1980 Talbot Solara 1.6L Petrol · PRW 622W

Corrosion is the single biggest destroyer of surviving Talbot Solaras. Road spray rapidly attacks the front wing lips, sills, and rear wheelarch returns due to nonexistent plastic arch liners. Crucially, early UK-market GLS and SX models were factory-fitted with glued vinyl roof coverings; moisture penetrates the seams, becoming trapped beneath the vinyl and quietly rotting through the structural roof skin and windscreen header rail without obvious early visual warning.

The 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre Simca engines in the Solara rely on an overhead-valve, side-camshaft architecture that generates a distinct chattering soundtrack. Over extended mileages, mechanical tappets work loose and pushrod ends wear, amplifying the top-end noise. Additionally, cork rocker cover gaskets, sump joints, and rear crankshaft seals dry out and weep oil onto the exhaust downpipe, resulting in unpleasant oil burning smells inside the passenger cabin.

Solara 1.6 models utilise Weber or Solex twin-choke carburettors fitted with an automatic bi-metallic choke mechanism. Over time, internal choke diaphragms perish, vacuum pull-off pipes crack, and internal fuel jets suffer from gumming. The choke fails to disengage as the engine warms up, causing over-fuelling, black exhaust smoke, fouled spark plugs, and rough running when attempting to pull away from rest.