With all the new products of the year - AR vintage 1982 is available in the Zwischengas archive
For the first time in the (short) history of Zwischengas, the magazine archive has reached the classic car era, at least for a few weeks. Because in less than two months' time, of course, cars from 1982 will start to be classed as classic cars. The 1982 issue of Automobil Revue is now available in the Zwischengas archive.
New models in 1982 included the Citroën BX, the Porsche 911 Cabrio, the Maserati Biturbo, the Mercedes Benz 380/500 SEC, the Toyota Celica Supra, the Mitsubishi Starion, the Mercedes Benz 190/190E, the BMW 3-series (E30), the Ford Sierra and the completely revamped Audi 100 series. And of course some of these cars were also tested, such as the Toyota Celica Supra in AR number 22/1982 or the Mercedes Benz 380/500 SEC in AR number 24/1982.
In addition, exotic cars also received extensive coverage.
For example, a test of the hyper-futuristic Aston Martin Lagonda appeared on page 33 of AR issue 16/1982 on April 15, 1982 under the title "Noble and expensive".
This was followed two pages later by a tour of the Aston Martin factory.
In AR issue 36/1982, the AR testers took a look at the DeLorean DMC-12.
In general, there was a lot of reporting on this car in 1982, but even more on the problems of the brand and its CEO.
Some convertible fans may also be interested in the list of convertibles available in Switzerland with/without bars, which appeared on page 2 of AR issue 20/1982. Just over 20 car models were vying for the favor of buyers at the time, 13 models without and 8 with bars. Prices ranged from CHF 16,990 (Bertone X1/9) to 285,000 (Rolls Royce Corniche).
One reason to browse through the 1982 vintage is certainly the advertisements. Unique vehicles were sold, many even advertised with pictures. Borgward 1500 RS, TVR Tuscan with BMW engine, Serenissima 308 V, Bizzarrini prototype, Audi Quattro station wagon by Artz, Ermini from 1955, Veritas, BMW 315/1 from 1939, etc. - Some of these vehicles have probably never been seen in public since!
Incidentally, Ferrari prices were still reasonable at the time; a 250 GTE, for example, could be bought for CHF 45,000, a 400 GT for 57,000. Just eight years later, some sellers were easily asking five to ten times that amount.
However, issue 21/1982 also reported on the first Zurich Motor Show in 1907 and issue 12/1982 on the guild of coachbuilders.
More and more cars with diesel engines were being bought at the beginning of the 1980s, a good reason to report on the sufferings and joys of diesel drivers in AR issue 5/1982.
As usual, motorsport and racing cars were of course also an important topic, whether in the form of the presentation of various Formula 1 cars in AR issue 2/1982 or by means of exciting race reports, such as the events at the Monaco Grand Prix, where five different teams had a real chance of winning, as reported in AR issue 22/1982.
The safety of Formula 1 was also discussed several times, and at the end of the season the end of wing cars was announced.
Safety was generally one of the priorities in 1982, as were exhaust and noise regulations, in which Switzerland dared to go it alone from 1982 onwards (with negative effects on the future classic car scene that continue to this day). Electric cars were also hotly debated several times in 1982.
However, the fact that it was still possible to hold the Bern Grand Prix around the Federal Palace (government building) in 1982, as described in AR 27/1982, can only give cause for admiration from today's perspective.
Reading the article on the Birmingham Motor Show in AR issue 44/1982 (page 13) also gives rise to nostalgic feelings, as most of the brands exhibited at that time no longer exist today. Want some examples? Bristol, Austin, TVR, MG, Rover, Triumph, Reliant, Panther, etc.... Due to cocaine, DeLorean was no longer on site.
So it's worth delving into the 1982 issue of Automobil Revue (available now) and you'll be able to search through it in a few days' time.
