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How classic vans became a compelling way to make money from a hobby
The rarity of commercial variants means that many are more sought-after – and more valuable – than the cars they are based on
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UK’s rarest cars: 1981 Audi 100L Avant, the only one left
This hatchback version of the acclaimed, second-generation 100 consolidated Audi as a marque of distinction by adding a dash of practicality
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UK’s rarest cars: 1982 Vauxhall Viceroy, one of only 10 left
This executive saloon was essentially an upgraded Carlton with (a bit) more equipment. Only 2,295 were sold – this is the last one ever made
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UK’s rarest cars: 1986 Nissan 300C, one of only 14 left
Perceived as too gaudy for British sensibilities, this large Japanese saloon was nevertheless superbly equipped and supremely comfortable
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UK’s rarest cars: 1980 Ford Cortina Mk5 Huntsman Estate, the only one left
This dealer special was limited to 150 units and came with just enough extras to lift it above the mundane 1.6L it was based on
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UK’s rarest cars: 1971 BMW 2800 E3, the only one left
This trailblazing sports saloon firmly cemented the Bavarian company as a producer of reassuringly expensive prestige performance machines
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UK’s rarest cars: 1986 Citroën BX 19RD Mk1 Estate, the only one left
This French rival to the Sierra and Cavalier was decried by aficionados as too conventional – but most British buyers thought it too weird
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UK’s rarest cars: 1979 Lancia Gamma Berlina, one of only 6 left
An upmarket Italian specialist vehicle was always going to struggle against mass-market competitors – and reliability issues didn’t help
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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
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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
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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
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UK’s rarest cars: 1975 Citroen CX, the oldest survivor still on the road
The earlier DS gets all the accolades, but the sleek CX was a better car in all respects – perhaps even more futuristic than its forebear
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The UK’s rarest cars on display at Tatton Park
The Cheshire stately home hosts 16 cars from our series of critically endangered machines from the 1970s and 80s. Here’s what you can expect
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UK’s rarest cars: 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina, one of only 19 left
This sports saloon with advanced engineering was adored by discerning drivers who prized performance and handling in a discreet package
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UK’s rarest cars: 1983 Talbot Horizon, one of only six left
Designed in France but eventually built in Britain, this family hatchback was one of the more surprising Car of the Year winners
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
