Series
James May's Cars of the People
Documentary
James May takes a look at the 'peoples car'. Covering every form of cars for the masses - from the Beetle to the Kei Car, May looks at the many forms of people's car, their origins and their effect on history. Each episode covers a particular theme; these being cars from dictatorships, microcars and the dream cars we aspire to.
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Seasons & episodes
James May visits Russia, Japan and Europe to discover how motoring came to the masses.
1Episode 110 Aug 2014 · 60mIn his quest to discover how we, the people, got our wheels, James travels to Germany, Italy and Russia to reveal the extraordinary story of how dictators kick-started the mobilisation of the masses.
It is a tale of design brilliance, abject failure, war, fraud and double dealing, featuring some of the best (and worst) cars and characters of the 20th century. James discovers how the British motor industry blew a gift-wrapped chance to rule the world and he gets his own back with a stunt that means bad news for one of the planet's most hated cars.
2Episode 217 Aug 2014 · 60mA look at two extremes: the massive American gas-guzzling "automotive palaces" with their excess of chrome and fins, and the low-powered three-wheeler microcars which could be driven without a driving licence or on a motorbike licence.
3Episode 324 Aug 2014 · 60mJames continues to take a look at the examination of the social significance of cars by taking a look at how aspiration and new wealth were behind the development of some of the greatest cars ever built.
Details
- First aired
- 10 Aug 2014
- Last aired
- 7 Feb 2016
- Status
- Ended
- Language
- English
- Network
- BBC Two
- Episodes
- 6
- Votes
- 27 on TMDB
Where to watch (US)
Cast
James MaySelf - Presenter
