SELLING THE DREAM – TEN BRITISH ENTRY-LEVEL MODELS

Or, ten of the finest examples of the author stretching the meaning of the words “luxury” and “comfort” to their very limits -

Austin Metro Standard

The basic Metro was, according to British Leyland, “extremely well-appointed inside and out, in a style that puts many so-called ‘luxury hatchbacks’ to shame”. For example, “All seats – and inside door panels – are tailored in an attractive embossed vinyl”.

Ford Consul 2000 ‘Base’

To promote the cheapest member of the new Granada/Consul family, Dagenham created an advertising campaign featuring ‘Jim’, a young proto-Medallion Man seeking a new car at a price “that doesn’t blow a hole in your bank manager’s rocker box”. The Base cost a mere £1,236.65 and one Salesman’s Data Guide listed “large headlamps and wrap-round indicators” as a major attraction.

Ford Fiesta Popular Mk. I

Luxury features included “a smart black finish on the driver’s door mirror”. Should you want a passenger sun visor, you had to aspire to the Popular Plus.

Ford Cortina Mk. V ‘Standard’

Not only did you gain a “viscous coupled fan”, but there was also even a “Window mounted spring back rear view mirror”.

Hillman Avenger De Luxe

With a “handsome smooth” steering wheel to “inspire confidence” and front seats “adjustable fore and aft”, your Avenger De Luxe was “just the car for that weekend trip to Brighton”. And, should you want the decadence of a water temperature gauge, there was always the more expensive Super.

Rover 2300 SD1

With “Caviar fascia and mirror trim” - so who could possibly want a rev counter, five-speed transmission, power-assisted steering, front fog lamps, tinted glass, a passenger door mirror…

Standard Eight

“The amount of luggage storage space is quite unique and is completely dusty and rain proof” - i.e., there was no external lid.

Vauxhall Cresta PC ‘Standard’

For your £956 2s 11d, you gained an imposing motor car with “Space Curve” styling and “Dynamic Personality” that represented “the best of modern motoring”. It was also devoid of most distracting luxuries – a heater cost another £16 10s and ‘Screenclean’ windscreen washers were an additional £2 19s 6d.

Vauxhall Chevette E

Not only did the cheapest Chevette boast “rear extractor vents” and “5.60 x 13 cross-ply tyres” it also featured a large ‘E’ badge on the boot lid to (hopefully) impress your neighbours.

Vauxhall Astra 1200S E

As recently as the early 1980s, an entry-level Astra was devoid of rear ashtrays, a glove box, and halogen headlamps. Still, at least the proud owner gained a “boot mat” and a “‘Soft feel’ steering wheel”.