A Century of Motoring

The lot of the motorist has changed greatly over the last hundred years. In the early twentieth century, only the most wealthy could afford a motor car and there were very few rules and regulations. Now most British people own a car and are protected by air bags and crumple zones, but also hemmed in by parking regulations, traffic jams and speed restrictions. In this richly illustrated history of the past hundred years of motoring, expert Jon Pressnell explores the main developments, such as the introduction and refinement of the driving test; the improvement of roads and the impact of the motorway; and how affordable cars such as the Mini have helped democratise driving. The evolution of the car itself is also explored, from the coachbuilt custom-made cars of the 1910s, through to the more attainable mass-produced models of the inter-war years, and finally to today's complex and sometimes hybrid-powered vehicles.

Auteur

John Pressnell is a freelance journalist specialising in classic cars and is a Senior Contributor to Classic and Sports Car magazine. He had a particular interest in the British motor industry, especially the Nuffield Organisation, BMC and British Leyland, and has carried out pioneering research on various aspects of the work of the Mini's creator, Sir Alec Issigonis. His published work includes Great Cars of the World, Morris Minor - Exploring the Legend, Citroën DS - The Complete Story and a comprehensive revision of the late Michael Sedgwick's A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. He has also written the Shire Album Touring Caravans.