James May discovers how the car became an everyday part of normal people's lives.

Ch1. Dictators Moving the Masses
Examines the social significance of cars in the 20th century. He begins by travelling to Germany, Italy and Russia to examine how dictators kick-started the mobilization of the masses, finding tales of design brilliance, abject failure, war, fraud and double dealing. James also learns about how the British motor industry blew a gift-wrapped chance to rule the world and he gets his own back with a stunt that means bad news for one of the planet's most hated cars.

Ch2. Microcars and Vans
Explores the weird world of small vehicles. He discovers how austerity and fears of congestion led to European disasters in the shape of Britain's infamous three-wheelers, French death traps and German absurdities, and also takes to the battlefield to settle one of the greatest rivalries in car history.

Ch3. Climbing the Social Ladder
Explores how aspiration and new wealth were behind the development of some of the greatest models ever made. He tries to make sense of the baffling world of company car hierarchy by holding a travelling salesman race-off and indulges his 1980s urges with the twin delights of a Lamborghini and a Porsche. He also unveils his choice of the ultimate people's car - a vehicle that can lay claim to being the greatest in history.