Discussion
Technically you could argue that that the Imp was the first hatchback as the rear window opened to gain access to the overgrown parcel shelf of a boot. They were also rear wheel drive and in Sunbeam Imp Sport guise arguably the first hottish hatch.
I'm sure someone will now pee all over my argument with facts and knowledge and all that stuff I'm lacking.
I'm sure someone will now pee all over my argument with facts and knowledge and all that stuff I'm lacking.
tangerine_sedge said:
yes, Golf GTi is normally quoted as having invented the niche, but I'm sure Lotus/Talbot were first... In fact, thinking about it, you could say the Mini Cooper S was the first...
Was Alfasud Sprint earlier than the Talbot?Also, minis are not hatchbacks, you plum.
steviegunn said:
fozzymandeus said:
...or I'm missing something, since why has no one suggested this yet?
There's an RWD sierra, right?
Edit: Yes!, SO...
a 2wd one.
Edited by fozzymandeus on Friday 16th March 20:57
Edited by fozzymandeus on Friday 16th March 20:58
Perd Hapley said:
If we're digging through the history books, let's have what is usually credited as the first ever hatchback, the RWD Austin A40 (Farina) Cambridge
Not the first hatchback (Citroen got there first) but probably the first RWD one. A bit odd really, given the overwhelming preponderance of RWD at the time.
redtwin said:
Now watch the OP add "...currently in production by a German manufacturer". 
Nope, but I did say, there are lots of things which technically have a hatchback. No I can't provide a concrete definition of what a hatchback is, but most people generally have an idea of what's meant when it's said!Edited by redtwin on Friday 16th March 17:40
Lets just say no 2+2s then
squareflops said:
fozzymandeus said:
steviegunn said:
fozzymandeus said:
...or I'm missing something, since why has no one suggested this yet?
There's an RWD sierra, right?
Negative Creep said:
squareflops said:
fozzymandeus said:
steviegunn said:
fozzymandeus said:
...or I'm missing something, since why has no one suggested this yet?
There's an RWD sierra, right?
veevee said:
redtwin said:
Now watch the OP add "...currently in production by a German manufacturer".
Nope, but I did say, there are lots of things which technically have a hatchback. No I can't provide a concrete definition of what a hatchback is, but most people generally have an idea of what's meant when it's said!Edited by redtwin on Friday 16th March 17:40
veevee said:
Lets just say no 2+2s then
2+2 meaning two seats in front and 2 seats in the back?.Mustang is a 2+3 and the Corvette is a 2 seater only so they (and many others) easily fall within your parameters...until they are changed again that is.
Edited by redtwin on Saturday 17th March 05:53
redtwin said:
veevee said:
redtwin said:
Now watch the OP add "...currently in production by a German manufacturer".
Nope, but I did say, there are lots of things which technically have a hatchback. No I can't provide a concrete definition of what a hatchback is, but most people generally have an idea of what's meant when it's said!Edited by redtwin on Friday 16th March 17:40
veevee said:
Lets just say no 2+2s then
2+2 meaning two seats in front and 2 seats in the back?.Mustang is a 2+3 and the Corvette is a 2 seater only so they (and many others) easily fall within your parameters...until they are changed again that is.
Edited by redtwin on Saturday 17th March 05:53
Seriously, if someone decides they need a car that would be called a hatchback, they aren't going to consider everything that happens to have the rear window integrated into the bootlid, and come back with a Supra or Corvette or something. If someone goes out and buys a Corvette, it's not because they were looking for a hatchback, they were looking for a sportscar and just happened to choose one with a hatch. At least half a hatch. Same goes for the Mustang, 924, 944, 928, Excel and all the rest. They're all sportscars of different levels of commitment and success. They aren't family hacks.
Frankly all these coupes and sportscars popping up are just attempts to post something original that's technically but not practically within brief, or attempts to be argumentative.
I'd be hugely suprised if the OP expected to receive a Corvette as a reasonable response to the opening question. It's funny and clever, but it's not worth derailing the thread with an argument over its merits.
Edited by Alfanatic on Saturday 17th March 11:45
PoleDriver said:
Perd Hapley said:
If we're digging through the history books, let's have what is usually credited as the first ever hatchback, the RWD Austin A40 (Farina) Cambridge
First car I ever had, with a stage 2 sprite engine! Great fun! 
smileymikey said:
Dont forget the E-Type Jag is a rear wheel drive hatch back which came out in 61
This thread got a bit silly some time ago.In my view, a window can never be a hatch, it's a window with a hinge.
The A40 Countryman was never a hatch either as it was a two piece tailgate and those had been round since at least 1949 on the Packard. A two piece tailgate is simply a juxtaposition of two van doors hinged on either side of the car.
The only true original hatch was the Innocenti A40 Combinata which had a one piece tailgate and I believe was made from 1960
In my view a hot hatch is a 2 door version of a small car also offered in 4 door form with the fastest engine available in the range at the respective time. Otherwise you also have to throw in any number of estates which date back considerably further.
Indeed, this canvas flap is technically a hatch and dates from 1930
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