Shop - Iconic Ironic

Ford Zodiac Executive Mk IV T Shirt

£18.50 – £19.50

Officially named simply the 'Ford Executive' the subject of this t-shirt was the super luxury version of the Ford Zephyr/Zodiac Mk IV range launched in 1966.

Befitting its upmarket moniker, the Executive featured automatic transmission, power steering and sliding steel sunroof as standard equipment, along with real walnut fascia, full instrumentation, a radio and the thickest leather-upholstered seating ever seen in a Ford.

It also shared the Zodiac's 3.0 Essex V6, cavernous 'aircraft carrier' bonnet (a styling exercise rendered completely unnecessary by the models' range of V4 and V6 engines) and slightly dubious handling due to the independent rear suspension set up. Nevertheless its oversize proportions and transatlantic looks made for an impressive status symbol in 60s and 70s UK suburbia at a time when the vast majority of executive cars in the British and today's ubiquitous German marques were virtually unheard of, much less seen. The t shirt is is based on a period press ad and focuses on the lavish Executive interior for a change as it was the most impressive part of the car. The high contrast style of the image means that it is only available in black, but the good news is that sizes go all the way up to 5XL!

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Honda HR-V Photo T Shirt

£18.50 – £19.50

The Honda HR-V was introduced in 1999, an early example of a compact SUV, initially available as front wheel drive but subsequently available with four wheel drive. Power was provided by Honda's super-reliable and revvy D16 engine in standard or VTEC format, both with a single overhead cam and sent to the wheels by either a 5 speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox. Honda's ingenious Real Time 4WD system used a dual hydraulic pump rear differential which only activated when the front wheels lost grip. Never a huge seller in the UK but the HR-Vs had funky looks that have aged well and are certainly more distinctive than the second generation models which appeared in 2013 after a seven year HR-V hiatus. The HR-V boasted funky advertising too, focusing on a fun, lifestyle image based around the 'Joy Machine' strapline, as can be seen here. The t shirt is based around an original press photo of the HR-V plus the distinctive logos and features a retro distressed look to the graphics. The high contrast style of the image means that it is only available in black, but the good news is that sizes go all the way up to 5XL!

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Asteroids Retro T Shirt

£18.50

Asteroids was a space-themed multidirectional shooter arcade game released in November 1979 by Atari. The player controls a single spaceship in an asteroid field which is periodically traversed by flying saucers. The object of the game is to shoot and destroy the asteroids and saucers, while not colliding with either, or being hit by the saucers' counter-fire. The game becomes harder as the number of asteroids increases.

Asteroids was one of the first major hits of the golden age of arcade games; the game sold over 70,000 arcade cabinets and proved both popular with players and influential with developers. It was later ported onto Atari's home systems in 1981.
The t-shirt features a distressed style logo for that retro look and is available in a number of colours.

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Marina TC Coupe Mouse Mat

£8.99

The Morris Marina, introduced in April 1971, was mechanically very simple, powered initially by the venerable 1.3 A Series and 1.8 B series engines, with a 4 speed gearbox, rear wheel drive and a live rear axle. This simplicity was at odds with other front-wheel-drive Leyland products of the time, but it meant that the Marina could compete in the conservative fleet market dominated by the likes of the Ford’s Escort & Cortina, Vauxhall’s Viva and Hillman’s Avenger and Hunter. They were turbulent times at Leyland and money was tight so there were some compromises to be made, not least in the simple suspension set up that was based on the ancient Morris Minor and endowed the very early cars with woeful understeer, particularly in more powerful twin carb 1800 format. This was later improved, though the Marina could never be described as a sharp handler. Ironically funds also didn’t stretch to stretching the doors on the 2 door coupé version. The original aim was for it to compete with the sporty Ford Capri but those saloon front doors just didn’t really cut it. The Marina has since become much maligned and the butt of many lazy jokes, but the truth is that it wasn’t a bad car, just a bit too staid in both styling and execution, and it’s easy to forget that it was the third best selling car in the UK in the seventies. The mouse mat is based on a contemporary press ad and while it could be argued that the original wording might be pushing it a bit, the sporty 1800TC Coupé featured has definitely earned a certain retro cool now.
Read the story of the Morris Marina here on the excellent aronline website.

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Wolseley 18-22 Series Mouse Mat

£8.99

The 18-22 Series was the name given to the wedge-shaped Austin, Morris and Wolseley models launched in March 1975. Just 6 months later the badge-engineering was dropped and with minor tweaks all models became the more familiar 'Princess'. Top of the range was the Wolseley version shown here (priced at £2,838) which boasted a full length vinyl roof, velour seats with front centre armrests, push button MW/LW radio and a 2.2 litre six cylinder engine as standard, plus the famous illuminated grille badge. Just over 3,000 Wolseleys were built in those 6 months, making them incredibly rare today, and certainly the most desirable of all of the 'Princess' variants. It was also the last car to be badged as a Wolseley, a marque that had always been synonymous with luxury. The mouse mat itself is based on one of the original press ads and showcases that distinctive grille and oh-so-seventies shape and colour. The wording is as the original ad, in the authentic Goudy Old Style typeface with the super-tight kerning between each letter.
Read the story of the 18-22 / Princess here on the excellent aronline website.

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Rover 3500 SD1 Mouse Mat

£8.99

Built at Solihull, the Rover SD1 was introduced in June 1976 initially in V8 3500 guise, with the straight six versions following in November 1977. Priced at £4750.20 (including front seat belts!), it represented good value for money compared to its executive car rivals. The car was lauded for its handsome modern styling (with more than a hint of Ferrari Daytona), versatile hatchback and strong performance. The early interiors typify the seventies with their deeply sculpted (often beige) velour seats and distinctive steering wheel and dash pod. In 1982 a major mid-life facelift coincided with production being moved to Cowley, when a 2000cc model and 2400 turbo diesel was also added to the range. 1984 saw the introduction of the 190bhp fuel injected Vitesse and range-topping Vanden Plas EFi. Sadly, as was often the case with British Leyland products, the cars were dogged by bad build quality and workforce disputes that, despite numerous improvements over its life, tarnished the SD1’s reputation. This is pity because from a design point of view it had very few rivals.
The design of this mouse mat features a very early 3500, the SD1 in its purest form and pays tribute to the original launch advertising in terms of wording and typeface. Read the story of the Rover SD1 here on the excellent aronline website.

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Chrysler 300C Mouse Mat

£8.99

The Chrysler 300C was introduced in the UK in 2005. Initially available as a 3.5 V6 petrol and the mighty 5.7 V8 Hemi, it was soon also available with Mercedes’ 3.0 V6 diesel which really set the cat among the pigeons. Here was an executive car for people who wanted something different. It was big and brash in a way that only American cars can be, but it was also handsome, great value for money and (dare we say it) almost practical too. Add the fact that a touring (estate) version became available soon after and it was clear that the 300C was a real alternative to the usual more sober and predominantly German suspects. The awesome 6.1 litre SRT was added to the UK range later and boasted 425 bhp and a 0-60 time of just 4.9 seconds, pretty impressive for such a large, heavy car. The 300C range received a mild facelift in 2008 and continued on until 2010. For full disclosure, I should confess that I may be a little biased as I have owned a 300C Touring for the last seven years, having admired them when they were launched, and there is still nothing I would want to replace it with. The mouse mat features a striking image of an early US example which really caught my eye when the car was first announced, coupled with Chrysler’s then-current ‘Inspiration Comes Standard’ strapline in the correct ‘Futura Light’ typeface.

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Honda HR-V Mouse Mat

£8.99

The Honda HR-V was introduced in 1999, an early example of a compact SUV, initially available as front wheel drive but subsequently available with four wheel drive. Power was provided by Honda’s super-reliable and revvy D16 engine in standard or VTEC format, both with a single overhead cam and sent to the wheels by either a 5 speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox. Honda’s ingenious Real Time 4WD system used a dual hydraulic pump rear differential which only activated when the front wheels lost grip. Never a huge seller in the UK but the HR-Vs had funky looks that have aged well and are certainly more distinctive than the second generation models which appeared in 2013 after a seven year HR-V hiatus. The HR-V boasted funky advertising too, focusing on a fun, lifestyle image based around the ‘Joy Machine’ strapline, as can be seen here. The mouse mat is based around an original press photo of the HR-V plus the distinctive logos.

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Honda Prelude Mk1 Mouse Mat

£8.99

The stylish first generation Honda Prelude was launched in Japan in late 1978 and subsequently introduced in the UK and Europe during 1979.

Loosely based on the 4 door Accord, the Prelude was a sleek 2 door coupe that was a very well equipped car for its time, featuring electric sunroof, electric aerial, integrated radio, remote boot release, tinted glass and a distinctive dashboard with rev counter needle sweeping inside and on the same arc as the speedometer. It was available with standard 5 speed transmission or the 'Hondamatic' auto. Also standard was typical Honda reliability, although a high price in the UK and a propensity to rust means that very few examples remain. In fact the first generation was the 'Prelude' to a stylish and distinctive coupe that evolved through five generations and 23 years, becoming ever more sophisticated with later models featuring Honda's legendary V-TEC engine and 4 wheel steering. The mouse mat is based around original press advertising and features a retro distressed look to the graphics. The high contrast style of the image means that it is only available in black, but the good news is that sizes go all the way up to 5XL!

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University Of Life Birmingham Hoody

£26.50

Not all of us were lucky enough to go to University, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out! If you're a brummie who was schooled in the 'University of Life' why not let everyone know with this stylish varsity style contrast hoody.
This hoody has a distressed style graphic for that retro look featuring the Birmingham coat of arms and is available in a range of colours with contrasting hood lining and drawstrings, giving a very distinctive look. It has a front pouch pocket.

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Chrysler 300C T Shirt

£18.50 – £19.50

The Chrysler 300C was introduced in the UK in 2005. Initially available as a 3.5 V6 petrol and the mighty 5.7 V8 Hemi, it was soon also available with Mercedes' 3.0 V6 diesel which really set the cat among the pigeons. Here was an executive car for people who wanted something different. It was big and brash in a way that only American cars can be, but it was also handsome, great value for money and (dare we say it) almost practical too. Add the fact that a touring (estate) version became available soon after and it was clear that the 300C was a real alternative to the usual more sober and predominantly German suspects. The awesome 6.1 litre SRT was added to the UK range later and boasted 425 bhp and a 0-60 time of just 4.9 seconds, pretty impressive for such a large, heavy car. The 300C range received a mild facelift in 2008 and continued on until 2010. For full disclosure, I should confess that I may be a little biased as I have owned a 300C Touring for the last seven years, having admired them when they were launched, and there is still nothing I would want to replace it with. The t shirt features a striking image of an early US example which really caught my eye when the car was first announced, coupled with Chrysler's then-current 'Inspiration Comes Standard' strapline in the correct 'Futura Light' typeface.
The high contrast style of the image means that it is only available in black, but the good news is that sizes go all the way up to 5XL!

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Cams & Carbs Wording Graphic T Shirt

£17.50 – £19.50

Hopefully things are slowly returning to normal and we might be able to actually get out to a cars and coffee this summer to talk about cams, carbs, chokes and classic cars! The design looks forward to car meets and harks back to old school engineering at the same time with a nice example of alliteration to make our old English teachers proud... This t-shirt is based on a stylish text-based graphic using bold typography in our house style and the Iconic Ironic logo to tell everyone where you bought it. The graphic also has 'plastisol' distress effect to complement the retro feel.
If you prefer, you can create your own wording on your t-shirt instead!
Selected colours up to 5XL.

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