Hardcover Book Motoring For The Millions - Ian Ward

Motoring for the Millions by Ian Ward (1981) is a richly illustrated history of affordable, mass-market cars that transformed personal transport. It traces the evolution from the Ford Model T through icons like the Citroën 2CV and Mini, showing how motoring became accessible to ordinary people.

 Book Details

• Title: Motoring for the Millions

• Author: Ian Ward

• Publisher: Blandford Press (distributed by Sterling in the US)

• Publication Date: 1981

• ISBN: 0713710713 / 9780713710717

• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket

• Length: 160 pages

• Illustrations: Black & white and colour photographs

Content Overview

The book explores the history of cars designed for mass ownership, focusing on affordability, practicality, and cultural impact.

• Early Milestones:

  • Henry Ford’s Model T (1908) as the first true “car for the masses.”

  • The rise of cyclecars and small European models in the 1920s–30s.

• Post-War Icons:

  • Citroën 2CV – simple, rugged, and beloved in rural France.

  • Volkswagen Beetle – global success story.

  • Morris Minor – Britain’s affordable family car.

  • Mini (1959) – revolutionary design by Alec Issigonis.

• Comparative Approach:

  • Each car is placed in the context of its competitors.

  • Explains why some succeeded while others failed.

  • Includes performance data, design notes, and period advertising.

 Historical Context

• The book highlights how mass production and clever engineering brought motoring within reach of millions.

• It emphasizes the social impact of cars like the Model T and Mini, which reshaped mobility, industry, and culture.

• By the late 20th century, cars such as the 2CV and Mini had become cultural icons, not just transport solutions.

Why Collectors Value It

• Authentic period perspective (1981) on cars that were still widely in use.

• Illustrated with rare photos and advertisements, making it visually engaging.

• Out of print, so copies are collectible among classic car enthusiasts.