The Motor Girls

"The Motor Girls" by Margaret Penrose is a story about a group of adventurous young women experiencing life with automobiles during a unique moment in time. Cora Kimball, a strong-willed young woman, gets a new motor car for her birthday, which kicks off her entry into the exciting world of driving and the social connections that come with it. The story begins with Cora and her brother Jack talking about her new car, which leads to playful jokes between them. Cora is anxious to learn how to drive, even though her mother wants her to wait. Shortly after we see her and her friends, the Robinson twins, as they head to a garage to find out more about her vehicle. The beginning shows a combination of youthful energy, comedy, and the problems of early car travel, suggesting future adventures and the complicated friendships that lie ahead.