The British Motor Museum is celebrating having won the prestigious Royal Automobile Club Historic Award in the Museums & Collections category. The results were announced at a glittering ceremony on 20 November at the RAC Club in Pall Mall with Formula 1 presenter Lee McKenzie. The annual Awards, which are awarded by the industry’s leading motoring organisation, the RAC, recognise outstanding achievements within the British historic motoring and motorsport world. The British Motor Museum fought off strong competition from motor museums across the country.

2025 has been another fantastic year for the Museum with the launch of so many successful and innovative initiatives focusing particularly on young people and education. The Museum’s STEM Career Days programme has been extended to home-educated youngsters, who made up a quarter of attendees for this year’s event. A national initiative mounted in collaboration with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders saw four motor industry apprentices being trained to drive the Museum’s 20HP Thornycroft of 1904 in the 2025 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Aimed at helping even younger people is the Museum’s “Brick Bank” which has collected over two million unwanted LEGO® bricks, to incorporate into packs and redistribute to local Community Pantries.

Bucking the stereotype of traditional petrol heads, the British Motor Museum Collections and Education Departments are managed by two exceptional young women; Claire Broader (education), and Cat Boxall (curatorial) whose dedication and love of the collections shone through during their tour with the Judges earlier this year.

Duncan Wilshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said: “I have simply the greatest admiration for all the winners here tonight. In their own contrasting and compelling ways, they truly enrich Britain’s historic motoring scene. Many congratulations from everyone at this Club, where we continue to make more motoring history every year. We offer a home and a backdrop to these Awards rich in history and tradition with, as ever, an eye to a soundly sustainable future. We’re also delighted to bring together all our expert judges who, really, had the hardest task – examining the huge number of brilliant nominations.”

The Royal Automobile Club started its Historic Awards in 2019, acutely aware that the UK’s historic motoring clubs, events, associations, companies and special individuals deserved recognition for their unsung achievements. Since then, more than 170 contenders have been accorded merit as finalists, chosen by judges invited solely for their expertise and independence of outlook. The Awards extend the Club’s 128-year pedigree in recognising motoring accomplishments and celebrating success through its trophies and medals.

For more information about the Awards please visit www.royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk. To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk