18 October 2002: The replacement tyre market scored itself something of an own goal in the 60s when radial rubber became the norm and the longevity of the dullest piece of a car tripled.

All to the good of motorists and their pasengers, of course, as radial-ply construction also massively improved safety. Now you only need to replace your covers around 30,000 miles or so.

Unless you feel like ‘personalising’ your car in the latest way. Coloured tyres. Even patterned tyres. Groovy tyres, if you'll pardon the pun.

These are more than just a look back at the whitewall tyres of the roaring 20s, which matched the spat shoes of the Dillingers and Capones. Nope, these give potential for a really wide range of styles. All courtesy of Continental.

The company has come up with a selection of potential prints, patterns and colours that express your individuality - from wannabe supermodel to rock star, footie fan to 40s film
enthusiast. Particularly popular among young Londoners would be the retro design ‘Quadrophonic’ harking back to the 60s Mod scene. Also set to cause whelps of delight among the fashion pack is ‘Woodstock’, a contemporary take on this season's folkloric hippy chic.

It all sounds a bit psychedelic, doesn’t it? But Continental - who were the first to develop a ‘tread pattern’ in otherwise bald tyres back in 1904 - say they’ve got the thumbs up for the project from consumers, style leaders and car manufacturers across the UK.

They’re calling it the PersonalityTyre, and though they’re not yet in production, keep an eye out at your local Advance Pitstop outlet in Ireland and be the first on your block to wheel out the style.