Fundamentally, a 1500 is a 1500, regardless of year. Same chassis, same
suspension, same drivetrain. But there are differences.
The really heavy rubber bumpers came out in 1979-1980. Total weight of about
150 lbs I guess.
But also in 1980 the side beams in the doors showed up. This is nice if you
get charged into broadside by a small dog.
The late 1500's also had a smaller steering wheel (77-80?). Some folks like it
for sporty driving because of the quicker steering response. I think it might
be too small though, but I'm not sure. I know I fight my small wheel when
autocrossing.
The 1980 model also came with wider wheels. 5 inch width, as opposed to the
4.5 inch in previous 1500 years.
The late 1500's had the GM HEI ignition (76-80?), which is far superior to the
earlier ones, and superior to most other ignitions on the market today.
The 79-80 1500's also had an electric cooling fan, which I like (some hate it).
The radiator is smaller on these cars, but they work better and are less prone
to overheating, particularly when sitting in hot traffic.
Shoulder belts came out in 1971 on the Mk 4 I believe. The shoulder "clip"
mounts on the hump of the fender. It works. If you happen to run a real roll
bar/cage (not a show toy) you typically do mount your restraint harness to it,
or at least through it.
The 76 year came with high compression pistons, giving it a slight bump over
other years in compression, and possibly resulting power.
That's what I can think of off the top of my head.
>>> "Chris Alexander" <chris@root.moose.ca> 02/08/02 01:55PM >>>
Now that I've really stirred the pot wrt Kia I figured I'd better change the
subject. :)
Out of the 1500s which are the most desirable to own for "sporting" uses
like auto-x and similar.
Is there a sequence of model years that were lighter than the others? Maybe
less safety equipment or similar? I was thinking about a MY 1978+ for the
kms on the speedo (I'm in Canada) but I seem to have found some cars in that
year range that have really big, heavy rubber bumpers, almost like the last
of the MGBs.
Is there a break point in equipment from 1977 to 1978?
Also, I haven't seen any different trim levels in all the reading I've been
doing. Was there a base model versus say a GT model or anything of that
sort?
Did any of these cars have shoulder belts on the restraint system? Those of
you that are racing Spits, how'd you get shoulder belts and/or harnesses
into the car? Roll bar mounts?
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