Category: British Motor Museum

1. British Motor Museum joins 'National Lottery Days Out' campaign to offer discounted entry!

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 12th Oct 2021

   Visitors to the British Motor Museum will be able to redeem a £25 voucher on admission this autumn thanks to its participation in a new National Lottery Days Out campaign with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency. National Lottery players who purchase a Lotto ticket from this October, will be able to redeem a £25 voucher against entry tickets to hundreds of tourist attractions and experiences across the UK including the British Motor Museum.

   The voucher code can be redeemed through the VisitBritain Shop at NationalLotteryDaysOut.com and is a great way to explore the Museum’s 300 cars this autumn at a fraction of the price. The £25 vouchers can be redeemed for a one off entry ticket to the Museum, a family of four would receive £25 off the family ticket price of £40, so it would cost just £15 for a day out, whereas two adults would pay just £4! Please note that there is no change or cash value to the vouchers and this offer does not include Museum membership or annual passes.

   There are special family fun activities running during half term from 23 – 31 October.  The Mad Scientists will be shining a light on headlamps and the science behind them. There will be illuminating hands-on sessions that reflect on the science of lights with the amazing Lucas Collection, one of the world’s largest collections of historic lamps and for the younger visitor there will be a black cat trial. Search around the Museum for the hidden black cats and, with a torch, discover the colour of each cat's eyes! Just pick up a trail sheet as you arrive and remember to return for your sticker!

   Jeff Coope, Managing Director at the British Motor Museum said “We are delighted to be involved with this campaign. The Museum has benefited greatly from Heritage Lottery funding in the past including funding towards our Collections Centre which stores around 250 vehicles from our reserve collections. Funding has also been used for positions for trainees and apprentices. Cat Griffin, our Curator, started as an Arts Council funded graduate trainee in 2015 and is now a permanent member of the team. We are very grateful for the support we have received in the past so it’s great to be able to help and participate in this fun campaign”.

   For more information about the Museum please visit the website www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

    

2. British Motor Museum launches new Membership scheme

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 22nd Sep 2021

   The British Motor Museum has launched a new membership scheme as part of the Museum’s plans to engage with more audiences, share its collections more widely and become more financially resilient.

   As home to the world's largest collection of historic British cars, the British Motor Museum is an independent Museum and registered educational charity which receives no central government funding. Income from membership will provide essential revenue for the Museum’s ongoing development, helping it to conserve and protect its fabulous collections of over 300 cars and millions of artefacts and items in the Archive. In return members will receive a generous range of exclusive benefits.

   Members will have free entry to the Museum including all special weekend show days. They will also have exclusive opportunities to preview new exhibitions, to have a private Museum tour and attend the new members’ only events.    

   ‘Museum on the Move’ will be the first of these events and will take place in spring of 2022. An evening event, it will start with drinks and canapes in the Museum's stunning Sky Suite, where members will get the chance to meet and chat with specialists from the Collections Team, as well as fellow members who are passionate about cars and British automotive history. They will then be introduced to the selection of the Museum’s cars including ‘Huey’ the first Land Rover produced, 1904 Wolseley 6hp and MG Metro 6R4 prototype and get the chance to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells as the engines are fired up ready for them to take a ride. 

   Jeff Coope, Managing Director at the British Motor Museum said “Becoming a Member of the British Motor Museum is a wonderful way to discover more about us and support our work. Members will be able to form a closer relationship with the Museum's collections and team as well as provide a vital source of income for the Museum. The Covid pandemic has been a tough time for the Museum and all attractions in general, this new membership scheme will help us ensure a bright future for the Museum.”

   Membership is available from just £3.50 per month or £42 for a year. There are individual, joint and family memberships available as either a Member or Premium Member.

   To find out more about membership of the British Motor Museum and the ‘Museum on the Move’ event please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/membership. For more information about the Museum please visit the website www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

3. British Motor Museum hosts FREE 'Gaydon Gathering' evening event - 14th September

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 8th Sep 2021

   The British Motor Museum is to host its next FREE 'Gaydon Gathering' evening on Tuesday 14th September from 5pm – 8:30pm. The event, which was re-launched in April this year, is an informal evening aimed at motoring enthusiasts and is completely free to attend. These friendly gatherings take place outdoors on the Museum's arenas on the second Tuesday every month and see hundreds of vehicles of all makes and models on display. Pre-booking is essential.   

   At 6:30pm the Museum will present the 'Gaydon Garage' when the workshop doors open to reveal one of the fantastic vehicles from the collection that is not often seen out of the Museum. The vehicle will be driven out around the site for everyone to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells! Hints as to what the car is are posted each month on the Museum’s social media channels in the run up to the event!

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Come along and enjoy a fantastic gathering. It doesn’t matter if you have a vehicle or not, or if your vehicle is British or not, if it’s a car, commercial, military, bus, motorbike, scooter, tractor or any other interesting vehicle, just bring it along. Be it classic, veteran, vintage or a modern classic – all are welcome. It’s an opportunity for petrol heads to indulge their passion with like-minded people - whilst having a burger and a drink, hopefully in the autumn sunshine!”

   Display vehicles will be parked in front of the Museum whilst there will be separate free parking for those that arrive in modern everyday vehicles. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments including burgers, tea, coffee and soft drinks. Please note that the Museum itself will not be open for the evening gatherings.

   The last outdoor gathering for 2021 will take place on the Tuesday 12 October, then over the winter they will take the gatherings inside as a series of ‘Museum Lates’ - a chance to view elements of the collections in more detail. More information on these will follow shortly, but they will also take place on the second Tuesday evening of the month, in November, January and March and pre-booking will remain essential.

   For more information and to book your FREE tickets for September’s Gaydon Gathering visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/gaydon-gathering-september

   Pre booking is essential.

4. British Motor Museum to host Electric Vehicles Festival!

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 3rd Aug 2021

   The British Motor Museum is to host the Electric Vehicles Festival on Saturday 7 August. The Show, which began in 2019, will give visitors the opportunity to see hundreds of electric vehicles on display. All Fully Pure Electrics (BEV) are welcome to join the show for a celebration and display their vehicles including Electric Cars, E-Commercials, E-Bikes, E-Buses and E-Coaches.

   Key exhibits will include a Harley Davidson Live Wire Electric MotorCycle and a Citroen AMI which is only making its second UK public appearance. The Ardingly Ifield Solar Challenge Team will be at the Festival as part of their tour from John 'o' Groats to Brighton along with the Cambridge University Solar Challenge Team.  MG Motors UK will be showcasing their facelift MG5 and MG-ZS EV that made its second UK appearance at the Festival in 2019. There will also be an electric boat ‘Silent Adventure’, and Tommy Tesla.  Eco-Classics, an electric vehicle conversion company, will be bringing along something new and Streetbikes will be showcasing their Zero Electric Motorcycles. Finally #EV Twizy Park will be making a comeback celebrating the Renault Twizy!

   For the first time the Festival will incorporate a mini arena with presentations provided by Octopus Electric Vehicles throughout the day.  The festival is also the perfect place for those thinking about going electric. There will be an array of different makes and models on display as well as the opportunity to talk to the owners and find out what convinced them to take the plunge and go electric.

   Jeff Coope, Managing Director at the British Motor Museum said, “The future of Electric Vehicles (EV) and events such as this is very important to the Museum and the evolution of EV technology is an important story for us to tell. We have already invested in 10 electric charging points for visitors and event organisers to use, with the infrastructure to support more. This has attracted public events such as the EV festival but also corporate EV events and product launches for many of the large motoring manufacturers. This is only the start of our EV journey”.

   Exploring the future of the car is particularly important to the Museum. In 2019/2020 the Museum hosted a topical and thought provoking exhibition entitled “The Car. The Future. Me” which sparked much debate amongst its visitors.

   Show tickets cost £14.50 per adult, £9 per child, £12.50 per concession and £40 for a family. All tickets for the show must be pre-booked. For more information, please visit the website www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188. For more information about the Electric Vehicles Festival please visit https://www.electricvehiclesfestival.com/

    

   article supplied

5. Look back to the vehicles of yesteryear at the 'Classic & Vintage Commercial' Show!

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 30th Jul 2021

   The British Motor Museum is inviting visitors to look back to the vehicles that roamed the roads of yesteryear when it hosts the ‘Classic and Vintage Commercial Show’ on 14 & 15 August. The show offers visitors a rare opportunity to reminisce about days gone by and relive the vintage era of over 450 pre-2001 commercial vehicles including trucks, vans and pick-ups.

   The ‘Classic and Vintage Commercial Show’ is one of the largest shows of its kind in Europe and features a display of vehicles from vans such as Ford Transits, Morris Minors and J Types, to lighter lorries from Austin, Bedford, Dodge and Ford Thames, through to heavier lorries such as AECs, Atkinsons, ERFs, Fodens and Leylands. The popular Show is now in its 14^th year; however, the Museum has been hosting a Classic Commercial Show at Gaydon for the last 20 years.

   Throughout the weekend there will be a large commercial vehicle related autojumble selling vehicle spares, photos, brochures, models, and other items. Inside there will be two large Indoor Model Shows, organised by Ashley Coghill and the National Association of Road Transport Modellers. Over 160 tables will showcase kit and scratch-built models of commercial vehicles and landscapes.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Whether you’re a fan of commercial vehicles, interested in vintage history or simply want to see the commercial vehicles that were on the roads in your youth, then this show is for you. We are expecting around 450 vehicles from familiar marques to rare finds. The autojumble is also the perfect place to pick up a bargain or find that vital spare part”.

   Kelsey Media will be supporting the show and celebrating its 20 year joint venture of bringing commercial vehicles to the Museum. They will be selling several of their publications including Classic & Vintage Commercials, Classic Van and Pick Up, Heritage Commercials and Vintage Roadscene, along with a special supplement celebrating 20 years of commercial vehicles at Gaydon.

   Those wanting to take part in the show can enter their truck for FREE which includes entry for the driver and one passenger. Camping is also available for those that want to make a weekend of it. Saturday show tickets cost £14.50 per adult, £9 per child, £12.50 per concession and £40 for a family. Sunday is the busiest day of the show and one of the 5 Special Show Days. Tickets cost £18 per adult, £10 per child, £16 per concession and £46 for a family.

   For more information about the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show and the Museum please visit the website www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.