Description
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World’s Automobiles is a comprehensive reference edited by David Burgess Wise, first published in 1979. This ambitious work covers over 4,000 car marques dating from 1862—the pioneering days of the automobile industry—through to the sophisticated technology of the 1970s. Each entry provides concise histories of manufacturers along with details of their principal models, making it an indispensable resource for automotive enthusiasts and historians alike.
Featuring more than 1,000 photographs and advertisements, many of which are rare or previously unpublished, the encyclopedia also includes a full-colour introductory section. This overview traces the evolution of the automobile, exploring early developments, mass production, design innovations, alternative power sources, and future possibilities. Additional sections highlight automotive art, body style progression, and biographies of famous designers and manufacturers, rounded off with a useful glossary of terms.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World’s Automobiles remains a definitive guide to the global history and development of cars.




















