In the all-present RWD and 4WD hype, we often forget where it actually started or what kind of cars lit our fire. Yes, some people started right off with an S-chassis or a mid-eighties RWD corolla. But there are some people among us, that did earn their spurs in a small, cheap but sporty FWD car of that specific decade. I would estimate those people to be mainly between their 25’s or 30’s by now.
In Europe there is a great variety of small rockets built by the major car producers. Since this is a JDM influenced blog, I want to focus on one of those vintage Japanese FWD pocket rockets that can be bought on our continent.
There is a very special, often overlooked, rare and odd little hatch from Suzuki that comes to my mind while on topic. The Suzuki Swift GTi MK1, build from around 1983 up to 1989.
It was sporting that awesome boxy and edgy eighties body with the fancy fog lights, trying to be somehow WRC. The picture above shows how it rolled out of the factory in 1988, bone stock.
The mark1 weighted approx. 720kg, had front-wheel-drive, disc brakes in the front and no independent rear axle. It was just a pure driving machine… well ok. In stock condition, the suspension and the effecting driveability were a bit dull. But there was one specific and underestimated feature.
Its strong an healthy reving heart. The G13B. This 1.3l 16V DOHC engine put out about 100hp and redlined as late as 7800rpm. Combined with a very low curb weight, this was quite a thrilling little ride to start with.
Nowadays the MK1s got very rare. 80% dissolved in rust, 15% crashed. To get a decent one, can easily set you back CHF 1500-2000.
Just like the loved and adored AE86, the GTi suffers from lack of power on straights and steep uphill roads. But as long as there are enough bends and curves (which we have here in our country), it can be quite intimidating for heavier cars with a lot more power.
The best thing to really test the small Swift and beat the c*** out of it, is to head over to the Blackforest accompanied by some powerful cars to compete with. Of course, in most of the straights you will be passed or will not be able to keep up. But through winding roads and downhill tracks, you can really get on their nerves.
Some people say, „lack of power gets compensated by insanity“… true! Have a seat in one of those GTis and you will know what I’m talking about
To be somehow competitive, I equipped my own Swift with a set of lowering springs and Koni dampers.
Additionally, all the rubber bearings of the front suspensions were replaced by PU ones and strut bars were added. A set of OZ 15 inch wheels and Toyo Proxes T1-Rs completed the setup. The small Suzuki now handled suprisingly well and was very safe to drive at its physical limits.
For me, this car is one real insider tip. It offers some nice potential, but in the end it is and stays FWD.
Heard of some guys swapping turbo engines in it and stuff… haha
In the all-present RWD and 4WD hype, we often forget where it actually started or what kind of cars lit our fire. Yes, some people started right off with an S-chassis or a mid-eighties RWD corolla. But there are some people among us, that did earn their spurs in a small, cheap but sporty FWD car of that specific decade. I would estimate those people to be mainly between their 25’s or 30’s.
In Europe there is a great variety of small rockets built by the major car producers. Since this is a JDM influenced blog, I want to focus on one of those vintage Japanese FWD rockets that can be bought on our continent.
There is a very special, often overlooked, rare and odd little hatch from Suzuki that comes to my mind while on topic. The Suzuki Swift GTi MK1, build from around 1983 up to 1989.
It was sporting that awesome boxy edgy eighties body with the fancy fog light, trying to be somehow WRC. The picture above shows how it rolled out of the factory in 1988, bone stock.
The mark1 weighted approx. 720kg, had front-wheel-drive, disc brakes in the front and no independent rear axle. It was just a pure driving machine… well ok. In stock condition, the suspension and the effecting driveability were a bit dull. But there was one specific and underestimated feature.
Its strong an healthy reving heart. The G13B. This 1.3l 16V DOHC engine put out about 100hp and redlined as late as 7800rpm. Combined with a very low curb weight, this was quite a thrilling little ride to start with.
Nowadays the MK1s got very rare. 80% dissolved in rust, 15% crashed. To get a decent one, can easily set you back CHF 1500-2000.
Just like the loved and adored AE86, the GTi suffers from lack of power on straights and steep uphill roads. But as long as there are enough bends and curves (which we have here in our country), it can be quite intimidating for heavier cars with a lot more power.
The best thing to really test the small Swift and beat the c*** out of it, is to head over to the Blackforest accompanied by some powerful cars to compete with. Of course, in most of the straights you will be passed or will not be able to keep up. But through winding roads and downhill tracks, you can really get on their nerves.
Some people say, „lack of power gets compensated by insanity“… true! Have a seat in one of those GTis and you will know what I’m talking about
To be somehow competitive, I equipped my own Swift with a set of lowering springs and Koni dampers.
Additionally, all the rubber bearings of the front suspensions were replaced by PU ones and strut bars were added. A set of OZ 15 inch wheels and Toyo Proxes T1-Rs completed the setup. The small Suzuki now handled suprisingly well and was very safe to drive on its physical limit.
For me, this car is one real insider tip. It offers some nice potential, but in the end it is and stays FWD.
Heard of some guys swapping turbo engines in it and stuff… haha