Universal Motoring History film archive

Motoring history  (44 films)

These films feature some of the very earliest recordings of motorised transport as well as films featuring the subsequent development of the automobile during the 20th Century.

Motor racing  (99 films)

A rich assortment of motor racing films from around the world from such leading venues as Le Mans, Indianapolis, Brands Hatch, Sebring and elsewhere, plus historic hill climbs, airport races and rallies.

Advertising and marketing  (52 films) 

A great selection of films featuring original television and cinema advertisements for different models of cars from the 1930s onwards, plus other films showing how specific cars have been marketed in different countries over the years. 

Manufacturing  (19 films) 

A selection of informative films featuring the manufacturing of cars, beginning with Henry Ford's pioneering moving conveyor belt in the very early years of the 20th Century, to other films showing how cars have been built and tested in subsequent times.

 Stunts and thrills  (12 films)

Many of the 20th century's leading auto daredevils feature in this selection of films which challenge both cars and drivers to the limit.

 Classic British cars  (35 films)

Classic British cars such as Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Bentley, MG and many others have long been regarded as some of the most desireable cars ever built and a number of informative films profiling these classics are featured here.

 Auto news stories  (14 films)

A selection of informative newsreel films featuring different motoring stories from the 1930s to 1960s, mostly orginating in the USA.

 Roads and highways  (15 films)

Not only did the quality of cars improve considerably during the 20th Century, but so did roads and highways. Many of these changes are shown here, starting with the days when roads were no more than mud-sodden country tracks.

Road safety  (21 fims)

The road safety films show a number of novel road safety measures which have been introduced over the years, as well as films showing the damage that bad driving has caused.

Military and wartime  (27 films) 

The Military and Wartime section features everything from some of the most extraordinary military vehicles ever built, to the way in which many car factories were converted to help the war effort during WW 2.

Motor shows  (26 films) 

Motor shows have long been the places where new and unique cars have been shown to the motoring public, and motor shows from pre-war days onwards are featured here. There's also a number of exclusive, single marque shows from more recent times. 

 Individual cars  (18 films)

This section profiles an assortment of leading historic and other cars built and sold around the world.

 Novelty  (47 films)

Transport pioneers have invented everything from flying cars to personal rocket-belts to help move man around and this section of films features a range of truly bizarre oddities, as well as other strange and entertaining motoring stories from the past.

 Land speed records  (9 films)

The world land speed record increased by over 500 miles per hour during the course of the 20th Cenury and the films here show some of these achievements, as well as other speed record events and record cars.

Land Rover  (27 films) 

The Land Rover is the most famous off-road vehicle in the world and the selection of films included here celebrates more than 50 years of this legendary vehicle. 

 Miscellaneous  (66 films)

The world's movie cameras have recorded many events in the evolution of motoring history, and many diverse films are included here from innovative concept cars to new devices to assist women drivers.

Motor cycling  (9 films)

Although the archive primarily features motor cars, a small number of historic motor cycling films are included, featuring everything from challenging hill-climb events to major international 24 hour endurance races.