| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1979 |
| Production Years: | 1979 - 1981 discontinued in 1981 |
The Talbot Avenger Sedan, produced between 1979 and 1981, represents a classic British mid-size family car designed to offer a balanced combination of practicality and traditional styling. This generation of the Talbot Avenger maintains the essential characteristics that originally made the model popular in previous years, now refined with updates over its production span. The vehicle features a conventional sedan body style, making it suitable for family use and daily commuting. While exact dimensions for this model might vary slightly based on trim and modifications, the Talbot Avenger typically measures approximately 4,265 mm (168 inches) in length, 1,615 mm (63.6 inches) in width, and 1,400 mm (55.1 inches) in height. These dimensions place it in the compact sedan category, providing comfortable space for passengers while still being manageable in urban environments. The car's design emphasizes straightforward practicality, featuring rear-wheel drive and accommodating four to five occupants. Its weight and mechanical specifications contribute to its balanced performance and handling characteristics typical of late 1970s mid-size sedans. The Talbot Avenger is recognized for its functionality as well as its nostalgic appeal, representing a slice of automotive history from the period. Enthusiasts and prospective buyers can consider this sedan as a representative example of smaller British sedans from the late 20th century, appreciating its classic dimensions and design philosophy within the context of its production era.
Discover the standout features that make the 1979 Talbot Avenger a leader in its class
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The Talbot Avenger produced between 1979 and 1981 has a length of approximately 4,160 mm (163.8 inches), a width of 1,630 mm (64.2 inches), and a height around 1,390 mm (54.7 inches). These dimensions make it a compact sedan typical of late 1970s European cars. The relatively moderate width and height ensure decent aerodynamics and ease of maneuverability in urban settings while providing adequate interior space for passengers.
The curb weight of the Talbot Avenger from the 1979 to 1981 production years typically ranges between 900 kg to 1,000 kg (1984 to 2205 lbs), depending on the specific trim and engine options. This light weight contributes to the vehicle's agility and efficiency, making it easy to handle and economical to operate given the technology and materials available during that era.
The 1979-1981 Talbot Avenger sedan was designed to comfortably seat four to five passengers, featuring a relatively spacious cabin in relation to its compact exterior dimensions. The headroom and legroom in the front and rear seats offer adequate space for adults, with a sensible seat height to improve visibility. Despite compact dimensions, the car’s interior layout maximizes usable passenger space to ensure comfortable long-distance travel.
The Talbot Avenger from 1979-1981 offers a modest trunk capacity suitable for a compact sedan of its time, estimated around 320 liters (11.3 cubic feet). This space allows for everyday luggage such as shopping bags, suitcases for a small family trip, or other cargo. Rear seats may also be foldable in some versions, which can increase cargo space for longer items or greater volumes, enhancing versatility.
Yes, the Talbot Avenger from 1979 to 1981 comfortably fits into a standard residential garage. With a length of 4,160 mm (163.8 inches) and width of 1,630 mm (64.2 inches), it is smaller than many modern cars, allowing easy parking in typical garages that are usually at least 2,400 mm (94.5 inches) wide and 5,000 mm (196.9 inches) long. The low height of 1,390 mm (54.7 inches) also ensures ample vertical clearance.
The 1979-1981 Talbot Avenger is essentially a continuation of the previous Hillman Avenger generation with minor updates following Peugeot's acquisition and rebranding under the Talbot name. Dimensionally, it remained very similar to its predecessor, preserving its compact sedan proportions with minor changes in styling and trim. Thus, the size remained around 4,160 mm in length and 1,630 mm in width, maintaining the practical footprint that the earlier model established.
In comparison to other compact sedans of the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as the Ford Escort Mk2 and the Vauxhall Astra Mk1, the Talbot Avenger’s size is competitive, with a slightly longer body than some rivals. For example, the Ford Escort Mk2 was approximately 4,070 mm long (160.2 inches), making the Avenger marginally longer at 4,160 mm (163.8 inches). Width and height are comparable among competitors, positioning the Avenger well within the typical compact sedan segment for that time.
The 1979-1981 Talbot Avenger was generally equipped with a range of inline-4 petrol engines, with displacements varying from 1.3 to 1.6 liters. The weighting of the vehicle fluctuated depending on equipment and engine choice, but it often weighed between 900 kg and 1,000 kg (1984 to 2205 lbs). This balance of power and lightweight design helped deliver reasonable performance and fuel economy for the era.
The 1979-1981 Talbot Avenger retained its classic 1970s compact sedan styling, characterized by a clean, boxy silhouette with minimalistic chrome detailing and practical design. It featured large windows for better visibility, modestly sized bumpers, and a simple, functional interior. Under the Talbot badge, it presented a cost-effective, reliable transportation choice oriented towards families and daily commuters during its production.
The fuel economy of the 1979-1981 Talbot Avenger varies based on engine size and driving conditions but typically ranges from about 7 to 9 liters per 100 km (approximately 26 to 32 miles per gallon US). Compared to modern standards, this is moderate but was competitive for its time, especially considering carbureted gasoline engines and older technology. The vehicle’s lightweight and compact design helped maintain reasonable efficiency.
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