Talbot Talbot Horizon 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.