The Heritage Motor Centre, home in Gaydon, England, to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, is changing its name to better reflect its mission. The new name is the British Motor Museum.
The centre/museum houses the world’s largest collection of historic British cars and will be closed from November 30 until February 16, 2016, when a new $6.9 million Collections Centre opens and the current facility undergoes a $1.7 million refurbishment of displays.
According to a news release, one reason for the rebranding is the museum’s recent status as a “designated” accredited museum by the Arts Council England, a move that “confirms the national and international significance of its collections.”
“An introductory gallery within the new visitor entrance will set the scene and flow into distinctive new themed zones, including ones for movie cars, prototypes and sports cars,” the news release reports.
“The popular ethos of allowing visitors to get up close to the exhibits will not change, but there will be different ways to view the cars, with many on raised plinths and some at eye level. Families and enthusiasts alike will be able to stroll along the Time Road, look under more open bonnets, and enjoy new interactive content including sound, film and touch screens. Whether the visitor is 3 or 103 years of age, there will be something about each car and its history to fascinate.”
In addition to the cars on display in the museum, the new Collections Centre will provide a home for some 250 vehicles from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and the Jaguar Heritage Trust.
“Many of these vehicles are one of a kind and most have never been seen by the public,” the news release reports.
“A new team of volunteers will take visitors on a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour to view both the cars and the conservation work in progress in the historic vehicle workshops. Entry to the Collections Centre will be included within the museum ticket price.
“Not only will our prized collection of 300 historic British cars be far more accessible, but our museum will give people the chance to learn more about the past, present and future of the British motor industry, its technology and its people,” Julie Tew, managing director of the BMIHT, said in the news release.
