The Ford Cortina and MGB – both destined to become best-sellers – were launched to the world in 1962. The Cortina enjoyed 20 years of popularity while the MGB was declared the best-selling sports car of all time in 1980.

The 70 mph national speed limit was introduced – as a temporary measure – in December 1965. It was made permanent in 1967. In 1965 Tom Fraser was transport minister, not Barbara Castle, as widely believed. Castle was in the job in 1967 though.

The issue of drink-driving was tackled in the Road Safety Bill of 1966, which set a limit of 80mg of alcohol in 100cc of blood. It became an offence to drive when over this limit. In 1967, the breathalyser was introduced.

Picture: Pc Tony Burton demonstrating the Alcotest 80 for the then Transport Secretary Barbara Castle, as she launched a campaign informing the public of the new breathalyser law.

The Ford Capri went on sale in the UK in 1969, under the slogan "the car you always promised yourself". More than two million of the iconic cars were sold in Europe and America over the next 18 years. Bodie and Doyle, Cliff Richard and Jackie Stewart were all fans.

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show of '61, the E-Type instantly became a car for the world's celebrities. In 1961, it cost approximately £2,000 (more than half the price of an Aston Martin DB4); it was cheap, fast and drop-dead-gorgeous – it was the epitome of what a Jaguar stood for.