Majorette four-door sedans of the 1980's

If there's one thing that Majorette is good at doing it's typical day-to-day vehicles.  Sure they do expand into trucks and exotic cars every so often, but most of the popularity with Majorette these days tend to lean toward the everyday vehicle.  Of course, with worldwide distribution most of these vehicles are based on ones sold in international markets.  That is the case with these four sedans that all debut back in the 1980's and all of them represent each country's origins.  The United States gets an Oldsmobile sedan, Italy an Alfa Romeo, Germany an Audi, and for Japan a Honda.  So I decided to bring these four cars together and while they do have enough similarities to qualify a comparison test, I decided to review them independently as a group.

Oldsmobile Omega

It's surprising that Majorette has not done much in sedans based in the U.S., and any that are sold here are most likely a worldwide vehicle.  The Omega stands out as a vehicle that is not well-known internationally and a pure U.S. sedan.  Based on the X-body GM platform in the 1980's shared with the Chevrolet Citation and Pontiac Phoenix as an all-new model line that is smaller than its predecessor and now comes with front-wheel drive.  The Omega shares the split grille front-end with other Oldsmobile models, luxurious interior, and power that comes from a 2.8L V6 that produces 120 horsepower through a through a three-speed automatic transmission.  The poor reliability ratings of this platform led to its demise after 1984.  This is one of the boxy and more old-fashion look of the four sedans in blue with typical straight-pillar roofs.  The front has has square headlights and grille shared with the metal base, center section with Oldsmobile badge, and vertical taillights with trailer hitch.  The interior has seating for six with flat-faced dashboard and well laid out controls.  The biggest letdown of this casting, aside from the plain-jane bodywork, is the engine: as you open it up you find a V8 motor positioned to drive the rear wheels.  Totally incorrect as this is a front-wheel drive car.  You can tell Majorette got lazy here because you can find this same motor in other applications from the Ford Thunderbird to the 1983 and 1993 Pontiac Firebird.  The small size of the sedan allows for much better handling than any full-size U.S. sedan, but the softer springs still remain just like the larger sedans.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Now to the European side that goes for a more sportier, if bizarre, looks and that starts with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.  Based on the Alfetta platform the Giulietta sedan was introduced in 1977 with front-end styling that was the familiar face of Alfa Romeo with flush headlights and a forward-thrust front-end.  The rear has a very odd taillight placement and a high trunk lid to accomidate the rear transaxle from the Alfetta.  The interior has a low-slant dashboard that was sleek while not ergonomically efficient at the same time.  The engine is a 2.0L DOHC I-4 that produces 128 horsepower through a 5-speed manual transmission.  After 1985 the car was replaced by the 75 that used the same underpinnings and styling, and often Majorette would name the Giulietta casting.  The best of this car can be found in red with black lower trim and Alfa Romeo across the doors.  Even the 3-spoke wheels look great on this car.  The front has clear headlights that are part of the window trim, shield grille, and lower chin spoiler integrated into the front bumper.  The side profile has a higher beltline especially at the rear with vents on the C-pillar to cool the rear transaxle.  The rear has high taillights with brake lights that are mounted lower next to the license plate and above the trailer hitch.  The Giulietta performs quite well on the track with working suspension and light weight thanks to the plastic boxy.  Unfortunately the interior, which is viewed by opening doors, lacks a proper dashboard design with an ugly circle mounted in the middle.

Audi 90 Sedan

Now for the more modern sedan of the group, the Audi 90.  Painted in yellow this casting really stands out with rounded lines and a clean profile typical of cars in the 1990's.  This B4 bodystyle was introduced in 1991, yet carried the same evolutionary styling of the previous-generation.  The 90 series is the small car of the Audi lineup that started in the 1970's with this current B4 the final generation before a new naming convention was started in 1995 as the A4.  This was the first-generation to adopt a new cabriolet that lasted longer than the rest of the 90 series models, and the interior offered a well-laid out design that would be the basis for upcoming Audi models with a more premium look.  The powertrain consisted of a pair of I-4 or I-5 engines, or the new 2.8L DOHC V6 that produced 174 horsepower through a 5-speed manual transmission and out to either front wheels or the Quattro all-wheel drive.  This casting has a metal base and that includes the detailed mesh grille with Audi rings, signal lights and Euro plate for the front bumper, and headlights that match the blue tint of the windows.  The sides feature Audi badging on the doors, larger windows, and a visible rear spoiler (The Alfa has a rear spoiler barely visible on the trunk edge).  the rear is a bit too smooth, jelly-bean like, and complicated to add red to the taillights as seen here.  You do get detailed Audi rings and 90 badges.  The doors open to an interior that has nice details if still not the best out there with supportive seats and a thick steering wheel.  As for performance the suspension works, but is firm so it allows controlled responses and excellent manuvers.

Honda Accord

For something out of left field and one of the first Honda models, Majorette created the new 1984 Accord sedan and today it represents a unique hallmark to the Majorette brand.  When it was introduced in 1976 the Accord was nothing more than a larger Civic hatchback, but by 1981 the second-generation introduced a sedan to grow the line and also opened it's first U.S. plant in Marysville, Ohio that still cranks out Accords today.  The new Accord was sleeker and still very compact, offered navigation system (a first for a Honda), and flush headlights though U.S. models continued with four halogen headlight setup.  The interior has a well laid out design for a Honda with plenty of room for passengers and cargo in the trunk.  The forward-opening hood reveals a 1.7L SOHC I-4 that produced 107 horsepower through a 5-speed manual transmission to the front wheels.  The suspension is independent all-around and on the track this casting has a bit of Honda flavor in its handling.  Colors are many so I have the yellow version and all of them have the same graphic design on the hood and sides.  The front-end has a slight forward tilt with metal grille, lower bumper, and orange-tint headlights.  The sides have a typical sedan profile with large doors for such a small car, while the rear has taillights that are part of the red interior and connect to a trailer hitch in the center (only the Audi here does not have a trailer hitch).  The doors open to an interior with nicely done seats and an ok dashboard in terms of details.

These are some nice sedans that all have one thing in common: uniqueness that no one else can match, typical day-to-day sedans that are now a hallmark to the line of Majorette vehicles.