Höek Spleen (Vehicle Idea)

The Höek Spleen, collectively marketed as the Höek Splinter for left-hand drive models (in New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan), the Höek Cyclone in Germany, and by multiple other names and markets, are a series of compact sedans of the Rivera line-up, built by Nizhnyokohaman/Nizhshiman car manufacturer AldāHöek. They were released in 1969 in Nizhnyokohama and the Soviet Union, and gradually made their way to Western European and international markets starting in the early 1970s.

The Spleen was released in July 1970 in the Soviet Union, and were the last cars in the Rivera line to be exclusively in rear-wheel-drive configuration. Export sales commenced in August 1972. Although the Rivera line was updated in 1980, the station wagon and van versions were offered into late 1990. In 1993, daily domestic production reached an all-time high at the company's plant in the capital city of Duhami, averaging 4,174 units. The one-billionth Spleen was a left-hand drive station wagon, built in 1995.

History
The Spleen initially began as a re-engineered version of the E20 Corolla produced under license from Toyota and tailored for the Nizhnyokohaman market, but was widely exported to both the East and West as an economy car. Known as the Spleen within Nizhnyokohama, the main differences between the AldāHöek 237 and the E20 Corolla are the use of thicker gauge steel for the bodyshell, drum brakes on the rear wheels in place of disc brakes, and a bespoke engine. Early versions of the car featured a starting handle for cranking the engine manually should the battery go flat in Siberian winter conditions, and an auxiliary fuel pump.

This version of the Spleen is officially designated – and known in the home market – as the AldāHöek 231 (base saloon [sedan]), AldāHöek 234 (station wagon), and AldāHöek 237 (deluxe saloon identified by the large chromed grille). In domestic Nizhnyokohama, the 231, 234, and 237 are considered by the manufacturer to be different cars rather than variants but nonetheless all of them are part of a single "Rivera" family.

A more recent 239 variant was unveiled in 1979; a saloon with an unusual cab-over-engine configuration with a front engine configuration and an optional rear mid-engine configuration. As a result, the 239 is the first mid-engined AldāHöek automobile since the Trochanter in 1949, differing from the traditional front-engine design.

On front engine versions of the 239, the engine is in a compartment beneath the front seats with a hinged cover over it; this meant that the driver and passenger seats were removable so the engine could be better accessed. However, this also meant the 239's front axle was shifted back and the front was flush with the cab, omitting the usual hood and front clip. Rear mid-engine versions had the engine in what is usually the trunk; In order to make up for the lost storage space, the cars featured an optional front trunk in the cabin. This "frunk" was repurposed from the engine compartment in the front engine version, although the front seats in the rear engine version can't be removed. This meant the front trunk does not open very wide and the limited access came in for some complaint. Despite the complaints regarding the partially restrictive access to the "frunk," the latter design performed better in sales.

The 237 was first produced in 1975, offered as the luxury version (and the most expensive), with an improved interior, a new instrument panel, and a chrome grille. It was succeeded by the 241 in 1979.