Heritage Motor Centre

Heritage Motor Centre museum includes the biggest collection if the world of British cars, created in 1993 thanks to the merger between British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and a London museum. The Heritage Motor Centre is located in Gaydon, in the Warwickshire, next to the Aston Martin factory. I have always loved British cars. Hence, when I went in England I did not lose the opportunity to visit this museum.

Entering the half-round building, I immediately found one of the most recent British four-wheeled movie stars: the silver Land Rover Defender 110 Crew Cab, which had been driven (and destroyed) in Skyfall. On the left, there was the most ancient Land Rover in the world, the famous HUE, a reproduction of Back to the Future DeLorean and a Mini MKI. After having seen these wonderful British cars icons, I was ready to start the visit, but I immediately stopped, stupefied: I saw an Aston Martin Vanquish, a DB7 Zagato and the Land Rover Range Stormer, which has been transformed in the current, successful, Range Rover Sport.

Then, more mainstream cars were exposed, such as touring cars, shooting brakes and station wagons Fords, Triumphs, Reliants and Rovers. But I soon saw the most interesting car of the whole collection: the Land Rover Defender V8, which was driven by Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) in Tomb Raider. I had already seen this car from a distance, when I went at Land Rover factory in Solihull many years ago. However, at Heritage Motor museum, I have admired every particular which render this car so special and unique.

Furthermore, I found one of the first London double decker buses, many picture show cars, ancient wood, leather and brass vehicles. In many interesting stands, old carports, service stations and mechanics have been recreated.

A section of the museum has been dedicated to the exposition of most famous and important Jaguars, where I found the XJ220 prototype.

Another section has been dedicated to children: they learn the principles, the mechanical engeneering, the safety and the history of automobile.

Then, I found the Queen cars: Land Rover Series, parade burgundy Range Rover, and its loved Rover P5B.

Beyond this marvel, I found other symbols: a dark blue three doors Range Rover, which took part in the British Trans Americas Expedition, a “Pink Panther” Land Rover and a caterpillar (Cingolato…) Land Rover which was used for the North Pole expeditions.

Moreover, I discovered some Minis, survived to the notorious Monte Carlo Rally, the Sunbeam which broke the speed record, a tourism TVR, an Aston Martin DBR9 and a little Peel P50.

At the first floor, spiders are exposed, in particular Triumphs, Marcos, Lotus and MGs.

Unfortunately, I finished my visit too soon. Hence, after having bought some souvenirs, I decided to have a walk near the building. During this walk, I discovered that the Heritage Motor Centre has been the perfect destination not only for passionate people, but also for owners and collectors of classic cars: every year, many classic car meetings occur here. Near the museum, I found many layouts in which different teams can access and compete, and a plot for off-road vehicles, where one of the most famous Land Rover Experience is located.

The Heritage Motor Centre is a perfect place where you can admire, touch and breath a centuries-old history and… drink a good cup of tea.

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