The Garage - Motoring magazines
Motoring magazines are a good source of information for classic car enthusiasts, as they provide road tests, explanations of model ranges and their development, and a snapshot of motoring conditions at the time.
State Library of Queensland has been subscribing to motoring magazines for many decades, and has back issues for many titles.
A selection of the magazines held in the State Reference Library and John Oxley Library collections is listed below. For the full list, and to request issues to read in the infozone reading room, use the State Library catalogue search page using the search term automobiles periodicals.
Autocar
Publication: Teddington, England : Haymarket Motoring Publications.
High quality British weekly motoring magazine, with comprehensive road tests on vehicles released on the British market and some Europe only imports. Covers all types of vehicles likely to be chosen by private owners in all price ranges from budget to exotica. Emphasis on driving and handling characteristics rather than outright performance. Merged with Motor, another substantial English motoring magazine, in 1988, and has gone through some minor title changes. State Library of Queensland holds issues of Autocar from 1950 onwards, and Motor UK from 1952 until its merger with Autocar.
Automobile quarterly
Publication: New York :
Motoring history quarterly with in-depth histories of makes and specific models, covering the whole world but with a special emphasis on the US. Many unique, exotic and historically significant vehicles are profiled. Many issues contain the work of motoring artists. Use of the indexes is essential to make the best use of this publication.
Automobile year
Publication: Lausanne : Edita Lausanne
Continues: Annual automobile review
Automobile Year is an annual publication which covers significant technical and industry developments over the year of the edition. Coverage is worldwide but with a European focus. International motor sport and racing is covered in depth.
Motor
Publication: Sydney : Australian Consolidated Press Ltd.
Called Modern Motor from its inception in 1954 to 1991, the Australian monthly magazine Motor now focuses strongly on performance cars in the local idiom – i.e. plenty of horsepower. Generally only the more sporting versions are tested, often with comparison tests between high-performance variants. Performance accessories and in-car-entertainment are also featured.
Motor trend
Publication: Los Angeles, Calif. : Petersen Publishing Co.
Monthly magazine with good coverage of the U.S. market including domestic and import vehicles. Extensive road tests and comparison tests in particular market segments, including four wheel drive vehicles/SUVs and minivans. Recent issues are indexed on the EBSCO MasterFILE Premier database. State Library of Queensland holds Motor Trend from 1970.
Road ahead
Publication: Brisbane : Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, 1940-
Official magazine of the RACQ, the Road Ahead contains articles of relevance to Queensland drivers and our unique driving conditions. Road safety and government policy on motoring issues are frequently covered, as are road travel and holiday reports and ideas. Road tests on vehicles, including comparison tests of vehicles in specific market segments (eg. family sedans), cover not just the driving experience, but also practical ownership issues such as running and servicing costs. State Library of Queensland holds the Road Ahead back to the first issues in 1940, and its predecessors the Journal (Royal Automobile Club of Queensland), the Queensland Motorist, and the Steering Wheel right back to 1915.
Thoroughbred & classic cars
Publication: London : IPC Transport Press.
British monthly classic car magazine, with road tests and photographic features on restored, mainly post-1945 British and European cars. Driving impressions are given of vehicles currently offered for sale and many issues have a comparison test of several vehicles available in a specific market segment. Buyer's profiles cover the attractions and pitfalls of specific models. Auction results and many significant or historic cars are reported on. There is a U K. price guide and advertisements to satisfy the most aspirational classic car buyer. State Library of Queensland holds Thoroughbred & classic cars from 1981.
Wheels.
Publication: Sydney : Wheels.
At various times billed as ‘Australia's top motoring magazine’, Wheels covers the full range of cars available on the Australian market, with extensive road tests and a very comprehensive buyer's price guide. Four wheel drive vehicles and other 'car alternatives' are covered, but generally in less detail. Some coverage of local motor industry developments and motor sport. State Library of Queensland holds Wheels magazine from 1963, and a useful consolidated index.
Last updated: 8th September 2006
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