UK’s rarest cars: 1959 Renault Frégate, probably the only one left
Few examples made it here, so rarity is assured. But even in its native France this elegant saloon struggled against Citroën’s DS and others
UK’s rarest cars: 1989 Fiat Panda 750L, a top prize on Bullseye
Lowly cars, such as this popular base model Fiat which is now almost extinct, were in keeping with the show’s cheap and cheerful ethos
UK’s rarest cars: 1980 Colt 1400 GLX – the only one left
An eight-speed gearbox was regarded by many as a gimmick, but the Colt from Japan was technically advanced – while undercutting Ford and VW
Advertisem*nt
UK’s rarest cars: 1973 Volkswagen K70, one of only 11 left
Now virtually forgotten, this square-set saloon was the first front-wheel-drive VW, paving the way for the Golf and global domination
UK’s rarest cars: 1981 Toyota HiAce campervan, one of only 12 left
‘Even some hotel rooms don’t come as luxurious’ claimed camping conversion specialist Devon of its handiwork – just the thing for summer
UK’s rarest cars: 1963 Wartburg 312, one of only a handful left
Alongside the better-known Trabant, this two-stroke-engined saloon typified East Germany’s automotive output during the Cold War
UK’s rarest cars: the Renault Espace at 40
The practical, ‘one box’ design that could compete with a Range Rover – and inspired a tattoo
UK’s rarest cars: 1989 Proton Black Knight, the only one on the road
The Black Knight was no ordinary Proton – not when it had decals, a spoiler, and bespoke metallic paint
UK’s rarest cars: 1981 Volkswagen Polo GLS, one of only 12 left
More than 86,000 of the Series 1 Polo were sold here, making it a keen rival to upmarket Ford Fiestas and Austin Metros
UK’s rarest cars: 1961 Austin Super Seven, one of only 36 left
Alec Issigonis’ revolutionary ‘people’s car’ was in danger of being spurned by the people. The slightly more upmarket Super was the response
UK’s rarest cars: Vauxhall Viva at 60 – the respectable family saloon
The first model to emerge from a new factory on Merseyside, 1,516,792 over three generations were made but survivors are vanishingly rare
UK’s rarest cars: 1988 Toyota Tercel 4WD, one of only eight left
This compact ‘lifestyle estate’ was light years ahead of British firms’ product planning and the precursor to the modern obsession with SUVs
UK’s rarest cars: 1977 Volkswagen Golf N, one of only 53 left
Launched 50 years ago, the Golf was a radical departure from the Beetle but base models haven’t survived as well as the more glamorous GTI
UK’s rarest cars: 1976 Lada 1200 Estate, one of only 17 left
A Russian copy of an ageing Fiat doesn’t sound promising, although what Ladas lacked in quality they made up for in value for money
See AlsoTop 10 Greatest Cars of All TimeUK’s rarest cars: 1977 Peugeot 604, one of only eight left
Aimed at luring Mercedes, BMW and Volvo drivers, the 604 was a fine cruiser but found favour mainly as transport for French bureaucrats
UK’s rarest cars: 1979 Renault 18 TL, one of only 26 left
The 18 was meant to lure business away from Ford and Vauxhall. Now, this much-loved classic is a rare spot on the roads
Advertisem*nt
UK’s rarest cars: the Austin/Rover Montego at 40
Aimed at the lucrative company car market, this four-door saloon suffered more from its predecessors’ negative image than any serious flaws
UK’s rarest cars: 1971 NSU 1200TT, one of only nine left
The German firm most famous for its flawed, rotary-engined Ro 80 got it right with this nimble, rear-engined masterpiece
UK’s rarest cars: 1977 Volvo 66, one of only 12 left
Few people know the Swedish firm produced its own version of Dutch firm DAF’s quirky small car with its infamous ‘rubber band’ transmission
UK’s rarest cars: 1969 Ford Capri Mk1 1300L, one of only 14 left
This modest specification, with the smallest engine, symbolised the famed coupé’s appeal as the blue-collar sports car
UK’s rarest cars: 1979 Colt Sapporo GSR, one of only five left
This sleek Japanese coupé ran rings around its Ford Capri rival, yet a high price and import quotas meant it never quite caught on
The UK’s rarest cars: 1975 Volvo 145, one of only 57 left
The only car good enough for snobbish Margot Leadbetter in The Good Life set the template for a series of great Swedish estates
UK’s rarest cars: 1969 Triumph 2.5 PI Mk1, one of a handful left
The UK’s first fuel-injected mass-produced saloon had the potential to rival Alfa Romeo or Lancia, but proved another British Leyland fail
UK’s rarest cars: Opel Kadett C, the Vauxhall Chevette’s unlamented cousin
Today only 83 of all generations of Kadetts are believed to remain on the road in the UK
UK’s rarest cars: 1971 Mini Clubman Estate, one of a handful left
An attempt to update the Mini for the 1970s gave birth to the squared-off, frontal looks of the Clubman Estate
Britain’s rarest cars: the 1965 Hillman Super Minx Mk3
Selling identical cars under different brands was a staple of Hillman owner the Rootes Group as well as its British Motor Corporation rival
UK’s rarest cars: 1985 Alfa Romeo Alfa 6, one of two left
Known for possessing a certain mystique – and starring in The Godfather – Italy’s Alfa 6 struggled to find its audience in UK
UK’s rarest cars: 1977 Datsun Sunny 120Y, one of only 46 left
Kully Dhada’s 1977 Sunny is a reminder of how Datsun shook up the UK market
UK’s rarest cars: 1973 Royal Mail Mini Van, one of only two left
A favourite of retail outlets, several police forces and the AA, this charming commercial is a reminder of days past
