“Horseless carriage—automobile carriage—automatic carriage—autocar. These titles have all been applied to the remarkable invention of mankind: the motor-driven vehicle, whether powered by steam, electricity, hot air, or petroleum.” This is how the inaugural edition of Autocar, published on November 2, 1895, opens. The renowned British car magazine is offering free access to its entire archive online until September 24, presenting a prime opportunity to dive into the rich history of automotive media from the past 129 years.
To access the archive, simply visit Autocar’s website, where you’ll find a sign-up link. All you need to do is enter your name and email address, and choose whether or not to receive emails. There is no requirement for credit card details. This generous initiative by Autocar is commendable, as the publishers could have opted for a payment model but chose instead to provide a more user-friendly option. Be aware that access will end at 5 p.m. London time next Tuesday, so make sure to register before then to explore car media as it was a century ago.
Once you enter the archive, you’ll find an uncomplicated layout featuring a collection of dated covers. You can browse through the magazines, which have been preserved in their entirety—including advertisements—like PDFs.
If you uncover any particularly interesting articles or features, we’d love to hear about them in the comments section!
In a random exploration of the November 1978 issue, I was entertained by the concept of restomodding from that time. A brief article highlights a British car called the Albany, produced around 1905, which was updated with a modern Triumph Spitfire engine, transmission, and components from a Minor 1000. It’s amusing to realize that people have been trying to breathe new life into classic car designs for decades, and finding this in the context of a nearly 46-year-old article adds a humorous touch.
There are undoubtedly many more fascinating facts, period advertisements, and engaging visuals from Autocar’s extensive publishing history. Exploring these treasures could keep you entertained for days.
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