Vauxhall Astra GTE 16V Carmine Red 1:43

Launched in late 1987, the 16-valve GTE was the ultimate evolution of General Motors' (GM) 'teardrop-shaped' Astra Mk2. It was noisy and raw compared to VW's rival, the Golf Mk2 GTI 16V, which was refined, sophisticated and slower. The GTE appealed to buyers who loved this unruly character and its era-defining digital dashboard. It was created by equipping GM's 2-litre 'Family 2' engine with a motorsport-inspired 16-valve dual camshaft cylinder head, developed by Cosworth to become the 'KBA', or 'red top', as it is often called.