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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 54m

This was the '80s, though.

Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 55m

Amazing opportunity!

Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 55m

Zodiac, I see what you mean.

Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1h

Within the comple governing apparatus of the Soviet Union, cars denoted status. While not quite the top-level ZIL, you needed to climb far up the party ladder to have access to the 5.5-litre V8 GAZ-14 Chaika. This leaflet is in theory an export one, but it's doubtful many left the USSR. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 7h

While the Accent was still very much basic fare, Hyundai was starting to look at ways to edge its cars upmarket. Coinciding with a mild facelift, a more sporty 1.5 MVi model offering 98 bhp was introduced, seen in this 1997 UK brochure.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 7h

Hyundai got rather excited about its newly-launched Accent in this 1995 UK brochure, calling it a 'new world-beating car in its class' possessing 'stunning design with state-of-the-art technical specifications'. It was developed entirely in South Korea in hatchback and saloon versions. #carbluesky

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 11h

Meanwhile in Britain...

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 11h

Quite possibly. Fiat also used it around this time on its ES models, but I think they arrived from 1983.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 11h

To ram home the message, VW also used this memorable imagery on Formel E brochures and adverts. Despite all the effort, however, the company soon seemed to lose the will to persevere with these quite austere economy models.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 11h

The Polo, Golf and Jetta line-ups also had their Formel E models, here promoted in a single British brochure, desribing them as the company's 'latest fuel misers'.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 11h

The turn of the '80s saw an upsurge in special fuel-saving models introduced by a series of European manufacturers. Volkswagen was in the vanguard with its Formel E line-up, claiming to use the latest technology. This 1981 brochure features its application on the new Passat mk2. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Malta is old car gold

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The only place I have seen LHD versions is Greece, a haven for small pick-ups of every description.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

These always fascinate me because of the way they were built long after the car versions had moved on to later generations. I wonder what country your Polish version was originally sold in?

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The Bagheera X featured alloy wheels and more refined interior trim. To keep costs down it used many Chrysler/Simca parts and the brochure noted there were 7,000 Talbot dealers across Europe. In early 1980, Bagheera production ceased ahead of the new Talbot-Matra Murena's launch.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Externally, these final Talbot-badged Bagheeras were also recognisable by more conventional door handles in place of the previous concealed ones. The interior pictures here show the standard car, with tartan dashboard trim facing the unusual twin passenger seats.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

A Matra-Simca for most of its career, the three-seater Bagheera sports car belatedly became a Talbot-Matra after PSA took over Chrysler Europe. This 1979 Dutch brochure features the X, with a 90bhp version of the 1442cc mid-mounted engine, as well as the 85bhp standard model. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The chances of the SP250 - aimed mainly at the US market - were not helped by its looks, and it quickly became an orphan after the 1960 takeover of Daimler by Jaguar. Its unusually small 2.5-litre V8 lived on for a while, however, in a rather attractive Daimler-branded version of the Jaguar mk2.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Britain's upmarket Daimler marque had a staid reputation by the 1950s, so the unveiling of a fibreglass V8 convertible was a surprise. Its 1959 New York Motor Show launch as the Dart was a disaster - Chrysler threatened legal action and it had to be hastily renamed SP250. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Only luxury XLT trim was offered for the Australian Bronco. The 1982 brochure showed a well-appointed interior with its dashboard specially adapted for right-hand-drive. Production continued until 1987, when the third-generation Ford Bronco was retired in the US.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The big Bronco was described as 'pushing back the frontiers of four-wheel-drive' for Australian drivers: 'it's made for the land you know and the country you don't'. Locally-built engines were fitted: a 4.1-litre six was standard, or there was an optional 5.8-litre

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

While Ford Australia increasingly looked to its Mazda partner in the '80s for smaller models to supplement its local designs, there was also room for a large US offering in the shape of the rugged Bronco, assembled 'down under' from 1981, with right-hand-drive. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Yes they are, including the silver car seen from the rear. Very attractive saloons at the time.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 2d

The MX-3 was undoubtedly a good-looking small coupé, and the 1.8-litre DOHC V6 version packed a punch, but ultimately the car failed to capture the imagination of enthusiasts as the MX-5 had done. In 1998 the model was dropped without a replacement.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 2d

The Mazda MX-3's export name was chosen to build on the enthusiastic reception the MX-5 roadster had received. Both cars were presented together in this French brochure. The MX letters would also appear on the larger 626-derived MX-6 coupé , although only the MX-5 would endure.

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