Dacia - The history of a communist brand that actually did something.

25 Dec 2017

Hello dear CTzens, today , for the Christmas/19k special i am going to talk about some Dacia models, but fist, some history.
Dacia was born in 1966 at Colibasi (now Mioveni), Arges County, based on an agreement between the Romanian authorities and the French car manufacturer Renault, which provided for the assembly of a Renault model under the Dacia brand.

The construction of the Mioveni Automobile Factory started in 1966 and ended in a record time of just one and a half years. On July 1, 1968, tests began at 217 work stations in the plant, and on August 3, 1968, the first powerplant was tested.

Searching for a license

To reduce the time between designing and launching a series car production, the Romanian authorities considered it necessary to produce a licensed car obtained from a foreign producer. Wanted a license for an average class car with a engine size of 1,000 to 1,300 cc.
Renault, Peugeot, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Austin, with the models: Renault 10, Peugeot 204, Fiat 1100D, Alfa Romeo 1300, Austin Mini Morris, but after the 1966 historic visit of French President Charles de Gaulle in Romania, it was decided at the party level that the Dacia plant would be producing cars under the license of Renault.

The target model was Renault 12 but due to technical and economic reasons, Renault’s offer for this model was withdrawn, the model being still in the testing phase and production scheduled to begin in France in the second half of 1969.

The contract was signed in September 1966 and, under these conditions, Renault allowed the Romanian party to begin assembling an intermediate model earlier until Renault 12 was ready for the production. In the beginning, the Renault 16 was chosen, but Renault 8, Dacia 1100 was eventually chosen.

Their First Car - Dacia 1100

The Dacia 1100 was the first model produced by the Romanian car maker Dacia S.A .. The model was sold between 1968 and 1971 and was an intermediate model until the 1300 model entered. In reality, the Dacia 1100 was a Renault 8.

  This was a RWD and rear engine with 1100 cc, 46 hp and a top speed of 133 km / h and consumption of 6.8 l / 100 km. Under the contract, Renault provided all parts of the model, and Dacia would assemble them.

  The Dacia 1100 S (Sport) was the Dacia 1100 with 2 pairs of headlamps, a more powerful 65 hp engine, wide tires used by the police and in rallies and a maximum speed of 145 km / h.

Dacia 1300

The Dacia 1300 entered production in August 1969, based on the Renault 12 model. At that time, the model was modern and economical. Initially, the model had a single body (sedan) with 4 doors and 5 seats. The powertrain was 1,289 cc with a whopping 54 hp, a maximum speed of 144 km / h and a consumption of 9.4 l / 100 km.

  In 1970, three models are available for the 1300: Standard, Super and 1301 models (only for members of the Romanian Communist Party). In 1973, production of the Break models began, and in 1975 the Dacia 1302 was launched. The Dacia 1302 differed by 1300 only through the rear suspension and could withstand a maximum load of 500 kg. Between 1975 and 1985, 1500 vans were exported, most of them reaching Argentina.

Dacia 1310

The Dacia 1310 was a model launched by the Dacia Automobile Plant in 1979, after the Dacia 1300 was removed from the market. It was based on five models:

TLX (1979-1990)
LX (1990-1994)
L (1994-1999)
CL (Break) (1994-1999)
CLi (Break) (2000-2004)
Li (2000-2004)
Presented at Eren in 1979, the new Dacia 1310 comes from the aesthetically modified 1300 model, 2 pairs of round headlights, redesigned stops and a new board type. The variants are: Standard, MS, MLS, S, TL, TX.
A new 1310 reusability was made in 1983 along with new types of engine: 1185 cc with 48 hp for Dacia 1210 and 1397 cc with 63 hp for Dacia 1410 and already known Dacia 1310 (1289 cc with 54 hp), and the introduction 5-speed transmission. The variants are: TLE, TX, TS, TLX, GT, GTL.
The Dacia 1310 Li was based on a 1.4-liter Bosch single-cylinder engine with 62 hp and a maximum speed of 143 km / h.
The 1310 was the only model launched by Dacia that has resisted the market for more than 20 years. It is the symbol of the Dacia brand from 1979 until today and was sold outside the country under the name of Dacia Denem in the UK, ARO Family in Germany, Delta in Greece and Dacia 1304 (Pick-up) under the name of Dacia Shifter. This model was produced in the 1990s with various restitutions under the names CN2, CN3 and CN4.

Dacia 500 "Lăstun" - Romanian Maluch

Dacia 500 (Lăstun) is a Romanian car built in the 1980s in Timişoara. Its name comes from the name of the “chicken” bird. The production took place at the former Technometal plants in Timisoara, which later became the Timisoara Automobile Company.

  The model had a 2-cylinder engine, 499 cc, 22.5 hp and a consumption of 3.3 l / 100 km and a maximum speed of 106 km / h. The bodywork was a 2-door coach, made of corrosion resistant synthetic resins.

  The shrimp was produced in a small number and due to poor quality its production ceased after 1989.

Dacia 1410 Sport

In 1981, the Dacia 1310 Sport was launched, later launched on the Dacia 1410 Sport market in two enlarged doors, equipped with a 1.4 Dacia Berlina engine modified to increase sportiness.

Dacia 1320/1325 Liberta

The Dacia 1320 entered production in 1988 and represented the 1310 with tailgate and 5 doors and a new onboard model. The engines were the same as for the 1310 and 1410 models. The 1320 was used as a taxi until 1990. Approximately 2675 were produced.

  Dacia 1325 Liberta was founded in 1990, after the revolution the word "Liberty" was fashionable and it was in production until 1996. The 1320/1325 series was produced in a small series and was produced in 7800 models.

Dacia Nova

Dacia Nova is the first car designed entirely by the engineers of Automobile Dacia, the inspirational model being the Peugeot 309. The car is a hatchback, front-wheel drive, 5 doors and 5 seats. The newest engine came in 1998 and the model that came with it was called GTi. The engine was a GT engine that was fitted with Bosch single-shot injection, thus reducing the high consumption of the GT.

Dacia SuperNova

Dacia SuperNova is a 5-door hatchback car produced by Dacia Automobile from 2000 to 2003, being the first car to be built on the doors of the factory after Renault bought 51% of Dacia’s actions. SuperNova is actually a Dacia Nova that has been improved by changing the engine (Renault E7J 260) and the Renault Clio transmission. It was an intermediate model, so the model became the first Dacia-built car to be fitted with air conditioners and aluminum wheels.

  The car was sold in 5 versions of equipment: Europe, Comfort, Rhapsody, Campus and the top Clima version. The car complies with Euro 2 standards.

Dacia Solenza

Dacia Solenza is a small-sized hatchback car produced between March 2003 and July 2005 by the Dacia Factory. The Solenza model was a model based on the SupeRNova model, but with a more pleasant look announcing the traces of the new brand identity. The exterior has a more modern and more aerodynamic line, and the board has been completely redesigned, making it more ergonomic. Interior materials are of better quality than SuperRNova. Since November 2003, the car’s resistance structure has been improved, with the top-of-the-box features also incorporating the driver’s airbag, Solenza being the first Dacia to deliver modern safety claims to its occupants.

  The model was well received on the market, with good export figures. Although demand was still high on the market, Dacia decided to stop production in the summer of 2005, focusing on increasing the Dacia Logan production.

  For this model there were two versions of the engine: a 1.4-liter petrol similar to the one on SupeRNova and a 1.9-liter diesel, the same as the Dacia Papuc.

  Since 2005, the change in evacuation and electronic injection management has made it possible to comply with the Euro 3 depollution rules until then complying with Euro 2 standards.

Dacia Pick-Up or "Papuc" (Shoe in Romanian)

Dacia Pick-Up was the only 1300 series to be produced at the Dacia plant after Dacia Logan’s launch. The model was based on the Renault 12 model developed in the early 1970s by the French car manufacturer Renault. Dacia Pick-Up has been marketed in several body styles:

    • Dacia 1304 (1305) Pick-Up
    • Dacia 1304 (1305) Drop Side
    • Dacia 1304 (1305) King Cab
    • Dacia 1307 Double Cab
    • Dacia 1309

  Models 1304 were equipped with rear wheel drive, and 1305 front-wheel models.

  In November 2002, the Dacia utility line received a 1.9-liter diesel engine from Renault, replacing the 1.6-liter gasoline engine. The diesel engine version is easy to recognize thanks to a black plastic piece that comes out of the engine hood. Reason: The diesel engine was taller and did not fit under the hood, which is why a hole in the hood that was covered with a plastic bulkhead was used.

  After more than three decades, on December 8, 2006, the Dacia Pick-Up was taken out of production along with the manual NG transmission. This was due to the drop in sales over 2005 and the launch of the new Logan model based on the February 2007 model. From 1975 to 2006, the Pick-Up model was produced in 318,969 units.

Dacia Logan First Gen

Dacia Logan Second Gen

Dacia Logan Van

Dacia Logan Pick-Up

Dacia Logan is a car produced by Dacia plants in Romania and launched on 2 June 2004 in Paris. It is available as of September 1, 2004. In 2007, Dacia sold 230,473 vehicles, 17.4% more than in 2006, of which 128,411 were exported.

  At the Paris Motor Show in 2000, Renault's chairman, Louis Schweitzer, announced some technical details about the future Dacia (code name X90). The Renault representatives also announced another goal, namely "Dacia of 5,000 €", the launch of the € 5,000 model was postponed. In fact, the basic model price is € 5,800, and with all the options included, the price reaches € 10,000. On September 14, 2006, Dacia launched the new Logan, which has been re-used both inside and outside. Among the novelty elements are the trunk with an eleron and a button for opening from the outside, the "crystal" stop, the mirrors have been redesigned. Dacia has also released the 1.6-liter and 16-valve engine that develops 105 hp (77 kW) at 5750 rpm, which will be the top of the range called the Prestige. In the interior, the Logan benefits from the new upholstery, the gear shift lever and the leather steering wheel. The dashboard now benefits from white background watches. Logan has a new range of Blaupunkt radio with cassette lever, CD or MP3, parking sensors, a new range of 15 "wheels and four new shades of metallic paint. Logan has all the engines comply with the norm Euro 3, and since January 2007 all engines comply with the Euro 4 standard, including the diesel version, whose power has increased to 70 hp.

Dacia Logan VAN is based on the Logan MCV mechanical platform. Outside the model was very similar to the MCV and the interior was rearranged for a useful mass of 800 kg and a useful volume of 2500 liters. As a novelty for Dacia is the presence of chest airbags. The price for this model is estimated around the range of 6700-8800 euros with all taxes included.

  Dacia Logan Pick-Up is the pick-up version of the Logan. This model replaced the old Pick-Up.

Dacia Sandero First Gen (Good News!)

Dacia Sandero Second Gen

Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia Sandero is a 5-door model in the form of a 5-door hatchback made in Pitesti since October 2007. Dacia Sandero was officially launched on the Romanian market on June 3, 2008 at a World Trade Plaza ceremony at a price that does not will exceed 9,500 euros for the most versatile version, and over time the model will be marketed in most European countries.
In the United Kingdom, the Base Model Dacia Sandero is the cheapest car with a price of 5,995 £

  Dacia Sandero Stepway is the crossover version of Dacia Sandero.

Dacia Duster First Gen (2010)

Dacia Duster Facelift (2016)

The New Duster (Nice AF)

The Dacia Duster is a 4X4 and 4X2 5-door model manufactured in Pitesti starting in 2010. The model can be equipped with petrol engine - 1.6 16v 110 hp and diesel engine - 1.5 dCi 85 hp and 1.5 dCi 105 hp present already on many Renault vehicles.
The Second Generation Duster , or basicly a facelift, its the same as the first but whit new headlights.But the new 2017 Duster , its, i must say, beautiful.

Thank you for reading my post , this took 2 hours to make, but its always a pleasure since the Christmas vacation arrived.
This is a 19k special, and i am going to continue with other post , with other Romanian cars.
Thank you again and Merry Christmas!!!