1986 British Leyland Metro

1.1L, Handbrushed Matt Black, Reg: C [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1995
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Hired

Memory byte:
Had to hire this monstrosity from a local garage to go and pick up my next car, Ford Sierra from Worthing. My brother accompanied me on that trip, and he noted how beautiful the turqoise vinyl interior was and the joyful 4 speed gearbox. Quite possible the worst car I have ever driven!

1989 Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia

1.6L, Red, Reg: F [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1995
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned (very briefly)

Memory byte:
Always wanted one of these, but this particular one was a real let down. Didn't notice that the paint work was a bit too shiny and only found out afterwards that it had been crashed and repaired. The range computer must have been sniffing petrol as it had real difficulty deciding what was fact and what was fiction, hence I got caught out a few times. Ditched it quick.

1989 Suzuki Swift Gti

1.3L, White, Reg: G [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1994
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Brothers car

Memory byte:
Drove it once, had a nice high revving engine, was lightweight and handled pretty well. Often overlooked hot hatch.

1987 Ford Escort 1.3L

1.3L, Red, Reg: E [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1994-95
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Good economical family car, albeit a bit on the boring side. Remember doing a 180 in the snow one winter and ending up on the opposite side of the road, when trying to impress the Mrs with my driving prowess.

1988 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ghia

1.4L, Met Blue, Reg: E345 CUF

Driven: 1992
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Brothers car

Memory byte:
Think I only drove it once or twice. It had a good engine and ghia meant it had all the trimmings too.

1986 Ford Fiesta 1.6 XR2

1.6L, Met Blue, Reg: C791 BOT

Driven: 1991-93
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: My 3rd car

Memory byte:
Ooooh I loved the power, it was my first boyracer-mobile. I used to have a competition with myself to see how many cars I could overtake on the way to/from work in Tunbridge Wells. Think 10 was my record. For some reason I painted the bumper inserts dayglo yellow.

1983 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia

1.1L, Champagne Gold, Reg: FKP 434Y

Driven: 1988-91
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: My 2nd car

Memory byte:
Well the first thing that struck me was the electric aerial - how cool was that. It was quite luxurious compared to the Chevette. Alloy wheels, sunroof, tinted glass - loved it. Fitted front foglamps too. Easy to drive, good economy and not something you could get over-exhuberant in. My girlfriend at the time (now wife) loved it for entirely different reasons.