1988 DACIA 1.4L 5MT (65 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Dacia engineers tried to make a different vehicle based on the same old Renault 12 platform and started with a reshaped bodywork named 1320.

The Romanian carmaker produced a limited series from the Renault 20, re-named as Dacia 2000, which was available only for high-ranking members of the communist party. But Ceausescu liked the car and ordered the local carmaker to create something similar, and the result was named 1320. It resulted in two different vehicles, named locally as CN1 and CN2, respectively.

Both vehicles sported the same front fascia with squared headlights and a plastic grille with horizontal slats. The wrapped-around black plastic bumper featured a lower apron. Dacia used the same color for the flush door-handles and mirrors. Unlike the 1325 (CN2 – Liberta), the 1320 sported a longer rear end with a big tailgate but without a rear wiper. Dacia carried over its taillights from the 1310 sedan sibling.

Inside, there was a new dashboard with a taller center stack. Unlike the previous Dacia models, it sported more vents and a bigger glove-compartment. Its instrument cluster displayed all sorts of information regarding oil pressure, ammeter, and oil temperature, apart from the regular speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, and coolant temperature. Its rear bench was folding in one piece. The driver could have manually adjusted the door mirrors from inside, and there was no option for power windows or locks.

Under the hood, Dacia installed the same old 1.4-liter engine based on the even older Renault’s 1.3-liter engine with carburetor and on-head valves. A five-speed manual was the only option available. Like its 1325 sibling, the 1320 featured front and rear stabilizer bars to improve the car’s handling, but with old-type semi-independent suspension.