Category: British Motor Museum

1. 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.

    

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Celebrate the iconic Metro & Mini at the British Motor Museum!

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 15th May 2022

   Visitors can celebrate two of Britain’s much loved small car marques when the British Motor Museum hosts the ‘National Metro & Mini Show’ on Sunday 5 June. This popular show is regarded as the main event of the year for owners of Metros, classic Minis, and modern MINIs to come together. Hundreds of these popular cars will go on display outside the Museum for visitors to admire.

   Those that want to get into the competitive spirit can enter several competitions and awards such as a Concours including novice classes and a fun 'Show'n'shine' where entrants get to judge each other's cars. There's also plenty for families to enjoy including the mesmerising Mini Stunt Shows from Stunt Drive UK which is a real crowd pleaser. 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 aims to bring both marques together in a fun way no matter what their age or condition. If you, your parents, or grandparents owned a Mini or Metro, then the displays are sure to bring back a sense of nostalgia. 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 4 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

5. Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a Royal day out at British Motor Museum this half term!

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 6th May 2022

   With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place during May half term (28 May – 5 June), the British Motor Museum is inviting visitors to celebrate the royal cars in their collection. A number of vehicles from the Royal household are on display 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 and a 1971 Rover P5B, the personal property of HM the Queen but on long term loan to the Museum.

   Throughout the week, families can enjoy a range of right royal activities. There is a free Family Tour each day at 1.30pm where the children can help Jim & Claire, the ‘royal reporters’ find the next news scoop on their tour around the royal cars!

   The ever-popular craft activities are back in the Learning Space between 10am – 2.30pm where children will be able to make a ‘royal’ car to take home. They can also enter their creation into a competition to win a family afternoon tea. Entries will be judged at the end of the holidays with the winner announced on social media.

   There’s a ‘Road Map’ Family Trail enabling children to explore the rest of the cars in the collection that are linked by name to different destinations around the world.

   Emma Rawlinson, Life Long Learning Officer at the British Motor Museum said “Families are in for a ‘right royal day out’ when they come along to join in our Jubilee jubilations this half-term! The Royal cars are the jewel in our crown, and the family tours and craft activities help bring them to life for the children!”

   The half-term week is topped and tailed by the UK Slot Car Festival on 28/29 May and the National Metro & Mini Show on 5 June. The UK Slot Car Festival is a perfect family day out with plenty of hands-on activities on offer. Visitors can try out a variety of tracks from all the leading manufacturers such as Scalextric, Carrera, SCX and more and take part in the exciting range of slot racing competitions being held each day. There is a stunt show, incorporating the slot car wall of death, as well as club tracks and competitions, the opportunity to paint your own figures and even build and race a caravan! More details can be found at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/uk-slot-car-festival. The National Metro & Mini Show is another family friendly event with hundreds of these popular little cars on display outside the Museum, along with a crowd pleasing stunt show!

   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 family activities are included in Museum admission and run on a drop in basis, just visit the Family Activity station on arrival to find out what is going on when. All activities are suitable for 3+ years with adult supervision, unless otherwise specified. 

   To find out more information about May half activities please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/may-half-term