PSA has previously taken over GM Europe, Chrysler Europe (in the 1970s) and Ford France (in the 1950s), so the GM-Ford-Chrysler merger has already happened.

1969 Sunbeam Imp Sport

I’ve owned it for over 30 years now. It’s taken me all over south east Queensland. It’s taken me on business trips, dates, rallies, track days. The children grew up in it. It has made me new friends. I couldn’t possibly ever part with it.

They used to be gorgeous.

Just make a full length version of the 1960s/70s cartoon.

I’m not sure they do anymore. They sold the Commer/Karrier/Tilling-Stevens business to Peugeot, who sold it to Renault, who sold it to Volvo Trucks.

I don’t know about this. BMC Mini and Rootes Imp guys are like Hatfields and McCoys. 

Sunbeam coupes were named after bladed weapons: Rapier and Stiletto.

Rootes mostly used the same artwork for advertising brochures in both left and right hand drive markets. They would just swap the steering wheel over.

Hillmans were exported extensively to left hand drive markets during the Rootes era, both in Europe and North America. During the failed partnership with Chrysler US-market Hillmans were rebadged as Sunbeams.

That would be a Hillman Gillie.

I’m not sure what a box wrench is, but I’m going to assume you mean a ring spanner.

Early in the Hillman Imp’s life it had this mascot. It was a bit of a dull mascot for a particularly fun little car.

Oooh that Fiat 850 coupe on Brock’s tail in the first action photo!

It’s not always as clear cut as that. My Hillman Imp for instance has indicators nearest the door. My Sunbeam Alpine has them on the other side.

Did you say pets on your car?

My favourite though is a suburb of Brisbane some streets are named after storied British marques that were later turned into sub-brands.

There’s a place near here where the streets are named after Jaguar Land Rover brands. For some reason they also threw in Cadillac Court.

Toyota, GM and Ford weren’t the only Australian manufacturers. Nissan and Mitsubishi both had factories here. Nissan gave up around 1992 and Mitsubishi around 2008. Go back further and Chrysler, BMC/British Leyland, Standard-Triumph, Rootes, Studebaker, AMC, VW, Renault, Peugeot, Simca, Volvo, Daimler-Benz, Fiat all…