Talbot Horizon History
A front-wheel-drive family hatchback and 1976 European Car of the Year — Talbot's volume mainstay through the early 1980s.
Photo: “Simca Chrysler Horizon GLS 1979.jpg” by Pfoy / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
History
Launched in 1977/1978 as the Chrysler Horizon (and simultaneously as the Simca Horizon in France), this front-wheel-drive five-door hatchback won the 1976 European Car of the Year award. It was among the earliest front-drive cars in the large family class, alongside the Renault 20 and VW Passat. PSA's 1979 takeover brought the Talbot rebadge; UK production ran at the Ryton plant in Coventry.
The Horizon used transversely mounted Simca-designed 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5-litre 'Poissy' OHV engines with four-speed gearboxes and torsion-bar suspension. It was Talbot's core volume car through the early 1980s. Production continued in Spain and Finland until 1987, making the Horizon the longest-surviving Talbot passenger car. After it ended, only the commercial Express van carried the Talbot badge.
Generations
Chrysler/Simca era · Chrysler Horizon
Photo: “Simca Chrysler Horizon GLS 1979.jpg” by Pfoy / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
1976 European Car of the Year; front-wheel-drive five-door; sold as Chrysler Horizon (UK) and Simca Horizon (France).
1979 Photo: “Simca Chrysler Horizon GLS 1979.jpg” by Pfoy / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Talbot era · Talbot Horizon
Photo: “1983 Talbot Horizon.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Rebadged under PSA; UK Ryton production; continued in Spain and Finland to 1987.
1983 Photo: “1983 Talbot Horizon.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Body styles
- Hatchback
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Talbot Horizon
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.