Category: British Motor Museum

1. Celebrate all things Land Rover at annual Heritage Show!

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 12th Apr 2011

   The Heritage Motor Centre is to host the popular annual Heritage Land Rover Show on Sunday 1 May.

   Thousands of enthusiasts and club members are expected to converge at the show to enjoy a great family day out. Featuring many different models on display, visitors can also enjoy a number of rides on the new improved Land Rover Experience off-road course including passenger experiences, test tracks and heritage rides. There will also be a special appearance from Shaun the Sheep’s Land Rover, plus Ian Cook, the radical artist, will be painting the new Range Rover Evoque. Ian uses a unique style of painting using remote control cars on canvas. Attending the show is the perfect opportunity to see how his creations are produced and to create your very own masterpiece!

   Another fantastic exhibition to be showcased during the show is the Land Rover Legacy Travelling Exhibition. The exhibition tells the story of the Lode Lane factory, its people and products, from 1940 to the present day and features photographs from the Archives of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.

   To celebrate Land Rover’s 63rd Birthday, the annual Heritage Run from Lode Lane in Solihull to the HMC will take place. Starting from the home of the legend at the Land Rover factory in Solihull at 10:00am, the procession is due to arrive at the HMC at 11:00am. Featuring around 150 cars, the Heritage Run is an amazing spectacle to see.

   Emma Rawlinson, Events Executive at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re delighted to be hosting this special event which is an absolute must for Land Rover and Range Rover enthusiasts. For many the show is the highlight on the events calendar and a definite date in the diary for anyone who loves these famous iconic models”.

   The show will be open from 10am – 5pm. General admission prices are £11 in advance or £14 on the day for adults, £9 in advance or £12 on the day for concessions, £5 in advance or £8 on the day for children aged 5 – 16. Under 5’s are admitted free of charge. An advance family ticket costs £30 in advance or £40 on the day and admits 2 adults and 3 children. This year visitors can camp for 3 nights on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday for just £30 in advance and take advantage of a special Museum and Show entrance offer of just £18 for all three days. Advance tickets and camping can be purchased by phoning the ticket hotline on 01926 645029 Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5pm. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on-line at www.hlrw.co.uk
   

   The HMC is also having a large screen brought in so visitors can watch the Royal Wedding on the Friday. The Centre provides the perfect place to spend the entire Bank Holiday Weekend plus visitors can take advantage of the special Royal Wedding ticket. As well as watching the wedding, visitors can gain access to the museum all weekend, see the new ‘Sci-Fi at the Movies’ exhibition, and attend the Heritage Land Rover show on the Sunday! To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
   

2. Legendary Sci-Fi characters converge at the Heritage Motor Centre!

   Posted on 12:00am Friday 28th Jan 2011

   ‘Sci-Fi at the Movies’ is the latest exciting exhibition to be staged at the Heritage Motor Centre giving visitors the opportunity of seeing original artefacts, replica models and costumes from legendary past and present Science Fiction movies. This unique exhibition, which runs from 19 February – 4 September, will showcase some of the most popular and iconic superheroes and villains from films such as Star Wars, E.T. Harry Potter, Aliens, Batman, Spiderman and Superman.

   This unique exhibition will not only showcase these famous and iconic characters complete with weaponry and costumes but will also take visitors on a fascinating journey of discovery providing an amazing insight into film history, character profiles and little known film trivia. All the rare artefacts are on loan from the private collection of ‘Skywalkers Promotions’ and would not normally be available for the public to view.

   Visitors will be able to wander through six different zones propelling them into the presence of some of the most infamous characters that have enriched the plot lines of these world famous films.  The “Creature Zone” will display creatures from the friendly E.T to the rebellious Gremlins. Replicas of the famous crew uniforms will be displayed in the “Star Trek Zone”. The “Star Wars Zone” will include characters such as Jabba the Hut, Yoda and Darth Vader which have made this hugely successful film such a phenomenon. Other zones include “Alien & Predator”, “Miscellaneous” incorporating Robocop, Terminator and Battlestar Galactica and “Comic Book Heroes” featuring an amazing display of costumes from Spider-Man, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman as well as masks from Dr Doom and the Iron Man.

   Penny Tyler, Marketing Officer at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “I wouldn't normally describe myself as a Sci-Fi fan, but with so many different characters, from such a wide spectrum of films, I have had to think again! This exhibition really is a must for everyone and not just science-fiction fans, I know my kids will love it, plus you get to see all our fantastic British cars whilst you are here.  We are extremely privileged to be able to host such an exciting and prestigious exhibition, it is a truly unique opportunity to see original artefacts, replica models and costumes from a private collection!”

   During the school holidays there are a number of special Sci-Fi activities running alongside the exhibition.  Sci-Fi Half Term Fun runs from 19 – 27 February whilst on 24 February there will be special  Sci-Fi themed family craft activities from 11am - 3pm in the Education Room.  Sci-Fi Mad - May Half Term Activities takes place from28 May – 5 June with special Sci-Fi themed craft activities on 2 June.  

   A special fun-filled family Sci-fi Weekend will take place on9 & 10 July with the opportunity to meet some of your favourite Sci-Fi and Superhero characters. You can even come in fancy dress yourself and have your photo taken with the other characters.  From 23 July – 4 September visitors can enjoy Summer Holiday Sci-Fi Fun incorporating the exhibition plusdaily quizzes and activities including special family craft activity days every Thursday throughout the summerholidays. 

   In addition to the museum, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities including the Miniature Roadway and the Land Rover 4x4 Experience. Stop Start - learner driving experiences for 15+ years in dual controlled vehicles are a great way for teenagers to get behind the wheel.

   There is no extra charge for the new Sci-Fi exhibition as it is included in the standard Museum entry fees. However, on the opening day of 19 February, Gift Aid Season tickets, Tesco Club cards and any other promotional offers will not be valid.   Museum entry fees are: Adults priced at £11, Children priced at £8 (5-16 years) under 5’s are free, Concessions are priced at £9 and a Family ticket is priced at £34.

   Sci-Fi at the Movies is just one of many exciting and unique events to take place at the Heritage Motor Centre in 2011. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
   

3. Heritage Motor Centre scoops Gold Tourism Oscar!

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 27th Oct 2010

   The Heritage Motor Centre is celebrating after winning a joint Gold Award for Regional Culture at the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards. The winners of the highly coveted awards were announced last Thursday at a glittering awards ceremony at Birmingham University’s Great Hall. Hosted by Central TV presenter Bob Warman, the awards celebrate the very best in tourism from the Heart of England, an industry that contributes £6 billion a year to the West Midlands economy.

   The Heritage Motor Centre is committed to preserving the region’s motor heritage and culture. The HMC houses the collections of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and contains the finest collection of British motor cars in the world. The region’s motor heritage is also actively preserved in the Trust archive which is accessible to visitors. Heritage Lottery funding has enabled the Trust to begin “Land Rover Legacy”, an exciting project which aims to make more of their collection of Land Rover and Rover material available to the public through their website and a special exhibition on the factory at Solihull.

   Brian Summers, Chairman of Tourism West Midlands said, “The awards showcased the very best in the Heart of England’s tourism industry, proving yet again how important tourism is to our regional economy and offering. We are lucky in the Heart of England to be home to such a diverse range of tourism businesses and I was delighted to see a range of new and more established attractions attending, clearly demonstrating that our tourism sector isn’t standing still, but is constantly looking forward and growing”.

   Julie Tew, Managing Director at the Heritage Motor Centre, said: “We are extremely proud and delighted to have won this highly coveted award. It is a wonderful achievement for my team and the Heritage Motor Centre to be recognized and rewarded at such a prestigious ceremony”.

   To find out more information about the Heritage Motor Centre, please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
   

4. Legendary TV & Film Cars on display at Heritage Motor Centre

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 21st Jul 2010

   Batmobile, the new Judge Dredd vehicle, Del-boys Reliant Robin and Shaun the Sheep's Land Rover are just some of the original ‘Star Cars’ on display at the Heritage Motor Centre. Star Cars, which takes place from Saturday 24 July – Sunday 5 September from 10am - 5pm, is a special exhibition featuring a whole host of famous cars from TV and films.

   This exciting new exhibition will take visitors around legendary vehicles such as Batman's & Robins Batcycle, James Bonds Aston Martin Vanquish from ‘Die Another Day’, Lara Crofts Land Rover Defender from ‘Tomb Raider’, James Bonds Aston Martin DBS from ‘Quantum of Solace’, the PGO Cevennes bought by Rosie Webster in ‘Coronation Street’ and Dr Who's 'Bessie' a Siva Ford tourer built for the 3^rd Doctor Who.

   Others Star Cars include Lady Penelope's FAB1, Truly Scrumptious Humber 8hp from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, the Mini Cooper from the 2003‘Italian Job’, a 1908 Austin Grand prix car from ‘The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes’, Noddy's Car and Yabba-Dabba-Doo, the Flintstones family car and Fred's sports car.

   Running alongside the exhibition will be a number of children's activities themed around Star Car. Daily activities include a Star Car quiz and Star Car colouring competition which all the family can enjoy. 

   Every Thursday a ‘Star Car Activity Day’ will take place in the Education Room featuring a number of special Star Car themed craft activities.  Offered free of charge, children can make their own Hollywood star door plaque, decorate their own Land Rover or make their own Timmy and Shaun the Sheep - just some of the crafts on offer! There will even be some special children's tours led by the Heritage Motor Centre's very own Batman! 

   In addition to the museum, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities including Go Karts, Miniature Roadway and the 4x4 Experience. Sessions run daily, weather permitting, from 11am – 4:00pm and are open to non-museum visitors. Stop Start - learner driving experiences for 15+ years in dual controlled vehicles are a great way for teenagers to get behind the wheel. The 1 hour sessions cost £30 and include entrance to the museum for the driver. Sessions take place every Thursday and pre-booking is essential.

   Stephen Laing, Museum Curator for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “Our special Star Cars summer exhibition features a fantastic and unique collection of famous cars that visitors can walk around and admire. You would never usually find so many legendary cars together under one roof! Along with Star Cars, children’s quizzes & competitions plus our range of outdoor activities, the Heritage Motor Centre has something for everyone to enjoy this summer”. 

   Visitors can take advantage of the museums ‘Gift Aid' scheme bychoosing to Gift Aid their entry on arrival and receive a 12 months entry ticket at no extra cost. Visitors can then return for a whole year - for free! (terms & conditions apply). Museum entry is: Adult £9, Concession £8, Child (5-16), £7 Family, £28 (2 adults and up to 3 children). Prices per ride for the Go-Karts are £6.00 for adults, £4.00 for children and concessions. Rides for the Miniature Roadway cost £3.00.

   Star Cars is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at The Heritage Motor Centre in 2010. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
   

5. 'Gaydon Mini Festival' celebrates Britain's favourite iconic little car!

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 30th Jun 2010

   Hundreds of Mini’s will converge at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 4 July for the Gaydon Mini Festival. The annual event is expected to attract thousands of Mini enthusiasts, keen to celebrate Britain’s favourite iconic little car.

   A Heritage Run of 30 Mini’s including classic models and present day MINI’s will depart from the MINI Plant Oxford. The last Mini to leave will be the latest 2010 MINI model. MINI Plant Oxford Managing Director Dr Juergen Hedrich will be there to flag the drivers away at 10:00am with the procession due to arrive at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon at 11:00am.

   The Mini Festival includes a host of exciting Mini activities including the Quick Shift Mini stand with children’s activities for under 14's, the Mini cutout corner, the inter club challenge, Car of the Year competition, Mini Trade village and the infamous Heritage Run. A Mini party will take place the night before the show on Saturday 3 July featuring a quiz, skittles and disco.

   Advance tickets costs £9 or £11 on the day for adults, £8 in advance or £10 on the day for children and £28 for an advance family ticket or £38 on the day. Camping is available for the evening of Saturday 3 July. Prices are £13 in advance or £18 on the day. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the new ticket hotline on 01926 287728 Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5pm. 

   The Gaydon Mini Festival is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at The Heritage Motor Centre in 2010.

    

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk