Each of these cars is a championship winner and a fine ride for chewing up the motorway miles quickly and in comfort.

Get your hands on a saloon car star now. Keith Collantine shows you how.

BMW 318s
Jo Winkelhock was BTCC champion in a BMW 3 Series in 1993

You’ll have to get a high mileage machine but the 3 Series is built to cope with the strain of the motorway.

Examples less than ten years old can be found for under a grand on Auto Trader.

Find a BMW 318s for under £1,000 on Auto Trader

Alfa Romeo 155
Gabriele Tarquini was BTCC champion in an Alfa Romeo 155 in 1994

Even at 13 years old the Alfa 155 still oozes style. The rear spoiler made it a controversial champion on the race track - but it wears its sporty lines like a sharp suit.

You’ll struggle to find a V6 example for under a grand but we sniffed out a 2.0 litre model for less than the magic thousand. Go with the version in rosso corsa red for that authentic touring car look.

Find an Alfa Romeo 155 for under £1,000 on Auto Trader

Vauxhall Cavalier
John Cleland was BTCC champion in a Vauxhall Cavalier in 1995

There are tons of the hugely popular Cavaliers on the market so you can hunt down a well-specced model for a bargain price.

We found one from Cleland’s championship year with ABS, CD player, electric windows and drivers’ airbag for less than £1,000.

Find a Vauxhall Cavalier for under £1,000 on Auto Trader

Audi A4
Frank Biela was BTCC champion in an Audi A4 in 1996

Four wheel drive made the Audis un-catchable in 1996 – especially when it rained. We’ve found Quattro A4s for less than a grand on Auto Trader - but at this price point you’re better off sticking with front wheel drive.

You’ll still get a 2.6 litre engine and less than 100,000 on the clock for this money.

Find an Audi A4 for under £1,000 on Auto Trader

Renault Laguna
Alain Menu was BTCC champion in a Renault Laguna in 1997

The BTCC Lagunas were run by the Formula 1 Williams team. The road cars were popular and there are stacks on Auto Trader for a few hundred quid each.

We found a 70,000 mile version with air conditioning for a little over £500 – a bargain for a touring car star like this.

Find a Renault Laguna for under £1,000 on Auto Trader

Volvo S40
Rickard Rydell was BTCC champion in a Volvo S40 in 1998

When Volvo first entered the BTCC they generated massive publicity by racing their 850 estate model. Four years later they were champions with the S40.

As you’d expect from Volvo it’s a safe and comfortable car – and reasonably quick to boot.

Less than £900 will get you an S40 with alloy wheels, electric mirrors and windows, heated seats and an immobiliser – plenty of kit for your cash.

Find a Volvo S40 for under £1,000 on Auto Trader

Nissan Primera
Laurent Aiello was BTCC champion in a Nissan Primera in 1999

A 2.0 litre Primera for less than £1,000 is an ideal motorway cruiser. The previous generation has understated looks that many find more tasteful than the current model. It’s also very reliable.

A quick search found well over 100 Primeras offered at less than £1,000 on Auto Trader.

Find a Nissan Primera for under £1,000 on Auto Trader

BMW 318i, Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall Cavalier and Audi A4 images courtesy of Peter Still Photographic.

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