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Miscellaneous DVD titles

History of the car (DVD)

DMDVD3660

128 minutes front cover

The history of the automobile is a fascinating story filled with passion, innovation, ingenuity and hard work. This DVD brings together all five parts of BP’s magnificent documentary series detailing the development of the motorcar right through to the ground-breaking Mini of the late 1950s.

Each of the five films from the BP Video Library charts a different era, with footage shot inside leading motoring museums around the world combined with wonderful colour film of the most significant, and earliest, models in automobile history - back in action against town, village and countryside backdrops rather than behind the velvet ropes of static displays.

We begin at the dawn of motoring, in the 1800s, when pioneers hunted for a way to replace horse power with horsepower. The film explains, with rare footage of original working designs, how steam-powered vehicles cleared the way for the internal combustion engine, fuelled first by hydrogen and only later by petrol.

Our journey continues through the arrival of the famous names including Daimler, Benz, Peugeot, Renault, Rolls Royce and Fiat, and we compare the development of the car on both sides of the English Channel, as well as both sides of the Atlantic.

We follow the development of the mass market, led by Ford’s Model T, the reinvention of the industry following World War One, the important role of motor racing, the stunning craftsmanship of Bugatti and Alfa Romeo, and then the horrendous impact of the Depression, when the hundreds of independent car builders were reduced to just dozens.

The story continues into the 1930s, when the industry combated plummeting sales with innovation and ingenuity, including new engine configurations and the arrival of the first popular diesel car. Then we discover how World War Two led to a new order for motor manufacturers, with Britain leading the way and major names recovering and adapting to drive forward development and create the blueprint which underpins car design to this day.

History of the Motor Car uncovers some startling facts, including the revelation that speed traps are nothing new, and that militant opposition to traffic policing in the early 1900s gave us one of our most revered motoring organisations! Plus, we find out if it can really be true that the first car to reach 100kph was powered by electricity.

Classic cars -Alfa Romeo to the Zita (DVD)

QLDVD6003

150 minutes front cover

From the Alfa Romeo to the Zita, this DVD features the original Channel 4 television series which chronicles many of the most famous cars from history.

The History of Hot Rods (DVD)

BVENT0218

25 minutes front cover

Hot Rods were the phenomenal cars created by backyard mechanics in the Post-War world of Southern California. These young automotive enthusiasts were raring to reinvent anything they touched and their cars demanded to be raced. This is a story of young people who created a sport, whilst searching for ways to satisfy their need for speed.

The Carroll Shelby story (DVD)

DMDVD3676

58 minutes front cover

This film delivers the remarkable and engaging profile of the 1959 Le Mans winner who became famous for the AC Cobra and his involvement with the Ford GT40 development programme. It traces Carroll Shelby's career from driver to creator, featuring views from the influential men that worked and raced alongside him.

The story is relayed by Shelby himself along with Phil Hill, Roy Salvadori, Dan Gurney, Bob Bondurant and others, whilst excellent archive footage, ranging from Nassau 1955 to Le Mans 1969, brings to life a fascinating chapter in motor racing history. The programme chapters are: 1). From Chicken Farmer to Racing Driver. 2) Roy Salvadori - Le Mans Partner. 2). The Cobra is Born. 3). Taking on the Ferraris. 4). From Ford to Chrysler

The History of dream cars (DVD)

BVENT0192

25 minutes front cover

These are the cars that set our hearts racing, our imaginations reeling and roped us into car shows to get a glimpse of what we thought the future would look like. Most never made it into production but while they roamed the earth they made us believe that anything was possible.

Motoring in the 1930s (DVD)

HMFDVD5012

90 minutes front cover

This DVD is not so much a selection of serious car films, as revealing aspects of pre-war British social history with a compilation of original travelogues which were produced by the Austin and Morris film units of the era.

This was a period when motoring was still fun and with the Austin Seven and Morris Minor cars both relatively cheap, they gave new car owners their first chance to go and enjoy their new found freedom by exploring the length and breadth of the British Isles.

These charming travelogues were intended to demonstrate the virtues of the cars, but they primarily reveal a snapshot of Thirties Britain - its scenery, its people, and its way of life. So jump into the passenger seat and take a trip back in time, through the picturesque villages of England, up into the magnificent mountains of Scotland, and past the impressive monuments of Wales.

The Villages of England Morris Motors 1934 (B&W)
Lands End to John O’Groats Morris Motors 1935 (B&W)
The Highlands of Scotland Morris Motors 1936 (B&W)
All That is England Austin Motor Company 1936 (B&W)
Facts and Fancies Morris Motors 1937 (colour -an extremely rare example of a 1930s colour process called Dufaycolour).