The 1954 season was the first outside Europe and plagued by wet weather
A stormy start to the Formula 1 season, a legal battle over the Beetle and the six-metre-long Soviet coupé
The 2.6-litre turbo used in the Starion was taken from the Shogun 4x4
Impressive in-gear performance from a hugely responsive engine, but interior and equipment disappointed
With a shortened wheelbase independent suspension, the Alfa's roadholding was excellent
Alfa Romeo's rival-beating 2900B racer, Australia's summer of motorsport and the outstanding Packard Six
The Alfa's three-door profile was beautifully cohesive
Handsome, well-performing and ergonomic estate was Alfa's best car in years
The handsome Beta used Fiat's 1600 engine mounted on a separate subframe
A true Italian driver's car with driving prowess to impress, launched before the firm's rust-ravaged decline
The 2CV weighed 601kg and matched Mini's rival 850 for top speed
Citroen's saviour for Britain's energy crisis was a well-ridden companion, but refinement suffered
The Lancia Lambda was quick, smooth and had a great exhaust note
Lancia's pioneering Lambda, the case for low-pressure tyres and a roof over your head
The Beetle was originally shown as a concept at the Detroit motor show
The stylish Beetle was a Golf-based concept car put into production, but its engine disappointed
Mercedes would withdraw from motorsport for 35 years after a fatal 300 SLR crash
Tough times for motorsport in general, especially for team Mercedes. But there was a silver lining...
Our Diamond year was marked by price rises, but the car industry was in good health
Looking back on our diamond anniversary, urban motorways and the new Ford Escort
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