Two new exhibitions open at the British Motor Museum this summer
This Summer two new exhibitions are open at the British Motor Museum. A perfect chance to take the family along for a day out.
‘Small car. Big history: 100 years of the Austin Seven’
The British Motor Museum is to host a brand-new exhibition entitled ‘Small car. Big history: 100 years of the Austin Seven’ which will open on 22 July to mark a century of the small car that made such a big impact. From its launch in 1922, the exhibition will explore the impact that the Austin Seven has had over the last 100 years.
Through the seven special cars selected in the exhibition, ‘Small car. Big history’ will take visitors on a journey from the Austin Sevens conception in a pre-war Britain. The little Austin’s influence across the world will be illustrated using the Museum’s rich collections of archive materials and objects, as well as the cars.
Visitors can discover how the Austin Seven transformed travel and leisure as the motor for the millions and how Austin’s marketing material showcased its wide appeal at the time. Visitors can also explore the racing heritage of the Austin Seven with one of only two surviving Austin Seven twin-cam racers on display in the exhibition with the opportunity to race their own!
Cat Boxall, Curator at The British Motor Museum said “Over the course of the exhibition, we are hoping to collect and share even more stories, pictures, and memorabilia to reveal just how personal and important the car continues to be 10 decades on. Alongside the physical exhibition we will also launch an online oral history collection of these anecdotes and memories”.
Through ‘Small car. Big history’ visitors can uncover the global reach of this little car that changed the world and its ties to countries like Germany and Japan, as well as other UK manufacturers like Lotus and Jaguar. Other cars featured in the exhibition include a very early 1923 Austin Seven Chummy tourer, as well as a later model 1938 Austin Seven Ruby – showcasing the car over its production run.
Finally, ‘Small car. Big history’ explores the legacy of the Austin Seven, and how its reputations extended far beyond its 16-year production run. Hear stories of how it’s still alive 100 years on through the oral history contributions of owner’s past and present, how ownership evolved over time and the spectacular things they achieved, for example with the ‘Coleman’s Drive adventure.
Part of a series of events that the Museum is participating in over the summer to mark this great milestone, the exhibition will run from 22 July 2022 until the summer of 2023 and has been made possible by the generous funding of Arts Council England.
‘The Legendary Daytona Motorcycle’
As a departure from its normally car-based exhibitions, the British Motor Museum is expanding its visitor appeal and diving into the world of motorcycles! A new collaboration with Triumph Motorcycles will see two temporary exhibitions delivered over the next six months. The first is a celebration of one of its most iconic road and race bike names – the Daytona.
Visitors to the exhibition ‘The Legendary Daytona Motorcycle’ , will be able to discover the story of how Daytona became, and continues to be, one of the most successful British motorcycles of all time. The legendary ‘Daytona 200’ is a 200-mile race that has been taking place annually for over 80 years at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 1966 after a difficult practice, motorbike rider Buddy Elmore started in 46th on the grid on a Triumph Tiger and fought his way through to win, beating the might of the 750cc Harley-Davidsons. From this incredible moment in racing history the Triumph Daytona name was born.
Featuring 16 Daytonas from road and track, as well racing memorabilia, the exhibition includes unmistakable machines, each with a fascinating story to tell, from Buddy Elmore’s 1966 historic Daytona 200 winner, to the first-ever Official Moto2™ Dorna Sports Licensed motorcycle, the Daytona Moto2™ 765 Limited Edition.
Visitors will be able to see the prolific progression of the Daytona racing name within this display, its evolution over the years and how it became and continues to be, one of the most successful British motorcycles of all time.
Jeff Coope Managing Director at the British Motor Museum said, “This exhibition, showcasing two wheels rather than four, is a first for the Museum! Triumph is an iconic British brand, and this is a great opportunity to share the story of Triumphs continued evolution and the important role that British motor manufacturing still plays today.”
Simon Thrussell, Triumph Motorcycles Global Head of Customer Experience said, “We are very proud to be working together for the first time with the British Motor Museum to showcase the iconic Daytona story, from the very start with the very first Daytona motorcycle that took Buddy Elmore to victory in the 1966 Daytona 200, all the way through to the first-ever Official Moto2™ Dorna Sports Licensed motorcycle, the Daytona Moto2™ 765 Limited Edition. This promises to be a wonderful exhibit of stunning motorcycles for visitors to see and enjoy, made possible thanks to the Dick Shepherd Collection”.
