Category: British Motor Museum

1. Aston Martin project volunteers learn how to make history at Newport Pagnell event‏

   Posted on 10:06am Tuesday 4th Feb 2014

   On Tuesday 21 January, the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) held a training day for volunteers participating in their ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project. Aston Martin Works kindly hosted this event in their new Heritage building, formerly known to many as ‘Olympia’.

   The ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project is led by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Aston Martin Lagonda, Aston Martin Works, Aston Martin Heritage Trust and Aston Martin Owners Club. The aim is to bring together current and former Aston Martin employees, to tell the behind-the-scenes history of Aston Martin.

   Current and former Aston Martin employees learnt about oral history and how to interview people using recording equipment. Roger Kitchen, an Oral History Society trainer and co-founder of the Living Archive in Milton Keynes introduced the day’s training by saying, “Everybody has a story to tell”.

   The volunteers along with a similar group from Aston Martin Lagonda’s Gaydon headquarters will start by interviewing each other and then arrange interviews with people who are keen to share their stories of life at Aston Martin. The volunteer group will be supported by the Project team from the BMIHT Archive, where the recordings will be deposited for posterity, enabling future generations to learn about their industrial heritage.

   The Heritage Motor Centre Gaydon near Warwick is currently hosting an ‘Aston Martin – A Century of Craftsmanship’ exhibition until December 2014. Admission to this new exhibition is included within the standard museum entry fees.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

2. Enjoy a week of 'Auto Science Live' at the Heritage Motor Centre!

   Posted on 5:25pm Monday 13th Jan 2014

   The Heritage Motor Centre is inviting families to enjoy a fun packed week of ‘Auto Science Live’ during the February half term. The event, which runs from the 15 – 23 February, features a range of free activities bringing automotive engineering and the science behind it to life. Included are family Story-telling tours as well as drop in sessions and workshops to inspire children of all ages. Every day children can get ‘hands-on’ and test their powers of observation with the Auto Science Trail.  There is something different going on every day.

   ‘Mad Science’ is brought to life on the Monday at 11am and 1pm for a 45 minute show full of cool interactive demonstrations and hands on activities where visitors can feel the power of what science is all about. Back by popular demand ‘Lego Technics’ takes place on the Tuesday from 10:30am – 3pm when children can design, build and test their own Lego Technic machines. They can then race them along the ‘Heritage Track’ with the fastest car of the day winning the title ‘Champion Designer’ as well as a prize.

   Visitors up for a challenge can take part in Wheelie Lego on the Wednesday from 10:30am – 3pm. Children can become a HMC engineering apprentice for the day and try and engineer a Lego car to come down the ramp and travel as far as possible! ‘Auto Crafty’ takes place on the Thursday with some ‘hands on’ crafty activities from 10:30am – 3pm. To round off the week visitors can enjoy a fast and furious hour setting their lap time on the fun sized Scalextrix race track with Mighty Fast Friday from 10:30pm – 3pm.

   Emma Rawlinson, Life Long Learning Officer for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted to be hosting a week of family fun Auto Science Live activities with all of them designed to entertain but also educate. Not only do our activities include something for all ages, but all are free of charge!”

   All activities are FREE of charge but normal Museum entry fees apply: Adults £12, Child £8 (5-16 years) under 5 free, Concessions £10 & Family £34 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Buy one day and get 12 months free if you Gift Aid your entrance. For more information about the HMC please visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188.

3. SKYFALL's DB5 now on display at the HMC!

   Posted on 8:50am Wednesday 2nd Oct 2013

   The Aston Martin DB5 which appeared in James Bond’s SKYFALL™ is now on display at the Heritage Motor Centre until spring 2014.

   The model on display was the actual car that was used for most of the driving sequences in the film which stars Daniel Craig as 007. The car is privately owned but on loan to Eon who produces the Bond films.  The HMC also has the Land Rover Defender 110 double cab pick-up, driven in the opening sequence of SKYFALL, amongst its collections. Although on display at the HMC, the car will be show-cased at the Classic Motor Show on the 15, 16 and 17 November at the NEC.

   Ever since its first appearance in Goldfinger in 1964 with Sean Connery, the DB5 has become the archetypal 007 car and one of the most iconic British cars in the world. A DB5 has appeared in four out of the five most recent 007 films. Prior to filming SKYFALL the car was prepared in just seven weeks by Aston Martin Works, transforming a green car into the familiar silver of the MI6 agent’s favourite automobile.  The car was not fitted with any of Q’s trademark gadgets; however visitors can see a black line on the roof as the outline of the panel for the ejector seat. In the film, the DB5 met a fiery end outside Bond’s Scottish childhood home but fortunately this was only by use of a model and camera trickery.

   A natural development of the DB4, the DB5’s four seater coachwork was built by the Italian design house, Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. The car used ‘Superleggera’ aluminium body construction, in which alloy panels are fixed to a tubular frame built onto a platform chassis. The car has a 4 litre engine and a top speed of 142 mph. The price from new was £3,650.

   Stephen Laing, Curator for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted to have the Aston Martin DB5 and Land Rover Defender amongst our prized collection. We have been privileged to have displayed many iconic and famous film & TV vehicles over the years including Batman & Robin’s Batcycle, Lara Croft’s Land Rover Defender from ‘Tomb Raider’, James Bond’s Aston Martin DBS from ‘Quantum of Solace’ and Dr Who's 'Bessie' a Siva Ford tourer built for the 3rd Doctor Who”.

   Museum entry fees apply: Adults £12, Child £8 (5-16 years) under 5 free, Concessions £10 & Family £34 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Buy one day and get 12 months free if you Gift Aid your entrance.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

4. A chance to learn about the history of RAF Gaydon‏

   Posted on 8:03am Tuesday 24th Sep 2013

   The Heritage Motor Centre is to give visitors the chance to learn all about the history of RAF Gaydon at a special lecture on Saturday 2 November.  The lecture, to be given by John Bishop, local historian and HMC employee, will give visitors an insight into the history of the airfield plus there will be an opportunity to visit the old RAF Gaydon Control Tower now the Observation Tower - part of the Jaguar Land Rover site.

   Gaydon was one of several RAF airfields in the Midlands which enjoyed two separate periods of existence, one as a wartime training base and the other when it was rebuilt and put back into service for very different aircraft. From 1942 - 1974, RAF Gaydon was home to Wellingtons during WW11 and V Bombers during the Cold War RAF at Home days and later, Varsities and Valettas part of the Navigation school.

   John Bishop has worked at the Heritage Motor Centre for 17 years and is responsible for promoting and selling the Centre to Clubs and Groups.  John’s favourite motor-sport is Rallying and he has taken part in several car based charity events including the Convoy for Heroes World Record attempt in 2012 in his Freelander.

   John stated “I’m delighted to be giving this lecture on the history of RAF Gaydon. I’ve always lived in the area and find the subject fascinating, so much so that I organised the 60th Anniversary event in 2002 and set up a small exhibition in the Museum at HMC. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with other liked minded enthusiasts.”

   The lecture costs just £30 per person and includes a visit to the former Control Tower, lunch (one course including tea/coffee) and entry to the Museum.  The lecture takes place from 10:30am – 3pm and must be pre booked as places are limited. For more information about the HMC please visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188.

    

    

5. Heritage Motor Centre to host brand new "Classic post-war Motorcycle Show"

   Posted on 3:35pm Saturday 20th Jul 2013

   Heritage Motor Centre to host brand new "Classic post-war Motorcycle Show"

   The Heritage Motor Centre is launching a brand new show this year for enthusiasts of postwar 1945 motorcycles.

   The “Classic post-war Motorcycle Show” will take place on Sunday 25 August and is expected to attract over 700 bikes from a host of motorcycle clubs and private individuals. Although the HMC currently organises the annual nostalgic Banbury Run for pre-1931 motorcycles & 3 wheelers, it appeared there was a gap in the events calendar to showcase motorcycles from the post war era.

   In addition to the display of these marvelous machines including BSA, Triumph, Matchless, Norton, Kawasaki and Yamaha, visitors can also chat about biking experiences with fellow bikers plus wander around a bike jumble and trade stands as well as enjoying refreshments and a live band.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted to be launching a new show to showcase post-war motorcycles.  The post-war classic motorcycle scene is a popular area for enthusiasts of both British and foreign motorcycles. With over 700 bikes on display, these nostalgic machines will be a fantastic spectacle to admire plus being a great day out to meet other like-minded enthusiasts!”

   Onsite camping is available on the Saturday night and visitors are advised to enquire at the time of booking. Motorcycle entries are £7 per person. Spectator prices are £12 for Adults, £10 for Concessions, £8 for Children (Age 5-16) and under 5’s are free. For advanced tickets please call 01926 645029.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk