Category: British Motor Museum

1. Heritage Motor Centre scoops Gold Tourism Oscar!

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 27th Oct 2010

   The Heritage Motor Centre is celebrating after winning a joint Gold Award for Regional Culture at the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards. The winners of the highly coveted awards were announced last Thursday at a glittering awards ceremony at Birmingham University’s Great Hall. Hosted by Central TV presenter Bob Warman, the awards celebrate the very best in tourism from the Heart of England, an industry that contributes £6 billion a year to the West Midlands economy.

   The Heritage Motor Centre is committed to preserving the region’s motor heritage and culture. The HMC houses the collections of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and contains the finest collection of British motor cars in the world. The region’s motor heritage is also actively preserved in the Trust archive which is accessible to visitors. Heritage Lottery funding has enabled the Trust to begin “Land Rover Legacy”, an exciting project which aims to make more of their collection of Land Rover and Rover material available to the public through their website and a special exhibition on the factory at Solihull.

   Brian Summers, Chairman of Tourism West Midlands said, “The awards showcased the very best in the Heart of England’s tourism industry, proving yet again how important tourism is to our regional economy and offering. We are lucky in the Heart of England to be home to such a diverse range of tourism businesses and I was delighted to see a range of new and more established attractions attending, clearly demonstrating that our tourism sector isn’t standing still, but is constantly looking forward and growing”.

   Julie Tew, Managing Director at the Heritage Motor Centre, said: “We are extremely proud and delighted to have won this highly coveted award. It is a wonderful achievement for my team and the Heritage Motor Centre to be recognized and rewarded at such a prestigious ceremony”.

   To find out more information about the Heritage Motor Centre, please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
   

2. Legendary TV & Film Cars on display at Heritage Motor Centre

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 21st Jul 2010

   Batmobile, the new Judge Dredd vehicle, Del-boys Reliant Robin and Shaun the Sheep's Land Rover are just some of the original ‘Star Cars’ on display at the Heritage Motor Centre. Star Cars, which takes place from Saturday 24 July – Sunday 5 September from 10am - 5pm, is a special exhibition featuring a whole host of famous cars from TV and films.

   This exciting new exhibition will take visitors around legendary vehicles such as Batman's & Robins Batcycle, James Bonds Aston Martin Vanquish from ‘Die Another Day’, Lara Crofts Land Rover Defender from ‘Tomb Raider’, James Bonds Aston Martin DBS from ‘Quantum of Solace’, the PGO Cevennes bought by Rosie Webster in ‘Coronation Street’ and Dr Who's 'Bessie' a Siva Ford tourer built for the 3^rd Doctor Who.

   Others Star Cars include Lady Penelope's FAB1, Truly Scrumptious Humber 8hp from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, the Mini Cooper from the 2003‘Italian Job’, a 1908 Austin Grand prix car from ‘The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes’, Noddy's Car and Yabba-Dabba-Doo, the Flintstones family car and Fred's sports car.

   Running alongside the exhibition will be a number of children's activities themed around Star Car. Daily activities include a Star Car quiz and Star Car colouring competition which all the family can enjoy. 

   Every Thursday a ‘Star Car Activity Day’ will take place in the Education Room featuring a number of special Star Car themed craft activities.  Offered free of charge, children can make their own Hollywood star door plaque, decorate their own Land Rover or make their own Timmy and Shaun the Sheep - just some of the crafts on offer! There will even be some special children's tours led by the Heritage Motor Centre's very own Batman! 

   In addition to the museum, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities including Go Karts, Miniature Roadway and the 4x4 Experience. Sessions run daily, weather permitting, from 11am – 4:00pm and are open to non-museum visitors. Stop Start - learner driving experiences for 15+ years in dual controlled vehicles are a great way for teenagers to get behind the wheel. The 1 hour sessions cost £30 and include entrance to the museum for the driver. Sessions take place every Thursday and pre-booking is essential.

   Stephen Laing, Museum Curator for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “Our special Star Cars summer exhibition features a fantastic and unique collection of famous cars that visitors can walk around and admire. You would never usually find so many legendary cars together under one roof! Along with Star Cars, children’s quizzes & competitions plus our range of outdoor activities, the Heritage Motor Centre has something for everyone to enjoy this summer”. 

   Visitors can take advantage of the museums ‘Gift Aid' scheme bychoosing to Gift Aid their entry on arrival and receive a 12 months entry ticket at no extra cost. Visitors can then return for a whole year - for free! (terms & conditions apply). Museum entry is: Adult £9, Concession £8, Child (5-16), £7 Family, £28 (2 adults and up to 3 children). Prices per ride for the Go-Karts are £6.00 for adults, £4.00 for children and concessions. Rides for the Miniature Roadway cost £3.00.

   Star Cars is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at The Heritage Motor Centre in 2010. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
   

3. 'Gaydon Mini Festival' celebrates Britain's favourite iconic little car!

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 30th Jun 2010

   Hundreds of Mini’s will converge at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 4 July for the Gaydon Mini Festival. The annual event is expected to attract thousands of Mini enthusiasts, keen to celebrate Britain’s favourite iconic little car.

   A Heritage Run of 30 Mini’s including classic models and present day MINI’s will depart from the MINI Plant Oxford. The last Mini to leave will be the latest 2010 MINI model. MINI Plant Oxford Managing Director Dr Juergen Hedrich will be there to flag the drivers away at 10:00am with the procession due to arrive at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon at 11:00am.

   The Mini Festival includes a host of exciting Mini activities including the Quick Shift Mini stand with children’s activities for under 14's, the Mini cutout corner, the inter club challenge, Car of the Year competition, Mini Trade village and the infamous Heritage Run. A Mini party will take place the night before the show on Saturday 3 July featuring a quiz, skittles and disco.

   Advance tickets costs £9 or £11 on the day for adults, £8 in advance or £10 on the day for children and £28 for an advance family ticket or £38 on the day. Camping is available for the evening of Saturday 3 July. Prices are £13 in advance or £18 on the day. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the new ticket hotline on 01926 287728 Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5pm. 

   The Gaydon Mini Festival is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at The Heritage Motor Centre in 2010.

    

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

4. Hundreds of vintage bikes converge for nostalgic Banbury Run

   Posted on 12:00am Friday 11th Jun 2010

   Six hundred vintage motorcycles will converge at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 20 June for the nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run.  The event, which starts at 10:00am, is the 62nd Banbury Run and the largest gathering of motorcycles manufactured before 1931 in the world.

   The Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. The Run operates over three different routes which all converge back at the Heritage Motor Centre. This year the Run will feature new routes and checkpoints to challenge the riders. Visitors can enjoy wandering around Club and Trade Stands as well as the famous Banbury Run autojumble which is one of the best sources of Veteran & Vintage motorcycle spares. An auction featuring Pioneer, Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will take place the day before on Saturday 19 June at Bonhams auctioneers saleroom in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

   Emma Rawlinson, Event Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re delighted to be hosting the 62^nd Banbury Run in conjunction with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. The Run is a fantastic event enabling visitors to watch hundreds of vintage motorcycles cruise the roads of Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. It really is a spectacular sight to see! ”  

   Advance tickets costs £5 or £6 on the day and £25 for an advance family ticket or £30 on the day. FREE museum entry is offered to entrants and spectators. Camping is available for the evenings of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 June. Prices for the two nights are £13 in advance or £18 on the day. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the new ticket hotline on 01926 287728 Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5pm. 

   The VMCC Banbury Run is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at The Heritage Motor Centre in 2010.

    

   To find out more information visit the website @ www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

5. Special 007 cars & secret agents at the Heritage Motor Centre

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 28th Apr 2010

   The Heritage Motor Centre, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars, is organising a whole host of exciting activities for families during May Half Term. From James Bond Week and Spy School to the Gaydon Spring Classic and Metro 30^th Anniversary, there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

   ‘Bond Week’ , which takes place from 29 May – 6 June, will offer visitors the chance to see an exhibit of cars from the James Bond films. Making a special guest appearance will be the Aston Martin DBS from the opening scene of Quantum of Solace, the BAD1 Jaguar XK & the Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day . Each day children can enjoy a free activity and make their own spy de-coder to solve cryptic clues around the museum. 

   On Thursday 3rd June, children can enjoy ‘ Spy School’ to make their own spy gadgets and learn the art of secret message writing. This free, drop-in activity will take place from 11am – 3pm in the Education Room. Normal museum admission prices apply and children can take home what they make.

   Running daily during the half term week, visitors can also enjoy outdoor activities including Go Karts, Mi niature Roadway and the centres very own 4x4 Experience. Sessions run daily, weather permitting, from 11am – 4:00pm and are open to non-museum visitors.

   Veteran, Vintage and Classic Cars gather for a fantastic day out at the ‘ Gaydon Spring Classic’ on Sunday 30 May from 10am – 5pm. Those arriving in a vehicle older than 20 years old can benefit from a reduced museum entry fee of just £5 per person - the museum entry fee at the time of opening in 1993. Also taking place that day from 10am - 4pm is the Metro 30^th Anniversary, a special event which celebrates 30 years of the Austin Metro, 20 years of the Rover Metro and 15 years of the Rover 100.  Visitors can see for free a display of Metro models from 1980 -1998 plus an exhibition of Metros in motorsport and nostalgic 1980's music, quizzes and competitions.

   Sunday 30 May also plays host to the‘ Two Stroke Rally’ from 10am – 4pm.  The event, which is open to owners of two stroke vehicles, will feature cars, vans, commercial vehicles and motorcycles. Primarily a static display, owners will have the opportunity of testing their vehicles unique abilities and visitors will be able to watch for free.

   ‘Boot 4 Ben’ , a charity car boot sale, takes place on Monday 31 May and is open to the public and traders. Gates open at 9am and close at approximately 3pm. All proceeds raised from the pitch fees will be split equally between BEN, the automotive industry charity, and BMIHT. Further 'Boot 4 BEN' car boot sales will also takes place at the HMC on Monday 30 August & Sunday 19 September.

     Penny Tyler, Marketing Officer for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “With our special Bond Week, Spy School and a host of exciting and nostalgic motoring events, the Heritage Motor Centre has something for everyone to enjoy this May half term”.

   Visitors can take advantage of the museums ‘Gift Aid' scheme by choosing to Gift Aid their entry on arrival and receive a 12 months entry ticket at no extra cost. Visitors can then return for a whole year - for free! (terms & conditions apply). Museum entry is: Adult £9, Concession £8, Child (5-16), £7 Family, £28 (2 adults and up to 3 children). Prices per ride for the Go-Karts are £6 for adults, £4 for children and concessions. Rides for the Miniature Roadway cost £3.

    

   To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk