Category: British Motor Museum

1. Explore 'military through the decades' at the Gaydon Military Show!

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 13th Mar 2018

   Visitors are invited to explore ‘military through the decades’ on Sunday 30 September when the British Motor Museum hosts the Gaydon Military Show. Now in its third year, the Show encompasses all aspects of military history with a range of activities to enjoy. Plus there is even the chance to camp in the Museum grounds and make a weekend of it!

   Visitors can see impressive displays of military vehicles including armoured vehicles, jeeps, Land Rovers, soft-skinned vehicles and many more. Plus they can find out about different wartime eras with exhibits from World War 2 through to the Cold War, including replica camps housing a variety of artefacts.  Inside the Museum, the Warwickshire Home Guard re-enactor display will be showcasing experiences from World War II.

   Visitors are encouraged to get involved and dress up in their own military outfits, but please be aware that Axis uniforms may only be worn as part of a static display or an arena event.  Popular singing trio ‘My Favourite Things’ will be back performing live classic wartime hits throughout the Show.
   
   Tom Caren, Show Organiser stated, “The Show is a real step back in time with a range of displays, activities and live music to keep everyone entertained. There will also be the chance for visitors to make a weekend of it and camp in the grounds. We would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in displaying their military vehicle or selling vintage fashion and militaria.” 

   To be a part of the show and enter your military vehicle for FREE please complete the online vehicle entry form. Vehicle entry is free if booked in advance, and includes passes and camping for one driver and a passenger. Additional passes can be purchased for £8 per person. Interested traders should contact Show Organiser, Tom Caren on 01926 643358.

   Normal Museum admission rates apply for the Gaydon Military Show. Adult tickets £14, Concessions £12 (including Service Personnel with valid ID card), Child £9 and Family Ticket £39. Children under 5 are free. Gift Aid annual passes are valid for this event. Entrants can camp in the grounds overnight for a discounted advance price of £10 per person for 1-2 people or £25 for a pitch of 3 people or more. Or on the day the cost is £15 per person for 1-2 people and £35 for 3 people or more.

   To find out more about the Gaydon Military Show visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk or call 01926 641188.

2. Charley Boorman to drive a 1904 car from the British Motor Museum in this year's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run!

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 3rd Nov 2017

   The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, based at the British Motor Museum, is again supporting the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, supported by Hiscox, which is taking place this Sunday 5 November.

   Charley Boorman, TV presenter, adventurer and travel writer will drive the Museum’s 1904 Rover 8hp which is the oldest surviving Rover car and just one of 6 cars from the Museum’s collection which will be participating in this year’s Run. Charley is also representing the Movember Foundation. 

   Other cars from the Museum which will be taking part include a 1901 Wolseley 10hp tonneau which will be driven by motoring journalist Quentin Willson. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust’s new chairman, Kevin Timms, will be driving a 1904 Thornycroft 20hp tonneau, which was driven last year by Lindsey Russell from Blue Peter and in 2014 by Olympic legend, Sir Steve Redgrave. Also participating are the Museum’s 1899 Wolseley 3½hp voiturette, 1902 Albion A1 dog-cart and 1904 Wolseley 6hp phaeton.

   The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Run supported by Hiscox is a premier event in the annual motoring calendar and has been running longer than any other in the world. It marks the historic day in 1896 when a group of pioneer motorists set out from London towards the seaside, in celebration of the ‘emancipation of the motor car’.

   Stephen Laing, Curator at the British Motor Museum said “We are delighted that Charley is driving one of the cars from the Museum’s collection. The Run is one of the most exhilarating and exclusive motoring adventures in the world. These wonderful cars are all more than a century old and are some of the rarest and finest models from our collection. Watching 400 veteran cars take part in the Run is an amazing and nostalgic experience.”

   To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

3. British Motor Museum to host Europe's largest gathering of BMW's

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 18th Jul 2017

   Hundreds of BMWs will yet again descend on the British Motor Museum when it hosts Europe’s largest gathering of BMW’s on Sunday 13 August.  The BMW Car Club National Festival promises to be even bigger and better with thousands of visitors taking advantage of the huge number of activities on offer. Last year visitors saw over 800 vehicles on display including M Power, Alpina, Z’s, i’s, as well as modern, classic and modified models including MINI’s.

   Activities will include a large Motor Sport display area showing BMW Car Club Track Days, a rolling road, tombola & prize draw, family entertainment, Pirelli stand, Concours winners, trade stands, up to 80 spaces for cars belonging to members of on-line forums and lots more. Representatives from insurance companies will also be on hand and staff will be present in the BMW Car Club Trailer to answer questions and enrol new members. This is in addition to the club’s register and regional displays.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager for the British Motor Museum said “The BMW Festival is a fantastic family day out and this year we are organising plenty of additional activities to entertain visitors. Seeing so many BMW’s on display from different decades is a brilliant spectacle to see!”

   Tickets cost £17 for adults, £10 for children (under 5’s are free) and £45 for a family. Entry to the Museum is also included in the ticket price. Discounted tickets are available in advance from the BMW Car Club Office on 01970 267 989.

   To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

   

4. Classic Ford fans are in for a treat at the 'Old Ford Rally'!

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 13th Jul 2017

   Classic Ford fans are in for a treat when the British Motor Museum hosts the 9th Old Ford Rally held in conjunction with the Ford Y & C Register. On Sunday 16 July around 600 classic Fords will go on display at the biggest rally of classic Fords in the UK.  Vehicles including commercials, tractors and vehicles with a Ford engine built up to 1990 will be on display, exhibiting the incredible range of vehicles produced by one of the world’s biggest manufacturers.

   Visitors will be able to see a huge range from Model T’s to the cars of the pre-war austerity years plus agricultural vehicles, Thames and Ford commercial vehicles as well as the more luxurious post-war Zephyr’s, Zodiac’s and Granada’s. There will also be the Mk1 and Mk2 Cortina’s, Anglia’s, and Escorts as well as Capri’s from the 1960’s – mid 1980’s. A first for this year is the 1925 Ford Model T Railway Inspection Car which will be running on a short 30m section of track outside the Collections Centre.

   The show will also host a display of Ford or Ford engined military vehicles of all ages and the Bicester Home Guard will also be in attendance supporting the military vehicle section. There will be an autojumble and an arena with live displays and commentary throughout the day. The Midlands Meccano Guild will also be featuring an exhibition of hand built models with over 50 tables of models on display within the Museum. Visitors will have full access to the museum and the Collections Centre as well as the show outside.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “This superb show is a real enthusiasts event and incredibly popular with fans of this iconic marque. Anyone who loves old Ford vehicles is guaranteed a great day out”. 

   Tickets for the show cost £14 on the day for adults, £9 for children and £39 for a family.  Discounted tickets are available in advance online. Camping is available on Saturday 15 July. Price per pitch, tent or caravan, is £25.

   To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
   

   

5. Nostalgic Banbury Run to celebrate its 69th year!

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 20th May 2017

   Celebrating its 69^th year, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run will take place at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 18 June. Around 500 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will ride out from the Museum on various circular routes. Regarded as the largest gathering of pre-1931 motorcycles & 3-wheelers in the world, the Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.

   In addition to the Run, there will also be Club and Trade Stands, Autojumble pitches and special interest displays within the Museum grounds. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Celebrating its 69^th anniversary just goes to prove how popular the Banbury Run is! Watching hundreds of vintage and veteran motorcycles ride out together is a fantastic spectacle and we look forward to its milestone anniversary in 2018.”

   The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the Run beginning at 10am. Riders will start at 5 per minute. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £8 in advance or £10 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £8 advance or £9 on the day. 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 641188.