Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon,
September 2011
For a long time now, I have always wanted to visit Gaydon, which after a somewhat nomadic past, has finally established itself in the lovely county of Warwickshire as the Museum and archive centre of the British Car Industry, that we once had. Or perhaps better described as a Museum housing examples of products of the British motor industry, that we once had, before we threw it all away, sounds familiar ?, ref Motor Cycle Industry, Ship building, Coal, Steel, where do I stop?.
So, once again I find myself on a Coach, on another excellent trip organised by Gerry & Julie for Hooe’s Old Motor Club. An early start is needed for a fairly long trip like this, and after an effortless journey we arrive at the front of Gaydon’s art deco building, ready to start a most enjoyable day.
The Museum was opened in 1993, with a large amount of funding from the now defunct
Rover Group, and not inconsiderable help from Land Rover, and is now owned by Ford.
The Museum is located on the site of the once RAF Gaydon, which in the mid fifties
was home to 138 Squadron, the first of Britains V-
First Morris badged Mini to leave Cowley
Early Rover P4 (Cyclops)
1931 BMW Dixi (German Austin)
1908 Austin Racing Car
1938 EX135 MG record car
1982 Aston Martin NIMROD Le Mans sports Car
Vauxhall 10
1 millionth Austin, originally signed by all Austin workers
There are certainly too many lovely exhibits to photograph, let alone write about, from the earliest form of Motor Car to the latest, from Rover’s experimental Gas Turbine Cars, to Paddy Hopkirk’s Mini. There are also several examples of Formula 1 racing cars, plus Austin’s 1908 100hp Grand Prix car.
The Museum is absolutely excellent and the best advice that I can give anyone reading my demented ramblings, is to visit Gaydon, even if you are not a Classic car enthusiast you will find yourself looking at cars that you or your parents once owned, what price nostalgia ?. It is definitely well worth the journey !.
Austintatious
1931 BMW Dixi (German Austin)