The International Motor Show in Frankfurt from 1973 to 1979

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The International Motor Show in Frankfurt from 1973 to 1979

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Created on September 4, 2011

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Opel / General Motors

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Opel Kadett (1973) - significant innovation on the Opel stand - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Audi 80 GT (1973) - new top model with 100 hp and a top speed of 175 km/h - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Audi Coupé 'Asso di Picche' (1973) - four-seater coupé study based on the Audi 80, designed by Giugaro, ItalDesign and Karmann - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Audi Coupé 'Asso' (1973) - Rollers for advertisements, specially switched switches in the prototype by ItalDesign - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Bitter Diplomat CD (1973) - The new coupé based on the Opel was to cost DM 50,000 - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1973) - at the IAA the Turbo stood without the mirror-inverted Turbo lettering - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Chevrolet Corvette 2 Rotor (1973) - GM design, twin-twin engine installed in front of the rear axle - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Chevrolet Corvette 2 Rotor (1973) - fittings arranged in a semicircle in the GM Corvette prototype - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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DAF 66 (1973) - now also available with a 1.3-liter engine - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Datsun 160 J Coupé (1973) - 83 hp 160 J SSS Coupé, one of many Datsun novelties - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Ford Escort RS 1600 (1973) - Competition vehicles as a center of attraction for the stands, here a Zakspeed version with 2000cc, 225 hp, 240 kmh - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Ford Mustang II (1973) - American styling with European dimensions, here with tailgate - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Jaguar XJ 6 C Coupé (1973) - new luxury coupé from British Leyland - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Lancia-Beta Coupé (1973) - unconventional steering wheel and white dials - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Mazda RX-4 Rotary Coupé (1973) - Coupé version of the Wankel two-disc vehicle - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1973) - attractive mid-engined coupé with three seats side by side - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Mercedes-Benz ESF 22 (1973) - Safety first - the experimental safety vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz exhibit at the IAA 1973 - IAA 1973

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Mercedes-Benz (1973) - Demonstration of a crash-tested car, safety is an issue - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Opel Manta GT/E (1973) - the upcoming top model with 1.9-liter injection engine - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Porsche FLA (1973) - The "long-term car research project" FLA Type 296 is presented at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 1973

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Porsche FLA (1973) - Long-term car study triggered controversial discussions - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Porsche Turbo (1973) - still a one-off, with impressive rear spoiler and 280 hp at 6,500 rpm - production not yet planned - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Renault R5 TL (1973) - R5 for competition use - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Renault 6 TL (1973) - new radiator face and new bumpers on the R 6 - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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VW Beetle (1973) - new special model with jeans seat covers - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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BMW 3.0 Coupé Frua (1975) - sporty coupé from Frua - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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BMW 3.5 CSL (1975) - Racing attraction, with 'rear tail unit' - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Ford Capri (1975) - new sports packages make the Capri hotter - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Austin Princess (1975) - Entry into the upper middle class - Princess with transverse in-line six-cylinder engine - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Mazda RX-5 Coupé (1975) - new Wankel vehicle with 135 SAE horsepower - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Opel GT 2 (1975) - futuristic and streamlined experimental vehicle with sliding doors - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Opel GT 2 (1975) - Door opener in the exterior mirror of the experimental vehicle - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Opel GT 2 (1975) - futuristic interior of the experimental vehicle - digital displays - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta (1975) - additional body variant with tailgate on the Alfasud - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Karmann Pik Ass (1973) - study by Giugiaro, a kind of preliminary study for the VW Scirocco, already shown at the IAA Frankfurt in 1973 - Geneva Motor Show 1975

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Cadillac Seville (1975) - small version with electronically controlled fuel injection system for the 5.7-liter V8 engine - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Citroën CX (1975) - at the IAA in Frankfurt 1975

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Citroën CX (1975) - Cutaway model at the IAA in Frankfurt 1975

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Citroen CX (1975) - CX 2200 as luxury model Pallas - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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Citroën GS Birotor (1973) - Presentation at the IAA in Frankfurt in fall 1973

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Jaguar XJ-S (1975) - E-Type replacement with 5.3-liter V12 engine and 285 hp - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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VW Golf GTI (1975) - the Golf is equipped with a 110 hp injection engine, thus creating a new vehicle segment - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1975

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International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977 - large crowds around the new cars -

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Audi 100 Avant (1977) - at Audi the station wagon is called Avant, but is shorter than the sedan - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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Opel Senator (1977) - much admired novelty on the Opel stand, production announced for the coming spring - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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Ferrari 308 GTS (1977) - Premiere of the Targa version of the 308 GTB, the removable roof section is housed behind the seats - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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Ford Granada 2.1 DL (1977) - the Granada was modernized and was also offered with a diesel engine - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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Mercedes 280 TE (1977) - the 123 series is now also sold as a spacious estate - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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Alfasud 1.3 TI (1977) - with the 75 hp engine, the saloon now reaches 160 km/h - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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BMW 320i (1977) - Eddie Cheever's Group 5 racing car was a crowd-puller - BMW Junior Team - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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Saab Turbo (1977) - 145 hp from the 2-liter thanks to turbocharger - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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Tundra (1977) - off-road vehicle with 2.5 ltr 4-cyl engine and 75 hp for DM 15900 - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1977

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BMW 745i (1979) - Turbo engine with 252 hp - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Opel Kadett (1979) - At the Frankfurt IAA 1979, the Kadett D, the first Opel with front-wheel drive, was very well received by the public

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Impressions IAA (1979) - Large crowds in Frankfurt - Parking lots far away from the exhibition grounds - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Colani GT 80 (1979) - Design of a "winged sports car" with cw-value 0.2 - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Bertone Ritmo 75 CL Cabrio (1979) - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Mercedes Benz 300 TD (1979) - previously the turbodiesel was only intended for the USA, now it also came to the domestic market in the station wagon - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Datsun 280 ZX Turbo (1979) - World premiere of the ZX Turbo, a one-off with 200 hp and removable roof halves - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Audi 200 5T (1979) - the turbo five-cylinder in the Audi 200 delivers 170 hp - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Citroën GSA (1979) - Premiere GSA - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Bitter SC (1979) - new coupé, based on Opel's Senator and Monza respectively - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Lancia Delta (1979) - Cutaway model of the small Delta, shown to the public for the first time in Frankfurt - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Cadillac Seville (1979) - Presentation of the new front-wheel drive Cadillac with design borrowings from the pre-war era - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Mercedes Benz (1979) - Cylinder deactivation demonstrated on the object - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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VW (1979) - Demonstration of alternative fuels and visualized fuel consumption over a distance of 10 km - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Mitsubishi Lancer (1979) - European premiere with new bodywork - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Opel Kadett Cup (1979) - Kadett in racing garb - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Porsche 928 (1979) - View into the bulging engine compartment - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta Super 1.8 (1979) - wedge-shaped Giulietta as a one-off - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Toyota Corolla (1979) - Premiere for the new, still rear-wheel drive, Corolla - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1979

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Summary

The 1970s began with a bang for the IAA, as the biennial exhibition was canceled! The German Association of the Automotive Industry had canceled the event for reasons of economy. Not only this, but also the increasing number of new products presented away from public events led to many a discussion about the necessity of such exhibition concepts. The energy crisis was certainly the defining event of the 1970s. The imperative to produce economical and ever cleaner vehicles became an important topic in the seventies. But the political continuum between the absolute demonization of the car and the uncritical belief in progress also influenced developments between 1971 and 1979. This report summarizes the events, innovations and environment of the IAA from 1973 to 1979 and is richly illustrated with 64 pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

1973 - the car in the maelstrom of political controversy
1975 - The car on the upswing - living better with the car
1977 - from whipping boy to darling of the economy
1979 - less consumption through more technology

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The 1970s began with a bang for the IAA, as the biennial exhibition was canceled in 1971! The German Association of the Automotive Industry had canceled the event for reasons of economy. Not only this, but also the increasing number of new products presented away from public events led to many a discussion about the necessity of such exhibition concepts. The energy crisis was certainly the defining event of the 1970s. The imperative to produce economical and ever cleaner vehicles became an important topic in the seventies. But the political continuum between absolute demonization of the car and uncritical belief in progress also influenced developments between 1971 and 1979.

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