In Memoriam

In memoriam : Vauxhall Astravan

1985 Bedford Astra van

Keith Adams Come the end of 2012, one of the UK’s most enduring motoring icons will be getting the bullet. Vauxhall has confirmed that production of the Astravan is to cease, although the company says that there will be sufficient stock to cover sales through to at least the first three months of 2013. The [...]

In memoriam : Longbridge Flight Shed 1937-2011

Picture: John Baker

Robert Leitch pays tribute to the iconic Longbridge Flight Shed, a building that proved central to ‘The Austin’s’ war effort, before having a leading role in the company’s subsequent history. And in 2011, all this was put behind it, as the process of demolition was instigated. Goodbye to a legend The merciless pace of the [...]

In Memoriam : Škoda Estelle 120LS

Skoda were a formidable force in Group B rally events shown here with this 1984 LR130

The continuing series of features about cars on the endangered list in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 12: Škoda Estelle 120LS The years fly by as you get older, your parents and teachers would tell you that, summer school holidays seemed to last [...]

In Memoriam : Fiat Strada ES

Fiat's answer to the Golf - fatally flawed but a brave try!

Mike Humble The continuing series of features about cars on the endangered list in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 11: Fiat Strada 60ES Yet another car from our series of seemingly extinct vehicles that rightly or wrongly have ended up as bean tins [...]

In memoriam : Austin 1800/2200HL

Dan Nichols' Austin 1800HL

Keith Adams The continuing series of features about cars on the endangered list in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 10: Austin 1800/2200HL One of the most enjoyable aspects about researching the In Memoriam series of articles is searching through lists and lists of [...]

In memoriam : Mitsubishi Colt 1400 Turbo

Colt 1400 Turbo

Keith Adams The continuing series of features about extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 9: Colt 1400 Turbo – died out in 2003 Back in the late-1970s, the UK perception of Japanese cars was one of drudging trans-Atlantic conservatism. The mass-market [...]

In memoriam : FSO Caro 1.9D

FSO Caro, available with a PSA diesel and K-Series petrol engine

Keith Adams takes another look at some of the less likely extinct – or near-extinct – cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 8: FSO Caro 1.9D Car manufacturers in the command economies of Eastern Europe had a very difficult time during the dying [...]

In Memoriam: Ford Sierra 1.6 Ghia E-Max

The MK1 Sierra was so different it hampered sales for a few years.

Mike Humble takes another look at some of the less likely extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. Pictures: Andrew Elphick and Words: Mike Humble 7: Ford Sierra 1.6 Ghia E-Max Over the years, I have owned three Sierras – one of which [...]

In Memoriam: Lada Riva 1300L

Lada Riva. Once a popular mode of budget transport with a loyal following.

A look at some of the less likely extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data.  6: Lada Riva 1300L The Soviet Union gave Western Europe more than just the threat of Nuclear oblivion and premium Vodka but for example – cars. The Lada [...]

In Memoriam : Austin Maestro 700L Van

The Maestro Van - Loving that uprated towing hook!

Mike Humble A look at some of the less likely extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data.  5: Austin Maestro 700L Van – just 13 remain today Once the backbone of British Gas,  BT and Royal Mail, the Maestro van is now [...]

In Memoriam : Morris Ital 1.3L Automatic

Ital dwindling away - the base model 1.3 auto extinct for over 12 years

Mike Humble A look at some of the less likely extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 4: Morris Ital 1.3L Automatic – died out in 1998. Austin Morris lightly revised and re-styled the Marina, while at the same time, dropping the decent looking [...]

In memoriam : Talbot Horizon LD

Talbot Horion Ultra - wearing the aero kit added also to the LD model

Keith Adams A look at some of the less likely extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 3: Talbot Horizon LD – died out in 2003. Ah, you’re thinking, so AROnline‘s In Memoriam series is already running out of steam to such [...]

In memoriam : Dacia Denem

Dacia 1310, AKA the Denem in the UK

Keith Adams A look at some of the less likely extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 2: Dacia Denem – died out in 2005 Regular viewers of Top Gear will no doubt be aware of Dacia through James May’s repeated references [...]

In memoriam : Alfa Romeo Arna

Alfa Romeo ARNA

Keith Adams The first in a series of features about extinct cars in the UK, according to data supplied by the brilliant How Many Left? website based on DVLA data. 1: Alfa Romeo Arna – died out in 2007 Motor industry commentators often cite the Alfa Romeo Arna as a perfect example of how not to combine [...]