In 1903, motorcycles were still a novelty. Most people had never ridden one, and few understood what they were capable of. That same year, Iliffe and Sons Ltd launched “The Motor Cycle,” a British publication that would become the definitive voice of the two-wheeled world for decades.
The magazine’s blue cover made it instantly recognizable on any newsstand. Readers nicknamed it “The Blue ‘un.” Its main rival, Motor Cycling, used a green cover and was known as “The Green ‘un.” The two publications competed fiercely for the same audience, but the competition was friendly — it pushed both to produce better, sharper content. “The Motor Cycle” carried the strapline “Circulated throughout the World,” and it meant it.
The 1940s were a defining period for the magazine. Post-war Britain had a renewed hunger for speed, freedom, and mechanical ingenuity. “The Motor Cycle” was there to feed it. Each issue covered the latest models, interviewed top racers, and previewed major events — all wrapped in that signature blue cover.
By 1950, the motorcycle industry was booming. British brands were producing machines that riders across the globe wanted to own. “The Motor Cycle” documented every step of this growth, issue by issue, with covers that reflected the excitement of the era.
The early 1950s brought a wave of new models and rising racing stars. The magazine’s covers captured this energy directly — bold imagery, clean design, and always that unmistakable blue background tying each issue to the next.
Through 1954 and 1955, the magazine continued its consistent weekly schedule, covering race results, road tests, and technical features. For enthusiasts without access to live events, “The Motor Cycle” was the next best thing to being there.
The late 1950s saw the magazine carry its proven formula into a changing world. Motorcycle design was evolving rapidly, and each new issue reflected that shift. The blue cover remained a constant, even as the bikes featured on it grew sleeker and faster.
After 1962, the publication dropped the “The” from its name and retired the blue cover in favor of rotating background colors. The title became simply “Motor Cycle.” The look changed, but the editorial standards that had defined it since 1903 did not.
