Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Just saw this ... the museum has been served notice to leave, its lease runs out in 2030.

https://www.magnetomagazine.com/articles/why-the-uks-national-motor-museum-at-beaulieu-is-looking-for-a-new-home/

RJ
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[Ray White]

Nothing lasts forever and although it has come as a surprise to me, no doubt those in the know will have kept this news under wraps for a long time.

As I may have mentioned before I can remember the museum from the early days when it was known as the Montague Motor Museum. In those days Palace House and it's motor museum was a quiet and beautiful place; an exquisite Country Estate and one of England's best kept secrets.

Our family was always made welcome at Beaulieu as my Dad - who was very well connected - got along well with Edward Montague. One of the early exhibits aimed at the growing range of visitors was a vintage M type MG; a car which my Dad had owned and had a deep knowledge of. While they talked MGs my Mum was entertained by Lady Belinda Montague (Edward's first wife) by sharing afternoon tea.

One of the most notable exhibits on display at the Museum was the World Land Speed Record car ... The Golden Arrow. No one was allowed to even get close to this famous car but in an act of generosity Lord Montagu sat me, as a young enthusiast, behind the wheel...and that is something which has always stayed with me.

I have no idea where the National Motor Museum will be based but if I had any say in it I would suggest Brooklands. The 'Mercedes Benz World' part would be nice... and maybe a new bridge could span the river and extend the Brooklands Museum ownership of the track to include the original railway straight.?

.

[ukdave2002]

Its an opportunity for the museum to locate to somewhere with better communications.

Ideally I'd imagine ideally they would want to build a custom facility in a location with good access, to achieve this in the UK within 4 years could be a challenge, finding a location, designing it, getting planning permission, build it recruit and train staff etc etc. This will all clearly require investment, either a loan or 3rd party.

A couple of other things come to mind, firstly one of the advantages of Beaulieu is that the location has fantastic non motor related attractions so when one plans a day out with their partner or kids who have less interest in old crocks, there are other things to keep them entertained.
Secondly I wonder what the impact on the autojumble will be if there is no museum?

Location wise I can't see them relocating in the south, unless another current attraction such as Legoland thinks that the National Motor Museum is an appropriate attraction to add to their other attractions.

What ever the outcome is, its going to move from a nostalgic location to a more commercial one.

[alastairq]

Wherever they relocate to, the convoy will be one heckova sight!!
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Rootes75]

I read that with quite a lot of sadness.

For the last 30/35 years my family have made the trips down to the Autojumbles at Beaulieu as a sort of tradition...a grand day out.

As I wandered round the museum as a child with my parents I've now seen my children do the same. In September we made the trip as my Father, my Son, My Brother, my Nephew and Myself....But it isn't jus the museum and autojumble, for us its the drive from Somerset through the beautiful New Forest.

Such wonderful memories.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Rootes75]

So with the International Autojumble only a matter of a few weeks away are many from the forum heading down?
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Various Rootes Vehicles.