Etienne Psaila
From the rattle of an MG M-Type on a 1930s back lane to the howl of a TVR Griffith on a Welsh mountain pass, The Evolution of the British Roadster tells the complete, fact-based story of Britain’s most beloved sporting machines. This compelling narrative history traces the rise, heyday, and gradual decline of lightweight two-seaters built for joy rather than utility-icons like the MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire, and Austin-Healey Sprite. Rooted in postwar optimism and built with simplicity, flair, and often just a little oil on the driveway, these cars conquered not just British B-roads but American highways, Alpine rallies, and club racing paddocks.Drawing on decades of manufacturing milestones, competition history, and ownership culture, the book explores how these open-top machines shaped Britain’s image abroad and ignited a passion for driving at home. It is a chronicle of engineering ingenuity, export ambition, and the grassroots spirit that kept these machines alive long after their factories fell silent. From kit car rebels to MX-5-inspired revival attempts, the story continues-one cylinder, one Sunday drive at a time.
