This is the story of the worldwide phenomenon that transformed the 20th century - the private car. In the 100 years since the first frail automobiles puttered out onto unmade roads, hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals have embraced the automobile business, convinced that their product was a potential world-beater. All of these major manufacturers, and many of the smaller ones, are detailed in The Encyclopedia of Cars. This extensive tome traces the development of the modern car, from the earliest Ford to the latest Beetle remake, in a chronological look at some of the world¿s unforgettable makes and models.