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Rewinding 40 years
© FordWelcome to 2025. If that doesn’t make you feel old, allow us to remind you that 1985 is now forty years ago. It was a good year for the UK car industry, with a record 1.9 million cars leaving showrooms across the country – a figure boosted by swathes of imported vehicles from Japan. However, Japanese cars still failed to make a dent in the top 10 best-sellers chart, which European cars continued to dominate for many years to come. Here are the most popular new cars of 1985.
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10. Austin and MG Maestro: 57,527 registrations
© Austin RoverThe Austin/MG Maestro made the top 10 for the third consecutive year following its launch in March 1983. However, 1986 would be the final time it made the cut. In 1985, buyers had the choice of 1.3- and 1.6-litre petrol engines in the Austin Maestro and the 2.0-litre EFi in the MG version. Trim levels included base, L, HL, HLE, HLS and Vanden Plas, with the latter boasting the likes of velvet upholstery, burr walnut veneered door cappings and ‘VP’ motifs. Fancy!
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9. Vauxhall Nova: 61,358 registrations
© VauxhallThe Vauxhall Nova made the top 10 in both 1984 and 1985, returning again in 1988 to secure a berth until it was replaced by the Corsa in 1993. Reviewing the Nova 1.2 L in February 1984, CAR magazine called it a ‘highly competent but rather characterless car’, adding that it was ‘commendably quick, frugal and pretty’. It cost around £4,500 when new (equivalent to £14,500 today).
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8. Ford Orion: 65,363 registrations
© FordOne of four Fords in the top 10, the Orion was designed to appeal to Cortina buyers who found themselves lost in the saloon wilderness following the launch of the Escort and Sierra hatchbacks. Rather than lose sales to the likes of the Peugeot 305, Renault 9 and Triumph Acclaim, Ford billed the Orion as an upmarket saloon. Some sections of the motoring press weren’t totally convinced, but it succeeded in making a sizable dent in the sales chart.
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7. Austin and MG Montego: 73,955 registrations
© Austin RoverStraight in at number seven following its launch in April 1984, the Austin Montego was essentially a longer and roomier version of the Maestro, using the same basic platform and running gear. It could have been a great car, but the Montego suffered from too many quality issues, most notably in the hands of Motor magazine. Richard Bremner said: ‘It has had too many small faults, has stranded people, and has been unpleasant to drive for far too many miles thanks to carburation problems’.
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6. Vauxhall Astra: 76,553 registrations
© VauxhallHaving arrived in September 1984, the second-generation Vauxhall Astra picked up where its predecessor left off by securing a slot in the top 10. Indeed, sales increased by around 20,000 cars, up from 56,511 in 1984 to 76,553 in 1985. As you’ll discover in a moment, it was deemed good enough to secure a major Car of the Year award.
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5. Ford Sierra: 101,642 registrations
© FordMaking its debut in 1982, the controversial Ford Sierra would become a mainstay of the top 10 until it was replaced by the Mondeo in 1993. Buyers were slow to embrace its ‘jelly mould’ design, with some diehard Cortina fans doing the unthinkable and switching allegiances to the Vauxhall Cavalier. Blue Oval fans were soon won over, though, especially following the facelift in 1987.
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4. Austin and MG Metro: 118,817 registrations
© Austin RoverThe Metro was a phenomenally successful small car. It very nearly outsold the Ford Fiesta in its first full year of sales, missing out by around 500 registrations. Six-figure sales continued until 1989, when the figure dropped to 99,373 and continued to fall year-on-year. The Princess of Wales was a big fan of the Metro, but Alan Partridge wasn’t.
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3. Ford Fiesta: 124,143 registrations
© FordFresh from its launch in 1983, the second-generation Fiesta continued to dominate the sales chart, having overtaken the Metro to become the country’s most popular small car. It helped that Ford offered a Fiesta for everyone, with the 1985 model range including the likes of Popular, Popular Plus, Dash, L, Ghia and sporty XR2.
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2. Vauxhall Cavalier: 134,335 registrations
© VauxhallIt’s easy to forget just how hugely popular the Vauxhall Cavalier was in the 1980s and 1990s. Although it never managed to top the table, it was consistently in the top half, always threatening to give Ford a bloody nose. It finished second in both 1984 and 1985, before slipping down the table until the arrival of the third-generation Cavalier in 1988 gave it a timely boost.
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1. Ford Escort: 157,269 registrations
© FordThe Ford Escort had taken the top spot in 1982 and wouldn’t be toppled until 1990 when the Fiesta stole its crown. This was a crucial period for the front-wheel-drive hatchback, with Ford unveiling a facelift in 1986. With four cars in the top 10, Ford enjoyed a whopping 26.5 percent of the UK car market, ahead of British Leyland (17.9 percent) and Vauxhall (16.6 percent).
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Third place, 1985 ECoTY: Lancia Thema
© LanciaBefore we close, here’s a reminder of the three cars competing for European Car of the Year glory in 1985. The Lancia Thema was one of the closely related ‘Type Four’ cars, with the others being the Saab 9000, Alfa Romeo 164 and Fiat Croma. Autocar was impressed when it drove a 2.0-litre Turbo, saying: ‘Without doubt, Lancia stands to win over new customers with Thema.’
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Second place, 1985 ECoTY: Renault 25
© RenaultIt may not have won the ECoTY award, but the Renault 25 was a car fit for the French president. Throughout the 1980s, Francois Mitterand chose a limousine version of the 25, stretched 22.7cm by Heuliez and fitted with armoured bodywork. The UK press praised the standard car’s ride and handling, high levels of standard equipment and impressive interior.
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First place, 1985 ECoTY: Opel Kadett and Vauxhall Astra
© OpelThe Opel Kadett/Vauxhall Astra finished streets ahead of the Renault 25 and Lancia Thema, securing 326 points to take the overall European Car of The Year crown. Two years later, General Motors would win again, with the Opel Omega/Vauxhall Carlton finishing ahead of the Audi 80 and BMW 7 Series. We’d have to wait until 2009 for the next Opel/Vauxhall winner, though…
Look back at the best-selling cars from 40 years ago
Allow us to escort you on a journey as we take a look at the cars you (or perhaps your parents) were buying 40 years ago.
Home Look back at the best-selling cars from 40 years ago