The Volvo 140 series was in its final year in 1974, the date of this UK brochure featuring the luxurious, 'head-turning' 144 Grand Luxe. The fuel-injected saloon was pictured with its fashionably-dressed driver, while one of the earliest Volvos made a cameo appearance behind. #carbluesky

The introduction of the SEAT Terra box van was an opportunity for UK converters to think small and low-cost. The Danbury Bambino was a camper 'designed for one man (or lady) and his dog', while the CC Sunrise was described as a runabout for families which included one wheelchair user. #carbluesky

The ancestor of all BMW 7-series models, the elegant 'New Six' saloons were some of the most desirable luxury cars of the early 1970s. In this 1975 brochure the wide range started with the 2500, followed by the 3.0S and Si, plus there was the LWB 2.8L, 3.0L and the ultimate 3.3L. #carbluesky

An unusually important car for Nissan in Europe, the first-generation Primera was made in saloon and hatchback form at the company's recently-built plant in North East England, which had first cut its teeth making Bluebirds. This was the 1990 preview brochure. #carbluesky

The Alfetta model name was curiously ditched for this 1980 UK-developed special edition saloon aimed at the executive car driver. It was simply called the Alfa Romeo 2000, and boasted extras like alloy wheels, electric front windows and (inevitably) a vinyl roof. #carbluesky

When the sporty Austin and Morris 1300GT models were launched by British Leyland in late 1969, the sole difference between the two versions was the badging. Their bold colours and detailing reflected the fashion of the time. This French brochure was unusual in covering both marque names. #carbluesky

The last of the Renault Rodéo models, the slightly obscure Rodéo 5 was built for the company by Teilhol from 1981 to 1986, featuring a much more contemporary fibreglass body than the previous 4 and 6 Rodéo models. It was mainly a French-market offering and was never a big seller. #weirdcarbs

The first-generation TT was a seminal car for Audi, and it went out on a high note with the 2005 coupé-only TT quattro sport edition, a lightweight 2-seater special by quattro GmbH, with 237bhp 1.8-litre turbo power. Most of the limited production went to the TT's über-loyal UK market. #carbluesky

Zastava's small Yugo hatchback had reached its ultimate 1.3-litre 65A GLX form by the time of this 1989 UK brochure, showcasing a body kit, alloy wheels and twin rear spoilers. The text called it 'compact, trim and good looking', though the low price was naturally a major selling point. #carbluesky

Subaru was a major player in the international rallying scene in the '90s, and its Impreza WRX (World Rally eXperimental) models reflected that. This 1997 Japanese brochure included the sportiest STi Version IV models, in sedan, sports wagon and coupé form. #carbluesky

The V12-engined Ferrari 400 Automatic was launched in 1976 alongside its manual sister, and was the marque's first car with this type of transmission (supplied by GM). Some Ferrari traditionalists were not impressed, but customers disagreed, and the model outsold the manual by 2 to 1. #carbluesky

Ford's 'coke-bottle' Cortina mk3 was marketed as 'a lot more little car' when the British model was imported to Canada as a budget offering to supplement Ford's North American range. The top of the range was the 2-litre GT 2-door, shown in this 1972 brochure. #carbluesky

Replacing the rather ordinary Xsara, the Citroën C4 epitomised the company's bold new post-Millennium look, with 5-door hatch and 3-door coupé styles. Much was made of the car's unusual fixed steering wheel centre. This 2009 UK brochure features late models with a mild facelift. #carbluesky

SEAT's locally-built and badged version of the Fiat 131 initially supplemented rather than replaced the long-running 124. This 1976 brochure features the 131 5-door estate car. SEAT's Zona Franca factory was the sole production centre for the 131 estate, also supplying the Fiat versions. #carbluesky

The glamorously-styled new Sunbeam Rapier fastback added a hotter H120 version in 1968, featured dramatically on its hand-drawn UK brochure cover. It boasted a 110bhp version of the Rootes 1725cc engine with twin carburettors, tweaked by Holbay Engineering, plus stripes and rear spoiler. #carbluesky

Although it was built in Japan, the new supermini-sized Mazda 121 was only an export model, aimed at Europe and Australia. It is featured in this 1988 UK brochure, where it slotted in below the 323. The design was also simutaneously made in Korea, initially mostly as the Ford Festiva. #carbluesky

'Downsizing' was the order of the day for US car makers during the 1970s, producing a wider choice of domestic smaller cars. The 3.8-litre Buick Skyhawk was one of three GM models which used an unusually sporty-looking 2+2 hatchback bodystyle, shown here in a late version for 1980. #carbluesky

The CLK opened up a new market sector for Mercedes-Benz in the late '90s. Derived from the C-class, although with a nose more like the bigger E-class, the cabriolet version is shown in Sport trim in this 1998 UK brochure. #carbluesky

Roadster life. #carbluesky

The shape of the new front-wheel-drive Renault 12 soon became familiar but it seemed fresh and quite radical in its early TL saloon form, shown in this 1970 UK brochure. The car replaced the old rear-engined 8 and 10 and was a lasting global success for the company. #carbluesky

While undeniably a practical and good value people carrier, the 2004 SsangYong Rodius had styling which won few admirers. This UK brochure courted nonconformists, insisting 'Its futuristic lines and form result in a modern luxurious style that's as distinctive and individual as you are'. #weirdcarbs

This brochure on Škoda's 110LS described the car as 'a champion, but modest with it'. There were racing-themed pictures on every page, although the small print clarified that the victories in question were four class wins in a row in Britain's RAC Rally. #carbluesky

Along came a Spider. #carbluesky

The front-wheel-drive Cavalier mk2 did much to turn around Vauxhall's fortunes, giving Ford a fright due to its immediate popularity in the lucrative UK company car market. This is the 1981 launch brochure on the model (which was the Opel Ascona C elsewhere in Europe). #carbluesky

The Suzuki SS10 featured in this 1976 international export brochure was known as the Fronte in its native Japan, despite having rear-wheel-drive with a rear-mounted engine. The model boasted 'wide body styling', in 2-door or 4-door versions with a swept-up window line and glass liftback. #weirdcarbs

A versatile leisure car for warmer climes, the Mega Cabriolet was based on Citroën AX underpinnings, and built by French specialist manufacturer Aixam-Mega, best known for its microcars. The English text on this leaflet illustrates the pitfalls of not hiring a competent translator. #weirdcarbs

Fiat took control of debt-ridden Lancia in late 1969, and needed to keep sales ticking over until a new generation of models came on stream. The Lancia 2000 berlina was duly launched in 1971. A stopgap model, it was evolution of the old Flavia, with new nose and tail styling. #weirdcarbs

Limited edition models based on the Volkswagen Polo mk2 came thick and fast as the 1980s wore on, sometimes with rather dubious names. This West German brochure features the 1988 Polo Fancy, based on the 3-door coupé style, with body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and wheel trims. #carbluesky

The third-generation 200 series was a rare example of a '90s Rover not co-developed with Honda, although it did use some parts from the older R8 200. A hatchback, it had been conceived replace the aged Metro/100, but ended up selling alongside that car in the larger class above. #weirdcarbs

It can sometimes be hard to fathom the imagery chosen for some Japanese domestic brochures. This one on the four-wheel-drive Daihatsu Rugger is a case in point. The model, introduced in 1984, was exported under quite a variety of names, including Rocky, Fourtrak and Wildcat. #carbluesky

Swiss luxury car maker Monteverdi picked an unlikely donor car for its Sierra saloon, which was made in tiny numbers from 1977-80 with a 5.2-litre V8 engine. Under the car's unique Fissore body were underpinnings from the humble Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volaré. #weirdcarbs

'Add a Lada to your life' was the UK brochure slogan for the Soviet brand's 1978 saloon and estate car range. Homely marketing aimed at the average family, extra locally-fitted equipment, inflation-busting prices and good backup made the cars easily the leading Eastern Bloc import. #carbluesky

Putting a brave face on recent turmoil - which had seen PSA take over the assets of Chrysler Europe - this 1980 UK brochure on the newly-renamed Talbot Horizon insisted the model was 'a winner', as a former European Car of the Year, with an impressive 1.5 million already sold. #carbluesky

American Motors' new-for-1970 muscle car combined the hardtop body of the existing mid-size Rebel with a mighty 340hp 6.4-litre engine plus flamboyant decor, including a rev counter mounted externally in a bonnet (hood) scoop. It had a memorable one-off name: The Machine. #weirdcarbs

The Fiat 128 proved a lasting success in Argentina, where it was built from 1971 until around 1990 (in a facelifted Super Europa version). As well as the 4-door 1100 and 1300L, the company also offered a unique sporting model, the 1300TV by IAVA, a sort of Argentinian Abarth equivalent. #carbluesky

While sales volumes were naturally lower than the corresponding saloons, coupés played a big part in the image of Mercedes-Benz, and so it was with the C124 models featured in this 1990 brochure. The new range-topping 300CE-24 features here. #carbluesky

Datsun's 240C Hardtop of the early '70s was quite a rare sight in Europe, but a few markets sold it including The Netherlands, where this brochure is from. Based on the third-generation Cedric in Japan, it was pitched as a luxury six-cylinder grand tourer. #weirdcarbs

Long before the modern Dacia Duster was born, the UK importer of communist-era Romanian vehicles coined the name for what was known as the ARO 10 in other markets. The Dacia Duster 4X4 is shown with the Renault 12-based Shifter pick-up in this 1984 brochure. #carbrochure #Dacia

Summer Dolly. #carbluesky

Triumph's brochures in the 1960s led the way among British manufacturers with their bold use of colour photos and clever design, unlike the traditional hand-drawn images of many rivals. The cover image of this 1967 publication introducing the Spitfire mk3 was a snapshot of the era. #carbluesky

The Opel Commodore bowed out in Europe in 1982, but the model built in South Africa continued in a new form. This combined the revised Rekord body with the Senator's 3.0E engine. Like most SA brochures of the time, this one is in both English and Afrikaans. #weirdcarbs

Roadside Escort Mexico. #weirdcarbs

In these days of ever-bigger and more aggressive pick-up trucks, the idea of the sleek coupé-utility seems rather outlandish. This 1986 US brochure shows one of this vanishing breed, the GMC Caballero, which also had a Chevrolet twin, the El Camino. #carbluesky

Renault responded to the challenges of a new millennium with the Vel Satis, a brave attempt to reshape the European executive car market. This 2001 UK brochure called the model 'uncompromisingly modern', and it was certainly a world apart from the predominantly German competition. #weirdcarbs

A prime example of the celebrity-led car advertising which has a long tradition in Japan, this Suzuki campaign to push the latest version of the 660cc Wagon R kei car, featured Leonardo DiCaprio. He takes the starring role on the cover of this 1999 brochure. #carbluesky

No model in the 1960s Fiat range was too small to escape the attention of the Italian coachbuilding industry. The classic Nuova 500 could be bought in Italy in this tiny 2+2 coupé version by Moretti, available in standard or 595 SS models. #weirdcarbs

This 1972 brochure on the Saab 99 2-door and 4-door saloons began with an apt quote from Car & Driver: 'Saab does not build automobiles, Saab builds Saabs'. The 99, now with an 1854cc engine as standard, offered a quietly unostentatious style for those who didn't want an ordinary car. #carbluesky

Black-and-white brochures were unusual by 1974, but the rather austere style seemed to suit this UK brochure on East Germany's Wartburg Knight, presented as an affordable family buy. The text made much of the 'exacting standards of quality and design' at the car's factory in Eisenach. #weirdcarbs

Rover drafted in Joan Collins to do a tongue in-cheek TV advert for the refreshed Metro in 1993 (in which she drove a GTi model). This brochure linked to the campaign, urging buyers to check out the car - recognisable from its new front-end - for themselves. #carbluesky

The 1970s Toyota Carina was closely related to the Celica coupé, with which it shared a platform. This 1976 UK brochure, introducing changes to the ride and handling, called the 4-door saloon 'a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing', hailing the 'sporty nature' of the 1.6-litre 75bhp model. #carbluesky