The history of Dacia #DaciaSunday

Because you guys really love Dacias, especially the Sandero, I decided to make an article about Romania’s number 1 automobile manufacturer.

We are going to take a look at the company’s history showing some models that you already know and others that you don’t know, because, let’s be honest, Dacia didn’t make just the Sandero, the Duster, and the Logan.

The Beginning

The story of Dacia can be traced back to 1966, at a time in which the Romanian automobile industry was really made up of just one make: ARO. These cars, or should we say, off-roaders were the pinnacle of Romanian industry. You could take it anywhere, from paved roads to dirt roads, mountain roads, pretty much any terrain. Having a car like this was great, but there was one big problem: they were very expensive for the time, which meant that only the higher social class could afford an ARO. So the government at the time ordered for a new car manufacturer to make cars for the people. However, the company couldn’t build cars that were entirely made by them, mainly because it took a lot of time to produce and launch a car. So, to bypass this problem, the new company signed an agreement with Renault, and, as a result, on September 6th 1966, Dacia was born and construction of the Colibasi factory began.

One and a half years gone, and the factory was finished, and so on August 20th 1968, the first Dacia, called the “1100”, rolled off the production line.

The Dacia “1100” was essentially a rebaged Renault 8. As the name suggests it had a 4 cylinder 1100cc engine producing 46 bhp propeling it to a top speed of 133 km/h (83 mph), whilst returning 6,8l/100km. You could compare this car to the VW Beetle, because it had everything at the back, making the “1100” a rear-engined, RWD car.

In 1971, the year in which the “1100” was discontinued, Dacia launched the “1100 S”. The differnces between this and the standard model are obvious: it now had 4 headlights, and the same 1100cc engine, tuned to produce 65 bhp giving it a top speed of 145 km/h (90 mph) and it had wider tyres for better grip. Only 100 of these were made and most of them were turned into competition cars. Yes, the car did actually enjoy success in rallying, therefore, these days it’s the dream of the Dacia enthusiast.

After 4 years of production, the “1100” was discontinued in 1971, so as to make way for Dacia’s new flagship model: the “1300”. About 40.000 were produced, making this a rather rare car today.

The 1300 and its followers

In 1969, one year after the “1100” was launched, Dacia made a new car: the “1300”. Once again it was another rebaged Renault, specifically the R12. Again, the car was named after it’s engine size: 4 cylinder 1300cc engine producing 54 bhp, giving it a top speed of 144 km/h (90 mph) and an average fuel consumption of 9,4l/100km. As opposed to the “1100” which had the “everything at the back configuration” the 1300 had everything at the front. Thanks to its looks, drivability and reliability, the “1300” became an instant success. I usually call it “the People’s car of Romania” because it sold in big numbers and was produced for 35 years until 2004. I’m pretty certain that almost every Romanian who lived during Ceausescu’s rule had one of these. The car was so great that the police, known as the “militia” used it, the hospitals used it as an ambulance and enthusiasts turned them into rally cars thanks to its simplicity.

In 1973 the estate version of this car, called the “Break” was launched. Along with this Dacia also different versions of the saloon model and these were: L (Luxury), LS (Luxury Super) and the 1301. The L model had double circuit braking system, electric wiper pump (the standard model had two separate controls for the pump and wipers), carpets made out of PVC and a passenger side mirror (the standard model only had a driver’s side mirror). The LS model had a rear view mirror with day/night modes, a heated rear window, front heated seats that were raised, electric cigarette lighter and dashboard with numerous warning lights (the standard model didn’t have those). And finally the 1301 which was only sold to members of the Romanian Communist Party.

In 1975 the pick-up version of the “1300” was lanuched and it was called the 1302. There were only 1500 “1302’s” ever made and most of them were exported. As far as I know none is known to exist in Romania today. The only differnces between this and the standard “1300” were a completely reworked rear suspenison and it could carry cargo up to 500 kg.

In 1979 Renault announced that it would stop making the R12 and replace it with the R18. But Dacia thought that the “1300” base was still good enough. So in that same year Dacia made the first restyling of the “1300” and it was called the “1310”. The new things that this car had were 4 headlights, a new interior and redesigned tail lamps. Otherwise it was the same. In 1981 the Dacia Sport was introduced. It was essentially a two-door coupe that was exactly th same as the the standard car.

A few years later in 1983 the pick-up version was introduced. This time however, the pick-up was made in big numbers, so it is not extinct like the 1302.

In 1984 the first restyling of the “1310” came along. This brought with it plastic bumpers, a more square-looking design and the option of having three engines: the 1300cc called the “1310”, the 1400cc called the “1410” and the 1200cc called the “1210”. Along with this the five speed gearbox was introduced.

Fun Fact: Did you know that this car was sold in the UK as the Dacia Denem?

In 1987, another version of this car was introduced: the Dacia 1320. It was essentially the same car, but with a five-door hatchback body. Unlike the standard car, the 1320 was made in small numbers so you won’t see a lot of these.

Ok, so at this point you’re going to say that I bore you with just this Dacia. However, i’m now going to show you a Dacia that’s sort of forgotten and unknown outside Romania. It’s called the Dacia “500” also known as “Lastun”. This car was launched in 1989 and it was essentially a very small city car. It had a 500cc engine producing 22bhp and a top speed of only 106km/h (66 mph) and a fiberglass body. Even though it was launched in 1989, development of this car started in 1980. The Romanian government ordered Dacia to make a car that is economical small and to be used in the cities. After numerous prototypes the car was launched eventually 9 years later in ‘89. Sadly this car wasn’t produced for long. It was a flop. The reason behind this car’s failure is lack of quality in production development and service. Production stopped in 1991, with only 6000 built.

And speaking of unknown Dacias, let’s go back to the 1970’s. In 1976 Dacia launched a van called the D6. It was, as ever, a rebadged Renault only this time it was the Estafette. It was made between 1975-1978 and only 842 were ever made, none of which are still on the road. Not a lot to say about this.

Another special Dacia was the Dacia 2000. It was launched in 1980 and it was another rebadged Renault (oh, come on!) only this time it was the R20. It had a 2000cc engine as the name suggests. Other stats are unknown. This car was only sold to the elite members of the Romanian Communist Party, including Ceausescu himself. It was available in only 2 colors: black and dark blue. This car still exists, but good luck finding one on the roads (they still are).

In 1990, shortly after the fall of Communism in Romania, Dacia launched the 1325 Liberta. It was very similar to the 1320, except it had bigger bumpers. And that’s it.

Also in 1990 came the second restyling of the Dacia 1310. The difference consisted of a new front-end borrowed from the Liberta. In 1994 the third restyling occured and this time the car looked completely different: new front fascia, new interior and a new boot lip.

Now, let’s talk about a Dacia that’s very popular in Romania, but not so popular anywhere else. It’s called the Dacia Nova. It was launched in 1995 and it was the first 100% Romanian built car, which means that this is not a rebadged Renault. When it was launched, the car looked like it came out ten years earlier. That’s because in 1985 this project was given the word “go”. But due to lack of materials and finances, the project had to be delayed. Several prototypes were built and in 1995 the Dacia R 523 was launched. Now, you may be wondering why it wasn’t the Nova initially? Well, for that Dacia organised a competiton which consisted of giving a name to the new car. The majority said “Nova” and a few days after the competition closed the car was given the name chosen by the majority of the participants. At launch it had a 1600cc engine producing 72 bhp and a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) with an average fuel consumption of 6l/100km.

In 1997, the Nova received a facelift that made it look more ‘90s rather than ‘80s. And in 1998 Dacia made the Nova GTi, the first ever fuel injected Dacia. The facelift also brought a new interior and the hideous rear wing was gone.

Renault Ownership and Dacia today

In 1999 the final resyling of the Dacia 1310 took place. The car received a new front-end, a new interior and fuel-injected engines. This was the last Dacia 1310 to be built with production of the “Berlina” and “Break” models ending in 2004 after 35 years of production. 1999 was also the year Dacia became a subsidiary of the Renault Group, so from this point on all Dacias were engineered by Renault.

In 2000 Dacia launched the SuperNova. It was essentially a Dacia Nova, but with a new Renault 1400cc engine producing 75 bhp with a top speed of 165 km/h (103 mph) and an average fuel consumption of 8,3l/100km and a gearbox from a Renault Clio. It was the first Dacia to come fitted with an air conditioning and alloy wheels.

In 2002 Dacia made a milestone: that of finally bringing a diesel-engined Dacia, specifically the pick-up. It was powered by a 1900cc engine built by Renault. The easiest way to recognise a diesel Dacia pick-up was a bonnet scoop (the petrol versions didn’t have it). The Dacia Pick-up continued to be built until 2006.

In 2003, Dacia launched the Solenza, the replacement of the SuperNova. The difference consisted in the looks and by the fact it received the 1.9 litre diesel engine as an option.

In 2004, production of the 1310 stops to make way for the new Romanian People’s car: the Dacia Logan. Engineered entirely by Renault, this proved to be an instant success. It was powered by either a 1.4 liter petrol engine producing 75 bhp, a 1.5 liter diesel producing from 65 to 90 bhp, a 1.6 liter petrol engine producing 87 bhp and a 1.6 liter 16 valve engine producing 105 bhp. The 16 valve engine propelled the car to a top speed of 183 km/h (113 mph) with an average fuel consumption of 7.1l/100km. It’s pretty much the best selling car in Romania and you see them everywhere. In 2006 the estate version called the MCV was launched and a year later, van and pick-up versions were made. In 2008 the Logan receved a facelift which brought a new 1200cc engine followed by the second generation Logan which brought a new 900cc turbocharged engine.

And now, good news! The Dacia Sandero is here! This car was launched in 2008 and it had the same engines as the Logan. It was also the first Dacia to introduce the current logo. And this car was made famous internationally by none other than James May.

In 2012 the second-gen Sandero was introduced and had the same engines as the Logan.

In 2010 Dacia launched the Duster, the first Romanian SUV. The concept was first presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Duster is powered by a 1600cc 16v engine producing 110 bhp or by a 1500cc diesel engine with power ranging from 85 to 105 bhp. In 2013 it received a facelift that brought a new grille and a new interior. A Pikes Peak version of this car was also made.

At last in 2012 Dacia introduced the Lodgy and the Dokker. These cars are built in Morocco and have the same engines as the Logan.

Conclusion
So, there you have it, the history of Dacia. I’d like to mention that if you do know James May, please tell him that his life is now complete and also tell him to give this article his seal of approval. XD

Anyway, hope you enjoy reading this article (I know, it’s a long one, but it’s my first article) and more stories like this to come in the near future. Hopefully I’ll talk about the prototypes Dacia made, ‘cause there are a few interesting ones. Anyway, have fun. I’m out.

Sources: http://romaniancar.com/
http://www.automobileromanesti.ro/