Friends of the Cotswold Motoring Museum

Motoring Milestones
from 1769 to the modern day
Part of the ‘Tell Me More’ series of documents
Produced by the
Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection
The Old Mill
Bourton-on-the-Water
Gloucestershire
GL54 2BY
[email protected]
1
www.cotswoldmotormuseum.co.uk
Preface
This document lists, in chronological order, important advances and interesting events in the
history of motoring. Many reference sources have been used in compiling the document and
these have produced a number of conflicting dates. Where this has occurred, quotes from what
are consider the most reliable sources have been used. In limiting each entry to a few facts per
year, some major events will inevitably have been omitted. Do you agree with our list? Do contact
us at the email address on the cover and let us know your views.
The restrictive “Red Flag” Road Acts of 1861 and 1865 killed off any development of engine
propelled road vehicles in Britain, allowing development in Continental Europe and in the USA to
surge ahead. This was exacerbated by British engineers who having led the world for over a
century were reluctant to accept that there was an alternative to the steam engine. Hence many
of the early developments of the motor car originated in Continental Europe and the USA.
However, by 1905, nine years after the repeal of the “Red Flag” Act, things had changed; there
were 221 UK motor manufacturers; the majority in the Coventry area and 15,895 cars (and 9,000
trucks) were registered under the Motor Car Act in that year*.
If you have already visited the museum at Bourton-on-the-Water, then we hope these Tell Me
More documents will help to answer any questions that may have come to mind whilst looking at
our displays; maybe they will inspire you to visit again. On the other hand, if you are reading this
whilst thinking about a trip to Bourton-on-the-Water, then we hope to have the pleasure of
welcoming you to the museum in the near future.
*(Figures from SMMT Centenary publication 1896-1996)
Staff and Friends of the Cotswold Motoring Museum
Staff and Friends of the Cotswold Motoring Museum
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developing the two stroke gas engine.
1886 German courts ruled that Otto’s
patent for four stroke engines was invalid.
Benz patented the world’s first internal
combustion engine powered motorcar.
Purpose built, not a modified horse
carriage.
1888
Englishman
Edward
constructed a petrol-powered
tricycle.
1769 Nicholas Cugnot built a steam
powered artillery tractor. This has survived
and is in the Conservatoire des Arts et
Metiers in Paris.
Butler
motor
1890 Herbert Ackroyd-Stuart patented a
heavy oil engine using a separate
combustion chamber linked to the
cylinder.
1801 Richard Trevithick built and ran a
steam carriage in Cornwall.
1892 Dr. Rudolf Diesel patented the heavy
oil engine using fuel injected directly into a
charge of compressed air in the
combustion chamber.
1807 Patent issued in Britain for a gaspowered road vehicle.
1893 Wilhelm Maybach invented the
modern carburettor and DeDion-Bouton
introduced shaft drive with universal joints
and differential gears. Karl Benz used
electric ignition. Registration plates and
driving licences introduced in Paris.
1894 Englishman Colonel HCL Holden
constructed a 4 cylinder water cooled
motorcycle.
1831 Walter Hancock operated a steam
omnibus route in London.
1895 Hon. Evelyn Ellis MP imported a
French Panhard et Levassor, the first
commercially available petrol engine
motor car to run in Britain. This car is
currently in the Science Museum, London.
1840 Francis Hill covered 100 miles in his
steam coach from Marlborough to London.
1864 Nicholas Otto opened a factory to
make internal combustion gas engines in
Cologne.
1896 Repeal of the infamous “Red Flag
Act”, speed limit raised to 12mph.
Celebrated by an Emancipation Run from
London to Brighton, repeated every year
by veteran vehicles. Prior to this on 28 th
January the first motorist was prosecuted
for speeding. Walter Arnold of East
1861 & 1865 Road Traffic Acts severely
restricted the use of mechanically
propelled vehicles on public roads. The
vehicle had to be preceded by a man
walking in front carrying a red flag, hence
the name Red Flag Act.
1875 The French Academy devised a new
word: automobile.
1876 Nicholas Otto patented the four
stroke internal combustion gas engine in
Germany, Karl Benz responded by
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Peckham, Kent was fined one shilling (5p)
for driving at 8 mph. Wolseley
commenced manufacturing cars to
Herbert Austin’s designs. The first British
motor magazine The Autocar was
published.
Daimler
commenced
production of cars in Coventry and the first
Lanchesters
appeared.
Excelsior
motorcycle production began: Britain’s first
commercial motorcycle. Mrs. Bridget
Driscoll was run over by a Benz car in
London, the first pedestrian to be killed by
a car. Henry Ford built his first car after
seeing a Benz in New York. Dunlop
Rubber Co. formed to produce pneumatic
tyres.
after Mercedes Jellinek, daughter of their
agent in France. It was the first car to
have the engine at the front under a
bonnet and an all steel chassis.
TarMacadam invented: it transformed
road making.
1902 Humber and Maudslay cars, Norton,
Triumph, Ariel, BAT, James and Brough
motorcycles commenced production. S F
Edge in a Napier won the Gordon-Bennett
Trophy, the first international race victory
for a British car. Dr Lanchester produced
the first disc brake.
1903 First Motor Car Act was passed on
August 14th to become effective from
January 1st 1904. It introduced compulsory
vehicle registration, driving licences
(without a test) and the speed limit was
raised to 20 mph. Production of Vauxhall
and Standard cars, Chater-Lea, Abingdon
and DOT motorcycles started. J A
Prestwich (JAP) began production of
motorcycle engines. Mercedes produced
the first pedal accelerator. Vauxhall built
the first all steel bodied cars. French
authorities stopped the Paris-Madrid race
at Bordeaux after ten are killed, including
Marcel Renault, leading to a French ban
on road races. The Auto Cycle Club, later
to become the Auto Cycle Union was
founded by the Automobile Club (later
RAC).
1897 Automobile Club of Great Britain
formed: it became the RAC.
1898 Production of Riley, Arrol Johnston
and Star cars commenced, Humber
introduced a tricycle, with Royal Enfield
and Ariel building quadricycles. Marius
Rossillion sketched Bibendum, Michelin’s
corporate symbol, a cartoon person
shaped like a pile of tyres.
1904 First Motor Car Act was
implemented from January 1st.
AC
(Autocarrier), Thornycroft, Crossley, Rover
and Swift cars, Zenith and Phelon &
Moore (P&M) motorcycles commenced
production. Henry Royce built his first car,
joined by Charles Rolls in 1906, when the
name became Rolls-Royce. First six
cylinder engine produced by Spyker
(Holland).
1899
The production of Albion and
Dennis vehicles along with Matchless and
Raleigh motorcycles started. Daimler test
driver E.R.Sewell was killed when the rear
axle of the car collapsed. The first fatal
road traffic accident (RTA). Wakefield Oil
Co. founded.
1900 Napier cars and Rex motorcycles
commenced production. New York Herald
proprietor James Gordon-Bennett, an
enthusiastic follower of motor sport,
inaugurated the Gordon-Bennett Trophy
series. The Prince of Wales bought a 6 hp
Daimler, the first of the royal fleet.
1905 Herbert Austin left Wolseley to
produce cars under his own name at
Longbridge near Birmingham. Lea Francis
also started car manufacturing. Veloce
began motorcycle production, later to
change the name to Velocette. Vauxhall
moved from south London to Luton. The
last Gordon-Bennett Trophy race was run
in France. Schrader produced the first tyre
pressure gauge. The first double deck
1901 Production of Sunbeam cars,
Coventry Eagle and Singer motorcycles
started. German Daimler named their car
4
bus, a Daimler, ran in London. The Dutch
manufacturer Spyker produced the first
front wheel drive car. Hispano-Suiza
(Spain) introduced unit construction of
engine and gearbox. Tax on petrol
introduced. Buick (USA) introduced the
battery
as
standard
equipment.
Automobile Association (AA) founded in
response to police persecution of
motorists.
Cadillac, Oakland and Oldsmobile. First
electric lighting system for cars sold in
Great Britain (6 Volt). Scott motorcycles
commenced
production.
Kenneth
Grahame’s children’s novel “The Wind in
the Willows”, which parodied motoring,
was published.
1909 AJS, Wilkinson, Clyno, RudgeWhitworth and New Imperial commenced
motorcycle production. First electric horn,
USA. Alfa Romeo and Hudson companies
founded. Wakefield introduced the first
lubricating oil specifically developed for
the internal combustion engine. Based on
castor oil the brand name was Castrol.
1906 Jowett, Lagonda and Singer car
production commenced. Talbot produced
their first all British car. British inventor J
C Wood patented shatter resistant safety
glass. Rolls-Royce announced the Silver
Ghost. New York introduced the first oneway streets and the USA overtook France
as the world’s largest car producer.
1910 Malvern-based H F S Morgan
commenced manufacture of his famous
three-wheeler. Levis and BSA began the
manufacture of motorcycles with BSA
becoming the most successful producer
in Britain. Right hand side driving became
the standard in the USA. Vauxhall
introduced the Prince Henry model. This
handsome vehicle was the first true British
sports car. Sir Charles Rolls was killed in
a flying accident; the first Britain so to do.
Germany introduced driving licences.
1911 Wooler, Calthorpe and OK Supreme
commenced motorcycle manufacture.
Horse power tax introduced which
restricted
development.
Rolls-Royce
adopted the “Spirit of Ecstacy” mascot.
Ford opened a factory to produce the
Model T at Trafford Park, Manchester and
the French switched to right hand side
driving. TT races on the Isle of Man
changed to the longer ‘mountain’ circuit.
1907
Brooklands
banked
racing
autodrome built by Hugh Locke-King on
his land near Weybridge was opened.
BSA and Hillman commenced car
production and Douglas began making
motorcycles. Renault became the largest
car manufacturer in Europe. French courts
ruled that horse owners must train their
animals not to shy at the sound of a car.
The largest engine used in a GP car
appeared, 19,891cc. Royal Automobile
Club (RAC) formed from the Automobile
Club. First Tourist Trophy Races in the
Isle of Man were run over the short
course, Rem Fowler won riding a Norton
and this machine is on display in the
National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull.
1912 Cadillac introduced electric lighting
and the electric self starter. This
development meant that more women
could at last drive internal combustion
engine cars without the male assistance of
a husband, brother or chauffeur. Starting
the engine with a crank handle was both
dangerous and inelegant. Lea-Francis,
Sunbeam, NUT and Williamson began
making motorcycles. Production of safety
glass for cars was started by Triplex. The
AA introduced their first roadside phone
box.
1908 First Ford Model “T” produced in the
USA. Henry Ford wrote “ A customer can
have a car in any color he likes as long as
it is black”, thus keeping costs low. Total
production reached more than 16 million.
General Motors formed absorbing Buick,
1913 William Morris commenced car
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manufacture in Oxford. First roadside
petrol
pumps
were
installed
in
the demands of the military. First
production 12 cylinder engine produced by
Packard (USA).
1917 USA entered the war. Electric
windscreen wipers introduced (USA).
Chevrolet produced closed cars in answer
to the demand for comfort and weather
protection. The term ’jaywalker’ introduced
in Boston. British army carried out a mass
attack on Cambrai using tanks. Herbert
Austin was knighted, rewarding his war
efforts. Rootes Co. registered and became
the largest car distributor.
1918 Germany used tanks for the first
time. WWI ended on the 11th November at
1100hrs. As a result of mechanisation of
the army, huge numbers of people had
experienced driving; liking it they were
determined to have transport of their own,
thus creating the post war boom in
production, with the cycle-car once again
becoming popular, if only for a short time.
Enzo Ferrari, refused a job with Fiat; he
went to work for Alfa-Romeo.
Shrewsbury. W O Bentley (designer and
founder of the legendary Bentley)
developed aluminium pistons for racing to
replace the cast iron ones then in general
use. These he used to good effect in his
successful aero engines used by Sopwith.
1919 Armstrong Siddeley commenced car
production in Coventry and Bean in
Dudley. Tommy Sopwith began production
of ABC motorcycles. Hispano-Suiza
(Spain) introduced the aircraft derived
overhead camshaft engine and power
assisted brakes on all four wheels. Isotta
Fraschini (Italy) produced the first straight
eight engine. Andre Citroen, using the
wartime profits from making artillery
shells, started to manufacture cars. Eccles
commenced the manufacture of caravans.
Ford had 40% of the British car market.
1914 Archduke Ferdinand of Austria was
assassinated whilst a passenger in a Graf
und Stift open touring car in Sarajevo,
thus triggering the start of WWI. At the
start of the war the French army had 265
motor vehicles, the British army, none.
The War Office began to consider
adopting the motor vehicle. Rear view
mirrors became compulsory. First traffic
lights installed in Cleveland (USA) using a
red signal only. Cadillac introduced the
first water cooled V8 engine.
1915 First trials of tanks. Requisitioned
vehicles including cars, lorries and
omnibuses were used by the army.
Herbert Austin’s only son Vernon was
killed in France. This tragedy had a long
term detrimental effect on the Austin
Motor Co.
1920
Alvis car production started in
Coventry, likewise Francis Barnet began
making
motorcycles.
Cotton
also
commenced production of motorcycles in
Gloucester. Duesenberg (USA) introduced
hydraulic brakes on all four wheels. USA
manufacturers offered heaters as an
optional extra. Sunbeam, Talbot and
Darracq amalgamated. Detroit police dept.
installed the first red-amber-green traffic
lights.
1916 Hand operated windscreen wipers
introduced (USA). British army used tanks
for the first time in the Battle of the
Somme, partly to reduce the German
pressure on Verdun. Electric vehicle
production increased as a result of the
shortage of both horses and fodder due to
1921 Production of the iconic Bentley and
Aston Martin sports cars started. George
Brough began producing motorcycles to
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his own design calling them Brough
Superior: much to his father’s chagrin, it
made his machines Brough Inferior! Rex
took over the Acme Company, their
machines became Rex-Acme. MercedesBenz
introduced the turbocharger.
Ministry
of
Transport
provisional
classification and numbering of roads was
completed, progress on the project had
been slowed down by the war. Ner-a-Car
began production and ABC ceased.
1922 Clyno and Trojan car production
started. Sir Herbert Austin introduced the
legendary Austin Seven car, superior and
cheaper than the comparable cycle-cars, it
killed them off. Its success saved the
Austin Motor Co. from bankruptcy.
Production of Ford Model T topped one
million a year. Michael Collins, the Irish
PM, was assassinated whist travelling in
his Leyland Eight touring car. Earl Haig,
the Somme butcher, predicted that the
tank and motor lorry would not replace the
horse.
sellers with 41% of the market. The
Wolseley Car Co. went into receivership
and William Morris was able to out-bid
Herbert Austin and obtain control. PierceArrow (USA) introduced power assisted
steering. AC introduced the first
mechanical fuel pump and downdraught
carburettor. Winston Churchill, Chancellor
of the Exchequer raided the road fund to
balance the books, henceforth the bulk of
road taxes were not used to improve the
roads as had been the original intention,
leaving Britain with one of the poorest
road systems in Europe. The British
Talbot introduced electric operated
direction indicators. Daimler and Benz
merged to form Mercedes-Benz. HRD
ceased production being bought out by
OK Supreme.
1923 Triumph production started in
Coventry.
Civil
Service
Motoring
Association (CSMA) founded. More cars
were registered in Kansas than in France
and Germany combined. For the first time
more closed than open cars were sold in
the USA. Annual production of the Ford
model T in the USA peaked at 1,817,891
vehicles. The first 24 hour race was run at
Le Mans.
1927 General Motors took over Opel, the
largest German car producer. Philco
(USA) marketed the first car radios. The
first oil pressure warning light introduced
by Fiat. First automatic traffic lights
introduced in Wolverhampton, England.
1924 Cecil Kimber of Morris Garages,
(William Morris’ original enterprise) built
his first sports car. The name became MG
and the marque was the most successful
sports car produced in Britain. Frazer
Nash commenced production of their
sports car, a direct rival for many years of
the MG. HRD commenced motorcycle
production whilst Clyno ceased. Most new
cars in the USA now had four wheel
hydraulic brakes.
1928
Cadillac
(USA)
introduced
synchromesh
transmission.
Bavarian
Motor Works (BMW) started car
production: an Austin Seven built under
licence. Ferdinand Porsche left Mercedes
Benz and established his design firm.
During the European GP at Monza 22
spectators were killed when a Talbot
being driven by Emilio Materassi crashed
into the crowd: the first GP accident
involving spectators. The first Morris Minor
was introduced: it featured an 847cc ohc
engine. William Morris was knighted.
1925 Vauxhall taken over by General
Motors. USA car market saturated, most
cars sold were replacements. Ettore
Bugatti described the Bentley as the
fastest lorry in Europe.
1926 Morris cars were the country’s best
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Humber and Hillman were both taken over
by the Rootes brothers and Philip Vincent
acquired the assets of HRD from OK
Supreme.
all-syncromesh gearbox fitted as standard
on the Alvis Speed Twenty model. Morris
introduce semaphore style direction
indicators.
Ferdinand
Porsche
commissioned by Hitler to design the
Volkswagen (people’s car).
1934 Mersey Tunnel opened: the longest
underwater vehicular tunnel. Morris
Motors became the first British car maker
to install a moving assembly line and Sir
William Morris was created a peer, taking
the title of Lord Nuffield. Andre Citroen
introduced his Traction Avant. Way ahead
of its time, it featured chassis and body
combined (monocoque construction), front
wheel drive and torsion bar suspension. It
broke him.
1929 The Wall Street Stock Market crash
in the USA triggered a world wide trade
depression which had a devastating effect
on car production in the USA and Europe.
Ford opened its Dagenham plant, the
largest outside the USA, though its market
share had fallen to a mere 4%. Enzo
Ferrari left Alfa-Romeo to found his own
company to build racing cars. Henry
Royce was knighted.
1935 Road Traffic Act introduced
pedestrian crossings marked with orange
globes on black and white poles, (they
were known as Belisha Beacons, named
after Leslie Hore-Belisha, Minister of
Transport), driving tests, L plates and a
speed limit of 30mph in built up areas. The
first white lines were painted on the A30
and A38 in Devon. Percy Shaw patented
1930 The 20mph speed limit was
scrapped and accident mortality rates
soared. Car registrations passed the one
million mark. Cadillac produced the first V16 engine. Herbert Austin commenced car
production in Butler, Pennsylvania, USA.
An ill fated enterprise.
1931 Third party insurance became
compulsory and the Highway Code was
introduced. Swallow Sidecars, having
moved from Blackpool to Coventry,
produced their first sports car, the SS1
based on Standard parts. This was to
become another iconic marque: Jaguar.
Rolls-Royce took over bankrupt Bentley.
Morris Minor, first car to be sold for less
than £100. Daimler acquired Lanchester.
Mercedes-Benz introduced independent
front suspension.
road safety reflectors which he called
cats-eyes. T L Williams founded the
Reliant Motor Co. to produce a three
wheeled van. Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq
combine collapsed and was taken over by
Rootes. Castrol patented oil additives to
improve engine life.
1936 Chrysler (USA) introduced screen
defrosters, Cord (USA) offered pop-up
headlights. Mercedes-Benz marketed the
first diesel powered car. The Jensen
brothers commenced car production. Sir
Herbert Austin was created Baron Austin
of Longbridge.
1932 Ford introduced their Popular model
to compete with the Morris Minor.
Ferdinand Porsche patented torsion bar
suspension.
1933 Railton production commenced. First
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1937 Speedometers and safety glass
became compulsory on all cars.
Oldsmobile (USA) introduced automatic
transmission, Studebaker (USA) steering
column mounted gear lever and
windscreen washers. Allard began
producing V8 and V12 powered sports
cars.
being badly damaged. Lord Austin died
aged 74.
1942 Expecting German bombing of
industrial areas the Government had built
“shadow factories” away from these
centres with aircraft production being
transferred to them. 40% of MercedesBenz workforce were slaves from
occupied territories, the highest number in
any German factory. Ferdinand Porsche
designed the Tiger tank.
1944 Triumph Motor Co. became a
subsidiary of the Standard Motor Co.
1945 WWII ended. Car production slowly
restarted. Rover, Jaguar and the Rootes
Group took over some of the shadow
factories so replacing their destroyed
plants and commenced production, Rover
leaving Coventry, never to return.
Production of some motorcycles failed to
restart including Brough Superior, Rudge,
Levis, Calthorpe and Coventry Eagle.
Jaguar dropped the SS label with it’s
unfortunate WWII connotations.
1938 Rootes Group announced a new
model range named Sunbeam-Talbot after
two old and famous marques. Riley Car
Co. was taken over and absorbed by
Morris Motors. Castrol introduced the first
low viscosity oils.
1946 Car production was based on prewar models but shortage of steel restricted
output. British engineers advised the
government not to take over the
Volkswagen factory, stating that the
Beetle was too ugly, noisy and flimsy to
succeed. Production of Bristol cars
started. The first automatic car wash was
opened in Detroit (USA).
1939 WWII started, car and motorcycle
manufacturers changed over to war
production and petrol rationing was
introduced. Last race at Brooklands held
on August 9th. Germany commenced a
bombing campaign, the first bomb falling
in the Orkneys. Buick (USA) introduced
flashing direction indicators and Nash air
conditioning as an option.
1947 In Britain the more progressive
manufacturers
introduced
advanced
features in their new models: overhead
valve engines incorporating thin walled
shell type crankshaft bearings, 12 Volt
electrical systems, column-mounted gear
change lever and combined chassis and
body, monocoque construction, (though
some makers had adopted this before the
war). David Brown of tractor fame bought
Aston Martin and Lagonda. Packard
(USA) introduced power operated window
winders.
1940 French Government surrendered.
Start of the German occupation which
gave them ideal bases for an extensive
bombing campaign. RTAs increased to
record levels due to the blackout. Sealed
beam headlights introduced (USA).
Engineer Karl Pabst of Willys (USA)
designed a four wheeled drive military
vehicle he called the “Jeep” after a
Popeye cartoon character.
1941 USA entered WWII following the
bombing of Pearl Harbour by Japan.
Germany carried out extensive bombing of
industrial centres. Coventry was the target
for some of the most intense bombing,
many of the motor manufacturing plants
1948 Goodrich (USA) introduced tubeless
tyres. Porsche started his own car firm.
Alex Issigonis designed the Morris Minor
with torsion bar suspension and rack and
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1954 Flashing direction indicators became
legal. Breathalyser invented (USA). Felix
Wankel (Germany) developed his rotary
internal combustion engine. Cadillac
introduced power steering as standard.
pinion steering. Rover began production of
the Land-Rover; it became a separate
brand name. Jaguar introduced the 120
sports car which was an instant success.
Michelin patented the radial tyre. Citroen
began production of the 2CV. Honda
Motor Co. was established.
1955 Daimler ceased production of
Lanchester
cars.
Rootes
acquired
bankrupt Singer. Renault Dauphine
introduced
(did
any
survive
into
preservation?). Alberto Ascari became the
first driver to crash into the harbour at
Monaco during the GP. At the Le Mans 24
hour race the Mercedes 300SLR being
driven by Pierre Levegh crashed into the
crowd and 82 people were killed. This was
the worst racing disaster and resulted in
racing being banned in a number of
countries.
1949 Chrysler introduced optional disc
brakes, because their new ohv V8
required additional braking power, and
pioneered the ignition switch operated
starter
motor.
Swedish
aircraft
manufacturer Saab began to make cars.
1950 60% of car production was exported.
Petrol rationing ended. Rover introduced
their prototype turbine car and Ford their
first post-war car, the Consul.
1951 Zebra crossings introduced. Jaguar
won the LeMans race for the first time.
Buick (USA) offered the first tinted
windscreen. Air bags patented in the USA.
Colin Chapman founded the Lotus Car
Co.
1956 BMW introduced the Isetta bubble
car and West Germany overtook Britain
for car production and exports.
1957 First double white lines to prevent
dangerous overtaking were introduced.
Douglas motorcycle production ceased.
1952 Austin and Morris merged to form
the British Motor Corporation, (BMC). The
Healey Motor Co. joined forces with Austin
to produce sports cars. Mercedes-Benz
introduced the 300SL, the first fuel
injection production car.
1958 Preston by-pass opened; the first
motorway.
Roadside
yellow
lines
restricting waiting were introduced and
London acquired parking meters. East
Germany produced the Trabant car.
1959 M1 motorway opened. The Alex
Issigonis designed Morris Mini Minor was
introduced. Its revolutionary design
featured
front
wheel
drive
and
transversely mounted engine-gearbox
unit. Just as the Austin 7 killed off the
cycle-car boom thirty seven years before,
the Morris Mini Minor killed off the mini car
with only Reliant surviving.
1960 Ministry of Transport introduced
compulsory testing of cars over ten years
old. Jaguar took over and absorbed
Daimler. Ford adopted the MacPherson
strut. Chrysler (USA) introduced the
alternator. Armstrong Siddeley ceased
production.
1953 Greeves commenced production of
motorcycles. Castrol introduced their first
multigrade oil Castrolite, starting a
lubrication revolution.
General Motors
introduced a 12 Volt electrical system.
British film Genevieve created interest in
historic cars.
1961 Lancashire based commercial
vehicle firm Leyland took over Standard
Triumph. British car production overtaken
by French.
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1962 Stirling Moss crashed in his Lotus at
the Goodwood Easter Meeting sustaining
appalling injuries which ended his driving
career. Pontiac (USA) introduced a
transistorised ignition system. Reliant
introduced a new model three wheeler,
the first volume manufacturer to use an all
aluminium engine and frameless glass
reinforced polyester (GRP) body.
1963
Leyland
dropped
the
car production overtaken by Japanese.
North Sea oil fields discovered.
1969 BL dropped the Riley name.
Standard
1970 US Congress passed a law requiring
a 90% decrease in vehicle emissions.
Britain spent 34% of vehicle generated
taxes on road improvements compared
with 100% in the USA. Chrysler ceased
production of Singer cars. Cadillac (USA)
marketed an 8200cc engine, the largest
full scale production engine ever sold.
name. Legislation allowed three-wheelers
being driven on a motorcycle licence to
have a reverse gear. President John F
Kennedy was assassinated in his open
top 1961 Lincoln Continental limousine,
leading to the development of bullet-proof,
bubble-top limousines. Lord Nuffield died.
1971 Legislation introduced requiring all
new cars to be fitted with front seat safety
belts.
Bankrupt
Rolls-Royce
was
nationalised. BL dropped the Austin
Healey brand. Velocette went into
voluntary liquidation. EU adopted pollution
control for car emissions. Saab introduced
headlight lens wipers.
1964 First Wankel rotary engine car
produced, the NSU Sport Prinz. Automatic
transmission
selection
system
standardised. Chrysler bought a stake in
Rootes.
1965
Brake
stop
lights
became
compulsory. Alvis Car Co. acquired by
Rover.
1966 Jaguar joined BMC and British Motor
Holdings was formed, (BMH).
1967 Speed limit of 70mph and
breathalyser introduced. Leyland took
control of the Rover Car Co. and the
Chrysler Corporation took over the Rootes
Group. Alvis ceased car production and
the last P&M motorcycles left the works.
1968 Under Government pressure BMH
and Leyland merged, forming British
Leyland, (BL). This comprised Leyland,
Austin, Morris, MG, Wolseley, Jaguar,
Daimler, Rover, Riley and Triumph. British
1972 Peak year for British car production.
David Brown sold Aston Martin.
1973 Legislation introduced making the
wearing of motorcycle safety helmets
11
1986 The centenary of the internal
combustion engine powered motor car.
compulsory. Police adopted radar speed
traps. Norton-Villiers Group abandoned
the BSA brand name. US Government
banned lead in petrol.
Development of the motor car during its
first one hundred years was not evenly
spread over the years. By the end of the
decade following WWII most advances
had taken place. When the film Genevieve
was made in 1953 it featured cars which
were not quite 50 years old. A similar film
made today could feature such models as
Morris Minor, Ford Anglia or Zephyr and
Hillman Minx: none would receive so
much as a second glance in a
supermarket car park! Such was the rate
of development in the first 50 years.
Subsequent advances have been in
improved
engine
performance,
combustion efficiency, fuel economy and
engine management, suspension and
handling, braking and comfort. Electronics
in the car has transformed all aspects of
performance from cleanliness of exhaust
emissions to comfort and reliability.
Advances in oil technology have been one
of the major improvements, extending the
longevity of engines and the periodicity of
oil changes. Alas, after having the choice
of dozens of makes of car, manufacturing
is now in the hands of fewer and fewer
multi-national companies, Morgan now
being the only UK owned car producer.
1975 British Government nationalised
British Leyland to stave off bankruptcy, the
Wolseley name was dropped.
Aston
Martin went bankrupt.
1976 Chrysler dropped the Hillman name.
Jensen ceased production after 40 years
and Greeves after only 24.
1978 Lotus produced the first glass
reinforced polyester (GRP) monocoque
car. Improved computer technology
allowed Mercedes-Benz to introduce
reliable anti lock brakes and Ford to
introduce engine control. Chrysler sold the
ex-Rootes companies to Peugeot. First
Motor Show held in Birmingham at the
NEC.
1979 British Leyland and Honda
collaborated on engineering and design,
Honda took a 20% stake in BL and vice
versa.
1980 Production of MG and Triumph
Spitfire sports cars ceased.
1982 Britain fell to eighth place in
passenger car production, behind Spain
and the USSR. Wearing of seat belts
became compulsory.
1984 BL sold Jaguar and dropped the
Triumph and Morris brands, (Austin three
years later).
1985 Ford Granada model was the first to
have anti-lock brakes as standard.
12
Disclaimer
Page 11: 1946 Standard Eight on display at the
Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the
accuracy of the content of this document, Cotswold
Motoring Museum & Toy Collection can accept no
liability for any errors or omissions or any
consequences of such errors or omissions.
Page 11: The three-point seat belt system:
http://www.securon.co.uk/index.htm.
Page 12: 1972 Triumph Spitfire
Reference to and acknowledgement of Intellectual
Property of other authors is indicated through web
links within the document.
All web links were functioning at the time this
document was prepared but Cotswold Motoring
Museum & Toy Collection can accept no
responsibility for content hosted on third party
systems that may have been removed or updated.
Usage
The contents of this document can be reproduced
without restriction but the Cotswold Motoring
Museum & Toy Collection should be acknowledged
as the source of any reproduced information.
Picture Captions and Credits
Cover: With the exception of the Nicholas Cugnot
built steam powered artillery tractor, all images are
the copyright of the Cotswold Motoring Museum
and Toy Collection or their contributors. The Bowser
pump, Morgan 3-wheeler, milestone and the 1911
Alldays and Onions (bottom left) are on display in
the museum.
Page 2: Extract from a panorama at the National
Trust Arlington Carriage Collection.
The Nicholas Cugnot
tractor
steam powered artillery
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout.
Lexus LF-Lc concept car.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/9126218/Gene
va-motor-show-2012supercars.html#?frame=2159850
Page 3: Both images from the following website:
http://www.engwonders.byethost9.com/e059.html
Pages 4 to 8 and page 11: Hanging enamelled and
illuminated signs are on display at the Cotswold
Motoring Museum.
Page 8: A modern reflective road stud or “Catseye”.
Functionally unchanged from the original 1934/5
Percy Shaw patent.
Page 9: 1954 Sunbeam Alpine on display at the
Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection.
Page 10: “Genevieve” at the end of the 2003
London to Brighton veteran car run.
13