James May's Cars of the People

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 2014-08-10

Last Air Date: 2016-02-07

Number of Seasons: 2

Number of Episodes: 6

Networks: BBC Two

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

James May as Self - Presenter

Seasons

Season 1 (2014)

James May visits Russia, Japan and Europe to discover how motoring came to the masses.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Episode 1 (2014-08-10)

A look at European cars: the VW Beetle, the Trabant, the Wartburg 353, the Fiat 500, the Fiat 124 and the Lada which was based on the Fiat 124.
Ep. 2: Episode 2 (2014-08-17)

A 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.
Ep. 3: Episode 3 (2014-08-24)

James 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.