When talking about cars, we do not always take notice of how things have changed in the industry over the past 50 years. It may be because all the advancements are passing us by and we have just adapted to everything without missing a beat, but what happened in the car industry in Gauteng and the rest of South Africa and the world to bring us to where we are today? Why is the future of all cars not as clear-cut as we like it to be? To answer these questions, we need to take a trip down memory lane – to a time where Opel Corsa spares did not even exist.
The Muscle Era
Throughout the 1950s, we have had big and powerful machines guzzling fuel like it is free, with big engines and large, heavy bodies. America was at the forefront at the beginning of the muscle car era, which arrived in the later stages of the 1960s. Cars like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger was considered the aspirational cars of this time and, in some cases, some of the most beautiful cars ever made.
What with the oil crisis and other political tensions that characterised the 1970s, the motoring industry of America and elsewhere underwent many changes and an adapted its way of building cars. They now had smaller and more efficient engines and lighter bodyshells, shifting the focus from power and excess to a more environmentally responsible and budget-friendly approach. As the harsh realities of the ’70s struck home, the European way of building cars finally gained traction also in America, i.e. an approach of efficiency and improved performance. Companies like Opel, Ford, and Volkswagen all bought in on this new style, with some of the most iconic cars to follow.
The Hatchback Era
The Opel Corsa, Ford Fiesta, and Volkswagen Golf had their humble beginnings back in the 1980s and ever earlier, with their flagship models like the Golf GTI being the first of a new breed of fast, efficient “hot hatches”. These cars were some of the first front-wheel-drive models to have ever seen the light of day, offering a car that is lighter because of it, and having nothing that weighs down its rear end. Do not expect to find any form of propshaft in Opel Corsa’s spares catalogue, since these nimble cars had all the mechanical genius happen at the front end of the car. This highly efficient front-wheel-drive design is now standard on all compact hatchbacks.
Fast-forwarding back to today, we see why these cars were brilliant in every way – delivering a perfect car for travelling short and medium distances with a perfectly acceptable degree of comfort. Therefore, you can still find the best Opel Corsa spares in Gauteng without any hassle. Although the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf both enjoy huge success with some of the highest number of models sold, both these cars have proven their worth on the rally circuit as well, and have proven that hatchbacks are not just practical, but can also be so much fun to drive.
The future of the motorcar is uncertain, but for now, while you are enjoying driving your very own, you can get genuine Opel Corsa spares in Gauteng at A.S.A.P. Spares today! Feel free to browse our website for information on all our products and services, and contact us directly for more information.