The Car Factoids
@thecarfactoids.bsky.social
Important/unimportant facts about older cars plus plenty of old ads thrown in…
He/Him.
He/Him.
Christmas Motoring Gifts of Times Past
No:1 Binoculars
Never mind this potential gift idea have a look at the reasons they offer for why…
No:1 Binoculars
Never mind this potential gift idea have a look at the reasons they offer for why…
December 4, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Christmas Motoring Gifts of Times Past
No:1 Binoculars
Never mind this potential gift idea have a look at the reasons they offer for why…
No:1 Binoculars
Never mind this potential gift idea have a look at the reasons they offer for why…
Factoid: It was quite a stretch to suggest the badge-engineered Magnette MkIV owed anything to a TT-winning, Nuvolari-driven ‘30s race car but then the same could be said of it having an ‘advanced design’…
December 3, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Factoid: It was quite a stretch to suggest the badge-engineered Magnette MkIV owed anything to a TT-winning, Nuvolari-driven ‘30s race car but then the same could be said of it having an ‘advanced design’…
Factoid: The announcement of the 1.3-litre Fiesta, a road test of Chrysler Sunbeam plus a report from the Frankfurt Show - that’s what I call an issue.
Oh & a Maserati, but I think I know what’ll interest you guys…
Oh & a Maserati, but I think I know what’ll interest you guys…
December 3, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Factoid: The announcement of the 1.3-litre Fiesta, a road test of Chrysler Sunbeam plus a report from the Frankfurt Show - that’s what I call an issue.
Oh & a Maserati, but I think I know what’ll interest you guys…
Oh & a Maserati, but I think I know what’ll interest you guys…
Factoid: The Mk1 Scirocco proved remarkably popular in the UK & an example was a couple of yrs after this 1977 ad when not only was it one of the UK’s best selling coupés, it also outsold all of BL’s sports cars…
(Click ‘ALT’ for Grade A geekery)
(Click ‘ALT’ for Grade A geekery)
December 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Factoid: The Mk1 Scirocco proved remarkably popular in the UK & an example was a couple of yrs after this 1977 ad when not only was it one of the UK’s best selling coupés, it also outsold all of BL’s sports cars…
(Click ‘ALT’ for Grade A geekery)
(Click ‘ALT’ for Grade A geekery)
Factoid: This ‘reflective glory’ 1969 supplier ad when the Maxi arrived reminds us how commonplace front disc brakes had become for family cars by the late ‘60’s though given the lacklustre performance from its disappointing 1485cc, E-Series engine, ‘taming it’ was a relatively straightforward task…
December 3, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Factoid: This ‘reflective glory’ 1969 supplier ad when the Maxi arrived reminds us how commonplace front disc brakes had become for family cars by the late ‘60’s though given the lacklustre performance from its disappointing 1485cc, E-Series engine, ‘taming it’ was a relatively straightforward task…
Factoid: Manufacturers made much in the ‘80s having multi-valve engines in their cars but here’s your quick reminder the trio here had them installed in three ways: MR2, mid-engined RWD, Celica, FWD & Supra, RWD.
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Factoid: Manufacturers made much in the ‘80s having multi-valve engines in their cars but here’s your quick reminder the trio here had them installed in three ways: MR2, mid-engined RWD, Celica, FWD & Supra, RWD.
Factoid: Yes, It’s that time of year again & while you ponder presents, a reminder in 1981 Motor used this cover to launch their guide with the help of some Corgi models (including the just-launched Triumph Acclaim)…
(📸: Motor)
(📸: Motor)
December 3, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Factoid: Yes, It’s that time of year again & while you ponder presents, a reminder in 1981 Motor used this cover to launch their guide with the help of some Corgi models (including the just-launched Triumph Acclaim)…
(📸: Motor)
(📸: Motor)
Factoid: It’s open to Q what was the worst example of BMC badge engineering but the MkIV Magnette would certainly be in the mix.
Perhaps those who could only afford the vastly superior MG 1100 had a lucky escape?
Perhaps those who could only afford the vastly superior MG 1100 had a lucky escape?
December 2, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Factoid: It’s open to Q what was the worst example of BMC badge engineering but the MkIV Magnette would certainly be in the mix.
Perhaps those who could only afford the vastly superior MG 1100 had a lucky escape?
Perhaps those who could only afford the vastly superior MG 1100 had a lucky escape?
Factoid: By 1986, a 5dr supermini had become the norm (though the Mk2 Fiesta & Mk2 Polo were notable exception) & so a 5dr Ibiza wasn’t unusual though the copywriters’ take in promoting it was humorously novel…
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Factoid: By 1986, a 5dr supermini had become the norm (though the Mk2 Fiesta & Mk2 Polo were notable exception) & so a 5dr Ibiza wasn’t unusual though the copywriters’ take in promoting it was humorously novel…
Factoid: 50 yrs old this month, the SEAT 1200 Sports was possibly prettier than the Fiat 128 3P but interestingly the former’s original design was based on a concept car called the NSU Nergal which was based on the Prinz (1)…
(📸: Motor)
(📸: Motor)
December 2, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Factoid: 50 yrs old this month, the SEAT 1200 Sports was possibly prettier than the Fiat 128 3P but interestingly the former’s original design was based on a concept car called the NSU Nergal which was based on the Prinz (1)…
(📸: Motor)
(📸: Motor)
Factoid: Volvo’s ‘80s ad themes came up again & again (like the life expectancy of the cars) but as with all the best car advertisers it was the creativity of how that message was conveyed that kept them ‘fresh’…
December 2, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Factoid: Volvo’s ‘80s ad themes came up again & again (like the life expectancy of the cars) but as with all the best car advertisers it was the creativity of how that message was conveyed that kept them ‘fresh’…
Factoid: Compared to the 964, the 993-gen 911 was a decided visual improvement bringing back the grace of previous generations (the work of Yorkshireman Tony Hatter which is something I’d forgotten about).
Of course more important were the substantial rear suspension changes….
Of course more important were the substantial rear suspension changes….
December 2, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Factoid: Compared to the 964, the 993-gen 911 was a decided visual improvement bringing back the grace of previous generations (the work of Yorkshireman Tony Hatter which is something I’d forgotten about).
Of course more important were the substantial rear suspension changes….
Of course more important were the substantial rear suspension changes….
Factoid: A Granada Estate with a 2-litre & in fancier LX form for less than this 240 DL Estate (£288 less in fact), but then again it wasn’t a Volvo…
Still, in 1985 Ford dropped the Granada Estate when the Mk3-gen arrived & saving Volvo a lot of money in advertising while gaining a lot of sales…
Still, in 1985 Ford dropped the Granada Estate when the Mk3-gen arrived & saving Volvo a lot of money in advertising while gaining a lot of sales…
December 2, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Factoid: A Granada Estate with a 2-litre & in fancier LX form for less than this 240 DL Estate (£288 less in fact), but then again it wasn’t a Volvo…
Still, in 1985 Ford dropped the Granada Estate when the Mk3-gen arrived & saving Volvo a lot of money in advertising while gaining a lot of sales…
Still, in 1985 Ford dropped the Granada Estate when the Mk3-gen arrived & saving Volvo a lot of money in advertising while gaining a lot of sales…
Factoid: With no 605 estate, the 406 fulfilled the role that the 404, 504 & 505 had had in Peugeot’s range for a conventional large estate (though there was also the 806 for those who wanted an MPV).
December 1, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Factoid: With no 605 estate, the 406 fulfilled the role that the 404, 504 & 505 had had in Peugeot’s range for a conventional large estate (though there was also the 806 for those who wanted an MPV).
Factoid: The Sunbeam Lotus might’ve won the 1981 WRC Constructors title for Talbot but it was the Quattro that was victorious at that year’s RAC.
The following year Audi would be the champs & win a then-record 7 rallies to achieve it…
The following year Audi would be the champs & win a then-record 7 rallies to achieve it…
December 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Factoid: The Sunbeam Lotus might’ve won the 1981 WRC Constructors title for Talbot but it was the Quattro that was victorious at that year’s RAC.
The following year Audi would be the champs & win a then-record 7 rallies to achieve it…
The following year Audi would be the champs & win a then-record 7 rallies to achieve it…
Factoid: Sprint was the name used for the ultimate Elan & 4yrs after production ended the name returned for this version of the Éclat.
Btw, it’s also your quick reminder the name was used for the Éclat in the US…
Btw, it’s also your quick reminder the name was used for the Éclat in the US…
December 1, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Factoid: Sprint was the name used for the ultimate Elan & 4yrs after production ended the name returned for this version of the Éclat.
Btw, it’s also your quick reminder the name was used for the Éclat in the US…
Btw, it’s also your quick reminder the name was used for the Éclat in the US…
Factoid: The Elan +2 was marketed as suitable for children (as was the E-Type 2+2).
This is the later +2S 130 from 1971 though there was another version called the +2S 130/5 with a gearbox based on the Austin Maxi’s…
This is the later +2S 130 from 1971 though there was another version called the +2S 130/5 with a gearbox based on the Austin Maxi’s…
December 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Factoid: The Elan +2 was marketed as suitable for children (as was the E-Type 2+2).
This is the later +2S 130 from 1971 though there was another version called the +2S 130/5 with a gearbox based on the Austin Maxi’s…
This is the later +2S 130 from 1971 though there was another version called the +2S 130/5 with a gearbox based on the Austin Maxi’s…
Factoid: While you could assemble a Lotus Elan +2 yourself, Autocar’s test car came ready assembled though they weren’t impressed with its quality - an ignition switch that disappeared behind the facia being one example.
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
December 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Factoid: While you could assemble a Lotus Elan +2 yourself, Autocar’s test car came ready assembled though they weren’t impressed with its quality - an ignition switch that disappeared behind the facia being one example.
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
Factoid: The quick car featuring here was the Fiat 131 Sport, which had a unique front end & an urgent 2-litre twin cam engine.
The Sport name was unique to the UK & Ireland as it was called Racing in the rest of Europe…
The Sport name was unique to the UK & Ireland as it was called Racing in the rest of Europe…
November 30, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Factoid: The quick car featuring here was the Fiat 131 Sport, which had a unique front end & an urgent 2-litre twin cam engine.
The Sport name was unique to the UK & Ireland as it was called Racing in the rest of Europe…
The Sport name was unique to the UK & Ireland as it was called Racing in the rest of Europe…
Factoid: Given the cars Alfa could’ve picked from its 1972 UK range, the awkward looking 2000 Berlina was curious, but, then again, as the ad was about driving you wouldn’t see those looks from the driving seat…
November 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Factoid: Given the cars Alfa could’ve picked from its 1972 UK range, the awkward looking 2000 Berlina was curious, but, then again, as the ad was about driving you wouldn’t see those looks from the driving seat…
Factoid: Thankfully there are a few of this generation of Alfetta GTV still about which is worthy of relief (if not exclamation)…
November 30, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Factoid: Thankfully there are a few of this generation of Alfetta GTV still about which is worthy of relief (if not exclamation)…
Factoid: Aside from the expected sexism of the time (it assumes only men buy a Vitesse), this ad is another of Standard-Triumph’s efforts to sell it an alternative to its two seater sports cars…
November 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Factoid: Aside from the expected sexism of the time (it assumes only men buy a Vitesse), this ad is another of Standard-Triumph’s efforts to sell it an alternative to its two seater sports cars…
Factoid: 1978, an aging sports car crying out for an update with an ad that might’ve had relevance about a decade ago - then again, the MGB wasn’t just the only sports car BL sold that seriously needed attention (attention unfortunately it wouldn’t get)…
November 29, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Factoid: 1978, an aging sports car crying out for an update with an ad that might’ve had relevance about a decade ago - then again, the MGB wasn’t just the only sports car BL sold that seriously needed attention (attention unfortunately it wouldn’t get)…
Factoid: BMC had a challenge promoting the Hydrolastic Minis as the car to the majority of potential buyers was indistinguishable from the ‘rubber’ models - hence ads like this & stressing its ‘big-car ride’.
Then again, it was an issue of their own making…
Then again, it was an issue of their own making…
November 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Factoid: BMC had a challenge promoting the Hydrolastic Minis as the car to the majority of potential buyers was indistinguishable from the ‘rubber’ models - hence ads like this & stressing its ‘big-car ride’.
Then again, it was an issue of their own making…
Then again, it was an issue of their own making…
Factoid: Launched 30yrs ago this week, the R3 Rover 200 Series was the 1st car produced by Rover since the Montego without Honda.
On paper it made a great replacement for the Metro (as it was originally planned to be) but as a replacement for the larger, highly successful R8 200 Series not so much…
On paper it made a great replacement for the Metro (as it was originally planned to be) but as a replacement for the larger, highly successful R8 200 Series not so much…
November 29, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Factoid: Launched 30yrs ago this week, the R3 Rover 200 Series was the 1st car produced by Rover since the Montego without Honda.
On paper it made a great replacement for the Metro (as it was originally planned to be) but as a replacement for the larger, highly successful R8 200 Series not so much…
On paper it made a great replacement for the Metro (as it was originally planned to be) but as a replacement for the larger, highly successful R8 200 Series not so much…