A Review By The Rev’d David R Boulton

“Vintage Motor Cars” by Bill Boddy, “Austerity Motoring 1939-1950” by Andrew Lane, “British Family Cars of the 1950s and ’60s” by Anthony Pritchard

I have taken the unusual step of tackling three works at once, because they seem to me to form part of a continuous history, for want of a better word. The Shire Library series of small books, all priced around about £4.99 to £5.99, is utterly brilliant. Almost every conceivable subject is covered – cars, boats, canals, railways, farms, collectibles… you name it – by these pocket guides, written by experts who clearly lovers of their subjects and love writing about them.

I was bought Austerity Motoring 1939-1950 as a gift by my wife, I forget what was the occasion. Being interested in cars, I devoured it eagerly and rapidly, and quickly bought the other two mentioned. I was espescially pleased with British Family Cars of the 1950s & ’60s, because this was the era of my childhood and teenage years, so it was a great big nostalgia-fest for me.

All three are very well researched and interestingly written. I must get others of the Shire Library editions on other subjects – they are informative and entertaining, and very affordable. You’ll f ind them upstair in Warwick Books. In my opinion, they deserve to be downstairs and more prominently displayed, but I understand that in a small shop, space is at a premium. Still, I cannot commend these great, little volumes highly enough.