Category: British Motor Museum

1. British Motor Museum launches its Online Collections!

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 16th Sep 2022

   The British Motor Museum has launched its Online Collections, enabling anyone to explore and find out more about the collection vehicles documented in detail on the website. This is the culmination of a number of years behind the scenes work, including during lockdown. By digitising the vehicle collections, the Museum is inviting anyone to learn, enjoy and be inspired by the heritage that it preserves.

   During the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, the Museum recognised the importance of connecting with people, especially when the building was unable to open to the public. During this period, technology helped people across the globe to learn and communicate. Behind the scenes at the Museum, work was underway to implement this concept across the vehicle collection.

   Cat Boxall, Curator at the British Motor Museum, said “Collections and artefacts form a major part of the draw of the Museum, as being valuable resources to tell stories about environments, places, processes and people throughout history. In exploring and learning about the collections when the doors were closed to the public, it has become increasingly clear that the impact of the British motor industry is felt far beyond the reaches of the UK. The launch of the Online Collections portal enables access for audiences anywhere in the world”.

   The British Motor Museum loves to work with people, collections and places across the UK. Another feature of the Online Collections means that staff, researchers and visitors alike will be able to access all the information about any vehicle in the collection and where it is currently on display – be that on loan, at an event, in the Museum or in the Collections Centre building. 

   Alongside the location of vehicles, users of the Online Collections will be able to see more technical vehicle information, images of the cars and key historic information associated with each entry. Having a vast collection of around 400 cars makes it difficult to get everything on display, but the access that the new portal provides means that even the unseen portions of the Museum’s collection can be enjoyed by anyone!

   Launched as part of the Heritage Open Days festival to raise awareness and appreciation of the amazing collection, the Museum hopes the Online Collections portal will add to the growing digital presence of the Museum as it continues to develop online exhibitions programmes following the success of Metro at Forty back in 2020.

    

   The portal can be assessed by the public through the Museum’s normal website from 9 September at: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/explore/collections/car-collection

2. Celebrate the MGB’s 60th birthday at the British Motor Museum!

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 18th Aug 2022

   The British Motor Museum will celebrate the 60^th birthday of the MGB at a special event on Sunday 25 September. This event will appeal to anyone who loves MGB cars, whether they have owned one in the past, know someone who has one or would simply like to see some of these iconic cars proudly displayed together. The cars will be displayed outside the front of the Museum from 10am – 4pm.

   Visitors can enjoy a number of special arena events with interviews by commentators and experts on selected cars and their owners. There will be a timeline of MGB Roadster cars from 1962 to 1980 and the MGB GT from 1965 to 1980, showcasing a car from each production year. Visitors can also enjoy entertainment from popular singing trio 'My Favourite Things' and Kev Read, an acoustic singer.

   Inside the Museum, visitors will find a number of milestone moments from MG history such as the 1925 ‘Old Number One’ which was the inspiration for the MG sports car. There is also a special cross sectioned MGB GT that shows the inner workings and design of this famous car.

   The MGB Register of the MG Car Club is also offering visitors the opportunity to purchase Event Rally Plates and other Regalia to commemorate the anniversary which can be purchased from their event website www.mgb60.com

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “We’re delighted to be hosting this special event to celebrate the 60^th birthday of the iconic MGB with displays, live music and commentary. A landmark anniversary like this doesn’t come along very often so please do join us and make the most of a superb day out!”

   Vehicle display is just £10 which includes entry to display a vehicle and admission. Vehicle entries close on Friday 3 September.  Show tickets cost £14.50 per adult, £9 per child, £12.50 per concession and £40 for a family. All tickets must be pre-booked and include entry to the Museum and the Jaguar Heritage Trust Collection.

   For more information about the event please or call 01926 895300 or visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/mgb-60th-anniversary 

3. Enjoy six fantastic motoring shows at the British Motor Museum this July!

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 27th May 2022

   The British Motor Museum will be hosting six fantastic motoring shows in July which will include the Wythall Busfest on 2 July, the Electric Vehicle Festival on 3 July, the BMC & Leyland Show on 10 July, the Old Ford Rally and Rootes Heritage Day, both on 17 July & the Big MINI show on 24 July.

   The Wythall Busfest is arranged in partnership with the Transport Museum Wythall and will feature restored, vintage, and modern buses and coaches. Fuzz Townshend from Car SOS will open the show which will also celebrate 50 years of the Leyland National Bus and National Express Coaches, with several working examples on display. There will be a Q&A with Leyland National celebrities from across the bus industry and a stunning photo portfolio of the Leyland National.

   The Electric Vehicles Festival, which began in 2019, will give visitors the opportunity to see hundreds of electric vehicles in one place. All owners of a fully electric vehicles are welcome to join the show and display their vehicles be it an Electric Car, E-Commercial, E-Bike, E-Scooter, E-Boat, E-Motorbike, E-Buses and E-Coaches. The festival is also the perfect place for those thinking about 'going electric' with an array of different makes and models on display as well as the opportunity to talk to the owners.

   The BMC & Leyland Show will feature a huge range of British marques that were produced by the British Motor Corporation, British Leyland and The Rover Group. Hundreds of vehicles will be lined up outside the Museum from Minis and Morris Minors, to the larger Rover 800s, Montegos and Maestros as well as vans and lorries. 2022 marks 60 years of the Austin/Morris 1100/1300 and the organisers are appealing for owners of those makes to come along and display their cars. The organisers will also be welcoming the TR Drivers Club who hold their National Rally the day before the show.

   The Old Ford Rally will enable fans to see around 400 classic Fords, many of which are aged between 50 – 100 years old. Visitors can see a huge range from Model Ts to the cars of the pre-war austerity years as well as the more luxurious post-war Zephyrs, Zodiacs and Granadas. There will also be the popular Anglias, Mk1 and Mk2 Cortinas, Capris, Escorts and Fiestas. The Capri 280 Group will be celebrating their 35^th anniversary and forming the largest gathering of Capri 280s since their production.

   Taking place alongside the Old Ford Rally, the Rootes Archive Centre Trust will be holding their first ever Rootes Heritage Day, celebrating of all kinds of Rootes classics, from earlier Hillmans, Humbers, Sunbeams and Singers to the later Chryslers, Simcas and Talbots. Ticket holders on the 17 July will be able to enjoy both the Old Ford and Rootes shows as well as entry to the Museum all with the one ticket.

   The Big MINI show is a major show for MINIs post 2000 and showcasing the JCW Owners.  With so many enthusiasts embracing the reimagining of the iconic marque, a show for Modern MINIs has been long overdue. The launch of JCW National Day in 2021 proved to be a great success whether modern or classic, anything MINI or Mini goes! There will be a special guest section where original Minis will be invited to go on display. Clubs attending the show will include Minibitz, R53OC, R50 soundkit register and many more JCW pages and registers. Former MINI John Cooper challenge race drivers will also be reuniting at the show as well many regional groups from around the UK. 

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “We have a wide range of fantastic motoring shows for our visitors and enthusiasts to enjoy in July. With so much choice there’s something for everyone from fans of classic cars to modern MINI’s. This year  many of our shows are also enjoying celebrations to mark milestone anniversaries!”

   Advance show tickets cost £14.50 per adult, £9 per child, £12.50 per concession and £40 for a family. Anyone wishing to enter a vehicle into a show can do so online. Camping is also available some of the shows. Tickets on the day cost more. To find out more information about the shows please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on or call 01926 895300.

    

4. Plenty of ideas for Father’s Day at the British Motor Museum!

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 25th May 2022

   The British Motor Museum has plenty of ideas for Father’s Day on Sunday 19 June, whether it’s a special day out or a unique gift that you are looking for. Those visiting the Museum on Father’s Day itself, can enjoy the spectacle of 500 vintage and veteran motorcycles at the annual Vintage Motor Cycle Club's Banbury Run. It’s the biggest gathering of motorcycles and three-wheelers produced before 1931 and makes for a wonderful spectacle.  

   Why not treat Dad to an annual Membership at the Museum so he can enjoy admiring over 400 British classic cars and attending all the motoring shows. Membership starts from £42 a year and not only includes free entry to the Museum and its events, but also special Member only events including ‘Museum on the Move’ where you get to ride in a selection of the Museum’s cars. Find out more at britishmotormuseum.co.uk/membership.

   If you’re looking for the ideal gift for an owner of a cherished classic car, then take a look at the Heritage Certificate products. Heritage Certificates are the official ‘Certified Copy of a Factory Record’ for a classic car showing the car’s specification as it left the production line. For more information visit britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive/heritage-certificates. Orders placed by 31 May can be prepared in time for Father’s day.

   The Museum’s online shop also stocks a range of gifts from novelty motoring themed items such as ‘Dads Garage’ and ‘Man Cave’ tin signs, to motoring cuff links, hip flasks, mugs, and memorabilia as well as many unique marque products. To find more Father’s Day gift ideas please visit britishmotormuseum.co.uk/shop.

   Museum entry is just £40 for a family in advance or £44 on the day, £14.50 for adults in advance or £16 on the day, £12.50 for concessions in advance or £14 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and get an Annual Pass in return, at no extra cost.

5. 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay to visit the British Motor Museum!

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 17th May 2022

   The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the British Motor Museum on Friday 22 July as part of its route around Britain. The Baton will spend 10 days in the West Midlands during its final journey through England this summer. During its time in the Stratford-on-Avon District, the Queen's Baton Relay will also visit the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon after visiting the British Motor Museum.

   Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16^th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. The Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer. The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July.

   Jeff Coope, Managing Director of the British Motor Museum, said: “We feel very privileged that the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the Museum on the morning of the 22 July. We are looking forward to celebrating the arrival of the Baton and will be working with our local community and visitors to give it a warm welcome, including hosting a special parade of British iconic cars and a display of Royal Cars that we have in our prized collection.”

   The Baton will arrive at the Museum at approximately 9:53am, leaving 20 minutes later. Members of the public are encouraged to come and line the Museum’s main driveway to watch the Baton and parade of British cars. There will also be a special Gaydon Gathering of 200 British classics which spectators can view whilst the Baton entourage goes into the Museum for a private demonstration of STEM activities by the Museum’s Learning team and the STEM ambassadors from MOD Kineton.

   The Museum itself will stay closed to the public until 11am but, after the Baton has left (approximately 10.30am), it will then open its doors to spectators of the Queen’s Baton Relay event offering a special discounted entry for the day of £10 for adults and £7 for children. Inside the Welcome Gallery visitors will be able view a display of vehicles from the Royal household including the first bespoke Royal Land Rover state review car, one of the fleet of vehicles used for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s first Commonwealth Tour in 1953/4 and a 1971 Rover P5B, the personal property of HM the Queen but on long term loan to the Museum. 

   More information about the Queen’s Baton Relay event at the British Motor Museum along with how to reserve FREE spectator tickets and QBR Gaydon Gathering tickets will be available shortly on the Museums website www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on. For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr