Dacia 1302 - 50 years since the premiere of the first company pickup truck

Since its debut in 1969, the Dacia 1300 has become the most modern passenger car produced in the socialist camp. Relying on the strong and time-resistant gene of its prototype Renault 12, Dacia has remained in production for more than a quarter of a century, without significant structural changes. Thanks to the good foundation on which it can rely, the Romanian company begins the development of original own variants, which are not available in the Renault range, the first of which was presented exactly 50 years ago. This is the light-duty version designated as 1302, which was initially produced in limited series, but over time it has established itself as one of the most popular and sought-after company models, offered in six main body styles piese auto online.

Dacia 1302 - 50 years since the premiere of the first company pickup truck

The first version of the light commercial vehicle Dacia 1302 (which Romanians jokingly call "Papuc" or "slipper") was produced between 1975 and 1982, with only 1,500 units made during this period. The body is self-supporting, the cargo platform is made of polyester resin and sheet metal, and the rear suspension is reinforced and modified to provide a payload of 400-500 kg. This version exists in three series: the first has straight rear fenders and a small rear window, the second has corrugated rear fenders and a small rear window, and the third has a larger rear window.

In 1981, the Dacia 1304 was introduced - the company's first rear-wheel drive model, which used many elements and parts from the Aro 10 (including the leaf springs of the rear suspension), as a result of which its load capacity was increased to 1100 kg. It was available in 3 versions: pickup, chassis and a version with opening side boards, with the useful area of the cargo platform being 2.25 cubic meters. Early versions were equipped with the standard engine with a working volume of 1289 cubic centimeters and a power of 54 hp, but after 1992, versions with more powerful engines of 1397 cubic centimeters (62 hp) and 1557 cubic centimeters (72 hp) began to be offered. Only in 2002 was the Dacia 1304 range enriched with a 1.9-liter Renault diesel engine with a power of 62 hp. The load capacity of the different versions ranges from 850 to 1150 kg.

After 1992, several more interesting models were introduced, the first of which was the 1307 Double Cab. It was a five-seater with four doors and a length of 4794 m (124 mm longer than the Dacia 1304). During this period, the low-budget Dacia 1309 pickup truck also appeared, which was produced between 1992 and 1998. Unlike the previous versions, it was almost entirely based on the Dacia 1310 station wagon (with only the roof over the cargo compartment removed) and had a payload of 400 kg.

In 1994, the 1304 King Cab debuted with 2 doors, but with an extended cab and two rows of seats, which was produced for 10 years.

In 1998, the range was also available with a 1.6-liter injection engine, and since 2000, when the new facelift was introduced, the first 4×4 series versions (with a load capacity of 1250 kg) have been launched. All-wheel drive is engaged at the push of a button, from a standstill or when driving in a straight line at a speed of less than 10 km/h. With all-wheel drive engaged, it is not possible to drive at a speed higher than 40 km/h, due to the lack of an interaxle differential.

The diesel variant is easily identifiable by the black plastic piece protruding from the engine cover. The reason for this is that the engine is taller, so a hole has been made in the cover, which is covered by a protruding plastic piece.

A total of 318,969 units of all modifications and varieties were produced from April 1975 to December 2006. Many of them are successfully sold abroad, including in Bulgaria.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

The first version of the light commercial vehicle Dacia 1302 (which Romanians jokingly call "Papuc" or "slipper") was produced between 1975 and 1982, with only 1,500 units made during this period

In 1981, the Dacia 1304 was introduced - the company's first rear-wheel drive model, which used many elements and parts from the Aro 10 (including the leaf springs of the rear suspension), as a result of which its load capacity was increased to 1100 kg