Universal Motoring History film archive

A novel moving walkway is tested and demonstrated. The idea is that in the future, pedestrians will simply walk onto the walkway as they travel down the road, instead of having to do all the legwork themselves. Although it looks impressive, city officials around the world clearly still believe in the concept that our own legs should be moving us around.

Brief film showing both a one-man helicopter and a rocket belt being demonstrated. Both show the type of personal transportation that was foreseen for the future around 50 years ago.

An entertaining newsreel of a new US army amphibious truck which is literally driven across the bottom of a lake. Lookout for the mermaids.

Film of an extraordinary one-off station wagon which is jam packed with gadgets, including lounge, kitchen and dining room.

Rare film of the Towne Shopper, one of the many innovative small cars introduced to Americans after World War 2. Whilst this model had many useful features, very few were built and even fewer have survived.

Novel film showing a sailwagon being demonstrated along a stretch of sand at the beginning of the 1900s.

The world's tiniest aeroplane is demonstrated in flight in what could be the ideal transport for busy commuters in the future.

A newsreel showing the opening of a new drive-in bank in Los Angeles.

Another attempt at a flying car. In a matter of minutes, an aeroplane is stripped of its wings and transformed into a slightly unusual looking automobile.

Brief footage of a streamlined, experimental American convertible sports car driving along Californian roads during the prewar period.

Extraordinary demonstration of the "flying man". A US army officer is strapped into a rocket belt which enables him to jump into the air, fly around and then land at his own convenience -the perfect way to beat city traffic. Has to be seen to be believed.

Extraordinary footage of the army's experimental air car of the 1950s. It is fully versatile and functional and can easily travel over land and water.

A tiny, portable, one-man helicopter is demonstrated in front of US army personnel. Sadly, despite a perfect ride, the machines were never mass produced as they could have been the ultimate mode of transport for frustrated city commuters.

Two separate films featuring novel three wheel cars from the late 1950s and early 60s -defying engineering logistics.

A novel German drink-driving prevention scheme is demonstrated. When a device in the dashboard detects the driver may be drunk, it squirts him with water to help sober him up and deter him from driving away.

Demonstration of a special auto bus which can used on both the highway and railway tracks.

Visual overview of a novel marketing competition from the 1960s where Triumph organised a national painting competition for young drivers and were then swamped by literally thousands of entries -with the winners receiving a brand new sports car.

In this brief "has to be seen to be believed" film from the early 1950s, monkeys drive cars at a US zoo.

Film of one of the most bizarre original Minis ever produced -known as the Minisota. Dressed in a semi art-deco style and painted a bright pink, this "flattened" Mini attracts attention everywhere it goes.

Demonstration of a tiny pre-war French car which can literally be picked-up and then maneuvered by hand into the tiniest of parking spots. It's so small it makes even standard cars giant-size by comparison.

A remarkable 12 metre limousine is specially made by the Disney corporation to promote the opening of the new Disney theme park in Orlando, Florida. The car has every conceivable comfort and amenity for screen celebrity Mickey Mouse.

Leyland Bryan's flying car was one of the best auto inventions. As the film shows, the machine changes from being a slightly irregular looking automobile driving along the road, to quickly becoming a small-scale aeroplane using wings previously attached to the side of the car. It all seemed very simple, but never went into mass production. 

Wonderful period newsreel showing the newly launched Amphicar in action -both on the road, and in the water. The German made Amphicar was the only amphibious vehicle ever to be mass produced, but most motorists thought it more quirky than functional.

A brief film of possibly the ultimate way to travel. A giant Sikorkski helicopter carries a passenger car over the Conncicut countryside, then simply drops the car off at a convenient location for the driver to finish the journey on the ground himself.