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A History from 1945 to the 1980sWith the advent of the “horseless carriage” the world changed forever. The new inventions eventually touched virtually every life, from farming to transport and even the way business was conducted. Through the decades, engineers strived, sometimes in garden sheds, to improve the vehicles and various means of propulsion were tried. Steam and electricity had their champions, but the overall winner was the internal combustion engine. Only a few pioneers saw the future of the “newfangled” petrol engine. In fact most thought the noisy machines were a nuisance and a fad which would soon disappear. Far from disappearing, although many manufacturers appeared and disappeared during those early days, the new machines grew in popularity. Through two world wars; through prosperity and recession, the motor industry is now a global, commercial enterprise in almost all of the industrial countries, run by a few giant conglomerates. Throughout the years a number of enthusiasts have always admired and coveted certain British classic cars for more than just a means of getting from A to B. After some years, a few of these enthusiasts actually preferred classic versions of the current motor cars seen on the roads every day. And so, the Veteran (pre 1905), Edwardian (1905 to 1919) and Vintage (1919 to 1931) classic car hobby gained popularity. When these cars were current they tended to be well beyond the means of the average person. Collecting and preserving them as a hobby also became staggeringly expensive. After the Second World War, Britain endured a period of austerity. Some was still evident into the 1950s. Many cars of the earlier years were based on pre-war designs and it wasn’t until the 1960s that the country knew prosperity. According to Harold MacMillan, the Prime Minister at the time, we “had never had it so good”. Cars of this new generation entered a modern faze. Manufacturers were keen to distance themselves from the austere pre and immediate post-war eras. Some of the more noticeable features modern cars were:- • Flat sides rather than mudguards and running boards • Monocoque bodies rather than a separate chassis • Overhead valve engines rather than side valves • Front hinged doors rather than rear hinged “suicide” doors
It was around this time that car fanatics realised that the post war era was just as much a part of Britain’s heritage as was the pre-war time; and so the classic car era was born. Covering the period from the end of the Second World War up to the 1970s, this section of the car preservation hobby was much more affordable for those of more modest means. Since the fuel crises of the 1970s, car manufacturers have been developing more efficient and compact vehicles. Safety has also been to the forefront of new car design. The overwhelming difference between modern and previous eras has to be the emergence of electronics in cars. There is evidence that electronics is the new rust. This has created nostalgia for simpler times.
Although most people would prefer to get into their new car first thing in a morning and have it:- • Start first time • Demist the windows almost immediately • Heat the interior as quickly as possible • Arrive at their destination without drama There still remains a soft spot for the “old girl” in the garage who only comes out at weekends. Usually to attend one of the many British classic car shows up and down the country. The 1950s and 1960s were times of innovations. America had the glitz and glamour, but Europe had the technical thinking. True, American cars had all the electrical goodies; windows, seats, convertibles, air conditioning etc, but Europe had such cars as:- • Citroen DS with hydrolastic suspension • Jaguars with twin overhead camshafts • Volvo with seatbelts And some featured:- • Independent suspension • Alloy engines • Fuel injection • Disc brakes
It is for this era of “motoring for the masses” that this web site is dedicated. The period from 1945 to the mid 1970s is considered to be the British Classic Car era, though this site will cover British classic cars up to the 1980s
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