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
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[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!!
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
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.
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Rootes75]

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

[Rootes75]

We were at a local show yesterday and got chatting with a few of our friends, quite a few of them hadn't heard about the goings on at Beaulieu.

Most of them though had already booked their tickets for this years Autojumble...there is a lovely anticipation this time of the year for it.
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

[petelang]

One thing you can be absolutely certain about is that, wherever it relocates to, it will be a very costly investment and that means it will become far more expensive for the users who pursue such interests. Since Covid and the plethora of World events post then, coupled with seemingly stubborn inflation, we have witnessed everything seeming to double in price. Even a coffee and a cake slice can easily wipe out a ?10 note, and with admission charges now reaching eye watering sums, for a family outing it becomes almost unachievable.
No, this is very bad news for our hobby and the wider scope of classic and more so vintage motors which will further reflect in market stagnation and values falling. Doubtless, the museum will also be eager to ditch a few exhibits too and downsize collections to save space and costs.
Sorry to be the harbinger of doom but it seems this is the way it's all going in broken Britain.
_________________
Daimler Fifteen 1934 (now sold)
Armstrong Siddeley 15 Long 1933
Daimler V8 250 1969

[alastairq]

[Ray White]

[Rootes75]

I do think nostalgia changes...what I see as nostalgia is something very different to what someone say in their 20s sees.

I do really find Beaulieu special and will be genuinely sad to see it go. But we move on, things change and we have to accept that.
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Ray White]

I have some reservations about expressing how I really feel about the Beaulieu move because the National Motor Museum has become something of a sacred cow.

However, notwithstanding the fantastic work the Museum has done over the years to preserve our motoring heritage, its location is far from ideal. Added to which, I can remember as a small child, Palace House and gardens as being an exquisitely beautiful and peaceful place which has been increasingly spoilt by hoards of visitors.

If the Estate is to be returned to it's former tranquility then moving the Museum and other visitor attractions to a less sensitive location is not such a bad thing.

I just hope they get it right.

.

[alastairq]

[Ray White]

[Rootes75]

I do get the location being an issue with Beaulieu. Its a good 2 hours drive for us so it make the day that much longer.

I would also say that we go twice a year and have done for around 30 years now but the last time I looked around the house and gardens is probably over ten years ago now....
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.