From ‘the Essex Ferrari’ to ‘the Flying Brick’ – iconic Brit motors, their affectionate nicknames & what they’re worth
AS a nation, we love giving our cars a nickname – and that includes some of Britain’s most iconic motors.
The Sun takes a look at some of the affectionate monikers for the UK’s standout cars over the years – some of which come with a surprising price tag.
The widely popular Hillman Imp, for example, earned the nickname ‘the poor man’s Porsche’ in the 1960s and 70s, partly due to its innovative rear-engine and rear-wheel-drive layout, which was similar to the design of the Porsche 356 and 911.
A more common nickname is ‘The White Van’, which typically conjures images of a white Ford Transit used by tradespeople and delivery drivers.
And, of course, everyone calls a Rolls-Royce a ‘Roller’ and a BMW a ‘Beemer’, don’t they?
Interestingly, many of these nicknamed classics have seen their values soar in recent years, including the iconic Ford Capri, Mini Cooper, and the classic Land Rover Defender.
Ford Capri – ‘The Essex Ferrari’
Once a relatively affordable second-hand buy, the Capri is now a sought-after collector’s item.
In fact, pristine examples are now known to fetch tens of thousands of pounds at classic car auctions.
For many petrolheads, the Capri’s change in fortune is highly ironic, given that it was marketed as a sports car for the masses in the 1970s.
Dubbed “the car you always promised yourself”, the Capri held several other titles: from the Essex Ferrari, presumably because it was a popular, low-cost speedster in Essex, to less flattering ones like ‘Crapi’.
Loved by boy racers and a staple of 1980s TV shows like The Professionals, the Capri remains a symbol of flashiness and fun.
What’s the damage? As with all classic cars, the price varies wildly.
A well-maintained Mk1, Mk2, or Mk3 model can range from around £5,000 to over £36,000, while some rare or highly desirable models, especially those with racing history, can fetch even higher prices.
Reliant Robin – ‘The Plastic Pig’
Much like the motors in Del Boy’s garage, the flashiness of the Ford Capri is perfectly complemented by the somewhat less glamorous but equally iconic three-wheeled Reliant Robin.
This staple of British motoring folklore first rolled off production lines in 1973 and, after disappearing for much of the 1980s, returned in revamped form from 1989 to 2001.
Throughout the UK, the little motor was frequently dubbed ‘The Plastic Pig’.
According to the official website of the Reliant Motor Club, one theory links the nickname to Tamworth, Staffordshire – home to both the Reliant Robin and the Tamworth Pig, a breed imported by Sir Robert Peel, founder of the modern police force.
With coppers often nicknamed “pigs” and Staffordshire Police reportedly finding Reliant Regals “pigs” to drive in the 1960s, the term may have stuck due to the Robin’s fibreglass body.
Whatever its origins, the nickname has become inseparable from the three-wheeler.
Despite the jokes, the Robin has a cult following in the UK and remains a beloved piece of motoring history.
What’s the damage? In most cases, not much, as you might expect. But for good-condition examples, you might be forking out a few grand.
On average, the price range for a classic Reliant Robin starts as low as £495, according to Parkers, while a Reliant Robin van ranges from £697 to £848 and a Super Robin costs around £848.
The highest price we were able to find was £4,495 for a newer model in great condition with around 30,000 miles on the clock.
Austin Allegro – ‘The Flying Pig’
With its quirky styling – especially the odd ‘Quartic’ steering wheel – the Allegro mainly exists today as a symbol of the challenges faced by British Leyland during the 1970s.
Despite its flaws, it has gained a cult following in the UK and is now viewed as a classic car that frequently appears at pageants and shows.
Still, back in the day, it was known as ‘The Flying Pig’ – a sarcastic jab at its lack of speed and grace – and the perhaps less imaginative ‘All-aggro’.
What’s the damage? It seems it’s not so much the price, but the cost of restoration.
Judging by listings on Car & Classic, an Allegro can set you back anywhere between £800 and £4,000 – but the cost to fix one up could really eat away at your funds.
Jaguar E-Type – ‘The Shaguar’
Not so much a nickname as a cultural reference, of sorts.
The E-Type, widely considered one of the most iconic and beautiful cars ever created (just ask Enzo Ferrari), was dubbed the ‘Shaguar’ in the comedy spy series Austin Powers.
The name plays up to the E-Type’s reputation as a sexy, stylish car of the 1960s that epitomised British cool.
What’s the damage? A lot, actually.
The E-Type was never an affordable car for the masses, unlike the aforementioned motors, but today they can be found for silly money.
A Series 1 E-Type in excellent condition can go for anything from £120,000 to £240,000 or more, while models from the late 1960s and early 70s are typically priced at around £45,000.
Mini Cooper – ‘The Flying Brick’
Perhaps Britain’s most iconic little motor, beloved for its charm, affordability, and performance on the rally stage, is the Mini Cooper.
Now highly collectible, the Cooper – with its boxy, compact, and lightweight design – was also pretty nippy, thanks to its clever engineering and front-wheel-drive system.
It’s little wonder then, with its looks and speed, that it was often dubbed ‘The Flying Brick’.
What’s the damage? The Mini Cooper can be fairly affordable compared to other classic cars, especially if you’re looking for a standard model or a less rare example.
However, the more desirable Cooper S models, early editions, or special variants can be expensive.
If you’re on a budget, a standard Mini or a project car might be a good entry point into classic Mini ownership.
Land Rover Defender – ‘The Green Oval’
Known for its iconic green Land Rover badge, the Defender – more than any other model from the famous brand of off-roaders – has earned the nickname ‘Green Oval’ among enthusiasts.
It speaks to the 4×4’s rugged durability and status in all-terrain motoring, with the Defender a particular favourite among adventurers and farmers alike – with a reputation for being nearly indestructible.
Indeed, such is the popularity of the Defender that one of Britain’s richest men, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, designed his Ineos Grenadier to be a modern replacement for the original Defender, complete with boxy bodywork and a steel ladder chassis.
What’s the damage? Even when it rolled off production lines in the 1990s, the Defender was a costly motor.
And when the model was finally discontinued in 2017, many people started buying them as investments, with high demand and low availability driving up costs on the used car market.
According to Autocar, a well-maintained classic Defender can start from around £7,000, but prices can go upwards of £250,000 for a Classic Works V8 model.
Triumph TR7 – ‘The Wedge’
With its sharp, angular design, the Triumph TR7 stood out from the crowd in the 1970s – but many petrolheads were far from convinced.
Indeed, its radical and controversial wedge-shaped design, which departed significantly from the traditional styling of its predecessors, was sold as “the shape of things to come”.
At the time of its release, it was praised in some quarters for its modern look, while others criticised it as ugly.
The nickname “The Wedge” perfectly captured its unusual shape and, though divisive at the time, the TR7 has gained a loyal following among classic car enthusiasts.
What’s the damage? At the bottom end, you can probably find a TR7 for around £2,000, but the average appears to be around £10,000 for examples in good condition.
Vauxhall Nova – ‘The No-Go’
The Nova stands as a forebearer of the supermini segment and its association with the UK’s Max Power tuning culture of the 1980s and early 1990s.
But for many, it didn’t take a linguistic genius to spot the irony that, in Spanish-speaking countries, “Nova” essentially translates to “doesn’t go” – a rather unfortunate name for a car meant to move.
While it didn’t stop the Nova from being popular in the UK, the joke stuck.
What’s the damage? While it’s not as sought-after as many other classic cars, the Nova is gaining recognition and appreciation – particularly for those nostalgic for its simple design and reliability.
And despite being top sellers back in the day, they’re growing increasingly rare – with only a handful of good-condition examples around.
To that end, you’re probably looking at £7,000 at the bottom end, rising to around £14,000.