The Smart ForFour used mostly Mitsubishi engines, with the base Pure having a modest 64 bhp 1.1-litre. Topping the range, was the Brabus, which used the 1.5-litre 177 bhp turbo unit from the Colt CZT. It spurned the two-colour look of the rest of the range, being sold in all-black or all-silver.

Impressive.

In Japan, the Celica nameplate sold alongside the closely-related Carina saloon, but this went further with the appearance there in 1979 of a model called the Toyota Celica Camry, a twin of the Carina. This was the first appearance of the Camry name, later a significant model in its own right.

The Celica was at its most eye-catching in its 2.0-litre liftback version, available in ST, XT and GT trim, while for the British market the coupé model was played down, available only as a single entry-level model, with the smaller 1.6-litre engine.

It was an obscurity, possibly best looked for in saloon-loving markets like Ireland.

In Brazil this happened decades ago with the Ford Corcel, effectively a rebodied Renault 12, which spawned quite a few other local Fords.

I admire your positive outlook.

Pars Khodro had been founded in the Shah's time, originally assembling mostly US vehicles. After the Islamic Revolution it forged links with Nissan, building the Patrol 4X4. This '80s brochure cryptically states 'Travel with Nissan Patrol would be full of dream and monumental moments in happy days'.

The change of platform was down to the fact that Pars Khodro was working with another Iranian manufacturer, SAIPA, which built the Pride under licence in quite large numbers, also developing an export trade to countries aligned with Iran.

But did you know...

Concerto production ended before the Rover version and only ever used Honda engines. I think this was a local expediency for markets where diesel take-up was strong, to boost overall sales with a diesel as a interim while the new Civic was coming on stream.

The Riva was launched as a saloon only, with Lada's 1300 and 1500 estates continuing for a while with the original Fiat 124 body. Soon the facelift was extended to create the Riva estate car, one of the most affordable vehicles of its type.

The Riva was a UK-market name, with the model (2105 back in the USSR) originally launched as a single 1300cc saloon in 1983. By 1985 a wider range was available, topped by the high-spec 1500GLS, distinguishable by its bigger grille (not chromed at this stage). They were sold an extremely low prices.

One of the most successful Honda/Rover collaborations, the jointly-developed Concerto and Rover 200 (R8) debuted in Europe in 1989. The 'proper' Concerto, whose production at Rover's Longbridge plant had ended in 1995, differed in sheetmetal details, engines and suspension from the Rover version.

Somewhat ironically the Concerto TD brochure promised that the rebadged Rover offered the 'incomparable' Honda touch. As France was one of Rover's best export markets, French buyers were already used to the car, and it seems the short-lived TD led to a late Concerto sales surge.

The design of the 95 dated back to its debut in 1959. Until 1967 it and the 96 were powered by a much smaller engine, Saab's own 841cc 3-cylinder two-stroke unit, before the Swedish company turned to Ford of Germany, buying in the 1.5 V4 used in the Taunus. This earlier brochure had a novel cover.

I suspect the brand's UK demise was inevitable anyway.

Proton later also tried a dressed-up Satria Neo Sport edition, seen in this separate leaflet, which also gives a glimpse of a special rally car version which hoped to change perceptions of the marque.