Posh names and trim levels

Coinciding with Ford's launch of the Vignale name. A look back at top-end names and trim levels of everyday cars...

CARS THAT GOT A SECOND LIFE: Austin Maestro

It lived up into being 'The Miracle Maestro' Austin Rover claimed it was.

Those wheels: Pepperpots

Do you remember these Eighties classics?

PEPPERPOT wheels. My father calls them 'cheese wheels'. Probably because they remind him of those blocks of Swiss cheese. The ones with the holes, like the ones often seen on cartoons. 

Pepperpot wheels are a notable feature on cars from the 1980s. Very much in their time like Duran Duran, fluorescent clothing and Rubix cubes. From Metros to Jaguars, there were many cars from an era that had pepperpot wheels.

Vector wheels

IN my spare time, I have been playing about on Adobe Illustrator and made some vector images of cars. I made a vector picture of a Ford Ka - the one that I previously owned. Then a side profile of an Austin Allegro.

I have enjoyed being creative, making drawings and some art. It's been a while since I've used Illustrator and it appears that I haven't forgotten how to use it.

It's been fun. Some more creations may follow.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: Austin Princess

British Leyland missed a trick here, which also proved costly.

VIDEO: Austin Ambassador Y-Reg

A car that inspired John Shuttleworth's song with a 'montage of racy shots' about his Austin Ambassador. Comedy gold.