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: All-round independent suspension was unusual in a small British car in the early ‘60’s hence Standard-Triumph regularly promoting it in ads (the Mini was the other car in 1961) though claims how it aided roadholding (given the issues with its swinging axle rear) was frankly hopeful…
November 25, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Factoid: All-round independent suspension was unusual in a small British car in the early ‘60’s hence Standard-Triumph regularly promoting it in ads (the Mini was the other car in 1961) though claims how it aided roadholding (given the issues with its swinging axle rear) was frankly hopeful…
Factoid: Nudge bars were particularly popular for Minis in Paris & there were plenty of options in the content-rich world of Mini accessories though this ungainly affair was possibly best avoided…
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
November 24, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Factoid: Nudge bars were particularly popular for Minis in Paris & there were plenty of options in the content-rich world of Mini accessories though this ungainly affair was possibly best avoided…
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
True, a Mini Traveller/Countryman was more expensive but on a wet day with the predictably greasy road conditions you’d fancy your chances in an emergency than in a Bond Estate…
Unless I’m being unfair of course…
Unless I’m being unfair of course…
November 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
True, a Mini Traveller/Countryman was more expensive but on a wet day with the predictably greasy road conditions you’d fancy your chances in an emergency than in a Bond Estate…
Unless I’m being unfair of course…
Unless I’m being unfair of course…
Factoid: The Austin A40 Mk.II. had a front anti-roll bar & telescopic rear shocks due to criticisms Innocenti had about the original’s front suspension’s harshness on rough roads & asked BMC to improve the ride & handling…
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
November 24, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Factoid: The Austin A40 Mk.II. had a front anti-roll bar & telescopic rear shocks due to criticisms Innocenti had about the original’s front suspension’s harshness on rough roads & asked BMC to improve the ride & handling…
(📸: Autocar)
(📸: Autocar)
Factoid: The BBS alloys, the turbocharger with the ‘in your face ‘TURBO’ side decals’, the Renault Fuego Turbo was every inch the mid-‘80’s swift coupé with an ad campaign that was very of its time too…
November 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Factoid: The BBS alloys, the turbocharger with the ‘in your face ‘TURBO’ side decals’, the Renault Fuego Turbo was every inch the mid-‘80’s swift coupé with an ad campaign that was very of its time too…
Factoid: Fans of Base Model Brilliance will like this 2dr Opel Rekord E which is a base model spec of a base model body.
It’s also your quick reminder that it was the last 2dr Rekord as the body style was dropped for 1982’s E2…
(📸: Motor)
It’s also your quick reminder that it was the last 2dr Rekord as the body style was dropped for 1982’s E2…
(📸: Motor)
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Factoid: Fans of Base Model Brilliance will like this 2dr Opel Rekord E which is a base model spec of a base model body.
It’s also your quick reminder that it was the last 2dr Rekord as the body style was dropped for 1982’s E2…
(📸: Motor)
It’s also your quick reminder that it was the last 2dr Rekord as the body style was dropped for 1982’s E2…
(📸: Motor)
Factoid: Europe’s best selling coupé of the early ‘80’s, the Fuego fulfilled the requirement of looking sleek but it took until Oct 1983 for a performance version to arrive in the guise of the Turbo…
November 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Factoid: Europe’s best selling coupé of the early ‘80’s, the Fuego fulfilled the requirement of looking sleek but it took until Oct 1983 for a performance version to arrive in the guise of the Turbo…
Factoid: Nothing shouts ‘the early ‘80s’ like a Fuego reinforced by the fact European production ended by the mid-80s though like several Renaults it lived on in South America (in this case until 1992)…
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
November 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Factoid: Nothing shouts ‘the early ‘80s’ like a Fuego reinforced by the fact European production ended by the mid-80s though like several Renaults it lived on in South America (in this case until 1992)…
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
(📸:IG a/c jagalfa)
Admittedly, they probably didn’t have that much competition.
Btw, I’m wondering what ‘poodle shades’ are…
Btw, I’m wondering what ‘poodle shades’ are…
November 23, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Admittedly, they probably didn’t have that much competition.
Btw, I’m wondering what ‘poodle shades’ are…
Btw, I’m wondering what ‘poodle shades’ are…
Yes, I’m also wondering what those two guys standing over the wall are doing…
(📸: IG a/c finecarbrochures)
(📸: IG a/c finecarbrochures)
November 23, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Yes, I’m also wondering what those two guys standing over the wall are doing…
(📸: IG a/c finecarbrochures)
(📸: IG a/c finecarbrochures)
I doubt owners of genuinely fast cars would’ve been interested in carrying such a pump, but I’m sure owners of brisk (well, briskish) cars (such as the Riley 4/Seventy Two) felt that needed such an aid.
Still, props to the firm’s ad agency for this leap of epic proportions…
Still, props to the firm’s ad agency for this leap of epic proportions…
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I doubt owners of genuinely fast cars would’ve been interested in carrying such a pump, but I’m sure owners of brisk (well, briskish) cars (such as the Riley 4/Seventy Two) felt that needed such an aid.
Still, props to the firm’s ad agency for this leap of epic proportions…
Still, props to the firm’s ad agency for this leap of epic proportions…
Factoid: Neatly styled, plus good for the image of the larger selling saloon, the Cavalier Coupé was a smart car & Vauxhall did a good job of hiding the Opel Manta B’s front end…
November 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Factoid: Neatly styled, plus good for the image of the larger selling saloon, the Cavalier Coupé was a smart car & Vauxhall did a good job of hiding the Opel Manta B’s front end…
The interior had dinky seats with fashionable ‘chalk stripe’ patterned upholstery along with lots of painted metal.
I’m not complaining, mind, I’m just remembering a lot of happy, bouncy journeys…
I’m not complaining, mind, I’m just remembering a lot of happy, bouncy journeys…
November 23, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The interior had dinky seats with fashionable ‘chalk stripe’ patterned upholstery along with lots of painted metal.
I’m not complaining, mind, I’m just remembering a lot of happy, bouncy journeys…
I’m not complaining, mind, I’m just remembering a lot of happy, bouncy journeys…
Factoid: I've quite the soft spot for the late '80s/early '90s Base Model Brillance spec Mini City as it was my 1st car.
That said, mine wasn't in a vibrant shade like this Solar Yellow example.
That said, mine wasn't in a vibrant shade like this Solar Yellow example.
November 23, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Factoid: I've quite the soft spot for the late '80s/early '90s Base Model Brillance spec Mini City as it was my 1st car.
That said, mine wasn't in a vibrant shade like this Solar Yellow example.
That said, mine wasn't in a vibrant shade like this Solar Yellow example.
Factoid: Concluding today with another example of Base Model Brilliance (BMB) here’s the hubcapped Manta A & a particularly nice shot of the car too…
Bye for now 👋
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
Bye for now 👋
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
November 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Factoid: Concluding today with another example of Base Model Brilliance (BMB) here’s the hubcapped Manta A & a particularly nice shot of the car too…
Bye for now 👋
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
Bye for now 👋
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
Factoid: The boat race in a car; Citroën’s UK launch brochure for the Series 2 CX had a clever way of demonstrating its 8-seat Familiale which here was confined to a base model, a case of BMBB - Base Model Break Brilliance…
November 22, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Factoid: The boat race in a car; Citroën’s UK launch brochure for the Series 2 CX had a clever way of demonstrating its 8-seat Familiale which here was confined to a base model, a case of BMBB - Base Model Break Brilliance…
Factoid: Your quick reminder of the Turbo Manta A, created in the UK by DOT (Dealer Team Opel) & Broadspeed revealed in time for the 1974 London Motor Show.
Just 28 built & all in black, but you’ll want to know more. (1)
Just 28 built & all in black, but you’ll want to know more. (1)
November 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Factoid: Your quick reminder of the Turbo Manta A, created in the UK by DOT (Dealer Team Opel) & Broadspeed revealed in time for the 1974 London Motor Show.
Just 28 built & all in black, but you’ll want to know more. (1)
Just 28 built & all in black, but you’ll want to know more. (1)
Factoid: A good deal in 1975, but while it’s easy to focus on the stylish Manta A Berlinetta, here’s a nod to the 1974 European rally championship winning Ascona A SR, but try finding one in RHD today…
November 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Factoid: A good deal in 1975, but while it’s easy to focus on the stylish Manta A Berlinetta, here’s a nod to the 1974 European rally championship winning Ascona A SR, but try finding one in RHD today…
Factoid: Not a fancy model, but I agree with this great Insta a/c that the Manta B here in Base Model Brillance spec is the business - it’s those steelies, of course…
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
November 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Factoid: Not a fancy model, but I agree with this great Insta a/c that the Manta B here in Base Model Brillance spec is the business - it’s those steelies, of course…
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
(📸:IG a/c finecarbrochures)
Factoid: You could own one too…
Opel along with Ford chose a winning strategy when it came to selling the Manta A & Capri in the early ‘70’s.
Reading this 1971 ad it’s easy to see why both were such a success…
Opel along with Ford chose a winning strategy when it came to selling the Manta A & Capri in the early ‘70’s.
Reading this 1971 ad it’s easy to see why both were such a success…
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Factoid: You could own one too…
Opel along with Ford chose a winning strategy when it came to selling the Manta A & Capri in the early ‘70’s.
Reading this 1971 ad it’s easy to see why both were such a success…
Opel along with Ford chose a winning strategy when it came to selling the Manta A & Capri in the early ‘70’s.
Reading this 1971 ad it’s easy to see why both were such a success…
Factoid: Ford had their Capri Ghia, Opel the Manta Berlinetta, the latter used an Italian term for a sports coupé (though it actually means little saloon).
Interestingly, this luxurious Manta A model arrived before the better-known Capri (with its neighbour-envying badge)…
Interestingly, this luxurious Manta A model arrived before the better-known Capri (with its neighbour-envying badge)…
November 22, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Factoid: Ford had their Capri Ghia, Opel the Manta Berlinetta, the latter used an Italian term for a sports coupé (though it actually means little saloon).
Interestingly, this luxurious Manta A model arrived before the better-known Capri (with its neighbour-envying badge)…
Interestingly, this luxurious Manta A model arrived before the better-known Capri (with its neighbour-envying badge)…
Factoid: A particularly cool 1986 Panda 4x4 ad not that you need to be reminded of that car’s coolness, but did you know its 4x4 system was adapted for the Autobianchi/Lancia Y10?
(The system used in the latter had an electro-pneumatic 4x4 engagement rather than the Panda’s simpler lever)…
(The system used in the latter had an electro-pneumatic 4x4 engagement rather than the Panda’s simpler lever)…
November 22, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Factoid: A particularly cool 1986 Panda 4x4 ad not that you need to be reminded of that car’s coolness, but did you know its 4x4 system was adapted for the Autobianchi/Lancia Y10?
(The system used in the latter had an electro-pneumatic 4x4 engagement rather than the Panda’s simpler lever)…
(The system used in the latter had an electro-pneumatic 4x4 engagement rather than the Panda’s simpler lever)…
I guess this sounded a better idea in the company than it does promoting it to potential owners of these cars…
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I guess this sounded a better idea in the company than it does promoting it to potential owners of these cars…
Factoid: The 147 gave Alfa Romeo its 2nd European Car of the Year title in 3yrs & while it had arguably desirable looks, it joined an ever-lengthening list of cars bested by Ford’s all-conquering Focus in an Autocar group test 25yrs ago this week.
Yes, 25yrs ago - you are that old…
(📸: Autocar)
Yes, 25yrs ago - you are that old…
(📸: Autocar)
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Factoid: The 147 gave Alfa Romeo its 2nd European Car of the Year title in 3yrs & while it had arguably desirable looks, it joined an ever-lengthening list of cars bested by Ford’s all-conquering Focus in an Autocar group test 25yrs ago this week.
Yes, 25yrs ago - you are that old…
(📸: Autocar)
Yes, 25yrs ago - you are that old…
(📸: Autocar)
Factoid: The characteristic & unique dashboard of the original Citroën DS & looking just as futuristic as the rest of the car.
Influential, of course, especially to a certain Alec Issigonis (as noted by the dashboard of the original Austin 1800)…
(📸: Autocar)
Influential, of course, especially to a certain Alec Issigonis (as noted by the dashboard of the original Austin 1800)…
(📸: Autocar)
November 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Factoid: The characteristic & unique dashboard of the original Citroën DS & looking just as futuristic as the rest of the car.
Influential, of course, especially to a certain Alec Issigonis (as noted by the dashboard of the original Austin 1800)…
(📸: Autocar)
Influential, of course, especially to a certain Alec Issigonis (as noted by the dashboard of the original Austin 1800)…
(📸: Autocar)