Five must‑see saloons at #77MM

Triumph Dolomite Sprint

You could argue that the Triumph Dolomite Sprint conforms to a template for sporting saloons that endures to this day. The mixture of decent performance, entertaining handling and a practical three-box body is one that remains popular today. And, of course, any sporting saloon worth its salt must also acquit itself in motorsport. The Dolomite did just that, with Tony Dron taking the the 1975 British Touring Car Championshp constructor's title in his Dolomite in 1975 and Andy Rouse taking the driver's championship a year later. Two Dolomite Sprints will take to the Gerry Marshall Trophy; one Broadspeed car and one in British Leyland livery.

BMW 530i

It's not the first time this dazzling BMW 530i has appeared at the Members' Meeting, but that doesn't diminish from the spectacle at all – you can't deny the psychedelic livery is anything other than utterly eye-catching. The car at Members' Meeting is a recreation of the similarly liveried 5 Series that raced in period. It has been in race spec since the early 1990s, but was fitted out in the famous colour scheme specifically for the 74th Members' Meeting, where Emanuele Pirro raced the car with owner Phil Perryman. It will be back casusing a stir – both visually and aurally – at 77MM.

Ford Escort RS2000

OK, we said we'd avoid the obvious in our top-five run-down, but who can ignore the Ford Escort RS2000? In Mk2 form, it was built from 1974 to 1980, and was best known for its exploits on the rally stage – the RS for Rallye Sport hinting at just that. But that doesn't mean it can't aquit itself on a circuit. This Marlboro liveried car made a name for itself when owner/driver Pantelis Christoforou took an early lead and, either side of a safety car session, made it stick to take a decisive lead. It's one of three RS2000s on the Gerry Marshall Trophy grid this weekend.

Toyota Corolla 1600GT Coupe

In the 1980s, points were awarded in each class of the British Touring Car Championship, which meant it was possible for a car from any class to take the overall title. And so it proved for the 1600cc Toyota Corolla GT Coupe, which took the championship in both 1986 and 1987 in the hands of Chris Hodgetts. In fact, he took a decisive win in the opening round of the 1986 season and never looked back. With its front engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, the Corolla is a purist's choice and, according to Hodgetss, responded well to be driving unrelentingly flat out everywhere. The Corolla is one to look out for this weekend.

Austin Metro HLS

You might expect all Metro racers to be MGs, but that's not the case. When long-time BL race preparation specialist came to put Metros on the BTCC grid, it was before the 1983 launch of the MG version. The Royal Mail Datapost liveried Austin Metro HLS will take to the Gerry Marshall Trophy grid, the 1,275cc city car taking the challenge to the likes of the Rover SD1, Chevrolet Camero and Ford Capri 3.0-litre.

Photography by Jochen Van Cauwenberge and Motorsport Images