The Motorist’s Guide to 1937 Shanghai

Here, from the 1930s, a typical example of the sort of thing that appeared in many newspapers – The Motorist’s Guide, a targeted page of ads at motorists in the treaty port. This one is from Shanghai in 1937. As you can see the names haven’t changed much – Skodas are back in China while Buick remains a strong brand in China, and just about nowhere else!! Haven’t seen a Renault for a while! Any problems? pop along to Reliance Motors on Avenue Foch (Yanan Road). Interestingly a lot of people, Chinese and foreign, used to enjoy motoring out on day or weekend trips – Soochow, Hangchow, Wusi, into Anhwei…something not many people do much now I think. I guess the fact that all the countryside around Shanghai has been turned into the endless lavatory tile and blue glass factories rather detracts from the scenic day trip!