Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (orig. US campus) to move quickly, to leave.

1967		M. Brookins ‘Aspiration’ in Kochman Rappin’ and Stylin’ Out (1972) 384: She said, ‘Crazy, baby; let's motor. The keys are in the switch.’.
1989		D. Waters Heathers [film script] Great paté, but I gotta motor if I want to be ready for that party tonight.
1997		N. Barlay Curvy Lovebox 67: Less mo’or.
2009		L. McIlvanney All the Colours 316: ‘Better motor, Gerry boy. We’ll never get a seat’.
2010		L. Redhead Thrill City [ebook] [I] motored back to Victoria before she could up and leave.

2. to get started, to go well.

1969		B. Beckham My Main Mother 103: On to the nitty gritty [...] We’re shifting some well-oiled gears now, we’re ready to motor, jim. Ready to hear about Jeff?
1999		K. Sampson Powder 26: From now on they could get things motoring, starting first thing Monday.