Category: British Motor Museum

1. Classic Virgins Wanted!

   Posted on 1:02pm Monday 1st Jul 2013

   The Heritage Motor Centre is pleased to announce a new experience day providing an introduction to the classic car scene for potential or first time owners. The ‘Classic Virgins Day’, is to be held at Gaydon on Saturday 28 September.

   The day will give participants the theory of classic car ownership including choosing a classic car, finance, insurance, club support etc. The day will also include some “hands on” experience in the workshop to enable new owners to tackle basic maintenance with greater confidence. Experienced tutors will guide the participants through basic maintenance issues of lubrication, carburettor and fuel pump, ignition and brake adjustment.

   In the afternoon participants will ride in a range of classic cars through the Warwickshire countryside with a rendezvous at the Tool Connection showroom in Southam. Cars have been made available by a range of club members giving their time and, more importantly, a chance for those taking part to sample the thrill of classic motoring.

   Bob Wilkinson, Course Director, said “I’m excited about this event and sharing our enthusiasm with those considering buying a classic car. For the rides I have assembled a group of classic cars covering a range of values and styles – sports cars and saloons from several decades. The participants will be in a better position to make an informed decision about becoming a classic owner without the sales pressure which usually goes along with buying a first car. The day will be an enjoyable experience to give as a birthday present for a family member or a friend considering becoming a classic car owner”.

   Emma Rawlinson, Lifelong Learning Officer at HMC said “Car clubs have been concerned about getting the next generation of classic car owners involved in the hobby. This experience day will hopefully be just the thing to attract them. Gaydon’s central location and facilities make it ideal for such an event”.

   The cost is £50 per person including lunch, refreshments and museum entry. Please note the event is open only to those over 18 years of age. For more information about the Heritage Motor Centre please visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188.

2. Volunteers at HMC finish the restoration of a 1958 MGA chassis‏

   Posted on 1:05pm Thursday 27th Jun 2013

   A team of 25 dedicated volunteers at the Heritage Motor Centre have completed the restoration of a 1958 MGA Twin Cam Coupe chassis.  The work began in November 2012 and the restoration was completed in May 2013.  The MGA will go on display in the Museum on Tuesday 25 June.

   The MGA dates from 1958 and has been part of the Museum’s reserve collection for a number of years.  Originally a complete car, it was one of only 300 or so Twin Cam coupés made by MG and is thought to have been shown either on the Earl’s Court Motor Show stand or at the New York Motor Show. Subsequently sectioned and painted in an array of colours as a technical demonstration for apprentices and students alike, it eventually became a museum piece. Over the past seven months, the volunteers have painstakingly stripped down, cleaned, restored and repainted the MGA, retaining some of the unusual livery that the car has acquired over its lifetime.

   Now the restoration is complete the team will embark on two new projects. The first to restore a Rover gas turbine instructional unit which was designed to train students at technical colleges and universities and the second to restore a 1960 Standard Ensign which was the last model to roll off the line at Canley before the Standard marque disappeared in 1963.

   Sonja Dosanjh, Volunteer Co-Ordinator at the HMC stated “The team has thoroughly enjoyed working on this fascinating project. They have worked incredibly hard restoring the MGA to its former glory and the results have been worth the many months of dedication and commitment that the team has put in and we now look forward to our next few projects”.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

3. HMC welcomes back the one of the world's largest gathering of BMWs!

   Posted on 1:01pm Wednesday 26th Jun 2013

   One of the world’s largest gathering of BMW’s will descend on the Heritage Motor Centre when it hosts the BMW Festival, a two day event on Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 August.

   The event on the Saturday is for BMW Club Members only whereas the event on the Sunday is open to everyone. Around 3,000 BMW’s including M Power, Alpina, ZED, as well as modern, classic and modified models plus MINI’s will take part in this popular annual Festival, the highlight of the BMW events calendar.

   In addition there will be a trade village featuring numerous trade stands. The Club stand will feature the ‘Club Shop’, along with a huge BMW Tombola with a prize for everyone, all donated by BMW UK. Other exciting elements of the Festival include the National Concours final, a ‘Show & Shine’ competition, a ‘Cars for Sale’ section and large displays from the Club’s. There will also be a ‘Members’ dinner on the Saturday night when the awards for the Concours and Driving Challenges will be presented. Camping is also available on the Saturday night.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “The BMW Festival is a fantastic day out and not just for BMW enthusiasts! You can see BMW displays stretching as far as the eye can see and entry to the Museum is also included in the ticket price. If you go to one car show this summer then make sure it’s the BMW Festival!”

   Tickets on the day cost £15 for adults, £8 for children (under 5’s are free), £13 for concessions and £42 for a family. Discounted tickets are available in advance from the BMW Car Club Office on 01225 709009 or www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk

    www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

4. Lady Nuffield's 'Wolseley' restored at the Heritage Motor Centre‏

   Posted on 1:04pm Tuesday 25th Jun 2013

   In the centenary year of the production of William Morris, Lord Nuffield’s first motor car, the Heritage Motor Centre has teamed up with the National Trust to help preserve another car that played a part in his life story

   A modest Wolseley Eight dating from 1946 that his wife, Lady Nuffield, used as her every-day transport is about to receive attention in the Museum’s vehicle workshop.  The Wolseley normally resides in a small garage beside Nuffield Place, Lord and Lady Nuffield’s home near Henley-on-Thames.  Nuffield Place was taken on by the National Trust in 2012.

   Laura Gangadeen, House Manager at Nuffield Place said “We wanted to get Lady Nuffield’s Wolseley back in running order to help us promote the work that we are doing at the house, the home of William Morris and his wife for almost 30 years. We are delighted that the team at the HMC are able to help us out with the project.”

   Stephen Laing, Curator at the Heritage Motor Centre added “We are pleased to be able to assist the National Trust with the refurbishment of Lady Nuffield’s car. The extensive Morris collection here at the HMC very much complements Nuffield Place.  In particular, in the Museum we have William Morris’ own Wolseley Eight, almost identical to his wife’s car, which he used to travel back and forward to work at Cowley.”

   The car has now arrived at the Heritage Motor Centre and work will soon start to check it over and give it a mechanical overhaul.  The Centre is giving its time on the project free-of-charge and will also advise on the future upkeep of the Wolseley.  Once the work is completed, the car will return to its home as a regular feature at Nuffield Place.

   Nuffield Place home to William Morris, Lord Nuffield is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 – 16:00.

   To find out more information please visit

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

5. A classic surprise for 60th birthday celebration!

   Posted on 8:33am Wednesday 15th May 2013

   A classic car enthusiast was given a fantastic surprise to mark his 60th birthday. Steve Garrett and his wife Jacqui travelled up to Warwickshire from the south coast on Thursday 9 May to enjoy a few days away to celebrate his birthday.

   They were met at Berkswell Station by a gentleman in a 1926 Austin 12. After an enjoyable ride in the car they arrived in Kenilworth where Steve was given the keys to a Hillman Minx Deluxe Series IIIA. The car turned out to be his birthday present and not a hired classic car!

   Not only did Steve have an iconic classic car to celebrate his birthday but two days later he was able to attend the nostalgic Gaydon Spring Classic at the Heritage Motor Centre when friends and family joined them for a celebration.  Hundreds of Vintage, Veteran and Classic cars converged at the popular and nostalgic event which took place on Sunday 12 May. Steve’s son-in-law, who kept the car immaculately clean at the event, was also instrumental in helping to search for it.

   It so happened that Jacqui and Steve's first date was in 1971 when they were playing tennis after school and Jacqui suffered a sprained ankle.  Steve cycled to his brother's to borrow his Hillman Minx and take Jacqui to A&E. That particular Hillman Minx happened to be exactly the same colour as the one given to him for his 60th birthday!

   After the Spring Classic, Jacqui and Steve then spent a long romantic weekend at a National Trust Cottage at Upton House near Banbury where the car looked very much at home...