Talbot Samba

Talbot Samba: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Talbot Samba rather than learning what the model is, the decision is inside one generation (1981–1986), one body (Cabrio), seven listed versions, all with a 5-speed Manual and FWD. The spread that matters is power: 45 hp on 1.0 MT versus 88 hp on 1.2 MT — a 43 hp gap, or 1.96×.

If you are choosing a Talbot Samba rather than learning what the model is, the decision is inside one generation (1981–1986), one body (Cabrio), seven listed versions, all with a 5-speed Manual and FWD. The spread that matters is power: 45 hp on 1.0 MT versus 88 hp on 1.2 MT — a 43 hp gap, or 1.96×. Everything else in the catalogue (clearance 130 mm, tank 40 l, independent spring suspension, front Disc / rear Drum, carburetor, no boost, four Inline cylinders, two valves per cylinder) is the same wherever it is measured. There is no second generation to wait for.

Specs that actually separate the seven versions

Two rows share the name 1.4 MT and 80 hp on LPG. Distinguish them by kerb weight: one is not measured, the other is 780 kg. Peak power 80 hp (59 kW) at 5600 rpm and 118 Nm at 3200 rpm are the same on both. The four 1.4 MT rows must not be treated as one car.

Engine: power per litre, not just litres

Displacement ranking is not power ranking.

• 1.2 MT: 88 hp from 1219 cm³ → 72.2 hp/l. Highest specific output in the set.
• 1.4 MT LPG 80 hp: 80 / 1.360 = 58.8 hp/l.
• 1.4 MT Gasoline 72 hp: 52.9 hp/l.
• 1.0 MT: 45 / 0.954 = 47.2 hp/l.
• 1.1 MT: 50 / 1.124 = 44.5 hp/l.
• 1.4 MT Gasoline 60 hp: 44.1 hp/l. Lowest specific output.

The 1.2 MT is 141 cm³ smaller than any 1.4 MT and still +16 hp versus the 72 hp 1.4 MT, +28 hp versus the 60 hp 1.4 MT, and +8 hp versus both LPG 80 hp 1.4 MT rows. Buying “the biggest engine” on this model is the wrong rule.

Compression (where measured): 1.1 MT and 1.2 MT 9.7; 1.4 MT 72 hp 9.3; 1.0 MT and both LPG 1.4 MT 8.8; Gasoline 1.4 MT 60 hp not measured. Bore × stroke: 1.0 MT 70 × 62; 1.1 MT 72 × 69; 1.2 MT 75 × 69; all 1.4 MT 75 × 77.

Torque is not measured on 1.0 MT, 1.1 MT, 1.2 MT, and both Gasoline 1.4 MT rows. Only the two LPG 1.4 MT 80 hp versions list 118 Nm. You cannot rank mid-range pull across the Gasoline set from this catalogue.

Performance and mpg: what is measured

0–100 km/h: not measured on every version.

Top speed (km/h): 1.0 MT 135; 1.1 MT 143 (+8); 1.4 MT 72 hp 159 (+24 vs 1.0 MT, +16 vs 1.1 MT). 1.2 MT, Gasoline 1.4 MT 60 hp, and both LPG 1.4 MT 80 hp: not measured. The fastest recorded Samba here is therefore the 72 hp 1.4 MT, not the 88 hp 1.2 MT — the 1.2 MT simply has no top-speed figure in the data.

Fuel consumption (city / highway / combined) and CO₂: not measured on all seven. There is no mpg comparison to make from numbers; do not infer economy from displacement.

Dimensions, weight, tank

Ground clearance 130 mm and tank 40 l on all seven. Wheel sizes: not measured.

Kerb weight:

• 1.1 MT: 740 kg
• 1.2 MT: 780 kg (+40 kg)
• 1.4 MT LPG 80 hp (the row with a figure): 780 kg
• 1.0 MT, Gasoline 1.4 MT 60 hp, Gasoline 1.4 MT 72 hp, LPG 1.4 MT 80 hp without a listed mass: not measured

Gross weight: not measured on all seven.

kg per hp where both figures exist:

• 1.1 MT: 740 / 50 = 14.8 kg/hp
• 1.2 MT: 780 / 88 = 8.86 kg/hp (lightest per horsepower)
• 1.4 MT LPG 80 hp at 780 kg: 9.75 kg/hp

The 1.2 MT carries 40 kg more than the 1.1 MT and 38 hp more — 1.05 kg per extra hp. That is the only weight-versus-power trade the data supports.

Which version to choose

If the criterion is power and power-to-weight: 1.2 MT. 88 hp, 65 kW, 1219 cm³, Gasoline, 9.7 compression, 780 kg, 8.86 kg/hp, 72.2 hp/l. It is 43 hp above 1.0 MT and 38 hp above 1.1 MT. Top speed and 0–100 are not measured, so you are buying the peak-output figure, not a proven speed ranking.

If the criterion is the highest measured top speed: 1.4 MT 72 hp Gasoline — 159 km/h. That is +16 km/h versus 1.1 MT and +24 km/h versus 1.0 MT. It has 16 hp less than 1.2 MT and 8 hp less than LPG 1.4 MT 80 hp. Kerb weight for this 72 hp row is not measured, so you cannot compute kg/hp.

If the criterion is LPG and a listed torque figure: either 1.4 MT 80 hp LPG row (80 hp / 59 kW at 5600 rpm, 118 Nm at 3200 rpm, 1360 cm³, compression 8.8). Prefer the row with kerb 780 kg if you want a mass number (9.75 kg/hp). The other 1.4 MT 80 hp LPG is the same outputs with kerb not measured. Fuel type is LPG, not Gasoline; do not mix them with the three Gasoline 1.4 MT outputs (60 / 72 / 80 is not one engine tune).

If the criterion is smallest displacement and lowest listed power: 1.0 MT — 45 hp / 33 kW, 954 cm³, Gasoline, top speed 135 km/h. Torque, 0–100, consumption, and kerb: not measured. Versus 1.1 MT you give up 5 hp and 8 km/h of measured top speed and 170 cm³.

If the criterion is a middle Gasoline four with a measured mass: 1.1 MT — 50 hp / 37 kW, 1124 cm³, 740 kg (lightest listed Samba), 143 km/h, compression 9.7. It is 5 hp above 1.0 MT and 38 hp below 1.2 MT, 40 kg lighter than 1.2 MT. Specific output 44.5 hp/l is near the bottom; you are buying the low kerb figure, not efficiency of the engine.

If the criterion is a 1360 cm³ Gasoline car without LPG: choose between 1.4 MT 60 hp and 1.4 MT 72 hp. The 72 hp row is +12 hp (+20%) and is the only Gasoline 1.4 MT with a top speed (159 km/h). The 60 hp row has compression, torque, 0–100, top speed, consumption, and kerb all not measured except the shared chassis figures. On this data the 60 hp 1.4 MT is the weakest documented reason to pick a 1.4: same 1360 cm³ and 75 × 77 as the others, 44.1 hp/l, no speed or mass.

What a “generation change” does not buy

There is 1 generation, 1981-01-01 to 1986-12-31, 7 versions, body Cabrio. No restyle is listed as a separate generation. Chassis language is identical: independent spring front and rear, Disc front, Drum rear, 130 mm, 40 l, Manual 5, FWD, carburetor, no boost. Switching version does not change drive, gearbox type, or body. It changes displacement (954 / 1124 / 1219 / 1360), output (45 / 50 / 60 / 72 / 80 / 88 hp), fuel (Gasoline vs LPG), and, where filled in, mass and top speed.

Short buyer map

1. 1.2 MT — most hp, best hp/l, best kg/hp among rows with both mass and power. 2. 1.4 MT 72 hp Gasoline — highest measured top speed (159). 3. 1.4 MT 80 hp LPG (780 kg row) — only torque figure (118 Nm) plus a mass; LPG not Gasoline. 4. 1.4 MT 80 hp LPG (kerb not measured) — same outputs, incomplete mass. 5. 1.1 MT — lightest listed (740 kg), modest 50 hp, measured 143 km/h. 6. 1.0 MT — least power (45 hp), lowest measured top speed (135). 7. 1.4 MT 60 hp Gasoline — largest common displacement with the weakest 1.4 Gasoline output and the most empty cells.

There are no prices in this dataset, so “what the extra money buys” can only be stated as what the extra hp, cm³, km/h, or kg buys between these seven names.