19. Nissan Almera: The Sweeney
The ad
Comedian Phil Cornwell of Dead Ringers fame takes on the role of Jack Regan in this Sweeney spoof. Full of cockney rhyming slang and comically terse banter, the ad focuses on an action-packed high-speed drive to a bank job set to the theme tune from the TV series. “What the heck’s this?” growls Regan at one point. “The jam jar? It’s an Almera… lovely little mover,” replies the spoof Carter. The exchange can only end one way: “Shut it!”
The expert view
“Another really funny ad that sums up the lad and Loaded culture of the time. It’s well acted and gets to show the car in an exciting way with the thrill of the chase – allowing you to do the things you want to do in an advert but normally can’t.”