Anadol STC-16: Turkey’s First Sports Car That Dared to Dream

Fiberglass Fury - In the early 1970s, countries that weren’t traditionally associated with automotive innovation began to take bold steps into the world of performance cars. While Italy had its Ferraris and Japan was introducing the world to nimble coupes like the Datsun 240Z, Turkey—more famous for tea, textiles, and historic architecture—decided it, too, wanted a place on the sports car map. From this unexpected ambition emerged something extraordinary from the heart of Istanbul: the Anadol STC-16.

The Anadol STC-16, finished in its signature Alanya Yellow, was a sports car built by Turkish manufacturer Otosan between 1973 and 1975. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

At first glance, the STC-16 didn’t seem like it belonged to Turkey. With its long nose, sharp lines, and hatchback coupe body, it looked like a car plucked from a European rally, not one born from a local automaker experimenting with fiberglass. But make no mistake—the Anadol STC-16 was entirely Turkish in spirit and origin. Created by Otosan, a subsidiary of Koç Holding that was working closely with Ford at the time, this car was the country’s very first attempt at a homegrown sports machine. Otosan was already known for producing the more practical Anadol A1 and A2, but in 1972, the company felt it was time to try something daring.

The Anadol STC-16, finished in its signature Alanya Yellow, was a sports car built by Turkish manufacturer Otosan between 1973 and 1975. (Picture from: Banovsky)

The project was handed to a young designer named Eralp Noyan, who brought both talent and European education to the drawing board. Having studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium, Noyan sketched a sleek and striking 3-door coupe that balanced aggression with elegance. The final result was a car that echoed familiar silhouettes like the Ford Capri or Datsun 240Z, yet retained its own unique Turkish identity. The name STC stood for “Sport Turkish Car,” though it was later rebranded to “Sport Touring Coupe” to sound more refined. Either way, it stayed true to its essence: sporty, stylish, and distinctly different.

The Anadol STC-16, finished in its signature Alanya Yellow, was a sports car built by Turkish manufacturer Otosan between 1973 and 1975. (Picture from: AnadolTurkey)

Beneath its fiberglass shell, the STC-16 housed a 1.6-liter Ford Kent Crossflow engine, the same one found in the Ford Mexico. It churned out 82 horsepower and 116 lb-ft of torque—not earth-shattering by global standards, but respectable for a car weighing just over 2,000 pounds. Paired with a four-speed manual transmission, also from Ford, the STC-16 could hit speeds around 100 mph. While not a straight-line rocket, its lightweight body and compact chassis allowed for agile cornering and quick-footed responsiveness, making it fun to drive and competitive on Turkey's rally circuits. 

The Anadol STC-16, finished in its signature Alanya Yellow, was a sports car built by Turkish manufacturer Otosan between 1973 and 1975. (Picture from: AnadolTurkey)

That rally spirit wasn’t just theoretical either. Local drivers like Renç Koçibey, Demir Bükey, and Romolo Marcopoli put the STC-16 through its paces in real-world races, often with winning results. Modified versions could even pump out as much as 140 horsepower—proof that the STC-16 had more potential under its sleek skin than many gave it credit for.

The Anadol STC-16, finished in its signature Alanya Yellow, was a sports car built by Turkish manufacturer Otosan between 1973 and 1975. (Picture from: Banovsky)

But performance wasn't the only thing that set the STC-16 apart—it was also a symbol of design ambition. The car was built on a shortened Anadol chassis, and thanks to its fiberglass body, it was relatively lightweight. Unfortunately, fiberglass also meant costly repairs and a high production price. In the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, material costs rose and fuel efficiency became king. The STC-16, with its sporty attitude and limited practicality, suddenly seemed out of sync with the market. Priced at over 70,000 Turkish Lira at the time, it was simply too expensive for most buyers. Only 176 units were produced between 1973 and 1975, with three earlier prototypes made in 1972. Some sources suggest production limped on until 1977, but the numbers never climbed much higher.

The Anadol STC-16 Rally version featured a lightweight FRP chassis paired with a modified 140 bhp engine. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Today, the Anadol STC-16 is a rare gem. A handful of well-preserved examples still exist, treasured by collectors and occasionally roaring back to life in vintage rallies. It never reached global fame, nor was it meant to. What it did accomplish, however, was far more meaningful for Turkey: it sparked imagination, broke the mold, and proved that a country with no history in sports cars could still dream one into reality. | 0hyYF3Ud0C8 | dLD7PTFrckw |

It may not have been the fastest, the most luxurious, or the most advanced—but it had something most cars can’t fake: personality. With its handcrafted design, rally-tested engine, and unmistakable style, the STC-16 earned its nickname the "Super Turkish Monster." And though the road was short, the legacy it left behind still echoes in Turkey’s automotive story—fiberglass and all. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ANADOLTURKEY | BANOVSKY | FORUMFORZANET | WIKIPEDIA ]

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