The effect of the motor car on the built landscape, the story of the only British motor manufacturer to be detained as a potential fifth-columnist in the second world war, the man behind the successful world speed record attempts of the 1930s and 1940s as well as the histories of a racing garagiste and his team, and motor car manufacturers large and small. These are just some of the subjects covered by the first eight annual winners of the Michael Sedgwick Award. The award panel are looking for the ninth winner, which would normally be announced at the Autumn Seminar of the Society of Automotive Historians in Britain. This event has now been cancelled in view of the current pandemic, but the award will take place regardless, with results being published in the Winter 2020 issue of SAHB Times (#103). Eligible books will have been published in the year to 30th June 2020, in the English language and about aspects of motoring in Britain. The judges will be looking for excellence in research, presentation, readability and novelty, furthering our understanding of the subject. One of the books on the longlist is Louis Coatalen - Engineering Impressario of Humber, Sunbeam, Talbot and Darraq by Oliver Heal, which was financially supported by the MSMT.
Past winners have been:
| Year | Book Title | Author | Publisher |
| 2019 | The All-British Marendaz Special | Graham Skillen | Fonthill Media |
| 2018 | Reid Railton – Man of Speed | Karl Ludvigsen | Evro Publishing |
| 2017 | Wolseley - A Very British Car | Anders Clausager | Herridge & Sons |
| 2016 | Skinners Union | Mike Harvey | The S.U. Carburettor Co |
| 2015 | Harry Lester – His Cars and the Monkey Stable | Stewart Penfound | BR Books |
| 2014 | Morris – The Cars and the Company | Jon Pressnell | Haynes Publishing |
| 2013 | Carscapes | Kathryn A. Morrison & John Minnis | Yale University Press |
| 2012 | Coachcraft - 1930s Coachbuilding Style | John Dyson | The Railton Owers Club |
