (via Curbside Classic).

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Despite its cool, almost muscle car looks, the 128 Coupe and 3P weren’t exactly fast. The reason was the engine choice and buyers could choose between 1.1 and 1.3 liter units which delivered 60 and 67 hp. That is why most owners installed more powerful engines.

Melkus RS 1000

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As you may know, the sports car market in communist countries was practically nonexistent. Apart from the Skoda 110 R, there was no other sports car available. However, in East Germany, automotive engineer Heinz Melkus designed a very capable and interesting sports coupe. They convinced the Wartburg factory to produce a limited number of cars (via Silodrome).

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They used the Wartburg 353 as a basis, a Melkus-designed and fabricated independent front and rear suspension, roll-bars, and a close ratio five-speed gearbox. The 992 ccm engine had 68 hp, which was a lot from such a small displacement. The engine was behind the driver sending its power to the rear wheels, instead of the front like the standard Wartburg 353. It looked cool but with 68 hp, its performance was disappointing.

Toyota Sports 800

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This was the first Toyota sports car. It debuted in 1962, and in those days, Toyota was a small unknown company. So it wasn’t strange that sales were limited to Asian markets only (via Toyota).

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It had a diminutive 800 ccm engine with 45 hp. But despite its modest power and displacement, the Sports 800 had some performance credentials since it was extremely light and agile. However, by today’s standards, the 800’s dynamics are ridiculous. Production was over in 1969 after over 3,100 examples left the factory. It’s a valuable piece of Toyota’s history although it is very slow.

Fiat X 1/9

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Behind this strange name lies one of the most interesting affordable sports cars of the ’70s. Introduced in 1972, the Fiat X1/9 was a small two-seater with T-Tops, a mid-mounted engine, and two trunks. Think of it as a Porsche Boxster, just 20 years older (via Classics World).

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Despite fantastic looks and technical layout, the X 1/9 was pretty underpowered. With just around 60 hp from its small 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, its performance was not impressive and most owners decided to fit bigger engines.

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