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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 2h

The brochure noted LS models featured '100 full-blooded horsepower'. Top speed was a respectable 106mph. The car had a column-operated gear lever, with a floor shift an optional extra. With front-wheel-drive, the roomy 100 was presented as a comfortable long-distance tourer.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 2h

The four-door saloon was the most popular choice in the UK, but the 100 LS (and a base trim 100) were also available in a two-door saloon form. This was a traditionally popular bodystyle for large cars in its native West Germany.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 2h

The first Audi 100 was the car that helped kickstart an international awareness of the revived marque, which was making what this 1971 UK brochure called 'meteoric progress in the upper-middle sector of the car market'. The 1760cc 100 LS is featured here. #carbluesky

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 18h

The Omega was one of four contemporary GM X-body cars with different styling features, each aimed at their own divisional customer base. The cheapest of the quartet was Chevrolet's Nova, shown in this further brochure from 1973. There was also a Pontiac Ventura and Buick Apollo.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 18h

'It's built like a 3,094-pound brick' doesn't sound like a compliment but it was apparently what Oldsmobile buyers wanted to hear about the solidity of this then-smallest model in the company's range. One neat design feature was the Omega logo, incorporating the Greek letter.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 18h

The new Omega was the most affordable car in the 1973 Oldsmobile line-up, and in line with GM practice had sister models in the company's other divisions in North America. It was a better trimmed 'compact' than most, and the three body styles included a trendy hatchback version. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 18h

Yes absolutely. And obviously the 1800ES kicked the shape off.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 21h

Not sure about that. Witness the 460 saloon, launched slightly later, which shared its platform.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 21h

Since it slightly preceded the 440, the 480 was Volvo's first front-drivr car, and was more aerodynamic than usual for the marque. Its four-seater cabin had a typically angular dashboard. The S and ES used Renault 1721cc and 1998cc engines respectively; the 120bhp Turbo was based on the 1.7 unit.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 21h

The rear styling of the car - which shared the platform of the 440/460 - evoked the 1800ES of the early '70s thanks to its frameless rear hatch. The link was reflected in the 480ES name of the initial model. The 480S shown in this spread joined the range in 1992, and had more basic trim.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 21h

Volvo's unusually-styled 480 coupé arrived in 1987 and seem destined to be the first of the company's Dutch-built models to be exported to North America, but that oddly never came to pass. It was a modest success in Europe - this 1993 UK brochure here features the peak 480 Turbo. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Peugeot was traditionally good at estate cars and the 304 range included this super deluxe version, combining the 204 estate rear with the 504-like nose treatment. The interior was described as luxurious, with 'teppline' upholstery and a 'laminated mahogany' loading platform.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

First seen in 1969, the Peugeot 304 saloon was presented in slightly revised form in this 1973 UK brochure. Effectively it was a 204 stretched at each end with an bigger 1.3-litre engine, neat, boxy styling and a quality reputation. Also available was a slightly sportier S version. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Very nice, the BMW looks particularly impressive.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

It's true that all the German manufacturers were aligned with the regime, but there's no getting away from the roots of what was originally the KdF-wagen.
encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/a...

Volkswagen | Holocaust Encyclopedia

The Volkswagen automobile company went into military production during WWII, operating concentration and forced-labor camps. Learn more about its role.

encyclopedia.ushmm.org

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The Chinese part of the story is quite confusing. The later MG and Roewe versions were more widely sold.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

Small car-derived pick-ups used to be quite a thing in Europe, but gradually died out from the end of the 1970s.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

I didn't expect it to be a double-cab.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

A subtly-extended long-wheelbase saloon, shown here, was also offered. With a range of engine and trim choices, the elegant and timeless 75 range sold steadily, but suffered from the declining image of the orphan marque and cost-cutting measures at the struggling company, which went under in 2005.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

MG Rover, now at the old BL Longbridge factory, proved to be a firm built on shaky foundations, but did add the important 75 estate car to the line-up (plus launching a separate, sporty MG ZT spin-off range). The brochure tried hard to position the 75 as a uniquely British luxury model.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The car that promised a bright new future for Rover, the 75 was developed under BMW ownership with a strong emphasis on the marque's heritage. After a launch tarnished by troubles which saw BMW cut and run, an independent MG Rover company was selling it by the date of this 2003 brochure. #weirdcarbs

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The only one I've come across is the Ukrainian van, by ZAZ

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

That looks a tad impractical. I'd settle for this fusion of Polish and British quality.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

After Daewoo's bankruptcy, FSO ironically continued to build some of the former's old products in Poland: these 2005 leaflets show FSO-branded Matiz and Lanos models. By this time the Polonez and its truck variants were no more.

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Andy @carbrochureaddict.bsky.social · 1d

The Daewoo era at FSO also saw a determined effort to capitalise on the potential of the pick-up version, shown here as the Polonez Truck 2000. Roy and Long Bed models are featured in these Polish leaflets, with 1.6i or PSA 1.9D engines. They also appeared in certain export markets.

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