On the horizon

Here’s another car some of you may remember from Autocade—and for American readers, you may have even had one, or had a friend who owned one as a first car.
   Developed by Chrysler Europe and also adapted for the US, it was supposedly a “world car”, though it never sold in the Asia–Pacific (other than French territories) and the parts between the European and American editions weren’t even interchangeable. But it was a good entry-level model for Chrysler US for many years, even if it was based on an ancient (albeit lengthened and widened) Simca 1100 floorpan from the 1960s. European buyers loved it initially, especially after a Car of the Year win for 1978–9, then realized there were more modern and less rust-prone small cars around.

Chrysler–Simca Horizon/Chrysler Horizon (C2/L-body). 1977–9 (prod. 430,225 incl. all of 1979, incl. Talbot). 5-door saloon. F/F, 1118, 1294, 1442 cm³ petrol (4 cyl. OHV). In many ways a rebodied Simca 1100, but despite dated origins on widened and lengthened floorpan, still voted European Car of the Year 1978–9. Fairly good handling and ride, but less than competent steering and on the heavy side. Certainly not an all-rounder as award might have suggested. Attractive styling from Chrysler’s Whitley centre under Roy Axe, similar to Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon. Simca name used only on Continent: car was always Chrysler Horizon in UK from its 1978 launch. Early appearance of a trip computer on this model. Rebadged Talbot–Simca in July 1979 on the Continent; simply Talbot in UK.

Dodge Omni (L-body). 1978–90 (prod. unknown). 5-door sedan. F/F, 1594, 1716, 2212 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). North American version of Chrysler–Simca Horizon, developed in UK and France initially. US version ultimately had little in common with European models aside from overall styling due to adaptation to local tastes. Considered fashionable at the beginning and acknowledged as the first response to Volkswagen Golf by a US Big Four automaker. Softer riding than most competitors in the 1970s, with inferior handling. Spun off a coupé model called the 024 in 1979 (covered separately), which in turn spun off a pick-up truck. Turbo GLH and GLH-S models offered 1984–6. Sold on entry-level price, low equipment level and America model tag (Expo in Canada) from 1987 to 1989. Airbag added in final year. Twinned with Plymouth Horizon of these years.
 

Plymouth Horizon. 1978–90 (prod. unknown). 5-door sedan. F/F, 1594, 1716, 2212 cm³ (4 cyl. OHC). Virtual clone of Dodge Omni, save for trim and badging, and most comments for that model apply here. Similar to Chrysler–Simca Horizon in looks. Coupé model called TC3 (covered separately) rather than 024. Plymouths were aimed less at a sporting audience, so Horizon missed out on GLH and GLH-S variants. Otherwise, Horizon went through the same model cycles, including the 1987–9 America and gained an airbag for 1990.
 

Talbot–Simca Horizon (C2/L-body). 1979 (prod. 222,296 for all of 1979). 5-door saloon. F/F, 1118, 1294, 1442 cm³ (4 cyl. OHV). With Peugeot taking over Chrysler Europe’s operations, old Chrysler models were renamed Talbot from July 1979. Chrysler–Simca Horizon became Talbot–Simca Horizon till the end of the year on the Continent, with some models even featuring the old Chrysler pentastar badge. Comments for Chrysler model apply; for later models, see Talbot Horizon, which this car became in 1980.
 

Talbot Horizon (C2/L-body). 1979–87 (prod. 842,078 all types, including Chrysler; 418,634 in UK and France only, 1980–5; 150,000 approx. UK only, 1980–5). 5-door saloon. F/F, 1118, 1294, 1442, 1592 cm³ petrol, 1905 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHV). Renamed version of Chrysler–Simca Horizon, known briefly as the Talbot–Simca Horizon from July 1979 to the end of that year on the Continent, and similar in style to Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon though sharing few parts. Talbot Horizon in UK from July 1979 changeover, as Simca brand not used there for this model. Fairly good handling and ride for the era, though criticized for steering and weight, and body corrosion common on earlier models. Equipment and quality improved through 1980s. Despite a good run from its European Car of the Year win in 1978, the rot was setting in for the 1980s as better competition emerged. Series II models from 1981. Diesel from 1982. UK and French production ceased 1985, but Finnish production continued to 1987.