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Category: British Motor Museum
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The British Motor Museum’s MG ‘Old Number One’ will be making a guest appearance in Cornwall for the Motor Cycling Club (MCC) Land’s End Trial over the Easter weekend. The event marks 100 years since the car won a gold medal the trial. The collaboration is between the British Motor Museum, the MCC and the MG Car Club Devon & Cornwall Centre & Vintage Register.
In 1925 Cecil Kimber won a gold medal aboard his early Morris Garages special which exists as an important stepping stone in the evolution towards the MG marque. Whilst earlier Morris Garages specials had been built, ‘Old Number One’ was the first MG purpose built for motorsport, seeking to capitalise upon the publicity from trials activity in the 1920s and establish the sporting credentials of the emerging marque.
With the centenary of this significant motorcar from the MG story, comes the exciting chance to feature the return of this car to the modern-day location of Kimber’s successful foray into motorsport. Complete with re-enactment on the now ‘metalled road’ of ‘Old Bluehills’, from which the iconic image of Kimber cornering hard originates, this is a great opportunity to take a fresh look at the significance of the car to the MG story and properly locate it in the gradual evolution of the MG marque.
Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum said, "MG Old Number One is not only one of the most important cars in the collection at the British Motor Museum, it is the most iconic MG of all! When MG boss, Cecil Kimber drove the car in the Land's End Trial in 1925 to a the gold medal winning position, it certainly put the young sports car company on the map! We're delighted to be working with the MG Car Club and MCC to celebrate the centenary of Old Number's One competition success by returning the car to Cornwall this Easter. The win at the Land's End Trial was one of the most significant steps in MG's history, a company still going strong more than 100 years later. And, in 2025, Old Number One still looks as magnificent as ever."
For more information about the event visit www.mgcc.co.uk/mcc-lands-end-trial-2025/
For more information about the British Motor Museum, visit the website
www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
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Celebrating a fantastic 75th anniversary, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run will again be hosted at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 8 June. As many as 300 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles and three-wheelers will ride out from the Museum on various circular routes. During the course of the day many of these venerable machines will be tackling the ascent of Sun Rising Hill near Tysoe, which was used to test out newly-manufactured vehicles in the early days of motoring. 
Widely acknowledged as the premier gathering for pre-1931 motorcycles and three-wheelers in the world, the Banbury Run is geared towards those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran and pioneer bikes. Visitors can immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of these astonishing machines as they embark on the journey to Banbury and back.
In the Museum grounds there will be an Autojumble with over 70 pitches selling a wide selection of parts and spares - perfect for vintage motorcycle owners looking for upgrades or those in the midst of a restoration project. Camping in the grounds of the Museum is also available on 6, 7, & 8 June for an advance price of £27 per pitch for 1 night or £35 per pitch for 2 or 3 nights.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Celebrating its 75th anniversary just proves how immensely popular the Banbury Run is. Seeing hundreds of vintage motorcycles ride together is a motoring spectacle that any historic vehicle enthusiast will not want to miss!”
The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the first bikes departing at 10am. Book in advance and SAVE with tickets for just £17 per adult, £9 per child, £15 per concession and £46 for a family. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre.
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 895300.
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Visitors and enthusiasts can see hundreds of these beloved British cars at the National Metro & Mini Show supported by Peter James Insurance, hosted by the British Motor Museum on Sunday 1 June. This ever popular show is regarded as a favourite in the event calendar for owners of Metros, classic Minis, and modern MINIs to celebrate these iconic small car marques.
The show will also feature Concours and Show ‘n’ Shine competitions, offering visitors the opportunity to see the judges assess the cars against their Concours criteria. The competition is free to enter for vehicle exhibitor ticket holders, and entry forms are available from the website. There will be classes for Classic Mini, Metro and Modern MINI. Previous categories have included Coolest Car, Best Car Badge/Emblem, Cleanest Car and Best Colour Scheme. Visitors can also enjoy an arena where clubs will be giving talks about their cars and what makes them special. What’s more, there will be a Retro Singing Group to entertain visitors with some 1960s, 70s and 80s hits.
On the same day, the Ford Transit Van Club will also be hosting a celebration of 60 years of the Ford Transit at the Museum. Visitors can see a display of over 75 Transits from across the years including the earliest from 1965. This early Ford Transit appeared in the 1998 Avengers Film painted black, and has now been restored back to its original white colour.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, stated, “There really is something for everyone, whether you love everyday classics, weird and wonderful designs and special editions! Popular with enthusiasts, the National Metro & Mini Show, supported by Peter James Insurance, is also a great hit with families. If you, your parents or grandparents owned a Mini or Metro, the displays are sure to bring back nostalgic memories. If you love these little cars, this event is a must!”
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.
Anyone wishing to park their Metro or Mini as part of the show displays can do so online for just £12. This includes entry to the show for the driver and one passenger for the weekend. Additional tickets are available to purchase if extra passengers are required. Advance ticket prices are £17 per adult, £9 per child (5-16 years), Under 5 free, £15 per concession and £46 for a family.
Camping is also available on Saturday 31 May for those that want to make a weekend of it. Advance camping tickets cost just £26 per pitch (max. 4 people per pitch). Camping tickets can be booked with your show entry tickets.
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
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The hugely popular Gaydon Land Rover Show will return for its 11th year on 3 & 4 May at the British Motor Museum. The dedicated show will once again showcase hundreds of Defenders, Series 1 – 3, Discovery’s and mighty Range Rovers from 1948 to the present day and is the ultimate celebration of the best 4x4’s.
The organisers are expecting a range of Land Rover clubs to attend this year. At the centre of the show will be the Arena where Dave Barker will lead an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team, providing live commentary and inviting owners, restorers, club members and enthusiasts to share their stories behind their treasured vehicles. Trade stands will also be available, selling Land Rover clothing, models, tools and accessories - perfect for enthusiasts and admirers alike!
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, stated “Join us for one of the biggest events of its kind - an exciting weekend dedicated to the legendary Land Rover marque! The show is one of the biggest days in the calendar for Land Rover fans and families and the only show where you will find the number one pre-production Land Rover ‘HUE 166’ or ‘Huey’. It’s a great day out for all the family with a brilliant atmosphere, displays, live music, parades, and club celebrations”.
There will also be live music from vintage singing trio The Barn-Ettes' on the Saturday. The Museum and Collections Centre will also be open where visitors can view the wide range of Land Rovers in the collection. Some of the most historically significant Land Rovers are available to see, not least the first pre-production Land Rover. There are also many Royal Land Rovers and even film stars such as the Defender 110s from Skyfall and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
Camping in the grounds is available on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 May in the evenings for those wanting to make a weekend of it in a motorhome, tent, or caravan. Camping is just £26 per pitch per night when booked in advance.
Anyone wishing to park their Land Rover as part of the show displays can do so online for just £12. This includes entry to the show for the driver and one passenger for the weekend. Additional tickets are available to purchase if extra passengers are required. Advance Show tickets cost £17 per adult, £9 per child, £15 per concession, £46 for a family of four and £52 for a family of five.
To find out more information about the show please call 01926 895300 or visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/gaydon-land-rover-show
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VauxALL, a celebration of all Vauxhall, Opel and Bedford models, is commemorating seven iconic models from the marque’s history. In its third successive year, VauxALL is the fastest growing Vauxhall/Opel event in the UK, with more than 35 clubs and over 800 exhibitor vehicles expected at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 18 May.
Three models are celebrating their ‘Golden Anniversary’ at the show - the Cavalier, Chevette and Opel Manta ‘B’. Some of the best surviving examples of these models will be on display at VauxALL, proudly sponsored by Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services.
The Cavalier, first introduced in 1975, enjoyed success in the UK for 20 years before it was replaced by the Vectra, which is also celebrating a milestone year. The Chevette was the marque’s small family car with a production run of nine years before being replaced by the Astra.
Also celebrating it’s ‘Golden Anniversary’ is the Opel Manta ‘B’, which replaced the original Manta in 1975 and remained in production until 1988. This model’s predecessor Manta ‘A’ and successor ‘Calibra’ are also celebrating milestone years - 55 years and 35 years respectively. Also celebrating a milestone is the Lotus Carlton, with several examples on display for the 35-year anniversary.
The final model being recognised at VauxALL is the Vectra. The replacement for the Cavalier in the UK was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1995 and saw several petrol and diesel engines over its 15 years lifespan, before the name was retired for the new Insignia in 2010.
Tim Watson, show founder and event commentator, commented: “Having seven models to commemorate is a sign of the marque’s success. I’m sure many people will have memories of at least one of the models we are celebrating this year. It’s important we recognise cars like the Vectra. Whilst it was designed to be an ‘everyday car’, to overlook a model that sold in its thousands is a disservice to the model and the marque. All mainstream cars, like the Vectra and Cavalier, have lifecycles, with most being scrapped and recycled at the end of their serviceable lives. Enthusiasts that keep examples alive enable us to rekindle memories that cars like this can hold and share with younger generations.”
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, commented, “It’s fantastic to be hosting this exciting show for a third year to celebrate the Vauxhall marque. Tim’s passion for the brand is unquestionable, and I’m sure the show will be the biggest VauxALL yet!”
A firm favourite returning is the main arena, where professional commentator ‘Our Tim’ Watson will be interviewing guests, discussing the clubs and sharing stories of Vauxhalls. There will also be a range of trade stands that supply parts, car care products and models.
Show tickets also include the opportunity to explore the Museum and Collections Centre, home to over 400 historic British cars, including the Vauxhall Heritage Collection, a selection of cars and vans from across the storied history of Vauxhall, from the first 5hp four-seater car from 1903 to the 587 bhp VXR8 GTS-R of 2017.
All Vauxhall, Opel and Bedford models are welcome to join the display areas. A vehicle exhibitor ticket is just £12, including a vehicle display pass and admission for the driver. Extra tickets can be bought for additional passengers for just £12 each for adults and £7 each for children. Visitor show tickets cost £16 per adult, £9 per child, £14 per concession and £43 for a family. Camping is available on the evening of Saturday 17 May. Book in advance and save £10 with camping for just £25 per pitch (max 4 people). Pitches are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To find out more information about the show, please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/vaux-all
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