1972 Dacia 1300 1.3 petrol from Romania

Summary:

Unreliable, but it works!

Faults:

Too much to list. For example the poor paint, the seats squeak, the radiator leaks, and there was a problem with the differential. Then there are small details such as the windscreen wipers which did not work, etc. etc.

The biggest problem is rust.

General Comments:

The performance is not bad for its age, but it is quite unreliable.

In Romania everyone has them, so spares are easy to get. This is a good thing as the car rusts easily.

It's very good for learning to be a mechanic because it breaks down so much.

The car provides cheap transport when it works. Inside the interior is quite tasteful, nice and comfortable though when I got it it had no seatbelts.

Outside the car looks in perfect condition, but actually underneath it is really rusty. So much that I do not like to use it in case it splits in 2!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th May, 2002

24th Jun 2005, 13:53

The dacia 1300 from it's concept has seat belts in the front.

7th Nov 2005, 09:13

My dad has a 1972 Dacia 1300.

After approx. 120,000 km the engine was rebuilt. (He was young, the car was young … you figure the rest)

Now that he is up to approx 500,000 km the engine was rebuilt about 3 more times. The transmission was taken apart and fixed about 10 yrs. ago. Works fine since than.

I believe there is not one original component left in the whole car (except the engine block). The car still runs OK, but shows his age. The chassis rusts easily, but trust me; my dad took really good care of his car. He spent almost every summer working on it.

Did I mention that all original parts were made in France? (even the light bulbs, tires, door handles, gauges and the keys) Apparently the original components lasted longer.

I am sentimental about this car; I practically grow up in it. But I still say; it doesn not stand a chance today. More than 30 years ago was a good design, good car, however even than the Renault 16 was a higher class and a better car.