The Autocar Road Tests 1951–1956 [Bound Volume], Technical Staff of The Autocar

£105.00

The Autocar Road Tests 1951–1956 [Bound Volume], Technical Staff of The Autocar

Name: The Autocar Road Tests 1951–1956 [Bound Volume], Technical Staff of The Autocar
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5438
Price: 105.00 GBP
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The Autocar Road Tests 1951–1956 [Bound Volume], Technical Staff of The Autocar — First Editions, Custom Bound Collection

Publication: London, Iliffe & Sons, Ltd., 1951–1956

Formatting: 4to, variously paginated.

Condition Report: Very Good. A substantial, custom-bound volume presented in green cloth boards. The binding remains firm, square, and tight, displaying minor rubbing to the extremities and some gentle sunning to the boards and spine, though the gilt lettering remains distinctly legible. The text block edges are lightly dust-soiled with typical age-toning commensurate with mid-century paper stock. Internally, the pages are generally bright and clean, with occasional scattered foxing and spotting, primarily restricted to the preliminary leaves and extreme margins, which in no way affects the readability of the text or the clarity of the illustrations. A handsome, robust compilation.

Catalogue Note: This unique volume presents a bespoke, custom-bound collection of six consecutive years of The Autocar Road Tests, compiling the annual paperback publications into a single, comprehensive hardback. Originally issued in fragile softcover wraps, these motoring annuals are highly susceptible to wear and loss; finding a consecutive six-year run preserved together in a sturdy cloth binding is a significant rarity on the open market.

The compilation contains 185 individual road tests in total, extensively detailing the performance of British, American, and Continental automobiles of the early to mid-1950s. Bound without the original softcover wraps, the text block proceeds seamlessly through the title and contents pages of each respective year. Such bespoke bindings were typically commissioned by automotive enthusiasts, motoring clubs, or libraries to preserve these vital reference works for long-term use.

A remarkable treasure trove of mid-century motoring history, this bound volume compiles six years of The Autocar Road Tests (1951–1956), offering an unparalleled window into the automotive landscape of the era. Featuring exhaustive technical reports and performance evaluations by the Technical Staff of The Autocar, this collection covers an astonishing 185 vehicles—from everyday Austin and Ford saloons to glamorous icons like the Aston Martin DB2, Ferrari 212, and Jaguar XK120. Richly illustrated with contemporary photographs, speed charts, and technical diagrams, it serves as an indispensable reference for classic car enthusiasts, restorers, and historians eager to experience the golden age of motoring exactly as it was reviewed at the time.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Technical Staff of The Autocar

Book Publisher: Iliffe & Sons, Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Automotive

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 19511956

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: The Autocar Road Tests

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.