| | Biker News - Regularly updated
Category: British Motor Museum
-
The British Motor Museum first opened its doors to the public at its site in Gaydon 30 years ago! Visitors got their first look at the world’s largest collections of historic British cars inside the impressive brand-new building on 1 May 1993. The Museum will be marking its milestone anniversary with a week-long 30th Anniversary Celebration from 14-20 August.
The origins of the Museum’s collections date back to 1975 when Leyland Historic Vehicles was founded to look after vehicles which had been kept for historic or publicity purposes by several individual companies that made up British Leyland Motor Corporation. By 1983, the archive and vehicle collections had grown to the point where it was decided to establish an independent charitable trust to safeguard them, and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) was born. The collections rapidly outgrew the Museum at Syon Park, London and the headquarters at Studley Castle. With the help of an £8m investment from Rover Group, a new home was found in Gaydon, Warwickshire – bringing a brand-new visitor attraction to the area.
The building was designed not only to house the cars and extensive motoring archive but also to offer educational and purpose-built conference facilities to ensure its long-term sustainability. The purpose was, and still is, to collect, conserve and share the story of Britain’s motor industry from its inception to the current day, for today’s generation and into the future.
Thirty years on, the British Motor Museum has gone from strength to strength. The collections have Designated Status, recognising their national and international significance. The number of cars on display exceeds 400, with vehicles from the Jaguar Heritage and Vauxhall Heritage collections adding to those belonging to the Trust. The Mezzanine floor, opened by HRH Princess Anne, was added in 2007, followed just 8 years later by a whole new building - the Collections Centre – where the reserve collection is now accessible to the public.
The Museum also has a number of aspirational plans for development over the next few years, from the addition of a hotel to a glass ‘wrap’ around the front of the building and from an EV super hub to an apprentice academy.
Jeff Coope, Managing Director at the British Motor Museum said: “The history of Britain’s motoring industry is the heart and soul of the Museum, and our vision is ultimately to become the global focal point of all Britain’s automotive history and culture. The next 30 years are sure to bring as much, if not more, change than the last 30, and we are excited to be along for the ride.”
To find out more information about the Museum please call 01926 895300 or visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
-
The British Motor Museum will celebrate the 100th birthday of the MG at a special event on Saturday 27 May. This event will appeal to anyone who loves MG cars, whether they have owned one in the past, know someone who has one or would simply like to see these iconic cars proudly displayed together. The MG Owners' Club, the Early MG Society, the MG Octagon Car Club, the MG 'T' Society, and the MG Car Club have all joined forces to organise this exciting centenary event.
There will be plenty for visitors to enjoy including a timeline of 100 MGs on display, plus the 1925 ‘Old Number One’, which was the inspiration for the MG sports car. There will also be a Spitfire flypast (subject to weather), MG Specialist traders, souvenir merchandise, MG archive films in the cinema, a Pride of Ownership competition, Sporting Bears charity rides and a series of road runs arriving throughout the day. Visitors can also enjoy entertainment from the Barn-Ettes, a popular vintage singing group. In the evening, there will be a Centenary Dinner with guest speaker, Dr Ian Pogson, which will be ticketed separately via https://www.mgcentenary.co.uk/.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, stated, “We’re delighted to be hosting this special event to celebrate the 100th birthday of the iconic MG with displays, a Spitfire flypast, competitions, charity rides, live music and a special dinner in the evening. A landmark anniversary like this doesn’t come along too often, so please do come along and make the most of a superb and memorable day out!
Vehicle display is just £10, which includes entry to display a vehicle and admission. Tickets for the 3-course dinner cost £49.95 per person. 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 Daimler Heritage Trust Collection.
For more information about the event, please call 01926 895300 or visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/mg-centenary
-
The British Motor Museum will enable visitors to celebrate two of Britain’s best-loved small cars when it hosts the ‘National Metro & Mini Show’ on Sunday 4 June. This popular show is regarded as the main event of the year for owners of Metros, classic Minis, and modern MINIs to unite to celebrate their cars. Hundreds of these iconic vehicles can be found on display outside the Museum for visitors to admire and reminisce over.
The Museum is delighted to announce that the Concours competition is returning this year, offering visitors the opportunity to see the judges assess the cars against their Concours criteria. The competition is free to enter for vehicle exhibitors, and entry forms are available from the British Motor Museum website. Metro classes include Austin Metros, MG Metros and Rover Metros/100s. Mini classes include 59 & 79, 80 & 2000 (including 2000 Mini classics, not BMW Minis), 2000 Onwards (BMWs) and Custom Minis. There will also be a single "Show and Shine" class that anyone can sign up for on the day.
Hot meals, sweet treats and refreshments are available at the Junction 12 Café, or ice creams and burgers are available outside.
Tickets for the show include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre, giving visitors the chance to see over 400 cars from the collection, including the last Rover 100 produced, which is signed by 1200 people involved in the Metro production, along with the very first Mini ‘621 AOK', the very last classic Mini produced at Longbridge ‘X411 JOP' and the Monte Carlo Rally winning Minis of 1964, 1965 and 1967.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, stated, “The show boasts hundreds of cars, from everyday classics to the weird and wonderful designs and special editions, no matter their age or condition! Popular with enthusiasts, this show is also a great hit with families with plenty of entertainment for our younger visitors!”
Camping is also available on Saturday 3 June for those that want to make a weekend of it. Advance show tickets cost £14.50 per adult, £9 per child, £12.50 per concession and £40 for a family. Anyone wishing to enter their Mini or Metro into the show can do so online for just £9. This includes entry to the show for the driver and one passenger. Additional tickets are available to purchase if extra passengers are required.
To find out more information about the show, please call 01926 895300, or visit the website at: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/national-metro-and-mini-show
-
Visitors are invited to join ‘Bessie the Bus’ for her birthday bash at the British Motor Museum this Easter from 1 – 16 April. Bessie is an AEC S-type Bus on long term loan from the London Transport Museum which first went into service on London’s Route 76 roads in April 1923.
To celebrate her first trip, children can make their very own 3D cardboard cut-out Bessie to take home. Mavis the bus clippie, or Jim the bus driver, will be giving fun and informative tours of the Museum ending with a chance to climb aboard Bessie and see for themselves what bus travel looked like 100 years ago! The popular ‘Colour Creator’ Trail will also be returning for the holidays, taking visitors around the Museum to explore the colours in the collection.
Over the Easter Weekend from the 7 – 10 April, younger visitors can also enjoy an entertaining Easter Egg hunt around the collection. Children can pick up an Easter basket and search for eggs that are hidden around the cars.
Emma Rawlinson, Lifelong Learning Officer at the British Motor Museum said “We have lots of fun activities for families to enjoy this Easter! Children love our costumed characters who bring the Museum to life in a friendly and educational way”.
Make a Bessie the Bus takes place every day from 10am to 3pm in the Learning Space. Bessie’s Family Tour takes place every day at 11:30am/1:30pm for around 20-25 mins. The Colour Creator Trail also takes place every day at the Family Activity Station.
The Museum has held its 2022 prices for 2023. 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. All activities are included in Museum admission and are suitable for 3 years plus with adult supervision. During busy periods, all family activities may move to a timed ticket basis. To avoid disappointment, please check on arrival with the Family Station, as places are limited and are subject to availability.
To find out more information about Easter activities please call 01926 895300 or visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/easter-holiday-activities
-
The British Motor Museum’s 'Gaydon Gathering' events return on Tuesday 11 April 2023 from 5pm – 8:30pm. Informal, fun evenings aimed at motoring enthusiasts, these events are free to attend, taking place outside on the Museum's arenas on the second Tuesday of each month. Up to 500 vehicles attended last year’s events with a truly eclectic mix of vehicle types, makes and models.
Whilst free to attend, pre-booking is essential and tickets will be released online a few weeks before each event and will be announced on social media. Tickets for the April event are now available. The dates for the rest of the Gatherings are; 9 May, 13 June, 11 July, 8 August, 12 September, and 10 October.
In addition to providing an opportunity for likeminded motoring enthusiasts to display their vehicles, each Gathering will feature the 'Gaydon Garage' at 6:30pm when the workshop doors open to reveal one of the many fantastic vehicles from the Museum’s collection before it’s driven around the site. Hints as to which car will emerge from the garage will be posted on the Museum’s social media channels in the run up to the events.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Last year’s ‘Gaydon Gatherings’ proved immensely popular and we are looking forward to hosting them this year. All vehicles are welcome, no matter how many wheels they have or where and when they were made! It’s an opportunity for petrol heads to indulge their passion with a burger and drink, hopefully in the spring sunshine!”
Display vehicles will be parked in front of the Museum whilst there will be separate free parking for those visitors who aren’t displaying. Visitors can enjoy refreshments including burgers as well as hot and soft drinks. Wriggly Monkey Brewing from Bicester will also be on-site selling their range of lagers and ales.
Dogs are welcome on leads. Please note that the Museum itself will not be open for the evening gatherings. For more information and to book your FREE tickets for April’s Gaydon Gathering visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/gaydon-gathering-april
|
