Category: British Motor Museum

1. 2020 Shows update from the British Motor Museum

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 13th Apr 2020

   With the British Motor Museum now closed due to COVID-19, the Museum has had to make the difficult decision to postpone or cancel some of its upcoming shows. The intention of the Museum is, where possible, to postpone rather than cancel shows, whilst consistently adhering to government advice. Shows set to take place later in June and July will be reviewed in the coming weeks.
   
   The Gaydon Land Rover Show which was scheduled to take place on 9 - 10 May, has already been moved to 1 - 2 August. The UK Slot Car Festival was unfortunately cancelled by the organiser and will return for its 11th year in 2021. The Jaguar Breakfast Meet in May has been cancelled but is currently scheduled to return to the Museum in July. The Banbury Run has been postponed from 31 May to 16 August and the Classic & Vintage Commercial Show has been postponed from 13 - 14 June to 8 - 9 August.
   
   Tickets for cancelled events will be refunded and processed over the next few weeks. For postponed events, all sold tickets will be valid for the new dates. For ticket FAQs visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/news/coronavirus-update-for-visitors
   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “It is disappointing to have to change the dates of so many of our shows but in these unprecedented circumstances we are prioritising everyone’s welfare and looking to run the shows where possible. The British Motor Museum would like to thank everyone for their support and send everyone our best wishes. We look forward to delivering our first class shows when we can safely do so.”
   Whilst the Museum is temporarily closed the team will be sending out regular posts on their social media channels and will also put their creativity to use in finding new ways to fuel their visitors’ imaginations for when the Museum reopens.
   
   To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at
   www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
   
   

2. Unique gift ideas from the British Motor Museum!

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 15th Nov 2019

   The British Motor Museum has everything all wrapped up for Christmas whether it’s a day out admiring over 300 British classic cars or a thoughtful and unique gift! The Museums gift voucher includes 2 admission tickets and a souvenir guidebook as a memento. The gift, which is attractively presented in a red envelope, costs just £25+p&p, a saving of £6.

   Treat someone by signing them up to one of the motoring related workshops which run in the spring and autumn. These include ‘Is a Classic Car for you’ and ‘Living with a Classic Part 1 & 2’ all ofwhich are aimed at those who wish to buy or own a classic car. There’s also a range of motoring photography workshops for beginner’s right up to lighting and home studio workshops.

   Heritage Certificates are an ideal gift for anyone who owns a cherished classic car and are available from just £43 plus P&P.  The Certificate is an official ‘Certified Copy of a Factory Record’ showing the car’s specification as it left the production line. Details are taken from the original production records created by many of the leading British motor manufacturers.  Dates, in order to get delivery before Christmas, are 1 December for UK first class or 24 November for the USA, Canada, and EU & Western Europe.

   The Museum’s online shop also stocks a range of motoring gifts from DVDs featuring marque specific archive footage including Triumph, Austin Healey, BMC, Mini and many more - to novelty motoring themed items. If pictures are a more suitable gift then choose from thousands of British Motor Industry Heritage Trust archive photos using the online picture library – www.motorgraphs.com. Available as a framed print, canvas or collage, you will find a wide variety of attractive historical images featuring famous marques  such as Austin Healey, Triumph, MG, Rover, Land Rover, Austin, Morris, Riley and Wolseley. There are also attractive advertising posters and colourful scenic pictures from the 1950s to the 1980s.

    

   To find out more about the British Motor Museum and gift ideas please visit www.shop.britishmotormuseum.co.uk. For more details on the Heritage Certificates including a full list and date range of cars that can be provided visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive/heritage-certificates

3. Sir Jackie Stewart unveils new BRM-Rover painting at the British Motor Museum

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 1st Oct 2019

   Sir Jackie Stewart unveiled a new oil painting of himself driving the Rover-BRM gas turbine racing car in 1965 at the British Motor Museum on 29 September. The painting was commissioned by the Museum following a very generous donation from David Owen OBE and Rubery Owen. The Owen Organisation were owners of the BRM racing team. The special event was also attended by renowned motoring and aviation artist, Michael Turner who was commissioned to paint the work and Steve Cropley, Editor-in-Chief of Autocar magazine who chaired a Q&A session.  

   It was a chance conversation between Sir Alfred Owen and Rover's boss William Martin-Hurst that led to the creation of the Rover-BRM gas turbine racing car. It first competed with Formula One drivers Graham Hill and Ritchie Ginther in 1963, securing a prize for the first gas turbine powered car to complete the Le Mans 24 hour race. In 1965 a much updated Rover-BRM returned to Le Mans when Hill was joined by BRM teammate Jackie Stewart (now Sir Jackie) where it finished the race in 10th place, the first all-British car home.

    

   Michael Turner had previously painted the Rover-BRM, in action at Le Mans in 1963, with Graham Hill at the wheel. His new painting, with Sir Jackie Stewart in the driver’s seat in 1965 depicts the Rover-BRM closely followed by the eventual race winner, the number 21 Ferrari 250LM of Rindt and Gregory, together with Jack Sears and Dick Thompson's AC Cobra Daytona coupé and the Thuner/Lampinen number 60 Triumph Spitfire, which would finish 10 laps behind the gas turbine car. The detail in the scene is made ever more evocative as Michael was there at Le Mans in 1965 to watch the Rover-BRM in person, capturing his own set of photographs.

    

   When asked what the car was like to drive, Sir Jackie commented “It was bloody awful but there was nothing like it at the time! Driving the car at Le Mans was a revolution. The painting, too, is wonderful and a real piece of history. Michael is one of the best motor-racing artists and there are not many artists that can approach what this man can do. I have many of his paintings at home and in Switzerland. It’s not easy to portray the cars in the right way, for example to get the tyres to behave accurately - but Michael does it”.

    

   Stephen Laing, Curator at the British Motor Museum said “We are delighted to have been able to commission this wonderful painting, made possible by Sir Alfred's son, David Owen OBE who is a keen supporter of the Museum. It was a great privilege that Sir Jackie Stewart was able to unveil the painting which will be hung next to the Rover-BRM, one of the most prestigious cars in the Museum’s collection”.

   Museum entry is £14.50 for adults, £12.50 for concessions, £9 for children (5-16 years) 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.

   To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.ukor call 01926 641188.

4. British Motor Museum strengthens sales team following MICE facilities refurbishment

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 22nd Aug 2019

   Following the refurbishment of its MICE facilities and re-opening its conference and event space for corporate hire, the British Motor Museum has appointed two new Senior Sales Managers to strengthen the Conference & Bookings Team.  Charlotte Dawes and Toby Batchelor will be responsible for generating new business and re-connecting with past customers and agencies.
   
   Charlotte has worked both agency and venue side and has extensive knowledge of both. She previously worked as Business Development Manager at The Manufacturing Technology Centre and prior to that worked at the NAEC Stoneleigh focusing on exhibitions and outdoor events. 

   Toby has spent the last six years in the direct mail industry in Business Development and latterly in the role of Managing Director. Prior to that, he had 10 years of advertising sales experience with Trinity Mirror, now part of Reach Plc.

   Charlotte said, “I am looking forward to spreading the word that the British Motor Museum has re-launched its MICE business and helping our clients create amazing events. There is so much potential at the Museum with great road access, free parking, excellent branding opportunities and for those looking for that special experience, the chance to dine in the Museum amongst the classic British cars”.

   Toby said “My role will give me the opportunity to leverage all that I have learnt from advertising and marketing and apply it to the vibrant conference and events sector. I’m keen to work with our clients to ensure that their objectives are met and that their delegates and guests have a memorable experience.  The fact that the events and conference revenue helps to preserve our automotive history is also a great plus”.

   The venues recent refurbishment included its new look, re-named roof top rooms, ‘Sky Suite’ for up to 200 theatre-style and 240 for dining.  The suite features stunning panoramic views over the Warwickshire countryside as well as a private roof-terrace to further enhance event options.   The ‘Conference & Exhibition Suite’, seats up to 600 theatre style, and the ‘Lecture Suite’, seats up to 150 theatre style and all have been refurbished.  Additional doors have been installed into the Lecture Suite to provide a second suite with vehicular access. The venues flexible room arrangements offer 2,000 sqm of internal exhibition space which includes a 680 sqm Exhibition Gallery, with an additional 20 rooms for smaller meetings seating up to 50 delegates.

   Set in 65 acres, the impressive external event space is licensed for up to 5,000 visitors making the British Motor Museum a unique environment for meetings, conferences, exhibitions, weddings, events and product launches.

   To find out more about venue hire and conferencing please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/venue-hire. For more information or  to make an enquiry contact the Bookings Team on  01926 649649 or email [email protected]

5. 'Banbury Run' - 71 years old and still going strong!

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 30th May 2019

   The VMCC Banbury Run might be 71 years old but it still manages to attract the largest gathering of pre-1931 classic bikes in the world. Around 500 veteran and vintage motorcycles will ride out from the British Motor Museum on various routes as they make their way to Banbury on Sunday 16 June. The routes vary between 30 and 60 miles and many will hope to make them without breaking down! 

   Viewing areas in the Museum grounds will give spectators the chance to see the motorcycles start up as they begin their nostalgic Run. Riders will depart at 5 per minute from 10am with the last leaving at 12noon. Riders will begin to return to the Museum from 12:30pm.The event is supported by the Banbury Town Mayor who will be starting all the competitors on their journeys including scaling Sun Rising Hill at Edgehill.

   There will also be Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays. This year the event will take place on one site without the need for shuttle buses. There is now a newly extended car park and new road layout giving easier access to the M40.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “The VMCC Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding out with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.  Its amazing that the Run is now 71 years old and still going strong. With many of the vehicles over 100 years old it’s not surprising that some don’t make the journey to Banbury!”

   The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £9 in advance or £11 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £7 advance or £9 on the day. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night for a discounted advance price of £26 per pitch for 1 night or £34 per pitch for 2 or 3 nights.

   To find out more about the Banbury Run visit www.banbury-run.co.uk, for more information on the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.