Austerity Motoring 1939–1950 — Andrew Lane (1987, First Edition)

2nd hand book, very good condition, see images

Discover a Defiant Era of Automotive History with Austerity Motoring 1939–1950 by Andrew Lane

Explore one of the most challenging yet fascinating chapters in British automotive history with Austerity Motoring 1939–1950 by Andrew Lane, former Education and Research Officer at the National Motor Museum. Published in 1987 by Shire Publications as an essential entry in their highly collectible Shire Album series (Volume #183), this first-edition paperback offers a concise, masterfully written look into a time when the civilian motor car faced its greatest trials.

As Britain entered World War II in September 1939, car design and development effectively ground to a halt for a decade. Lane brilliantly captures the resourcefulness of wartime motorists who faced severe fuel and tyre rationing, the intense hazards of driving through blackouts, and navigating restricted travel zones. The story continues into the post-war era of 1945, when peace brought not abundance, but a desperate national mandate to export vehicles abroad to rebuild the British economy, leaving domestic buyers waiting in a thriving black market.

Spanning 32 pages, this highly informative guide is packed with historical archival photographs, period illustrations, and deep social insights. It beautifully captures the turning point of 1948, when the legendary Earls Court Motor Show introduced revolutionary post-war game-changers like the Jaguar XK120 and the Morris Minor.

Why Collectors Love This Book

An indispensable addition for transport historians, classic British car collectors, and military history enthusiasts, this first-edition copy of Austerity Motoring preserves the resilient spirit of a generation that kept the wheels turning through sheer determination.

Book Details

Author: Andrew Lane · Publisher: Shire Publications · Year: 1987 · Edition: First Edition · Format: Paperback · Pages: 32 · Dimensions: 21.0 cm × 15.0 cm × 0.4 cm · Weight: 0.09 kg · Language: English