The Car Factoids
@thecarfactoids.bsky.social
Important/unimportant facts about older cars plus plenty of old ads thrown in…
He/Him.
He/Him.
Pinned
Just a short note to say I’m concluding activity on ‘that other place’ from tonight.
I just wanted to thank everyone who made me feel welcome on there & enjoyed my occasionally interesting, usually useless facts about the cars.
Rest assured that you’re stuck with me on here…
I just wanted to thank everyone who made me feel welcome on there & enjoyed my occasionally interesting, usually useless facts about the cars.
Rest assured that you’re stuck with me on here…
Factoid: A lot of hopeful copy here with this 1979 Fiat 132 ad including an economy reference to a BMW 520, but it was rather unlikely few Beamer owners would be trading in their car for one of these in fairness…
November 11, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Factoid: A lot of hopeful copy here with this 1979 Fiat 132 ad including an economy reference to a BMW 520, but it was rather unlikely few Beamer owners would be trading in their car for one of these in fairness…
Factoid: While I remember the Mk4 Polo, I’d forgotten the car’s UK launch campaign which noted its toughness, but if you think that ad is clever…(1)
November 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Factoid: While I remember the Mk4 Polo, I’d forgotten the car’s UK launch campaign which noted its toughness, but if you think that ad is clever…(1)
Factoid: Austin Rover brochures took a classier turn as they moved towards Rover rebranding for the ‘90s.
Here’s an X-ray pic of not a MG Montego Turbo, but a renamed MG 2.0 Turbo from the 1989 ‘Today’s Cars’ range brochure…
Here’s an X-ray pic of not a MG Montego Turbo, but a renamed MG 2.0 Turbo from the 1989 ‘Today’s Cars’ range brochure…
November 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Factoid: Austin Rover brochures took a classier turn as they moved towards Rover rebranding for the ‘90s.
Here’s an X-ray pic of not a MG Montego Turbo, but a renamed MG 2.0 Turbo from the 1989 ‘Today’s Cars’ range brochure…
Here’s an X-ray pic of not a MG Montego Turbo, but a renamed MG 2.0 Turbo from the 1989 ‘Today’s Cars’ range brochure…
Factoid Extra: Another example of the inventiveness of motor show displays as one Hillman Imp has its engine & subframe tilted for easy viewing while the other car has plastic see-through body to entice visitors…
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
November 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Factoid Extra: Another example of the inventiveness of motor show displays as one Hillman Imp has its engine & subframe tilted for easy viewing while the other car has plastic see-through body to entice visitors…
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
Factoid: Here’s another example of that Honda campaign & how I discovered what origami was when I was a kid.
Of course, this wasn’t the only Honda association with origami…(1)
Of course, this wasn’t the only Honda association with origami…(1)
November 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Factoid: Here’s another example of that Honda campaign & how I discovered what origami was when I was a kid.
Of course, this wasn’t the only Honda association with origami…(1)
Of course, this wasn’t the only Honda association with origami…(1)
Factoid: Aside from some new models of existing ranges, Ford of Britain had no new cars for Earls Court in 1957 so they pushed their ‘5-star’ motoring campaign instead.
Btw, note how the Popular 103E is relegated to a corner…
Btw, note how the Popular 103E is relegated to a corner…
November 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Factoid: Aside from some new models of existing ranges, Ford of Britain had no new cars for Earls Court in 1957 so they pushed their ‘5-star’ motoring campaign instead.
Btw, note how the Popular 103E is relegated to a corner…
Btw, note how the Popular 103E is relegated to a corner…
Factoid: Honda always positioned itself a cut above other Japanese brands in the late ‘70’s & early ‘80’s something which this particular campaign from the early ‘80’s reinforced.
You also can learn the term for the Japanese art of tea making in this 1981 ad (so a bonus factoid)…
You also can learn the term for the Japanese art of tea making in this 1981 ad (so a bonus factoid)…
November 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Factoid: Honda always positioned itself a cut above other Japanese brands in the late ‘70’s & early ‘80’s something which this particular campaign from the early ‘80’s reinforced.
You also can learn the term for the Japanese art of tea making in this 1981 ad (so a bonus factoid)…
You also can learn the term for the Japanese art of tea making in this 1981 ad (so a bonus factoid)…
Factoid: The Sceptre had a similar front end to the Singer Vogue to keep an owner busy polishing on a Sunday morning but here’s a quick reminder in Australia that particular car was actually badged as a Humber…
November 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Factoid: The Sceptre had a similar front end to the Singer Vogue to keep an owner busy polishing on a Sunday morning but here’s a quick reminder in Australia that particular car was actually badged as a Humber…
Factoid: The 4th-gen Accord might’ve been similar in style its predecessor but it’s forgotten it was notably bigger than it & reinforced its position in Europe as a contender in the executive car market…(1)
November 10, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Factoid: The 4th-gen Accord might’ve been similar in style its predecessor but it’s forgotten it was notably bigger than it & reinforced its position in Europe as a contender in the executive car market…(1)
Factoid: A bit of hybrid the 1st Metro GTa - it had the MG Metro’s engine, but the MG Metro Turbo’s suspension, wheels & tyres so it was quicker than the former & unlike either of the MGs, a GTa model featured when the Rover Metro arrived in 1990…
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Factoid: A bit of hybrid the 1st Metro GTa - it had the MG Metro’s engine, but the MG Metro Turbo’s suspension, wheels & tyres so it was quicker than the former & unlike either of the MGs, a GTa model featured when the Rover Metro arrived in 1990…
Factoid: Issigonis packaging in one handy picture for one successful car…
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Factoid: Issigonis packaging in one handy picture for one successful car…
Factoid: Same Autocar issue from March 6th, 1982 & two BL ads for two cars from the firm’s previous era (hanging on for dear life) & the firm’s future (though the ad’s copy would hardly be acclaimed)…
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Factoid: Same Autocar issue from March 6th, 1982 & two BL ads for two cars from the firm’s previous era (hanging on for dear life) & the firm’s future (though the ad’s copy would hardly be acclaimed)…
Factoid: 1957 was a big year for Vauxhall: February saw the F-Series Victor arrive (for a time the UK’s most exported car) & October, the PA Cresta/Velox appeared whose brash design has aged rather better than the Victor…
November 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Factoid: 1957 was a big year for Vauxhall: February saw the F-Series Victor arrive (for a time the UK’s most exported car) & October, the PA Cresta/Velox appeared whose brash design has aged rather better than the Victor…
Factoid: Nobody needs reminding these days what an appealing package the Hillman Imp was & why when this 1968 ad appeared it was one of the best small cars you could buy.
Sadly the people around who were didn’t…
Sadly the people around who were didn’t…
November 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Factoid: Nobody needs reminding these days what an appealing package the Hillman Imp was & why when this 1968 ad appeared it was one of the best small cars you could buy.
Sadly the people around who were didn’t…
Sadly the people around who were didn’t…
Factoid: The Volvo P 1800 saw production moved from the UK (where Pressed Steel had made the bodies & Jensen assembled them) to Sweden in 1963 due to quality issues hence the ‘S’ suffix stood for Sverige (Sweden).
November 9, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Factoid: The Volvo P 1800 saw production moved from the UK (where Pressed Steel had made the bodies & Jensen assembled them) to Sweden in 1963 due to quality issues hence the ‘S’ suffix stood for Sverige (Sweden).
Factoid: You’d hardly call the Mini & Imp boots large, but the Imp also had that opening rear window & folding rear seat which gave it luggage practicality the Mini only bettered with its Clubman Estate…
(📸: Motor)
(📸: Motor)
November 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Factoid: You’d hardly call the Mini & Imp boots large, but the Imp also had that opening rear window & folding rear seat which gave it luggage practicality the Mini only bettered with its Clubman Estate…
(📸: Motor)
(📸: Motor)
Like many I was shocked to hear of Quentin Willson‘s passing & while many will remember his time on Top Gear & Fifth Gear, let’s not forget his excellent ‘The Car’s The Star’ series, which was a neat & considered history of notable cars.
Here’s a particularly good example.
youtu.be/NUNB2RCqMLQ?...
Here’s a particularly good example.
youtu.be/NUNB2RCqMLQ?...
BBC TV - 'The Car's the Star' - Citroen DS - 1997 (Old Top Gear)
YouTube video by gud6y
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Like many I was shocked to hear of Quentin Willson‘s passing & while many will remember his time on Top Gear & Fifth Gear, let’s not forget his excellent ‘The Car’s The Star’ series, which was a neat & considered history of notable cars.
Here’s a particularly good example.
youtu.be/NUNB2RCqMLQ?...
Here’s a particularly good example.
youtu.be/NUNB2RCqMLQ?...
Factoid: A UK launch ad for the Lada Niva & aside some creative suggestions of the car’s uses, it’s your quick reminder that initially it was only available in the UK in LHD…
November 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Factoid: A UK launch ad for the Lada Niva & aside some creative suggestions of the car’s uses, it’s your quick reminder that initially it was only available in the UK in LHD…
Factoid: Renault played it safe with the R9 but there’s no denying that unlike the R14 it was a considerable success.
Btw, the R9 was the 1st Renault with a FWD transverse engine layout with an end on gearbox.
Btw, the R9 was the 1st Renault with a FWD transverse engine layout with an end on gearbox.
November 8, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Factoid: Renault played it safe with the R9 but there’s no denying that unlike the R14 it was a considerable success.
Btw, the R9 was the 1st Renault with a FWD transverse engine layout with an end on gearbox.
Btw, the R9 was the 1st Renault with a FWD transverse engine layout with an end on gearbox.
Let’s face it, it’s the dog that steals attention here even when this R5 has that cool & desirable optional folding fabric roof…
November 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Let’s face it, it’s the dog that steals attention here even when this R5 has that cool & desirable optional folding fabric roof…
Factoid Extra: The W210 E-Class dramatic front end was fully embraced in the car’s advertising & included even its own slogan.
31yrs later the car’s break with ‘tradition’ is still notable & brave too…
31yrs later the car’s break with ‘tradition’ is still notable & brave too…
November 8, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Factoid Extra: The W210 E-Class dramatic front end was fully embraced in the car’s advertising & included even its own slogan.
31yrs later the car’s break with ‘tradition’ is still notable & brave too…
31yrs later the car’s break with ‘tradition’ is still notable & brave too…
Factoid: Series 2 Daimler Sovereigns sadly never got this elegant rear badge, but this tweet is purely to note the timeless styling brilliance (this car is, I think, in Fern Grey).
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
November 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Factoid: Series 2 Daimler Sovereigns sadly never got this elegant rear badge, but this tweet is purely to note the timeless styling brilliance (this car is, I think, in Fern Grey).
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
Factoid: There was nothing wildly exciting about the Toledo’s spec though the Triumph name gave it a touch of class.
Fancy an obscure fact about it?
It was probably the last British car launched with only drum brakes available as standard…
Fancy an obscure fact about it?
It was probably the last British car launched with only drum brakes available as standard…
November 7, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Factoid: There was nothing wildly exciting about the Toledo’s spec though the Triumph name gave it a touch of class.
Fancy an obscure fact about it?
It was probably the last British car launched with only drum brakes available as standard…
Fancy an obscure fact about it?
It was probably the last British car launched with only drum brakes available as standard…
Factoid: Mar 1st, 1973 & Ford launches the Escort 1300 E, a luxury model which tends to remembered with this colour, Purple Velvet, the initial launch colour & still looks the part decades later…(1)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
November 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Factoid: Mar 1st, 1973 & Ford launches the Escort 1300 E, a luxury model which tends to remembered with this colour, Purple Velvet, the initial launch colour & still looks the part decades later…(1)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
Factoid: It’s the weekend, time to fire up the Avenger Grand Luxe’s 1.5-litre engine & experience ‘the ultimate in ‘Avenger luxury’ & don’t worry if it gets dark as you can use the car’s unique quad headlights…
November 7, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Factoid: It’s the weekend, time to fire up the Avenger Grand Luxe’s 1.5-litre engine & experience ‘the ultimate in ‘Avenger luxury’ & don’t worry if it gets dark as you can use the car’s unique quad headlights…