Press Releases
HMC to host exciting new Motoring Record Breakers exhibition in 2012!
Posted On January 6, 2012 | No Comments »Being the year of the Olympics and hopefully a year when plenty of British athletes will break records; the Heritage Motor Centre is set to host an exciting new exhibition entitled “Motoring Record Breakers”. The exhibition, which will run from 11 February – 2 September 2012, will present the best of motoring record breakers including some of the fastest British cars, the slowest, smallest, most economical and the more wacky record breakers. Visitors will have the opportunity of exploring vehicles that created new horizons and take a journey into history with a selection of vehicles that have helped change the face of motoring. Some of the exciting cars on display include the Sunbeam 1000hp, the first…
Continue Reading »
Statement regarding Heritage Land Rover Show 2012/2013
Posted On December 21, 2011 | No Comments »With the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games, 2012 is a very busy year for the UK events industry, so the Heritage Motor Centre (HMC) has decided to take this opportunity to give one of its major events a break for 2012. Emma Rawlinson, Events Executive for Heritage Motor Centre said “Giving ‘Heritage Land Rover Show’ a break in 2012 will allow our events team to act on show feedback and make some exciting changes to bring the show back in 2013 bigger and better.” The highly successful Heritage Land Rover Show, which usually takes place each year in April/May, will take a break in 2012 but return in June…
Continue Reading »
Convoy for Heroes scoops the world record!
Posted On October 12, 2011 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre is delighted to announce that CONVOY for HEROES 2011 has beaten the Guinness World Record for the longest Land Rover convoy. The convoy took place at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 24 April featuring 348 Land Rovers and raising £15,000 for Help for Heroes. The previous world record was set at Towcester race-course in 2004 by a parade of 260 Land Rovers. Next year’s event will be held at Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire over the Easter weekend (7 and 8 April) and the organisers are hoping to attract 1,000 Land Rovers and raise even more money for the charity. Organiser Patrick Stoner said: “We are…
Continue Reading »
A treat for Model Aircraft fans at the HMC!
Posted On October 5, 2011 | No Comments »Model aircraft fans are in for another treat when the Heritage Motor Centre hosts its annual ‘Large Model Aircraft Show’ on Sunday 23 October from 10am – 4pm. Organised by The Large Model Association, this fantastic indoor show will feature over 100 large radio controlled model aircraft. The first of the aircraft to arrive for this year’s show is now on display in the Museum. Scratch built by Pat Cuss between 2009 and 2011, the 1/3rd scale German World War 1 Bomber, a Gotha GVa is in a 5 colour night lozenge scheme and has a wingspan of 7.72 metres. During the show visitors can enjoy model building demonstrations plus…
Continue Reading »
HMC to host nostalgic Ladybird Books Exhibition
Posted On August 11, 2011 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre is to host an exciting new and nostalgic exhibition this autumn. The “Ladybird Big Book of Motor Cars” will run from 17 September 2011 until 15 January 2012 and will give visitors a unique chance to see original artwork and iconic books from Ladybird’s archive. Ladybird books are known and loved the world over. For millions of people, they bring back the golden days of childhood – learning to read, discovering the magic of books, and growing up. If you grew up reading them, then you will love this exhibition. The exhibition will feature a collection of over 120 Ladybird books and over 30 original artwork…
Continue Reading »
Retro trucks gather at the HMC for exciting new show!
Posted On August 9, 2011 | No Comments »Retro trucks are set to rev up their engines and gather at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 18 September from 10am – 4pm for an exciting new show! Featuring Europe’s finest selection of trucks from 1965 to 1995, the show will be a great day out for all the family. As well as truck displays, there will also be trade stands, accessories, food stands and a children’s fun area. Those wishing to enter their vehicles should do so online via the HMC website. Commercial vehicles must be manufactured between 1965 and 1995 in order to enter. However if someone has a truck that does not fit into the age bracket…
Continue Reading »
HMC hosts free National Bike Safe Show!
Posted On July 27, 2011 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre is delighted to host the National Bike Safe Show, a fantastic free outdoor family event dedicated to motorbike safety on Sunday 4 September from 10am – 4pm. Exciting highlights of the show include stunt rider Mattie Griffin performing some exhilarating motorcycle stunts plus displays of Manufacturers & Dealer bikes, Motorcycle Clothing & Accessories, Motorcycle Clubs, Mini Motos and a ‘Try before you buy’ scooter arena. Visitors will also have the opportunity of riding for free on demo bikes including top names such as Ducati, Yamaha, Royal Enfield, BMW, Honda, Triumph and Suzuki (please bring both parts of your license). In addition visitors can enjoy refreshments and…
Continue Reading »
Largest gathering of BMW’s in the world will descend on the HMC!
Posted On July 19, 2011 | No Comments »The largest gathering of BMWs in the world will descend on the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 14 August when it hosts the annual BMW Festival. Up to 3,000 BMWs are expected to take part in this year’s exciting and popular Festival. Included in the highlights will be the opportunity to win a ride as a passenger around the Jaguar Land Rover Emissions Test Track driven by former triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx. Andy will also be on hand to talk to visitors and present Show & Shine awards. A massive display of the iconic E30 M3 will gather to celebrate the model’s 25th anniversary this year plus…
Continue Reading »
Celebrate 100 years of Ford UK at Old Ford Rally!
Posted On July 12, 2011 | No Comments »Thousands of Ford enthusiasts will be celebrating 100 years of Ford UK at the Old Ford Rally on Sunday 24 July from 10am – 4:30pm at the Heritage Motor Centre. To celebrate this momentus milestone, the organisers are hoping to assemble a display featuring every Ford model from each year of the century.
Continue Reading »
Land Rover Legacy Project uncovers classic motoring films
Posted On June 22, 2011 | No Comments »New classic films from the Archives of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust are now available for the first time on DVD. The release of these DVDs is one result of the Land Rover Legacy Project that ended last month. During the past year, the project has involved researching the BMIHT archives, cataloguing material and digitising relevant photographs and films. The three new DVDs are titled, ‘The Best of Rover in the Fifties’, ‘The Best of Rover in the Sixties’ and ‘Further Adventures of Land Rover’ and are available from the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon, near Warwick or by visiting the on-line shop. The Land Rover Legacy Project has…
Continue Reading »
Supercars & Superbikes zoom in for Supercar Sunday!
Posted On June 6, 2011 | No Comments »Hundreds of Supercars and Superbikes are set to zoom into the Heritage Motor Centre when it hosts the exhilarating Supercar Sunday show on Sunday 26 June. The annual event, which has been running for over 10 years, will see thousands of visitors enjoy an impressive display and track runs featuring some of the world’s most powerful cars and bikes. Highlights will include the appearance of the Aston Martin One-77 supercar which Ian Cook, the radical car artist will be painting a picture of. Artist & photographer, Ian Cunningham will be showcasing his artwork with an exhibition. Mattie Griffin, a bike stunt professional and ranked fifth in the world at Street…
Continue Reading »
Heritage Certificate service expands to include more classic cars
Posted On May 26, 2011 | No Comments »Classic car owners will be excited to hear that the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust at Gaydon, near Warwick, now offers its official documents for a greater range of vehicles than ever before. For the first time, certificates are now available for the Aston Martin Lagonda, the dramatic wedge-shaped luxury saloon, designed by William Towns. The BMIHT build records cover most of the Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2 cars produced from 1979-83, including left-hand drive versions. Another ‘wedge’ car on the expanded list is the Austin/Morris Princess (including the Wolseley 18/22 Series and the Ambassador) from 1975-84. Add to this the entire Land Rover and Range Rover line-up, including Defender,…
Continue Reading »Go mad for Sci-Fi during half term at the HMC!
Posted On May 20, 2011 | No Comments »Enjoy a number of exciting family themed Sci-Fi activities at the Heritage Motor Centre from Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June. Wander around the fascinating Sci-Fi at the Movies exhibition, complete with weaponry and costumes of favourite Sci-Fi superheroes and villains. Each day children can take part in quiz sheets and colouring activities, whilst on Thursday 2 June there will be special Sci-Fi themed craft activities in the Education Room from 11am – 3pm. Children can make items such as a Dr Who door hanger, Spiderman mask or even a Harry Potter wand! Normal museum admission prices apply and children can take home what they make. The Miniature Roadway…
Continue Reading »
Heritage Motor Centre hosts 6 events in just one day!
Posted On April 15, 2011 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre is to host six exciting and unique events in one day to celebrate the start of the classic motoring season! The Gaydon Spring Classic, Cream Tea Run, Eastern European Rally, 2 Stroke Rally, Boot for Ben Car Boot and Heart of England Auto Jumble all take place on Sunday 8 May. Visitors can enjoy free entry and free parking to the Auto Jumble and Car Boot plus view all the days rally’s free of charge. Normal entry fees apply for the Museum but the HMC is also offering discounted entry to anyone who arrives in a classic model for just £5 per person! The Gaydon Spring…
Continue Reading »
Celebrate all things Land Rover at annual Heritage Show!
Posted On April 6, 2011 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre is to host the popular annual Heritage Land Rover Show on Sunday 1 May. Thousands of enthusiasts and club members are expected to converge at the show to enjoy a great family day out. Featuring many different models on display, visitors can also enjoy a number of rides on the new improved Land Rover Experience off-road course including passenger experiences, test tracks and heritage rides. There will also be a special appearance from Shaun the Sheep’s Land Rover, plus Ian Cook, the radical artist, will be painting the new Range Rover Evoque. Ian uses a unique style of painting using remote control cars on canvas. Attending…
Continue Reading »
All Terrain fun on offer at the Heritage Motor Centre this Easter!
Posted On March 29, 2011 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre has a whole host of events and special activities for the family during the Easter holidays. As well as visiting the exciting new exhibition “Sci-Fi at the Movies”, visitors can enjoy All Terrain Easter, a mix of Easter activities and a fortnight long celebration of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles from 16 April – 1 May. Along with special vehicle displays, Land Rover Experience will also be running daily rides on the new improved off-road track. Qualified instructors will drive visitors around the challenging course over rocky inclines, steep descents and some impressive water sections! Each day visitors can enjoy All Terrain & Royal Wedding…
Continue Reading »BMIHT launches a premier product for classic car owners
Posted On March 2, 2011 | No Comments »The ‘British Motor Industry Heritage Trust’ at the Heritage Motor Centre is proud to announce an exciting new product to its range, the ‘Premier’ Heritage Certificate. The standard Heritage Certificate is as popular as ever, helping the classic car owner to discover the details recorded by the factory when their car was built. Now, for a small additional fee, owners can upload a photograph of their vehicle along with the application form which will be incorporated onto their Certificate alongside the build details. The new Premier Heritage Certificate is available for all models including Aston Martin, MG, Mini, Austin and Austin Healey, Triumph, Rover, Land Rover, Range Rover, Morris, Riley…
Continue Reading »Radical car artist to create Police ‘Lotus Evora’ at Heritage Motor Centre
Posted On January 24, 2011 | No Comments »Radical automotive artist, Ian Cook, renowned for using radio controlled cars to produce his pieces, has created a special piece of artwork, the Police Lotus Evora. The painting will be revealed to PC Angus Nairm when the £50,000, 160mph Police car makes a special visit to the Heritage Motor Centre on Thursday 27 January 2011. The Lotus Evora has been on loan from Lotus for the past month and has been used to highlight the 2011 campaign about speeding and road safety for the CMPG – the Central Motorway Police Group. The car has been used on the Midlands Motorways by the CMPG Police, primarily by PC Angus Nairm, an…
Continue Reading »Visit the Heritage Motor Centre in January at 2010 prices!
Posted On December 15, 2010 | No Comments »Visitors will be able to enjoy spending the day out at the Heritage Motor Centre on the 2 & 3 January 2011 paying 2010 prices. The Centre is freezing the special rates for just two days in January before rates will be increased slightly. What’s more, if visitors take advantage of the Museum’s ‘Gift Aid’ scheme by choosing to ‘gift’ their entry on arrival, they receive a 12 month entry ticket at no extra cost, so can return for free for the entire year! With Christmas over, the Heritage Motor Centre provides the perfect place to have fun and entertain friends and family during the school holidays. The Heritage Motor…
Continue Reading »Land Rover Legacy exhibition opens at Solihull Central Library
Posted On October 29, 2010 | No Comments »A new exhibition about the history of the Lode Lane Solihull factory will take place at the Solihull Central Library from 9 – 25 November. The exhibition tells the story of the Lode Lane factory, its people and products, from 1940 to the present day and features photographs from the Archives of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, based at Gaydon near Warwick. Many of these photographs have never before been viewed by the general public. The exhibition is the culmination of the year-long Land Rover Legacy Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Jaguar Land Rover, with support from Solihull Libraries. The project has been led by the…
Continue Reading »Plenty of fun filled activities on offer at the HMC this half term!
Posted On September 29, 2010 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre is organising a whole host of fun filled activities for families to enjoy during October half term from Saturday 23 – Sunday 31 October. With over 200 historic British cars on display, plus interactive zones and cars you can climb in, a free daily quiz plus Go Karts and a Miniature Roadway, there is plenty to entertain the entire family! In addition, on Thursday 28 October visitors can take part in ‘The Big Draw’, part of the national ‘Big Draw’ incentive to get children drawing and make them connect with museum collections in new and enjoyable ways. This year’s theme will be ‘Make your Mark’ which…
Continue Reading »Heritage Motor Centre Achieves Full Accreditation
Posted On March 2, 2010 | No Comments »L to R – Stephen Laing (Curator), Bill Allan (BMIHT Trustee) and Tim Bryan (Head of Collections) The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon has recently achieved full Accreditation under the national scheme promoted by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Gaining Accreditation provides a recognised benchmark for both visitors and government agencies showing that a museum has reached professional standards of collections management, visitor care and good governance. The Centre gained a further accolade by being awarded the rare distinction of an additional special commendation from MLA for the standards by which it cares for its collections, one of only two museums in Warwickshire to be recognised in this way….
Continue Reading »Mini Madness At The Heritage Motor Centre
Posted On August 13, 2009 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre is soooo much more than just a car museum and throughout the summer holidays there are loads of activities taking place to help beat the boredom. Daily activities include go-karts, a 4×4 experience, a miniature roadway, an adventure play area, as well as quizzes and other activities designed to help families interpret and enjoy the collection. The Heritage Motor Centre continues to celebrate the Minis 50th Birthday with “MINIature” themed family craft activities taking place every Thursday during the school holidays, activities are free to all museum visitors and take place between 11am-3pm. With pencils, paints, stamps, stickers, scalextric and much more make sure every Thursday…
Continue Reading »Mini Fortnight – Maximum Fun!
Posted On July 30, 2009 | No Comments »Mini’s 50th Birthday celebrations continue at The Heritage Motor Centre. After the successful opening of the Mini Exhibition in May and Mini Festival in July, we now eagerly await August for the start of “Mini Fortnight” – two weeks of Mini Madness with events, lectures and activities for all ages. Taking place between 2-15 August the fortnight will explore the Minis design, production and development with events based around some of the themes in the Centre’s new “50 Years of the Mini” exhibition: Mighty Mini, Mini Mastermind, Mini for the New Millennium, Making the Mini, My Mini Story. Kicking off the fortnight is author John Pressnell whose lecture, on the…
Continue Reading »Heritage Motor Centre Selected As One Of The Top Museums in Europe
Posted On May 26, 2009 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre (HMC) was shortlisted as one of the best 35 museums in Europe at the Museum of the Year Awards which was celebrated in Bursa, Turkey on Saturday 9th May. Organised by the European Museum Forum the ceremony was attended by representatives from over 25 countries whose museums had been selected due to their “excellence in conception, innovation, approach to interpretation and attention to needs of the visitors.” Head of Collections at the HMC, Tim Bryan, attended the ceremony on behalf of the museum and presented to a panel of judges in a bid to win the “oscar” of the museum industry. After the awards, European Museum…
Continue Reading »Guests Have A Wheely Good Time at Mini 50th Birthday Bash
Posted On May 8, 2009 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre gave the Mini a birthday bash to remember on Friday 8th May, precisely 50 years since the first Morris Mini Minor rolled off the production lines in Cowley, to celebrate the opening of the brand new “50 Years of the Mini” exhibition on 10th May. The Heritage Motor Centre invited over 100 guests including Mini enthusiasts and members of the original design team to the opening of a brand new exhibition to celebrate the life of Britain’s favourite little car. 9 Minis from the 1959 Mini Register with the first Morris Mini-Minor in the centre of the photograph The day kicked off with Stunt Diver, Russ…
Continue Reading »Duke makes welcome return to award winning museum
Posted On May 7, 2009 | No Comments »On a recent visit to Warwickshire HRH the Duke of Kent was pleased to be reacquainted with the Heritage Motor Centre’s cars and interested to see the more recent additions to the collection since his last visit in 2002. Accompanied by Stephen Laing, the museum’s curator, highlights included the collection of veteran motor cars where His Royal Highness was shown an early picture of his great grandfather Edward VII -a pioneer British motorist- and also the Rover BRM. His Royal Highness was keen to hear about the restoration of this unique gas turbine Le Mans racer which has only just returned to the museum. Like many of the Centre’s visitors…
Continue Reading »Mini Looks “A’Ok” After It’s Makeover
Posted On April 15, 2009 | No Comments »The Heritage Motor Centre’s annual Club Expo Event kicked off the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Nation’s favourite little car, the Mini, in style with a wax job for the first Morris Mini affectionately known as 621 AOK courtesy of Autoglym. The Mini Makeover was a bid to get the 50 year old Mini looking its best ready for next year’s 50th celebrations. Autoglym employee, Martin Wheeler was set the task of the Makeover and was pleased with his results describing the car as “great”. Emma Rawlinson, Events Executive at The Heritage Motor Centre, expressed her joy at the revamping of 621 AOK, “I am very pleased that the Heritage…
Continue Reading »Family Friendly Fun This Easter
Posted On March 30, 2009 | No Comments »This Easter the Heritage Motor Centre is offering kids, young and old, the chance experience “eggsactly” what is needed for a fantastic family friendly day out. For those on a budget a year’s Gift Aid family season ticket is available for only £28 so you can keep on coming back to the museum and its events time and time again (terms and conditions apply). Back by popular demand and taking place from Good Friday until Easter Monday is a free “mini” Egg trail where visitors can follow a trail solving clues to win an Easter prize (subject to availability). New for this Easter is the “mini” Toolkit, a bag of…
Continue Reading »