Motoring
Like many things in the Mid-Century period, motoring went through a rapid change, with cars available to many more people through rising living standards and increased mass production. Safety standards slowly improved, and the technology was refined, making car ownership even more accessible to a wider audience.
Cars started to change our cities, and motorways changed our countryside. Houses were built with driveways and carports, and housing estates and shopping centres were built to accommodate cars. Some cities like Birmingham and Coventry were designed around the car, and culture evolved to embrace the car with out-of-town shopping centres.
All of this will be covered and discussed here, as well as following our own cars, a 1968 Rover P5B (model introduced in 1958) and a 1972 Alfa Romeo 2000GTV (model introduced in 1962).
Latest Motoring Article:
Review: Book: Rover V8 – the story of the engine
There aren’t many books dedicated to an engine, but James Taylor’s ‘Rover V8’ is one such example. That this book exists shows the importance and influence the Rover V8 engine exerted over more than 40 years.
- Recent Motoring Articles -
Review: Book: The Strange Death of the British Motor Cycle Industry
This book provides a gripping description and analysis of the mis-steps and misfortunes of the British motor cycle industry, from the 1920’s through to the effective death of the industry in the 1970’s. This book will be of interest to anyone with even a passing interest in Britains recent manufacturing history. The book manages to combine detail and...
How The Torque Converter Works
Here’s a fabulously period video explaining in very simple terms how a torque converter (aka fluid coupling) replaces the clutch…
Rover P5 and P5B Wheels and Tyres
A look at Rover P5 and P5B tyre choices.
Paul Flanders
I first linked to Paul’s website a few years ago as he created the image of the P5B you see above and below. He was working as a Graphic Designer…
Like Rallying? Got £45K? Rover P5B Coupe Classic Endurance Rally Car (Part II)
You may recall this post from a few years ago, which referenced a long-deleted advert on eBay for a Rover P5B rally car. Well, I just noticed that the same car is for sale again, but now it’s £10K cheaper.
The Man Who Haunted Himself
Roger Moore gives a career-defining performance as a businessman whose existence is reshaped by malevolent forces in this taut psychological thriller directed by Ealing Films veteran Basil Dearden.
How to Re-Wire Your Classic Car (Replacing the Wiring Harness) Part 2
Hopefully you’ve read Part 1 of this article, and also watched the video talking about this. If not, I recommend grabbing a mug of tea and reading / watching those first – this will make a lot more sense. In Part 1, I talked about labelling the new wiring harness whilst it’s out the car, while you still have the old harness in your car to refer back to....
How to Re-Wire Your Classic Car (Replacing the Wiring Harness) Part 1
I’ve recently finished replacing the wiring harness on my P5B Coupe with a ‘New Old Stock’ item. Whether you’re replacing a connector or the whole loom, this will be useful to any classic car owner.
![Rover P5B Coupe In The Nude [Part 4]: Front Bodywork](https://i0.wp.com/www.mid-century-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Rover-P5B-In-The-Nude-Green.jpg?fit=1800%2C788&ssl=1)
Rover P5B Coupe In The Nude [Part 4]: Front Bodywork
Let’s start the next chapter in the dismantling of a Rover P5 by Cyrille, who has kindly allowed the use of his images. Here Cyrille shows the dismantling of the front bodywork and removal of the subframe. The P5 body features numerous panels that can be simply unbolted. As mentioned in the Introduction, it’s interesting to compare the first images here...
What is Mid-Century Modern?
You may have heard the term ‘Mid-Century’ or ‘Mid-Century Modern’ and never really thought much about what it means…
Cold War Motors 1963 Rover P5: On The Rotisserie
The speed that Scott and Al (and probably other Agents) are moving with the P5 puts my efforts at working on the P5B completely to shame. This week the P5 is fully dis-assembled, has the front subframe removed and the body mounted on a rotisserie: https://youtu.be/G2b551zNeJQ
Cold War Motors 1963 Rover P5: Update 01
You may recall this post from 2 years ago about a YouTube Channel called Cold War Motors in Canada who were going to restore a P5. Well, last yesterday there was an update about the car on their channel, and it looks like work will commence very soon. Since I made the original post, Scott from Cold War Motors has completely restored a Citroen DS, as well...
