The Dacia
Born: 1966
Nationality: Romanian
In the mid-1960s, the Romanian government called for bids from international car-makers for a joint venture with its fledgling Dacia company which would produce an "affordable" car for Romanians. In competition with Peugeot, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Austin, Renault made the winning bid. Dacia is an ancient name for Romania.
Production began in 1968 with the Dacia 1100, a version of the Renault 8 assembled from parts completely imported from France. The first of the 46hp cars produced was presented to the ruling Ceausescu family. From then until 1971, more than 37,000 cars were produced, including the racing-spec 1100S.
Meanwhile, in the latter half of 1969, the Dacia 1300, a copy of the new Renault 12, was introduced. With a 54hp engine, three versions were produced: the standard 1300, the 1300 Super and a 1301 available only to members of the Romanian Communist Party. Two years later a wagon version, the 1300 Break, was added - and in 1975 a pick-up variant with a 500kg load capacity mainly for the North African market.
A version of the Renault 20, the Dacia 2000, was also assembled.
The 1310 series introduced in 1979 was essentially an upgrade of the 1300, mostly relating to front lights and dashboard. But during subsequent years new engine options expanded the model range to the 1.2-litre 1210 and the 1.4-litre 1410. Exports were increased, key markets being South America, Canada and Britain (where it was called the Denem). When the licensing agreement with Renault ended, all Dacias were made with locally produced parts after 1978.
Before the 1989 Romanian revolution, further 1310 variants came along, including the Dacia Sport in coupé and "long-door" versions, but production ceased after the change of regime.
Another car which didn't survive the revolution was the 499cc Dacia 500, which had a terrible reputation for build quality.
Through the 1980s, Dacia had expanded its commercial range. The 1304 light truck was available in pick-up, double-cab, and platform versions.
A 1320 MPV-type car was produced in 1988 with 1.2 and 1.4-litre engine choices and the possibility of air-conditioning. After the revolution it evolved into the 1325 Liberta, which didn't sell in large numbers.
Through the 1990s, Dacia had very mixed fortunes. Negotiations with PSA Peugeot-Citroën in 1991 failed to produce any useful agreement, and a deal with Hyundai in 1997 was cancelled by the Korean company the following year.
Nevertheless, the company was able to celebrate 30 years of production and its 2 millionth vehicle in 1998 - and in 1999 Renault acquired the company.
During the difficult 1990s, Dacia produced among its model range the 1.6-litre locally-designed Nova hatchback, of which a saloon version was introduced in 1996.
In 2000, a SuperNova was developed by Renault, using a 1.4-litre Clio engine and gearbox. Production of these models ended in 2003. Another local model, the Solenza (below), is still being made.
During this past summer, production of the 1300, 1310 and 1410 Dacia cars finally ended, and from September the new Logan, the Renault-developed "affordable" car for emerging economies, began production. The only remaining production of the old Renault 12-derived Dacias are the various pick-ups and commercial variants.
BEST CAR: Has to be the newest, the Logan
WORST CAR: Any 1300-series car of the Communist era destined for local buyers: export models had better parts
WEIRDEST CAR: Not allowed under the bleak Ceausescu regime, which only permitted private cars on the roads every second Sunday