Top Gear magazine in 1994

Clarkson in 1994: "Michael Schumacher is a German. Which means that he should, by rights, be fat, loud, vulgar and in possession of some ridiculous clothes to go with his absurd facial hair."

Three cars from 1994

Lancia Delta Integrale Evo III

What we said: "The Lancia twists its way down a bendy lane at mesmerizing speed. The steering is sharp and firm, the body barely rolls and the wheels never seem to lose grip. When they finally do, the car slides in a gentle, smooth drift. It's exhilarating, but it has the potential for disaster because this is a car you just want to drive faster and faster and faster." February 1994

Aston Martin DB7

What we said: "The DB7 really is a driver's car with brass knobs on, but without the heavy clutch, awkward gear-change, and temperamental behaviour in traffic which has characterized so many GT cars in the past. The grip available is phenomenal, though the tail will swing out brutishly if provoked, and the DB7 will come to a halt quicker than just about every other production car we've tested. High praise can also be directed at the steering, which is taught and perfectly weighted." November 1994

Audi RS2

What we said: "The RS2 goes just about as quickly as anything with four wheels that you're likely to come across on the road and it stops, wet roads or dry, as abruptly as a fly on the windscreen. I defy anyone to climb into its kidney-hugging Recaro sports seats, cast their eyes over the neatly laid-out dashboard with its swanky white dials, switch on, and not drive like an absolute loon at all times, all over the place." November 1994

The best-selling car of 1994: Ford Escort

The best-selling song of 1994: Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet

And elsewhere in the world in 1994: The Channel Tunnel opens in May - bridging the gap between the UK and France, OJ Simpson is charged with the murder of his ex-wife and her friend, and Ayrton Senna is killed in a crash during the Italian Grand Prix.