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Geneva Motor Show 1981 - little new, but improvements in detail

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Created on February 27, 2011

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Bruno von Rotz

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Bruno von Rotz

14

Archiv

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Bruno von Rotz

14

Archiv

32

Audi Quartz - styling study/prototype by Pininfarina - dedicated to AR on its 75th birthday

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VW Scirocco - World premiere of the Scirocco at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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VW Scirocco - World premiere of the Scirocco II at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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VW Scirocco - World premiere at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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De Lorean DMC - The gullwing is an eye-catcher at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Talbot Tagora - World premiere in Geneva 1981

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Audi Quartz - Pininfarina masterpiece based on the Audi Quattro at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Audi Quartz - the styling study by Pininfarina from behind

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Audi Quartz - Pininfarina masterpiece based on the Audi Quattro at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Audi Quartz - Innovative lamp technology in the Pininfarina styling study at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Audi Quartz - Design concepts for the styling study by Pininfarina

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Audi Quartz - the rear of the Pininfarina study shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Audi Quartz - Pininfarina masterpiece based on the Audi Quattro at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Audi Quartz - The Pininfarina study based on the Audi Quattro - shown at the 1981 Motor Show

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Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 - The evergreen at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Fiat 124 Spider (1981) - available again in Europe and shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Triumph TR 7 Cabriolet - the TR7 Cabriolet at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Matra Murena 2.2 - Three-seater coupé at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Matra Murena 2.2 - Three-seater coupé at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Renault Fuego TX - the French fire coupé at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Citroën 2 CV - the special 2CV Charleston model on the Citroën stand at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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The Citroën Karin concept car by Fiore on the futuristic Citroën stand at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Mercedes-Benz - Mercedes has made the airbag ready for series production

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Opel Manta 400 - the basis for racing at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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AC Ghia - this is what a modern AC could look like - shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Ford Ghia prototype - Economical three-wheeler for two people on the Ford stand at the 1981 Motor Show

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Lamborghini Athon (1981) - Bertone prototype shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Alfa Romeo GTV 6 - the GTV 6 is on display for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show, but was already presented in the fall of 1980

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Alfa Romeo GTV 6 - first seen at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud - Special series of the Alfasud with the collaboration of fashion designer Valentino - Geneva Motor Show 1981

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Fiat Ritmo 85 - the Ritmo is now available with a more powerful 85 hp engine than the Super (Geneva Motor Show 1981)

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Mini Metro (1981) - The importance of the cw value is demonstrated by 51 projectors with digital control on a large screen measuring 2.5 x 9 meters

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Mini Metro (1981) - attractively priced despite the high pound sterling exchange rate, smartly and comfortably furnished

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Aston-Martin Lagonda - this low feudal limousine costs 218,000 francs

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Lotus Esprit Turbo - the displacement of the Lotus engines was increased from 2 to 2.2 liters

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Covini Sirio 1981 - attractive mid-engined two-seater, the one-off with diesel engine was presented at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Porsche 928 - Convertible Porsche 928 from bb to be built for California

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Porsche 911 - heavily modified Porsche from bb with the headlights from the 928

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Mazda RX 7 - new with more power and a streamlined body, shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Jaguar E Type - Stand of the Swiss Jaguar E-Type Club, shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Porsche 924 Carrera GTS - the Group 4 racing car was offered to customers (Geneva Motor Show 1981)

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Porsche 924 Carrera GTR - the racing version, DM 180,000 for 375 hp (Geneva Motor Show 1981)

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VW ARVW - the record-breaking car from VW, shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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Sbarro GT 40 - Sbarro's GT 40 Replica on the Automobil Revue stand at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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AR - The Automobil-Revue stand at the 1981 Salon

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Summary

The 1981 Geneva Motor Show was held in the aftermath of the fuel price shock, the generally rising cost of living and, above all, the ever-increasing competitive pressure from the expanding Japanese manufacturers. As usual, there were many shiny car bodies in Geneva, but comparatively few new products, apart from the Japanese premiere bouquet.

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The 1981 Geneva Motor Show was held in the aftermath of the fuel price shock, the generally rising cost of living and, above all, the ever-increasing competitive pressure from the expanding Japanese manufacturers. As usual, there were many gleaming car bodies in Geneva, but comparatively few innovations, apart from the Japanese premiere bouquet. It has only been 30 years since the Motor Show opened its doors at the Grand Palais in 1981. At the time, Ronald Reagen was President of the USA, Helmut Schmidt was Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and Kurt Furgler was President of Switzerland. Nelson Piquet became Formula 1 world champion in 1981 driving a Williams-Ford. The number of color TVs in living rooms increased steadily, with "Teleboy" (last broadcasts) and the new family TV show "Wetten, dass?" (with Frank Elstner) luring viewers to the screen on Saturday evenings. The first episodes of "Dallas" with German dubbing made people either fans or opponents. With the (Sony) Walkman, young people listened to "Bette Davis Eyes" (Kim Carnes), "In the Air Tonight" (Phil Collins) or "Flash" (Queens), perhaps also "The Do Do Do De De Da Da Da" by the Police or even "Über sieben Brücken musst Du gehn" by Peter Maffay. The CD was presented at the 1981 radio exhibition in Berlin. The movie "Raging Bull" ("Wie ein wilder Stier") with Robert de Niro, "Christiane F" and "Das Boot" were shown in the cinema. The price of petrol had doubled to DM 1.40 per liter compared to 1971, and a kilogram of bread cost DM 2.57. NASA reached for the stars for the first time with the Space Shuttle.

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