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 itself features a HR-V graphic plus the distinctive logos printed on a contrast varsity style hoody in black with contrasting red inner hood and draw cords.
-
-
As a proud Brummie I have fond memories of the WMPTE buses from travelling to school on the famous No. 11 Outer Circle route in late seventies and early eighties. The Outer Circle was the last route to still operate the front-engined buses with the open platform and conductor and I think my journey from the Fox & Goose to King's Heath was 12p back in 1978! These buses were then replaced by Daimler / Leyland Fleetlines in various guises, which were then replaced in turn by the MCW Metrobuses, built locally in Washwood Heath (all were usually powered by the legendary Gardner 6LX diesel engine). The single deck Leyland National was another very popular bus at the time, with their very distinctive noise, smell (and fumes) from the 'headless' Leyland 500 series engine. The West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (WMPTE) was the public body responsible for public transport in the West Midlands metropolitan county from 1969 until 2016. The WMPTE logo featured here was current from 1969 until 1990 and the cream and blue livery of the buses was once a very familiar sight around Birmingham and the West Midlands.Join me on my nostalgia trip with one of these hoodies which features a distressed style logo for that retro look which is matched to the contrasting hood and drawcords. -
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. -
BCFC’s monogram badge with the intertwined letters was first introduced in 1971 at the same time as the ‘penguin’ home shirt (as worn by Trevor Francis, Kenny Burns, Howard Kendall, Dave Latchford and their peers) which has since become something of a seventies icon. This shirt was unchanged until the 1975/76 season when the shirt was changed slightly to have a collar and v-neck, but still featuring the monogram badge. For the following season the badge was replaced by the familiar ‘globe’ design that is still used to the present day – this design was actually the result of a competition to design a new crest in local paper, The Sports Argus, in 1972, although it didn’t appear on the shirts until 1976. The monogram badge did make a brief reappearance in the 2016/17 season to commemorate the club’s 140th anniversary.This hoody features a distressed style monogram badge for that retro look and is only available in blue with contrasting white hood lining and drawstrings giving a very distinctive look. -
"Shaw, Williams, prepared to venture down the left. There's a good ball in for Tony Morley. Oh, it must be and it is! It's Peter Withe."Aston Villa's circular badge was introduced for the 1973 season and remains a favourite with fans, with many calling for its return to the current kit. It's most famous appearance was in 1982 when Villa won the European Cup beating Bayern Munich 1-0 at the final in Rotterdam. It was firmly centre-stage and centre-of-kit that evening when, along with the players, it was immortalised forever. It was replaced in 1992 with the introduction of the current pennant shape. This hoody features a distressed style badge for that retro look and is only available in claret with contrasting gold hood lining and drawstrings giving a very distinctive look. -
The British Leyland Princess was introduced in March 1975 as the '18/22 Series' with Austin, Morris and luxury Wolseley versions. The badge-engineering was dropped in September the same year, when all models became simply the 'Princess' The car was launched to critical acclaim and had a very distinctive 'wedge' shape designed by Harris Mann which divided opinion. The package was surprisingly roomy, comfortable and quite technologically sophisticated with front wheel drive and Hydragas suspension. Sadly, in common with many BL products of the time, the Princess gained an unwelcome reputation for unreliability that it struggled to shake off throughout its 6 year life span.Looking back over 40 years later the styling is still certainly the Princess' most distinctive feature and in many ways now epitomises mid Seventies car styling. This is also true of the colours with browns and beiges being a popular choice for both interior and exterior.The hoody design has a retro feel too and features a brown HLS model with the obligatory vinyl quarter panels, with a slightly distressed look to add to the vintage feel. We've even added some distinctly 70s colour choices for the t-shirts! -
This Best of British Mini Cooper T Shirt celebrates the classic Mini which was introduced in 1959 and soon became a truly iconic piece of British popular culture that is still recognised the world over. Alec Issigonis’ masterpiece had a price tag of just £497 and from the outset the Mini offered good economy, lots of space for its size and incredible handling. The latter was not truly exploited until the arrival of the famous Mini Cooper in 1961 and Cooper S in 1963. Equipped with a tuned version of the A series engine and front disc brakes, the Coopers enjoyed Monte Carlo Rally success and were immortalised on screen in ‘The Italian Job’ in 1969.The Mini was so well-loved that it found around 6 million buyers and remained in production for over 40 years – in time to see in the new millenium. In fact, it actually outlived the Austin Metro that was supposed to replace it back in 1980! The car featured on this t-shirt is the final version with those striking Cooper bonnet stripes, wide arches and 4 spot lights, in many ways the archetypal Mini Cooper. It is a two colour print, with highlights on the bodywork represented by a white tint which allows the colour of the shirt to show through. You can read the full history of the Mini at the excellent Aronline website. You may also be interested in our personalisable Mini Cooper T Shirt. -
This Best of British Rover P5B t shirt celebrates the story of this iconic classic car which was introduced as the Rover P5 saloon in September 1958 and was Rover's first foray into unitary bodywork construction. A significantly more modern design styled by David Bache, it featured a traditional wood and leather interior. It was dignified and well appointed but was hardly sporting with around 115bhp from a 3 litre version of Rover's inlet over exhaust straight six engine at introduction. A coupé version was introduced with the Mark II in 1962, still retaining 4 doors but with a lower, more rakish roofline, but the big news came in 1967 with the introduction of the P5B featuring the now famous 3,528cc all aluminium Rover V8 developed from a Buick engine. This gave the P5 a much needed power boost, giving the car excellent performance for its time. The P5b or 3.5 Litre became a much-loved mode of transport for government ministers and was a familiar sight carrying Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher to and from 10 Downing Street well into the early 80s, some ten years after it was discontinued in 1973. In recent years, the Rover P5B has become a much loved classic car, epitomising all of the best aspects of the British car industry, and this t-shirt graphic highlights this perfectly. The car featured on this t-shirt is from a hand-drawn ink illustration, transferred onto my computer and digitised. It is a three colour print, with highlights on the bodywork represented by a white tint which allows the colour of the shirt to show through, making the colour of the car's bodywork. You can read more about the Rover P5's history at the excellent aronline website. You may also be interested in our personalisable Rover P5B T Shirt. -
This Rover P5B t shirt celebrates the story of this iconic classic car which was introduced as the Rover P5 saloon in September 1958 and was Rover's first foray into unitary bodywork construction. A significantly more modern design styled by David Bache, it featured a traditional wood and leather interior. It was dignified and well appointed but was hardly sporting with around 115bhp from a 3 litre version of Rover's inlet over exhaust straight six engine at introduction. A coupé version was introduced with the Mark II in 1962, still retaining 4 doors but with a lower, more rakish roofline, but the big news came in 1967 with the introduction of the P5B featuring the now famous 3,528cc all aluminium Rover V8 developed from a Buick engine. This gave the P5 a much needed power boost, giving the car excellent performance for its time. The P5b or 3.5 Litre became a much-loved mode of transport for government ministers and was a familiar sight carrying Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher to and from 10 Downing Street well into the early 80s, some ten years after it was discontinued in 1973. In recent years, the Rover P5B has become a much loved classic car, epitomising all of the best aspects of the British car industry. The car featured on this t-shirt is from a hand-drawn ink illustration, transferred onto my computer and digitised. It is a three colour print, with highlights on the bodywork represented by a white tint which allows the colour of the shirt to show through, making the colour of the car's bodywork. You can read more about the Rover P5's history at the excellent aronline website. You may also be interested in our Best of British Rover P5B T Shirt.Personalisation
The number plate area can be personalised with a registration, name or message for that extra personal touch. It will appear in white in the correct Pre 2001 UK numberplate typeface. If no personalisation is chosen the number plate will have the 'iconic ironic' logo as in the photographs. -
This MG ZT Mk1 t-shirt is offered as a two colour style print, with the t-shirt colour making up the colour of the car. Highlights on the bodywork are represented by a white tint which allows the colour of the shirt to show through. This highlight effect is subtle on lighter t-shirts and more prominent on darker ones. Personalisation The number plate area can be personalised with a registration, name or message for that extra personal touch. It will appear in a black UK numberplate typeface. If no personalisation is chosen the number plate will be white. -
This MG ZT Mk2 (or facelift model) t-shirt is offered as a two colour style print, with the t-shirt colour making up the colour of the car. Highlights on the bodywork are represented by a white tint which allows the colour of the shirt to show through. This highlight effect is subtle on lighter t-shirts and more prominent on darker ones. Personalisation The number plate area can be personalised with a registration, name or message for that extra personal touch. It will appear in a black UK numberplate typeface. If no personalisation is chosen the number plate will be white. -
This Mini Cooper T Shirt celebrates the classic Mini which was introduced in 1959 and soon became a truly iconic piece of British popular culture that is still recognised the world over. Alec Issigonis’ masterpiece had a price tag of just £497 and from the outset the Mini offered good economy, lots of space for its size and incredible handling. The latter was not truly exploited until the arrival of the famous Mini Cooper in 1961 and Cooper S in 1963. Equipped with a tuned version of the A series engine and front disc brakes, the Coopers enjoyed Monte Carlo Rally success and were immortalised on screen in ‘The Italian Job’ in 1969.The Mini was so well-loved that it found around 6 million buyers and remained in production for over 40 years – in time to see in the new millenium. In fact, it actually outlived the Austin Metro that was supposed to replace it back in 1980! The car featured on this t-shirt is the final version with those striking Cooper bonnet stripes, wide arches and 4 spot lights, in many ways the archetypal Mini Cooper. It is a two colour print, with highlights on the bodywork represented by a white tint which allows the colour of the shirt to show through. You can read the full history of the Mini at the excellent Aronline website. Personalisation The number plate area can be personalised with a registration, name or message for that extra personal touch. It will appear in a black UK numberplate typeface. If no personalisation is chosen the number plate will be white.