Re:
Only new mtb I ever bought was a Muddy Fox Alu Lite either in 1995 or 1996.
£399 if memory serves.
It was all Altus with Fred Salmon finishing kit and, crucially, blue tyres.
I remember the headset was some weird Fred Salmon affair that kept failing and having to be replaced.
It was slightly too small for me with an aggressive-ish riding position but I thought it was ace.
Later resurrected as a commuter ride when I got a temp job only for one of the chain stays to crack mid journey.
Here’s one of the few pics (not my bike) I can find of one.