Matchbox toys were introduced in 1953. The brand was given its name because the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar in style and size to those in which matches were sold. Subsequently, the brand would encompass a broad range of toys including larger scale die-cast models and various other lines of toys, such as plastic model kits and action figures.
The t-shirt features a distressed style logo for that retro look and is available in a number of colours. -
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Total Control Racing (TCR) was a toy brand from Ideal which appeared in the late 1970s, but unlike Scalextric, operated on a slotless track.The plastic track contained lanes of three metal strips about 2mm wide, which made contact with a configuration of two brass pads on the underside of the cars, providing power. The plastic track had two such lanes, and cars could change lanes with the flick of a switch on the controller. TCR sets came with "jam cars", a slow moving drone which both racers had to avoid crashing into. Like Matchbox's Powertrack, some cars featured lights.TCR was withdrawn from the market in the mid 80s and sets are now very collectible.The t-shirt features a distressed style logo for that retro look and is available in a number of colours. -
Tiswas (an acronym for Today Is Saturday Watch And Smile) was a children's British television series that originally aired on Saturday mornings from 5 January 1974 to 3 April 1982 and was produced for the ITV network by ATV Network Limited. It was famously hosted by Chris Tarrant, John Gorman and Sally James and also featured Lenny Henry, Jim Davidson, Jasper Carrott and Bob Carolgees with Spit The Dog. Another infamous character was the Phantom Flan Flinger who became synonymous with the show and later was part of the classic 'zig-zag' logo, which was designed by Stuart Kettle in 1977. The t-shirt features a distressed style of this logo for that retro look and is available in a number of colours. -
The Rover 75 was introduced in 1998 when the Rover Group were under BMW's stewardship and was a very well received, well-appointed executive car with a retro feel harking back to Rovers of old such as the P5. Arguably it was a much more successful execution of the retro look than the then-current Jaguar S Type and the interior in particular won many plaudits. Under the skin it was anything but retro, with front wheel drive and 4 cylinder, V6 and diesel options, a super-rigid shell and a ride that many modern cars would struggle to achieve! The 75 currently represents something of a bargain modern classic and is still very usable as an everyday car, but as more and more are taken off the roads, they can only increase in value as the last real Rover design. The Rover 75 had many fans in its day and still has a surprisingly large following.The car featured on this mug is a Mk1 model and the number plate can be personalised with a registration or name if you wish. Personalisation -
PersonalisationThe classic Mini 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. Personalisation The number plate area can be personalised with a registration, name or message for that extra personal touch. -
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 t shirts which features a distressed style logo for that retro look and is available in two colours that reflect the old bus livery - yellow haze with blue logo, or royal blue with cream logo. -
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. -
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. -
Alright Bab?
We're celebrating our proud heritage with these t-shirts featuring familiar phrases from the Black Country and the second city. In fact these t-shirts truly are brummie through and through; they are designed and printed here and all utilise the Baskerville typeface that was created in Birmingham back in the 1750s by John Baskerville (1706-1775). The shirts feature a retro distressed look on the design and the Iconic Ironic logo on the left sleeve. Let everyone know that you're proud of your West Midlands roots with these stylish t shirts available in 6 different colours. After years of being mocked, the time has come to celebrate our unique accent and dialect! -
Ta-ra a Bit!
We're celebrating our proud heritage with these t-shirts featuring familiar phrases from the Black Country and the second city. In fact these t-shirts truly are brummie through and through; they are designed and printed here and all utilise the Baskerville typeface that was created in Birmingham back in the 1750s by John Baskerville (1706-1775). The shirts feature a retro distressed look on the design and the Iconic Ironic logo on the left sleeve. Let everyone know that you're proud of your West Midlands roots with these stylish t shirts available in 6 different colours. After years of being mocked, the time has come to celebrate our unique accent and dialect! -
Bostin! We're celebrating our proud heritage with these t-shirts featuring familiar phrases from the Black Country and the second city. In fact these t-shirts truly are brummie through and through; they are designed and printed here and all utilise the Baskerville typeface that was created in Birmingham back in the 1750s by John Baskerville (1706-1775). The shirts feature a retro distressed look on the design and the Iconic Ironic logo on the left sleeve. Let everyone know that you're proud of your West Midlands roots with these stylish t shirts available in 6 different colours. After years of being mocked, the time has come to celebrate our unique accent and dialect! -
Football's Coming Home! Euro 96 holds great memories for many of us from the spine-tingling rendition of Baddiel, Skinner and the Lightning Seeds' 'Three Lions' by England fans, to Gazza's spectacular solo strike and dentist's chair celebration against Scotland. Ultimately England didn't progress beyond the semi-final at Wembley against Germany, where they lost 5-6 on penalties after a certain Gareth Southgate had his saved, leaving everyone heartbroken. No matter, for a few weeks it felt like one big party with England's official song topping the charts and players such as Paul Gascoigne, Stuart Pearce, Alan Shearer and Paul Ince securing their places as footballing legends. The shirts feature a retro distressed-look version of the Euro 96 logo. NB: These Fruit of the Loom t-shirts are smaller than the Gildan ones elsewhere on the site. If in doubt, order a size up.