Page 16 - the story of motoring

Popular motoring

Motoring changed a great deal in the 1920s and 30s. During this time the automobile
had largely replaced the horse. The car became an important and vital part of life.
The greatest change was the drop in car prices. In the days before 1914 cars could
only be afforded by the wealthy. With the introduction of mass production in car
making, cars were made in thousands and sold at a low price. It was the beginning
of chsap family motoring.
An outstanding car of this time was the Austin 7.
1922 Austin Seven Herbert Austin designed a tiny car that many be-
lieved would never sell. Many comedians said that
one car was needed for each foot. The wheelslooked
like pram or bicycle wheels. The Austin 7 didlook
plain but it was low priced. In 1923 it cost £165.
The Austin 7 was to become one of the most popular
~British cars. Its appeal was that it was small and
seemed to have a character of its own.

Another Englishman, William Morris, followed Ford's
example and introduced the moving assembly line in-
to his factory at Cowley. Morris cars were also
popular especially the Morris Cowley and the Morris
8. Today Austin and Morris are part of British
Leyland.
The cheapest and soundest car of the period was the Ford 'Popular' at just £100.
Although motoring was becoming cheaper, it was still out of the reach of many poorer
families. Anyone could drive a car. No driving test had to be passed. You simply
went to a Post Office, bought a license for 5/- then pay about £30 for a second hand
car which needed no M.O.T. or insurance. In 1935 a driving test was made compulsory.
Car sales grew and grew. In 1930 there were 1 million cars on Britain's roads. It
had taken 40 years to get to this figure, but in just 10 years this number had doubled
In 1939 there were 2 million cars. With the new feature of electric starting instead
of a hand crank, motoring became very popular with ladies. The car gave them a new
independence.