Nissan Bluebird

The story

Nissan built its factory on an old airfield near Sunderland, in a region that had lost its shipyards and pits. The Bluebird was an unexciting car, but it was built so well and so efficiently that the plant became the most productive in Europe.

Inside

Plain grey plastics, soft seats and a long list of standard equipment. Nothing fell off.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Meanwhile, in 1986

The M25 was completed around London.

Best-selling single of 1986: Don't Leave Me This Way by The Communards

Before you buy a 1980s car

• Check for rust in the usual places, though many cars from this decade were better protected.
• Electrical and fuel system faults are common, so test everything.
• Parts for mass-market cars are usually easy to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.