‘Frugal but fun’ was the Observer Magazine coverline for 14 October 1979 , advertising a round-up of the best cheap cars of the moment by car critic Frank Page.
The subject would be covered in a very different way today because of how we view cars environmentally. But what’s interesting is how, all these years later, it’s the same brands that dominate the market.
There’s the Mini Clubman, still thriving today, although completely remodelled and redesigned – and now owned by BMW. ‘Performance is acceptable,’ Page says, rather grudgingly.
He also recommends the Ford Fiesta which was great value for money back then at £2,260. ‘A lot of good-looking car for the money,’ he says. ‘It’s the prettiest of the economy cars, with large glass areas for good visibility.’ You mean windows, Frank?
Then there’s the Citroën 2CV, ‘a four-door runabout. ‘The roll-back canvas top means fresh-air motoring when you want it,’ he says, adding mischievously later on in the review, ‘And easy entry for thieves.’ Sadly this one hasn’t stood the test of time and was discontinued in 1990.
Not to worry, the Citroën is just one of seven models up for review. A header declares them all ‘Frugal Little Fellows’, as though the cars are, in fact, old men counting pennies.
Some things never change. Top of the tree is the VW Golf, now not as affordable as it was back then – a mere £4,000 – but already hugely popular. ‘Not really in the economy motoring price league,’ Page puts it diplomatically.
Still, it’s a knockout, especially when it comes to fuel economy, almost four decades before Dieselgate threatened to ruin its reputation. ‘A London to Glasgow run is easy to do on one tank,’ Page says, ‘with some to spare, too.’
Fuel economy is one thing that really has changed.
