Volvo's 'R' badge is often traced back to the 850R of 1995, but appeared much earlier on this all-white Volvo 343 R-Sport, shown in a Belgian leaflet from 1981. Made in very small numbers, it was a 123bhp version of the 2-litre 343DLS model (itself a predecessor of the Volvo 360). #weirdcarbs

Ford UK's 'Popular' trim signalled a stripped-down base model at an eye-catching price. This 1980 brochure introduced the new Fiesta Popular, designed to bolster Ford's presence in the growing supermini market. The car was pictured in the new town of South Woodham Ferrers in Essex. #weirdcarbs

The first Fabia was a quality product and a game-changer for Škoda's reputation. That was cemented by the arrival of the RS (vRS in the UK), a relatively understated diesel-only hot hatch. With its 130bhp 1.9TDI PD engine, it offered high performance with unusually good fuel economy. #weirdcarbs

The first new model to wear the resurrected Talbot badge, the Solara, at least had a consistent identity across Europe, unlike the hatchback it was based on. This French brochure portrayed it as a comfortable long-distance tourer; the top-of-the-range 1.6 SX is shown here. #weirdcarbs

A great example of the distinctive advertising style of its day, this 1972 Australian brochure on the 'hot' Holden Torana LJ was all about the bright colours of the era, with drawings, photos, graphics and slogans competing to create a visual feast. #weirdcarbs

One of Japan's lost marques, Cony specialised in the country's diminutive kei cars, featuring an under-floor engine. The 360 Deluxe van/estate car is shown in this brochure. At a time of major change in the Japanese auto industry, Nissan took over and the brand was phased out in 1970. #weirdcarbs

The Lancia Beta coupé was one of the most effortlessly attractive cars of its generation, oozing understated Italian style. Its 1300, 1600 and 2000 models were ageing gracefully by the time of this 1980 brochure, highlighting the model's 'tested engineering'. #carbluesky

BMW's big-selling 3 Series (E30) got a mild update for 1985, which saw the former flagship 323i model replaced with a more powerful 171bhp 325i, described in this UK brochure as providing 'a superior but modest style of motoring and sporty dynamism'. #carbluesky

Citroën took an unconventional approach to the 1980s convertible boom, commissioning coachbuilder Heuliez to convert the Visa 11RE with a cut-price design which kept the four doors intact. The UK importer, in tune with the times, laboured the topless theme in its brochure. #weirdcarbs

After the discontinuation of Reliant's Kitten, the company's next small four-wheeler offered something unique in the UK market, in the shape of the 848cc Fox. The 1983 launch brochure hailed its 'cheerful, impertinent lines'. Utility, pick-up and hardtop van versions were offered. #weirdcarbs

In new targa-top 2+2 form with a luxury velour interior and optional two-tone paintwork, Datsun's latest 280ZX seemed very far away from the spirit of the legendary sportiness of the early first-generation Z-car. This 1982 brochure is from the UK, where it was always quite a rare sight. #weirdcarbs

Fiat's long-standing deal with Spain saw many of its models built there with SEAT badges. So it was with the Ritmo, seen here in its first brochure. The Spanish version used different engines from its Italian sister: the Ritmo 65 had an 1197cc unit and the Ritmo 75 developed 1438cc. #weirdcarbs

Introduced in late 1982, the Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201) took the company into a smaller class whilst successfully maintaining the values of the marque and its quality reputation. This 1986 brochure features the entry-level petrol model, the 105bhp 190, plus the 122bhp 190E. #carbluesky

Hyundai's first city car was known as the Atos in most export markets, but the UK importer subtly changed the name to Atoz in the hope of a better route to success. The 1-litre car's tall, boxy looks, showcased in this 1998 brochure, were something of an acquired taste. #weirdcarbs

France's historic 'chevaux-vapeur' horsepower taxation system for new cars could be a bit confusing to foreigners, but the figures were often prominent in local brochures. Simca used a filling station cover image to promote the economical 5CV and 6CV versions of its 1000 and 1100 models. #weirdcarbs

Crusty Classic. #weirdcarbs

Lacking the budget of much bigger rivals, AMC had to develop models on a shoestring. Thus it was with the Eagle, a high-riding 4X4 pioneer, adapting the existing Concord range (itself an evolution of the decade-old Hornet). The sedan and wagon are shown in this 1983 Canadian brochure. #weirdcarbs

The 1500TC was just one piece of the complex jigsaw of Triumph's '70s saloon range, which blossomed in the early years of British Leyland. This detailed 1975 brochure is full of interesting period shots designed to match the buyer profile. #weirdcarbs

In 1971 the Volkswagen line-up for the US was still entirely rear-engined. The 1600 Fastback was simply known as the VW Type 3 and featured in an unusual brochure shot showcasing what was beneath its 'racy sports car styling'. #weirdcarbs

Alfa Romeo was right on target with the well-received 156 saloon, and followed it up three years later with the handsome Sportwagon, first seen in 2000. This early brochure portayed it as an upmarket lifestyle vehicle, with some very stylish images. #carbluesky

In the early 1980s, Subaru's range kicked off in some European countries with the 700 (sometimes known as the MiniJumbo), shown in this brochure from Austria. Based on the Japanese-market Rex kei car, it featured a two-cylinder 665cc engine for export markets. #weirdcarbs

Nearing the end of Lotus Excel production, the company produced this luxurious Hethel Celebration model in 1991, only 40 of which were made. It marked 25 years since the foundation stone of Lotus's new Norfolk factory had been laid by the firm's founder, Colin Chapman. #weirdcarbs

Peugeot's expansion gathered pace in the early '70s with the launch of the company's first post-war small car, the 954cc 104 saloon. Its 1974 French brochure cover placed the model in the brave new world of the era's architecture. #weirdcarbs

The last throw of the dice for Ford's big saloons in Europe, the heavily revamped 1995 Scorpio got a one-of-a-kind new nose and tail, apparently in a bid to address concerns that cars of the era looked too samey. The brochure called the resulting new model 'a different world'.

GM's Saturn Corporation was launched to fight imports with a new approach to building and selling small US cars in the '90s, but the brand later seemed to lose direction. This 2006 brochure features the 'multi-talented' ION quad coupé, a way to carry long loads without a hatchback. #weirdcarbs

Having ceased making its own cars, Innocenti had a sad end as Fiat's budget brand in Italy. One of its last offerings, a year before its 1997 demise, was this Mille Clip, a rebadged version of the old Uno, built by Fiat in Poland, with 1.0, 1.4 and 1.7D versions. #weirdcarbs

Volvo made incremental changes to the 200 series throughout its life, and for 1981 there were new front lights, described as giving the 244 models in this UK brochure a 'slimmer and lighter' look. The sportier 2.3 GLT was the newest addition to the range. #carbluesky

This 1989 UK brochure features the rare Syncro version of the Volkswagen Golf mk2, offered only as a 1.8-litre 5-door and with a hardly-changed appearance. The automatic four-wheel-drive system, developed in conjunction with Steyr-Daimler-Puch, was focused on safety. #weirdcarbs

Toyota expanded its horizons in Europe with the arrival of the 2.8-litre six-cylinder Celica Supra in 1982, one of the company's most ambitious offerings there to date. Derived from the regular mk3 liftback, the brochure called it 'the greatest Celica yet'. #weirdcarbs

The Riley One-Point-Five was a compact sporting saloon from BMC with few obvious direct competitors in its home market. The 1962 brochure was as charming and dated-looking as the car itself, with the cover's tweed cap, driving gloves and hand-drawn illustrations. #weirdcarbs

Citroën reflected scenes of French life with this 1981 brochure on its mid-sized GSA. The range-topping Pallas hatchback is shown acting as a wedding car in this spread. The GSA was a facelift of the earlier GS, with the hatchback being its stand-out feature over its predecessor.

A very obscure Chevrolet off-roader, the Nomad was a South African-designed and built model, launched in 1976 with simple, rugged styling. It's hard to guess from the brochure images but it was rear-wheel drive only, using a GM 2.5-litre petrol engine and with maximum local content. #weirdcarbs

The first Fiat Punto was hugely popular across Europe, bringing Italian style to the increasingly sophisticated supermini class. This 1997 UK brochure was keen to push pricier members of the range, such as the 5-door 85 ELX, shown alongside the fairly exclusive Bertone-built Cabrio. #weirdcarbs

Mercedes-Benz was bullish about its first large MPV, the V-Class,with this 1997 UK brochure noting it was 'aimed at those who expect a little bit more from their car'. Built in Spain, it shared its body with the (admittedly quite stylish) new Vito panel van. #weirdcarbs

The faithful Land-Rover (then still hyphenated) was an enduringly successful product of the sprawling British Leyland empire, with this 1978 brochure showcasing 'the world's most versatile vehicle' at a time when it was above all a rugged workhorse. #weirdcarbs

Holden's Gemini was an Australian-assembled version of the Isuzu of the same name, and is shown in its mildly-revised TC version in this 1977 brochure. Bodystyles reflected the Isuzu line-up, so there was a choice of 4-door sedan or 2-door coupé versions. #weirdcarbs

For its brochure on the badge-engineered 1996 Ford Festiva Mini Wagon, the company's Japanese arm took an idea from a classic French brochure on the eternal Citroën 2CV more than 30 years previously, although the Ford's small sunroof made the image far less plausible. #weirdcarbs

Kit cars in Fakenham yesterday: Scamp and Spartan.

Belgium was once one of the most open car markets in the world, attracting quite a few vehicles not sold in neighbouring countries. One example was the Volga M24 from the USSR, shown in saloon and estate versions in this 1981 brochure, with an Indenor 2.3-litre diesel engine. #weirdcarbs

A staple of the French light commercial vehicle scene since 1959, the front-wheel-drive Renault Estafette was nearing the end of its life by the time of this 1979 brochure. The model, by now featuring a 1289cc engine, would be replaced by the modern, angular Trafic van in 1980. #weirdcarbs

The expensive, limited-production 4.9-litre Z8 was an unusual departure for BMW, developed from a concept car that paid homage to the lines of the company's classic 507 roadster of the 1950s. This 2000 brochure from the US called it 'delightfully indulgent'. #weirdcarbs

Frankenstein on wheels. #weirdcarbs

A stopgap model funded by a government bail-out of Chrysler UK, the Scottish-built Sunbeam arrived as a soon became a Talbot due to the Peugeot takeover. This special edition 1979 1.3 Trio model, pictured in a very recognisable setting, added a small number of extra features. #weirdcarbs

The 2000 Berlina was Alfa Romeo's understated top-of-the-range saloon from 1971 until it was dropped in 1977. The model was related to the Giulia, but had a longer wheelbase, and was clad in Bertone-penned bodywork, shared with the earlier 1750 Berlina. #weirdcarbs

The second-generation Honda Accord was rather cautious in its approach, having a decidedly evolutionary look while offering more space inside. For 1983 it received a facelift, with the more sloping nose shown in this UK brochure, which described the car as 'groomed to be more powerful'. #weirdcarbs

Autolatina, the short-lived Ford-VW marriage in South America, resulted in a rash of strange shared models during its duration. This 1994 Volkswagen Pointer was Golf-sized, but actually based on the 5-door Ford Escort mk5 - easily evident, despite sheetmetal changes. #weirdcarbs

This 1974 Peugeot 504 estate brochure stands out as one of the most memorable of its era. With a dramatic Wild West film set backdrop, the props and characters made for some decidedly unusual images promoting the car. #weirdcarbs

Car brochures once relied almost entirely on hand-drawn artwork. Many manufacturers favoured an artist portraying tiny people to make the cars themselves appear massive. Here's a classic example from Britain's very traditional Rootes Group, featuring the late-'50s Humber Hawk estate car. #weirdcarbs

Classy coupé. #weirdcarbs

The most ambitious of the three new late-1990s Daewoo models, the Giugiaro-styled Leganza shared some design cues with his earlier Jaguar Kensington concept car, and was pitched as a luxury car at a bargain price. This Australian brochure noted its 2-litre engine was built Down Under. #weirdcarbs