Illustrated book of the week - The Motor Manual

While we're on the topic of transportation. Perhaps some of the magnificent creatures in the last post were modelled on the principles of this weeks illustrated book. 'The Motor Manual'. Published just after the Second World War, this 'practical handbook for the motorist' provides us with some gorgeous vintage visuals.

I particularly like the way that these mechanical pictures act as 'anatomical drawings' of 1940's cars. Most of it looks pretty familiar, but if you're wondering what the 'strangler' is, we now call it the 'choke' - a still violent, but slightly less vivid description.

I find the technical illustrations strangely inspring. But better yet are some of the ads that run through the manual.

Who knew that dip-sticks could look so good?