The History of Cars - Classic British Automobiles

Early British vehicles relied on developments from Germany and France, but by the turn of the century the first all British automobile was manufactured by the Woolsley Tool and Motor Car Company.

The Baby Austin becoming available in 1922, selling for 225 pounds, putting it in reach of people previously unable to afford to buy a motor car. In 1929 the big names in car manufacturing were Morris, founded by William Morris, and Austin, and between them they were responsible for 60% of the cars on the roads in Britain. However, there is no more famous name in British motor car manufacturing than Rolls Royce, maker of some of the best luxury cars in the world.

[snidepete]

Very comprehensive coverage of the Brit Auto Industry, and greatfully viewed by a lifelong Britcarophile! Tnx!

[trwsandford]

Nice job! If I had put this together, it would be 10 hours long.

[lemonbounce]

That Morris sounds like a genuinely good & caring person.

[daijones]

You’ve missed a few marques but that’s ok. Very enjoyable and informative presentation

[michaelcuff]

I dont care what anyone thinks! I love the TVR! And im pissed that they are not allowed in the US! Raw power! And raw looks! Damned tree huggers!

[morriscowley]

The pictures bear no relation to the dialogue as well as being totally out of chronological order really very annoying

[adoream]

I was hoping to learn something about minis i love them so much

[jimshaver]

Very nice video, of course some classics are missed, was really hoping to see Triumph as I own a TR250

[jstevenson]

Skip to 19:00 for a neat summary of what went wrong. First, look at the mass-market designs (not the TRs, Jags etc) of about '46-56. Youtube is full of nostalgia for those vehicles which today look endearing, but at the time were underpowered Frumpy Dumpy compared to what others like the Germans and Americans were doing - and that was what counted. Britain took it's eye off the ball. Secondly, there was the deadly poisonous mix of workshy workers/clueless managers/shortsighted govt. Yes, folks, this was your "Greatest Generation" who won WW2 (well, with help). Excuses such as post-war austerity are blown away by the fact that most others (especially the Germans) bounced right back within a few years. Not Britain - who incredibly were still rationing 10 years after WW2 ended - govt. incompetance. Having said all that, it is sad that the world moved on to such a point that British national traits such as "decency" and "not trying too hard" went by the wayside as the world turned more nasty. Oh Well.

[ulrichsuter]

What a nice video!

Great to see that somebody doesn't only do his homework in a sincere way but is also able to present the content in a no-nonsense way!

Well done!

PS: the issue presented is very interesting since the Brits did influence so much in the car industry. Sad to see how everything went down the drain and all that is left is investment fund-owned luxury car companies or went to Chinese rule...

[marksadler]

23:16 Judging from the last three letters on the registration, that's pretty prophetic 😉

[jvarela]

Im in Sarasota, FLORIDA . I owned a 1969 MGB which I bought in 1986. I had to buy a part from special part store owned by a local man who was from Bristol. He owned a 1967 Rolls Royce sedan, and he asked me what I thought my car and his had in common. He said they were both handmade and laughed. His wife had a 1974 Jensen Interceptor she claimed was sold new in Miami to John Lennon.

[Rog]

I decided to watch all of this, because at time mark 0:07 there was a Bristol, and I was interested to see what would be said about them.
Low and behold, nothing, zilch, zero.

[BuzzLOLOL]

15:35 Range Rover V8 pictured (1970 - 2000) and 1970's MG, Triumph, TVR, Morgan V8 is Buick's V8 from 1951 in all cases...

[michaelhunt]

No mention of Lagonda, although a fair bit about Aston Martin. They also made David Brown tractors, reckoned by many farmers as the "Rolls Royce" of agricultural vehicles.

[kenreeve]

Good program thanks its a shame about the incessant mental music right through it

[Fifury]

Overlooked AC, Caterham, TVR (Lotus & Jaguar mentioned though), although there where over 500 different car manufacturers in the UK, it would be difficult to have a 1 hour documentary cover them all!

[corylemper]

at 17:40 they say the freelander is the first landrover with hill decent control but my 99 discovery 2 has hill decent control?

[gregorytimmons]

AMAZING1 How both inept management and self sabotage by the actual labourer force decimated the auto industry of an entire nation and not one wartime bombing or any other outside influence was required. Not just any nation either as Great Britain had more automakers than anyone. Including maybe the U.S. as G.B. had so many low volume specialty constructors.

[iansmith]

Poor industrial relations between management and workers were responsible. This did not happen at Ford or Vauxhall where management actually engaged with the unions. Unfortunately, the industrial relations were combined with below par cars produced by BMC/BL