Category: British Motor Museum

1. Last flying Vulcan to fly over RAF Gaydon in salute to heroes of the Cold War‏

   Posted on 1:21pm Monday 22nd Sep 2014

   The last flying Vulcan XH558 is to fly over the former RAF Gaydon base at the Heritage Motor Centre on Thursday 25th September at approx. 3pm as part of the Vulcan Cold War tour.

   The public will be able to view the spectacular fly past from the Centres grounds and HMC have arranged for a dedicated viewing area, reserved car parking and discounted Museum entry from 12 midday of £8 per Adult, £6 per child with under 5’s free. Donations to the Vulcan Trust are optional.

   Gaydon was one of several RAF airfields in the Midlands which enjoyed two separate periods of existence, one as a wartime training base and the other when it was rebuilt and put back into service for very different aircraft. From 1942 - 1974, RAF Gaydon was home to Wellingtons during WWII, V Bombers during the Cold War, and later, Varsities and Valettas as part of the Navigation school.

   On the same day the Vulcan will fly over each of the ten RAF bases where Great Britain’s nuclear deterrent aircraft (the V-Force) were based, tipping her giant delta wings to honour those who were ready to give their lives for their country. The name V-Force comes from the names of the three aircraft developed to carry Britain’s first nuclear deterrent: Vulcan, Victor and Valiant.

   To help people see the Vulcan low over each location, the charity that operates her has established a Cold War Tour webpage including information on the route, a tracking app for smartphones and links to fascinating period video footage. This will be the last of Vulcan XH558’s flights in 2014, a year that the charity has dedicated to remembering the heroes of the Cold War.

   Visitors can learn more about the history of RAF Gaydon at a special lecture on Saturday 27 September given by John Bishop, local historian and HMC employee and aviation specialist Anthony Hooper MBE. There will also be an opportunity to visit the old RAF Gaydon Control Tower, now the Observation Tower and part of the Jaguar Land Rover site. The lecture costs just £40 per person and includes a memory lane tour, Land Rover Demo Ride, visit to the Observation Tower, lunch (one course including tea/coffee) and entry to the Museum. The lecture takes place from 10am – 4pm and must be pre booked as places are limited.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

   More information on Vulcan XH558, the tour and ways to support it can be found at www.vulcantothesky.org/CWT. There is also a popular Facebook community at www.facebook.com/VulcanXH558

    

2. Over 350 modern classic trucks descend on the Heritage Motor Centre!‏

   Posted on 9:07am Wednesday 10th Sep 2014

   The Retro Truck Show returns to the Heritage Motor Centre for its fourth year and due to its popularity, will take place over two days on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September. The show will feature a display of over 350 modern classic show trucks manufactured between 1960 and 2000 including manufacturers Volvo, Scania and Daf.

   In addition to the truck displays, there will also be an indoor model show and indoor & outdoor trade area. A seminar about ‘Middle Eastern Trucking from the 1960’s onwards’ will take place on the Saturday which has now totally sold out. In the evening there will be a disco, charity auction, food stands, licensed bar and free children’s bouncy castle.  Camping is available on the Friday and Saturday nights. On the Sunday, in addition to the Show, visitors can also enjoy free entry to the Museum which houses a display of over 180 historic cars.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted that this colourful retro show is being extended over two days. Even if you don’t own a truck, you will enjoy this show and all of its ‘truck’ fun!”

   All trucks that fall into the age category are welcome whether they are show trucks, working trucks or work in progress! There are no trophies or judging, just the opportunity for like-minded enthusiast’s to get together and admire the trucks on display.

   Tickets for the show cost £12 in advance or £15 on the day for adults, £5 in advance or £8 on the day for children and £34 in advance or £42 on the day for a family.  Gift Aid Season tickets, Tesco Club cards or any other promotional offers are not valid on this day. Parking for the public will be at the Jaguar and Land Rover car park next door to the Museum grounds but shuttles will be provided in a Double Decker bus.

    

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

3. 600 Vintage bikes ride en masse for nostalgic Banbury Run!‏

   Posted on 11:04am Monday 2nd Jun 2014

   Once again, almost 600 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will ride en masse when the Heritage Motor Centre hosts the nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run™.

   The event which is in its 66th year will run over two days with the Vintage Training Day taking place on Saturday 7 June offering Vintage Virgins the chance to ride the Motorcycles in a safe “off road” environment. The main Banbury Run™, which will take place on Sunday 8 June, is the largest gathering of pre-1931 Motorcycles & 3 Wheelers in the World.

   The Banbury Run™ is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. The exact route is kept top secret until the day, but we can exclusively reveal that it will venture through the villages of Whatcote and Great Bourton. In addition to the Run, there will also be Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “The Banbury Run is a fantastic day out for both those participating in the Run and those coming along to watch the bikes in all their glory as they set off for their annual ride around the nearby countryside. Watching the vintage motorcycles ride together is a real spectacle to see!”

   The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the Banbury Run™ beginning at 10am. Tickets for the Run cost £6 in advance or £8 on the day for adults, children and concessions and £25 for a family on the day.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188. For more information about the Vintage Training Day contact Natalie Thornhill on her email [email protected].

4. Heritage Motor Centre to celebrate its 21st birthday‏

   Posted on 2:15pm Tuesday 1st Apr 2014

   The Heritage Motor Centre (HMC) in Gaydon, Warwickshire will celebrate its 21st birthday in May by hosting a special exhibition “21 Years 21 Icons” featuring products and people that represent the very best of British motoring. Since the Museum opened on 1 May 1993, its collection has been renowned as one of the finest selections of British motor cars. The museum tells the story of the people that have shaped Britain’s love affair with the motor car and also houses some of the world’s best known examples of automotive design and technology.

   The exhibition, which will run from 2 May to the end of December 2014, will feature 21 iconic automotive products including 7 motoring icons, 7 motoring inventions and 7 motoring innovators. From the elegant Jaguar E-type to the black taxi cab to tyres and Cat’s Eyes and iconic motoring figures like Alec Issigonis and William Morris, all embody the pioneering spirit of Britain’s contribution to the motor industry. For each of the 21, the exhibition will explore their history and why they are so important to Britain’s automotive evolution. The exhibition will tell the stories of some of the talented people that have shaped the industry including racer Stirling Moss and Lotus boss Colin Chapman plus it will highlight some of the inventions where Britain led the way including the pneumatic tyre and disc brake.

   There will be hands-on interactive fun for all the family as they tour the exhibition plus there will be an opportunity for visitors to make suggestions for their own favourite British designs and personality icons from the motoring world.

   As part of the Centre’s 21st celebrations it is also offering the opportunity for residents from neighbouring villages of Gaydon and Lighthourne Heath to visit the HMC on the 2, 3, 4 & 5 May for just £5 per person, the original price when the Centre opened 21 years ago. Residents need to bring a utility bill and photographic I.D. showing where they live.

   Stephen Laing, Curator at the Heritage Motor Centre stated "The Heritage Motor Centre has been celebrating the best of Britain’s car industry for 21 years. It has been a difficult task to choose just 21 products, people and pioneering inventions that represent motoring, the motor car and its industry in Britain. Of course our exhibition showcases only a small selection of Britain’s contribution to motoring. We hope visitors will enjoy this exciting new exhibition and celebrate with us the very best of British motoring”.

   To add to the 21st celebrations, the HMC was delighted to announce last week the news of its new Heritage Lottery funded Museum Collection Centre. The £4 million project will see an entire new two story building opening in 2015 which will house the Trusts reserve car collection along with a viewing gallery into a new workshop and a lifelong learning education zone.

   Tim Bryan, Head of Collections & Interpretation said: "It will allow us to make our collections far more accessible and will enable people to learn more about the motor industry which has played such an important role in the West Midlands".

   Entry to the “21 Years 21 Icons” exhibition is included in the Museum entry fee which is Adults £12, Child £8 (5-16 years) under 5 free, Concessions £10 & Family £34 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Buy one day and get 12 months free if you Gift Aid your entrance.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

5. BMIHT wins support from Heritage Lottery Fund for a £4 million project‏

   Posted on 10:29am Wednesday 26th Mar 2014

   The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, based at the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon, Warwickshire has been awarded a Round Two grant of £1.45 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its Museum Collections Centre project, it was announced today. The award is the culmination of more than 2 years work to develop plans for a new building in which to store and display more than 200 historic British cars from the collections of both the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and its partner the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.

   The £4 million project received initial support from HLF in 2011, and the latest HLF grant, together with match funding from Jaguar Land Rover, The Garfield Weston Foundation and both Trusts, will enable work on this exciting new project to begin in the spring of 2014.

   The new Museum Collection Centre will enable people to view many cars from the reserve collections of both Trusts for the first time in a purpose-built facility which will also include a vehicle restoration and conservation workshop and space for enhanced education and lifelong learning programmes. In addition, the project will also include an ambitious programme of activities aiming to involve people locally and regionally through outreach and learning events. It will also aid the further development of the Trust’s existing volunteer programme which allows people to become more involved with the collection, by helping with its conservation and interpretation.

   Tim Bryan, Head of Collections & Interpretation at the Heritage Motor Centre said: "We are delighted that, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Jaguar Land Rover and our other partners, this exciting project will become a reality. It will allow us to make our collections far more accessible and will enable people to learn more about the motor industry, which has played such an important role in the West Midlands".

   Reyahn King, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for the West Midlands said: “We are delighted to support this project that not only provides a new and improved display and storage venue for these historic cars, but also creates opportunities for more people to learn about their conservation."