British Exports to the USA

It's been some time since I've posted something from the amazing British Pathe web site. It's a place that will eat up a lot of your time, so let me be your guide.

Today's selection is a series of unused film clips shot in New York City in 1949 showing the folks back home in Jolly Old that the colonies were lapping up British exports. This was good thing since Great Britain was facing a crushing war debt to the US and Canada. "Export or die" was the directive to British manufacturers and the British people would remain under severe rationing of most commodities for many years to come while England worked to earn foreign exchange.

The footage shows several shots of British cars in New York starting with an Austin A40 on Fifth Avenue. You'll see other shots of British exports including shoes, fine china, pipes and Johnnie Walker whisky. My favorite segment is the visit to the legendary Inskip Motor Company. Inskip was an early importer of British automobiles and paved the way for nationwide distribution of the cars we know and love. 

BRITISH EXPORTS TO USA