We’re gearing up for Christmas already at Great British Car Journey. We are now offering evening meals alongside our ever-popular Christmas lunches at the Filling Station Cafe this festive season.
Enjoy a lunch time meal with us from 12-2pm for just £19.95 for 2-courses or £24.95 for 3-courses.
Alternatively, our evening meals are served from 6-8pm for £24.95 for 2-courses or £29.95 for 3-courses.
You and your friends, group, colleagues, organisation or family can book Monday through to Friday for a really unique Christmas treat. We have a delicious traditional Christmas menu or you can choose from our standard menu. All bookings also include a mini guided tour of the attraction too!
Remember, we fully licensed and all dietary requirements can be catered for with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. We can also provide delicious buffet options if desired.
Great British Car Journey is also a unique destination for Corporate Events in Derbyshire.
We can also arrange private tours of the attraction during the winter months or classic car driving sessions tailored to your specific group.
We are a lot more than just a summer visitor attraction and can offer the best Christmas events in Ambergate, Derbyshire and the Peak District for anybody that enjoys a bit of nostalgia. Give us a call on 01773 317243 to discuss your event.
A new chapter in Britain’s motoring history has been launched at Great British Car Journey.
Chapter 9.5 charts the regrowth of car manufacturing in Britain following investment by Toyota UK in Derbyshire 32 years ago.
Marking Great British Car Journey’s third anniversary, Toyota UK has lent some of its historic cars to the classic car visitor attraction. The new chapter features the first car to roll off the Burnaston production line on 16 December 1992– a Toyota Carina.
Chapter 9.5 also features a Toyota Avensis Wagon, Corolla, and the race winning BTCC Toyota Avensis. Since investing in Derbyshire, Toyota UK has made more than 4 million cars.
Members of the Great British Car Club were the first to see the new chapter at a special members breakfast.
Richard Usher, founder of the museum explained: “I have always felt that the story we tell through nine chapters at Great British Car Journey ended on a low. Britain’s car manufacturing sector went from strength to strength from the 1920s to 70s until it fell into decline with many world-famous marques, like Austin and Morris being lost.
“Thanks to Toyota UK we now have the opportunity to finish the story on a more positive note, one that shows that the investment by the world’s biggest car maker in Derbyshire, enabled the county to become a significant centre of volume car production.”
Tim Freeman, Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, said: “We welcomed the kind invitation to be included in the Great British Car Journey display, a display that allows our employees and visitors from all over the UK, and wider, the opportunity to see some of the vehicles that have been produced here in Derbyshire over the past 30 years.
“Great British Car Journey is a fantastic record of automotive manufacturing here in the UK and a great testament to the skills and innovations that have been developed here through the years. Toyota have been part of the UK automotive landscape for over 30 years, with engines built in North Wales and over five million vehicles built right here in Derbyshire which has established us as a major manufacturer exporting over 80% of our output to the EU.”
The new chapter in the exhibition sits alongside another example of Derbyshire’s renowned names in motoring – Rolls-Royce. Lord Baden Powell’s Rolls Royce (Jam Roll), which is on display at Great British Car Journey, was manufactured at the Derby plant in 1929 ahead of car production moving to Crewe in 1946.
Explaining why the new chapter is called 9.5 rather than a round 10, Richard added: “Fortunately, and rather belatedly, we have recognised that we cannot continue to abuse our planet. The next chapter in Britain’s motoring history has to be that of greener motoring, whether that is hydrogen, electric or something else. Chapter 10 will tell that story when we are confident what it is.”
Toyota Mirai
In addition to the four historic Toyota cars, Toyota’s hydrogen car – the Mirai – is also on display in the new chapter within the main exhibition hall. It is one of the world’s first mass produced Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Toyota began development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in 1992, successfully introducing the Mirai sedan to world markets in 2014. To date, more than 26,000 have been sold worldwide.
Tim added: “With our targets set on reducing carbon emissions across all of our activities, we are now in the process of transitioning from being a traditional vehicle manufacturer to becoming a mobility company. Our state-of-the-art facility based in Burnaston, Derbyshire is providing a full range of services from manufacturing, customisation, refurbishment through to EoL parts reuse and recycling creating a complete Circular Economy. As a global manufacturer, our entire range is focussed on providing mobility for all, whilst driving down emissions.”
Book discounted tickets for Great British Car Journey here. For year-round access to Great British Car Journey, exclusive events and discounts, become a member of the Great British Car Club here.
As part of our vision to turn the Great British Car Journey site into a tourism hub for the Peak District we have now teamed up with PeakePedals to offer eBike tours departing from Ambergate everyday.
Our site at Ambergate is an ideal spot for exploring the Derbyshire countryside as it is next to the Cromford Canal, Shining Cliff Woods, Crich Chase & the Derwent Valley Heritage Way so it is the perfect gateway for eBike tours into the Derbyshire Dales & Peak District National Park
These tours will help you discover the real Peak District by taking you down hidden trails, quiet country roads and popular cycle routes to uncover the best views, countryside, villages, attractions, pubs, cafes and historic sites so you can combine your visit to Great British Car Journey with a unique tour. There is also 10% off for all GBCJ visitors if you use this coupon code GBCJ10 at the checkout
Can be self guided (sat nav) or guided
Routes available for all cycling abilities
Can be a 90 minute taster, 3 hours or a full day
We use the latest full suspension high powered eBikes
Example Tours from Ambergate
Beginners Circuit
Custom Designed Circuit to let Novice eBikers Practice their skills on different terrains to see how they get on. A 90 minute experience which covers multiple laps of a 3 mile circuit
Explore the Derbyshire Countryside en route to Wirksworth from our Ambergate hub in an easy 3 hour circular tour with plenty of time for refreshment stops and to enjoy the spectacular scenery
Explore both sides of the Derwent Valley in comfort harnessing the power of the eBike. Which landmark is highest? An exhilarating 3 hour 20 mile adventure on minor roads, canal paths & bike tracks
If you have not tried an eBike before then these tours are a great way to try out this new form of transport and add an extra element to your time at the Great British Car Journey
Are you a member of our ever-growing Great British Car Club?
Launched in 2021, Great British Car Journey’s own car club welcomes classic car enthusiasts from across the motoring spectrum. Annual membership of the Great British Car Club starts at just £39 per year and entitles members to unlimited free visits to the museum, along with invitations to other special events, newsletters, and discounts on classic car products and in the Filling Station cafe.
Now numbering more that 600 members, we have appointed a committee to steer the growth of the club.
Committee members nominated themselves for the roles which were agreed at the Club AGM on 26 March 2024.
The new committee comprises some familiar faces at Great British Car Journey as well as car club members. This strong team will ensure that the Great British Car Club runs like a well-oiled classic on a beautiful summer’s day.
The GBCC committee members are:
Club President Richard Usher
President – Richard Usher Role: To attend as many club events as possible and preserve our all-inclusive ethos of the club. This means whatever you own and drive, you are welcome to become a GBCC member/
Chairman – David Arme Role: To steer the committee and continue to build the team which will enable us to further expand the activities and membership of the club.
Secretary – Adrian Dale Role: To ensure regular communication with all club members and to coordinate all club events and activities.
Marketing and Publicity Officer – Oliver Hann Role: To publicise the activities of the club to a wider audience in order to grow the club and its activities. Oliver will also manage the club website and social media channels.
Events Secretary – Ian Barker Role: To coordinate and organise the club’s presence at external events.
Social Secretary – Godfrey Hall Role: To coordinate and organise social gatherings of club members away from Ambergate, such as visits to local attractions and informal get togethers of club members.
Touring Assembly Secretary – Graham Adams Role: To organise touring assemblies/weekends, Including prescribed routes run to MSUK guidelines and permit exemption.
Classic Connections Editor – Michael Winn Role: To oversee and gather content from members for the club’s quarterly magazine Classic Connections. See below for a special message from Michael.
Modern Classics Officer – Riley Smith Role: To engage with young members and encourage young people to join the classic car movement.
Committee Members Without Portfolio – Damian Cliff and Anna Ellison
Role: To attend committee meetings and help run club events.
To become a member of the Great British Car Club, simply click here or speak to a member of staff the next time you visit the museum.
Popular retro car YouTuber idriveaclassic, fronted by Steph Holloway, will be motoring into Great British Car Journey on Saturday 6 July for a very special car meet.
Steph, who boasts a 60,000 strong following on her retro motoring YouTube channel, will host the event which gives classic motorists of all ages the chance to gather at the museum and celebrate historic motoring, compare and admire classics.
Commenting, Steph from idriveaclassic said: “As a long-time fan of Brit classics, it made perfect sense to hold my summer meet up at Great British Car Journey. I cannot wait to see classics and retro cars of all ages and conditions and look forward to swapping tales of motoring mishaps and triumphs.”
Celebrating Steph’s arrival, Great British Car Journey will host a special one-off Masters of the Marque awards at the event. The idriveaclassic Masters of the Marque event, powered by Wera Tools, will be judged by Steph with prizes and trophies for the winning classic cars.
Steph added: “All classics are welcome in all conditions and there is no requirement to arrive in a British classic or a concours car – every classic makes our community a better place and modern classics and retro dailies are just as welcome as pre-war and mid-century motors. I am really looking forward to the event.”
Steph started her popular idriveaclassic YouTube channel in 2019, using it to showcase a wide range of classic and retro cars. She has since built a huge following, making regular appearances at classic car events and hosted her own festival, Rustival at the British Motor Museum last year, in conjunction with fellow YouTubers Hubnut and Furious Driving.
She added: “There is something actually really practical and accessible – and sustainable about driving a car that was manufactured forty or fifty or more years ago – and I think that’s part of the appeal too.”
Hundreds of classic car enthusiasts and their cars are expected to descend on the attraction, so booking is essential.
The idriveaclassic event is priced at £16 per car (covering driver and passenger) with additional passengers priced at £7. Tickets include entry to the museum and children under 15 go free. Discounted tickets must be purchased in advance here.
A Derbyshire family has commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in a very special way in Normandy, France, thanks to help from Great British Car Journey.
A Derbyshire family has commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in a very special way in Normandy, France, thanks to help from Great British Car Journey.
Thomas Ramsden (10) together with his parents Niki and Mark Ramsden from Stanton in Peak, have retraced the steps of the nation’s war heroes on Normandy’s beaches in a Willys Jeep.
It was thanks to the efforts of Great British Car Journey’s vehicle technicians, Doc Lawrence and his able apprentice Luke Henshaw, that the 1944/45 Willys Jeep was running and in good shape for the epic journey.
“With new parts for the vehicle not arriving until the day before it set off, like D-Day it was a last minute push to get everything ready to go,” said Mark Ramsden.
Used by the American troops, Willys were designed for quick repair in the battlefield. Doc Lawrence, who is used to maintaining cars from the museum’s collection had not worked on a Willys before and there was a bit of head scratching with the ignition system and, he noted, the British follow up to the Willys, the series one Land Rover, has many similar features.
Thomas’s grandfather (Mark’s father), John Ramsden was a member of the RAF. He joined in1945 and experienced the closing stages of WWII. From a young age Thomas has been fascinated by WWII after hearing stories from his grandfather.
“We thought what a great experience it would be to take Thomas to the Normandy beaches and show him where D-day took place and visit the museums and cemeteries. I suddenly remembered that an old friend of mine, Lt Cdr in the Commando Helicopter Force, Joe Whitfield, owned a Willys Jeep. We thought it would be the perfect vehicle to take to France,” explained Niki.
“Joe was delighted to help but explained it had been stuck in a garage for over five years and he had only driven it once after buying it.
“Thankfully, Great British Car Journey came to the rescue and ‘jump started’ Thomas’s D-day 80th adventure with logistics, planning and delivery!”
When Mark reached out, Richard Usher, CEO and founder of the museum was delighted to help. He explained: “I have known and worked with Mark for a number of years through his company, Grafika, which has helped with our branding and marketing from the time we opened back in 2021 so I was very happy to offer help and support for Thomas’s mission.
“I thought what a great idea for a young lad to learn all about the invasion of Western Europe and the liberation of France and to do it in a Willys Jeep would be a memory that a 10 year old will have for the rest of his life. We just had to help.”
To ensure the Willys Jeep made it all the way to Normandy, Richard agreed that the Jeep could be towed over the Channel on Great British Car Journey’s car trailer. Once there, the Jeep was taken off the trailer and Thomas, Niki and Mark joined the celebrations, touring the beaches of Normandy in the Jeep.
Mark added: “It was a fabulous experience for Thomas, Niki and myself. I am extremely grateful that the freedoms fought for then, allowed me to return with my 10 year old son when so many never returned.”
The Willys adventure will not stop soon either. It will be on display at Great British Car Journey until Father’s Day on Sunday 16 June.
To see the Willys Jeep at Great British Car Journey, buy discounted entrance tickets to the attraction online here
If you’re searching for a unique and unforgettable gift for Dad this Father’s Day, why not take him on a nostalgic trip down memory lane? At our museum, the Great British Car Journey, we boast an impressive collection of over 150 cars, with more than 50 available on the Drive Dad’s Car driving fleet for Dad to actually get behind the wheel and drive! Each car is a piece of automotive history, ready to reignite cherished memories and create new ones.
Whether you’re planning to visit us on Father’s Day itself or prefer the flexibility of a voucher for a future adventure, we believe this is the perfect opportunity to give Dad a truly nostalgic gift that he’ll treasure for years to come.
So why settle for the ordinary when you can gift him an extraordinary journey through time?
Special Offer to Drive 2 Cars for just £99
This Father’s Day, make memories that will last a lifetime with this very special Drive Dad’s Car offer! Treat your dad to an unforgettable nostalgic experience with our Double the Memories special and enjoy the ultimate trip down memory lane together!
He can drive any 2 cars: Let Dad choose from our prestigious driving fleet of over 50 classic cars. Once purchased the voucher is valid for 12 months so can be used any time
Share the excitement together! Dad can take you along for the ride as a passenger in both drives for free and you both get free museum entry too.
Sold separately this would normally cost £156, but for Father’s Day, it’s yours for just £99!. So don’t miss out and order today as offer ends midnight on the 15th June 2024
WARNING – we cannot be held responsible for your Dad’s actions if the following words are uttered during the drive: “Are we nearly there yet?!” Or “I need a wee!”
Make this Father’s Day truly memorable with our exclusive online only offer!
Our special Father’s Day Family Ticket admits up to 4 adults and 3 children for just £38! so you can all enjoy a day filled with nostalgia as you all reminisce over old family cars and days gone by. We even have a child-friendly tour to keep younger members of the family entertained. The Filling Station Cafe is open too providing meals & snacks
Dads Go FREE: Show your appreciation for Dad with this special offer! Save £32 on the normal price as up to two 2 Dads can enjoy complimentary admission on Father’s Day with every family ticket.
This offer is valid only for pre-booked family tickets booked for admission on Father’s Day – 16th June 2024.
Give Dad the gift of a memorable experience this Father’s Day with Great British Car Journey. Book your tickets now and embark on a fun trip down memory lane
Missing out on the most bustling weekend in the history of Great British Car Journey was a profound disappointment for me, especially as both days featured events showcasing cars from my home City about which I have become increasingly enthused.
Firstly, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the passionate Rover and MG owners who graced us with their presence on Saturday. The venue was brimming with the iconic and often overlooked vehicles built at Longbridge and Cowley before the tragic events of April 2005. The fact that so many of these cars have survived is a pretty fair indication of how good they actually were and their exceptional quality. While I cherish my trusty daily drive, a Diesel Rover 75, the allure of taking a spin in an MG ZT, particularly in its V6 iteration, is undeniable. Kudos to Pete Stevens for his outstanding restyling work, transforming these cars from timeless and safe (not a criticism) to hot and desirable. The enduring appeal of models like the ZR stands as a testament to their greatness.
However, despite my eagerness to partake, I found myself unavoidably detained in London due to a scheduled operation planned some months ago. Consequently, I missed out not only on Longships and Octagons but also our Austin Extravaganza, our inaugural “Masters of the Marque Awards Powered by Wera Tools“.
The idea behind this series of events promoted by Great British Car Journey in 2024 is to encourage owners of a single marque to gather together, enjoy the experience and facilities at Great British Car Journey, and celebrate the complete history of whatever marque is highlighted on the day. While predominantly focused on Great British Marques, there are also (in the spirit of the six nations Rugby) events for both French and Italian cars too.
Wera Tools who make some truly amazing, innovative hand tools have generously agreed to sponsor these events so as well as provide nice trophies for the winners. There are also valuable and useful tools to be won by those cars who catch the Judges’ eyes. With upcoming events tailored for both Rover and MG enthusiasts (with Rovers Return – 120 years of Rover on Sunday 12 May and MG Summer Festival on Sunday 14 July), we very much hope that many of Saturday’s guests will make a welcome return soon. Find the complete list of upcoming Master of the Marque events here.
Yesterday, we celebrated the cars which were fortunate to be born Austins including of course Austin Healey, Nash, Princess and other brands full of Austin DNA. A great turn out saw some very worthy winners and I think the great man would have been watching with some satisfaction from a lofty viewpoint. Congratulations to all the winners and I hope to meet and greet you in person as soon as possible. Find the winners here.
This coming Sunday 21 April 2024 marks Drive It Day, and Great British Car Club has planned a great drive out planned featuring a visit to Derbyshire’s only Doubly Thankful village on some amazingly tiny roads. If you don’t know what I am talking about, use Google to find out! It’s not too late to book a space and help raise funds for ChildLine and support the Federation of Historic British Vehicle Clubs who do a great job ensuring that we can go on enjoying our cars. If you are interested in joining us on Drive It Day, either on the drive or in the attraction, there’s plenty on offer – find out more here.
So, despite the decidedly chilly weather, the classic car season is well underway for us. Though unfortunately I won’t be able to drive for a few weeks but I eagerly anticipate my return to Ambergate very soon.
Lastly, I extend my sincere gratitude to the staff at King Edward VII’s Hospital for their attentive care during my brief stay. To those reading, especially those over 50, I implore you to undergo the annual PSA blood test—it won’t cost you anything and it may just save your life.
Honouring people who cherish their classic cars, Great British Car Journey has launched its own Masters of the Marque Awards – the classic car industry’s alternative awards.
The awards have been launched in conjunction with Wera Tools UK Ltd, a specialist tool manufacturer based in Derbyshire. The company has been making high quality hand tools packed with innovative features since 1936.
“I am delighted to have fellow Derbyshire business Wera Tools UK onboard with our new Masters of the Marque Awards,” said Richard Usher, founder of the awards and the award-winning classic car museum in Ambergate, Derbyshire.
“These awards are purposefully quirky and quite different to anything else in the industry, very like our attraction. I wanted to recognise the thousands of classic car enthusiasts who love their cars, and have personally restored and maintain them at home,” he explained.
Winners of the awards will receive a glass trophy and items from the Wera Tools range worth up to £90.
Additionally, all visitors to Masters of the Marque events who arrive in a vehicle corresponding with the event marque, will each receive a commemorative metal plaque.
Richard added: “We get such an array of vehicles at our marque-specific events so I was keen not to have specific categories that would limit entrants or, indeed winners. Myself or the team will personally judge all vehicles and decide on which vehicles and their owners stand out to me.”
One of the awards at each event will include the ‘Car We’d Like to Steal’ title. Richard explained: “Whenever we have events in the carpark, the Great British Car Journey team and I find ourselves wandering around the carpark and saying ‘crikey, we’d love to have that in the exhibition’ to each other.”
14 April Austin Extravaganza 28 April Auto Italiane 06 May Morgans in May (including all niche British sports car marques) 12 May Rovers Return – 120 Years of Rover 19 May Voitures Francaises 26 May Spring Mini Day 02 June A Fiesta of Fords 09 June Morris Minor Day (open to all Morris’) 23 June Reliant Regatta 14 July MG Summer Festival 18 August Show Your Rootes 26 August Mini 65th Birthday 08 September A Triumph of Triumphs
“I welcome owners of all cars related to their respective marques to attend. For instance, latterly produced Metros and Maestros don’t bear the Austin badge but they were definitely part of the marque and so are included in the awards,” added Richard.
Entry into the Great British Masters of the Marque in association with Wera Tools is simple; just turn up to the event in a corresponding marque of car. Winners from the above events will be invited to a Grand Celebration at the end of the year to crown an overall winner.
The cost to enter is just £10 per vehicle occupant, which also gives them full access to the museum and its facilities.
Thank you to all who took the time and nominated us – we’re thrilled to learn that we’ve now made it through to the finals for the accolade of ‘Best Family Attraction’ in the Muddy Awards 2024.
It means the world to us to be recognised locally in this category. We have worked hard to develop our children’s interactive tour to keep them entertained and learning throughout the attraction. Plus our themed treasure hunts and recent kids go free offers during school holidays. Keep your eyes peeled for new initiatives and introductions specifically for our younger guests!
It takes just seconds to vote – you do need to remember to verify your vote by clicking the link in the email you will receive after you vote. Thank YOU in advance!
Great British Car Journey has acquired the AROnline website from its founder Keith Adams.
AROnline was established in 2001 by Keith and has grown to become regarded as the ultimate resource for fans of British motoring history, boasting nearly 6,000 published articles.
Richard Usher, founder of the museum, commented: “As a classic car authority and renowned journalist, Keith was a terrific help to us four years ago when we were putting Great British Car Journey together. He has been a stalwart supporter of our vision.
“AROnline is a ready-made archive of the history behind the majority of our exhibits, and it is a site I have been visiting for more years than I care to admit. It made absolute sense to acquire the site and give our visitors and club members access to even more of the UK’s very rich automotive history.”
Keith Adams said: “I am delighted that the future of AROnline has been secured and I am pleased to be able to retain control of the past and future content by working with Richard and his team.
“There are no plans to change the website in any material way or introduce any form of subscription charge. It has always been a free resource and the intention is that it stays that way.”
The acquisition of AROnline follows the Autocar deal in 2022, which saw Great British Car Journey secure an agreement to reproduce articles and artwork from the 125-year Autocar magazine archive.
Richard added: “We want Great British Car Journey to become recognised as the authority and place to go for all British motoring history, whether that’s viewing cars, driving them, hanging pictures of them on their wall or, now, reading about them at AROnline.”
Great British Car Journey opened in May 2021 and is a celebration of cars built in Britain. Richard, a lifelong car enthusiast and being born in Birmingham, has a natural affinity with cars built in the Midlands and beyond.
Keith has been similarly car obsessed from a very early age and has had a long journalistic career during which he has written articles for all the leading classic car magazines and is currently editor of Parker’s Guide.
Between them, Richard and Keith have owned more than 500 cars and have an abiding interest in the cars that gave the ordinary family the freedom of the road.
We have produced so many great cars in the UK that are on display at the Great British Car Journey but we often get asked what are the top cars and why? we call these are hero cars and detail them below. You will be able to see and drive these Great British Car Hero’s when you visit our attraction
Mini
Perhaps the greatest of them all : The Mini 1959-2000
Like the Morris Minor the Mini was designed by Alec Issigonis and becane the most popular car ever produced in the UK. Some 5.4 Million Minis were made between 1959 and 2000
The Mini is a masterpiece: despite being only ten feet long, it will accommodate four adults and a reasonable amount of luggage and transport them at a very reasonable pace.
75% of the Mini’s footprint is devoted to passengers and luggage with the engine, gearbox and all the mechanical bits only taking up 25%. Everything about the mechanical package is clever and innovative and the result is a tiny car that delivers on every front.
The Mini also performed David-like on the Monte Carlo Rally and on race tracks around the world slaying the Goliaths from Ford and almost everyone else.
Supposedly replaced by the Metro in 1980 , the Mini refused to die and long after the Metro had been killed off the last Mini was driven off the line in Birmingham by Lulu on October 4th 2000.
The Austin Seven was produced between 1922-1939 and pioneered car ownership for the common man and his family. Hitherto condemned to a motorbike possibly tethered to a side-car, Austin’s little car offered the tantalising prospect of being able to take the family for days out and even holidays at the coast : it offered freedom to explore a world away from cramped and dirty towns and cities by taking to Britain’s network of winding country roads.
By the mid 1930s despite the economic traumas earlier in the decade, a second-hand Austin 7 could be had for similar money to a motor bike combination and Britain’s Motorcycle industry would never be the same again.
By the outbreak of war in 1939, more than 300,000 Sevens had been built and as Morris and Ford joined the small car party, the hard-working couple could give their family a freedom of mobility that transformed the way we live.The Seven’s little engine produced less than 20 horsepower and fully laden it would struggle to reach 40mph,
The Seven was alsoproduced under license in France, Germany, the USA and Japan
The launch of the Ford Escort in 1968 was a seminal moment in British motoring history: For the next half century Escorts would be everywhere : on every street of every city ,town and village there would be an Escort…and then they started to disappear until now in 2024, you might go a week or even a month without even seeing one.
Unlike some of our other heroes, the Escort was able to completely reinvent itself over the years so that the last cars bore no resemblance at all to the Mk1 s of the 60s and 70s. The Escort of 2000 was a marketing creation and could be given a new name at any time whereas the Austin Seven, Morris Minor and the Mini were fundamentally the same cars for all the years that they were produced.
After the Second World War, car production was slow to restart anywhere in the world and many manufacturers just dusted off their pre-war models in the hope that they would do.
Herbert Austin was dead but his great rival William Morris was still at the helm of his company and employing a young expatriate by the name of Alec Issigonis. Issigonis was to design the next great family car to occupy suburban drives all over the UK : the Morris Minor. Launched at the 1948 London Motor Show, the Minor was a quantum leap forward from the Austin Seven
Morris himself didn’t like the Minor and continued to drive a pre-war model but the public loved it and in 1960 the millionth Minor rolled off the production line at Crowley being the first British car to reach this considerable milestone.
Henry Royce started making cars in 1904 and Rolls Royce was founded in 1906 when he was introduced to car dealership owner Charles Rolls. They increased their portfolio by purchasing potential competitor Bentley in 1931
Rolls-Royce Motors Limited was incorporated 1971 after the companies diversification into aircraft engines went wrong and it fell into receivership
Perhaps the most famous Rolls Royce the iconic Silver Shadow was produced between 1965 and 1980. A Bentley version of the Silver Shadow, known as the Bentley T was also produced
A marketing survey in 1987 showed that only Coca-Cola was a more widely known brand than Rolls-Royce, confirming its status as one of the most iconic cars ever to be made in the UK
Hop into 2 ultra rare and super cool classics this easter! Brand new to our driving fleet for April!
The first is our stunning 1958 Austin Healey 100/6, which is a reminder of an era of the Great British Sports Car. You can find this in our Luxury collection!
And the second is our 1994 Ford Granada MK3. King of the company car park, for the man who made it in sales. You can find this in our Classic collection!
Back by popular demand, we are brining back our DeLorean rides on the 30th March and the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 13th April! Come and have a ride in our 1980s DeLorean DMC 12 for just £10 a lap.
Kids In The Holidays
From the 29th March to the 14th April kids go absolutely FREE
They can see a real F1 car, A Delorean, James Bond-style Lotus, Bentley once owned by Sir Elton John and Princess Annes Reliant Scimitar.
See cars being driven on selected days and even take a ride/drive yourself
Along with the free entry, from the 29th to the 31st of March we have a fab easter egg hunt for your kids to enjoy. Find all 9 spots where Riley The Rabbit is hiding in the attraction, jot down the numberplates of the cars he’s hiding in, and hand the form into reception and you can receive your reward.
Research by Auto Trader has revealed that Great British Car Journey is one of the best auto museums in the world.
New research by Auto Trader has revealed that Great British Car Journey is among the top twenty best auto museum experiences in the world.
The research analysed Google review scores and annual global Google searches for over 180 auto museums around the globe. Great British Car Journey in Ambergate and Brooklands Museum are the only two UK car museums to feature in the list.
With an impressive Google review score of 4.8 out of five stars, and 52,800 global searches made for the museum every single year, Great British Car Journey is the 17th most popular and most enjoyable auto museum in the world.
Top of the list is Gilmore Car Museum in Michigan, USA. Considered to be the largest automobile museum in North America, the Gilmore Car Museum boasts over 400 vintage and collector vehicles.
World’s Top 20 Best-Rated Auto Museums
Rank
Museum Name
Location
Google Review Score
1
Gilmore Car Museum
Michigan, USA
4.9
2
Nethercutt Collection
California, USA
4.9
3
Țiriac Collection
Otopeni, Romania
4.9
4
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Indiana, USA
4.9
5
Revs Institute
Florida, USA
4.9
6
Museum of American Speed
Nebraska, USA
4.9
7
Automuziejus Vilnius
Vilnius, Lithuania
4.9
8
The Henry Ford Museum
Michigan, USA
4.8
9
Brooklands Museum
Weybridge, England
4.8
10
Lane Motor Museum
Tennessee, USA
4.8
11
Blackhawk Automotive Museum
California, USA
4.8
12
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
Florida, USA
4.8
13
National Automobile Museum
Nevada, USA
4.8
14
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Michigan, USA
4.8
15
Malta Classic Car Museum
St Paul’s Bay, Malta
4.8
16
Studebaker National Museum
Indiana, USA
4.8
17
Great British Car Journey
Derbyshire, England
4.8
18
Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Istanbul, Turkey
4.8
19
Riga Motor Museum
Riga, Latvia
4.8
20
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
Pennsylvania, USA
4.8
Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto Trader, commented: “A love of cars can come in all shapes and sizes, whether it’s leasing your dream make and model or learning about the history of cars and specific brands. For those who enjoy delving into the design, engineering and people behind vehicles, we wanted to highlight the wonderful museums around the world offering car lovers the chance to immerse themselves in the automotive space. As a UK company, we are thrilled to see the likes of Brooklands Museum in Weybridge and Derbyshire’s Great British Car Journey putting Britain on the global map.”
As well as having a fantastic collection of more than 150 UK-designed and made classic cars, Great British Car Journey also offers a unique driving experience – Drive Dad’s Car, which recently won silver in the 2024 Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.
Purchase discounted tickets and find details of opening times for Great British Car Journey here. Or book a Drive Dad’s Car experience here.
So if you have children or grandchildren to entertain, why not bring them to our interactive museum featuring iconic cars made in Britain. See a real F1 racer and a car made more than 120 years ago.
We are also running our Drive Dad’s Car driving experiences on the 2nd, 10th, 16th, 20th, 24th, 27th, and 30th March and we have two exciting new additions to the fleet to wet your appetite (see below)
On the 10th of March bring down your mum for Mothers Day, or how about checking out the events we are holding throughout March…
Introducing two ultra-rare and uber-cool 1980s British Sports Saloons to our driving fleet!
The first is our stunning 1986 Rover SD1 Vitesse Twin Plenum, with its 3500 V8 and manual gearbox this legendary car is certain to put a smile on anyone’s face
And the second is our 1989 MG Montego 2.0 EFi. This sporty saloon makes a perfect addition to our MG Maestro also on our fleet, especially with 115hp under the bonnet
Mum’s car was probably just as important as Dad’s in your early life. It was probably Mum who took you to school, dragged you to the shops and acted as a taxi to all those teenage parties. It was probably Mum’s car in which you learned to drive and from which on that joyful day, the L plates were removed. Before you bought your first car, it was probably Mum’s that you borrowed?
So why not buy Mum a slice of nostalgia for Mother’s Day and bring her to Great British Car Journey? She will almost certainly see some of the cars she has owned and you can book her a ride or drive in one of her favourites.
Mother’s Day is all about the memories of all the great things Mum has done for you. For most of us, Mum’s cars were a large part of that rich tapestry of love.
Share your Mum’s car memories with us on Facebook: our favourite three will win a £10 voucher for use in our “Filling Station” café.
The latest addition to the Great British Car Journey collection, is this amazing 1980 V8 Aston Martin Lagonda.
The launch of the Lagonda in 1976 saw Aston Martin take on Rolls Royce and Bentley in the fast four-seater luxury market.
When it was unveiled at the London Motor Show there was a real sense of excitement with its bold ‘folded paper’ styling being matched by a fully electronic dashboard and control panels which looked as if they had come from a spaceship. Despite a price tag 44 years ago of almost £50,000, the car caused a sensation with nearly 200 deposits were taken at launch.
However, production was painfully slow as the electronics proved stubbornly unreliable. It was more than a year before Lady Tavistock took delivery of the first customer car, by which time King Charles had already taken a test drive. Some 640 of these cars were made between 1977 and 1990, many being exported to America and the Middle East.
Powered by a 5.4 litre V8 running on Weber carburettors, the Lagonda could reach 60mph in 8.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 148mph. The Lagonda epitomised the optimism of the late 70s and early 80s – it looked like no other four-seater car and was guaranteed to pull a crowd.
This car was delivered to its first owner by Aston Martin agents: Donaldson and Evans on 1st October 1980. Its last owner loved and looked after the car for more than 30 years and it has only covered a mere 17,000 miles – in remarkable condition for its age.
Designed by William Towns, the distinctive shape divides opinion like Marmite as can be seen here.
One thing is certain – no British company will produce such a distinctive, dramatic and expensive four seater powered by petrol again.
We are grateful to Aston Engineering in Derby for finding this car and helping us recommission her.
An incredibly rare piece of Derbyshire’s car making history has made a return to the county.
Better known for the manufacture of Rolls-Royces and Toyotas, few people know that in the 1950s, Derbyshire was also home to the production of the now almost forgotten Paramount car.
And now, the fifth Paramount car ever made has gone on display at Great British Car Journey after being discovered at a classic car auction.
Richard Usher, founder and director of Great British Car Journey explained: “We consider ourselves experts in British classic cars but even the Paramount was a mystery to the team here. We had no idea this car even existed. It wasn’t until we were alerted to its local history that we knew we had to have it and bring it home. The Paramount really is a forgotten piece of Derbyshire’s motoring heritage.”
Only 10 Paramount cars were manufactured at the factory in Swadlincote and all of them bear the registration PNU, and were numbered 1 – 10. Great British Car Journey’s Paramount original number plate would have been PNU 4.
“We’d love to trace another of the Swadlincote Paramounts, but we think it’s highly unlikely any will be in existence which makes ours even more special,” said Richard.
Just 16 Paramounts were produced in Derbyshire; first at the Swadlincote factory and then later in Melbourne, until production moved to Buckinghamshire in 1953. In total, just 76 Paramount cars were made until 1956 when production ceased.
“Our brilliant team at Great British Car Journey have already got the car running and looking a lot smarter than when she arrived,” he added.
According to an advert from 1950, the beautiful red, four seater convertible Paramount was ‘designed to provide a sports car of exceptional beauty whilst retaining the distinctive British character favoured by most sports drivers.’
The Paramount boasts Triumph running gear underneath its all-aluminium bodywork which is stretched over a wooden ash frame mounted on a tubular metal chassis.
Richard added: “The car is beautifully made. It is testament to the skills of the craftsmen who made her, as the bodywork is full of complex curves.”
After the success of Series 1 of the Great British Car Share the deadly duo Paul and Sarah are back together for Series 2 to continue their automotive journey down memory lane in some more of the Drive Dads Car fleet of classic British Carsavailable to drive. We are sure you will enjoy watching them try out the same cars that are available for our classic British Car driving experience. Cars driven include some real classic 60s & 70s cars including a Land Rover MK1, Triumph Stag and Ford Capri
You can view our full You Tube Channel by clicking the red button below or click on the individual video thumbnails to watch different episodes
You will also be able to see all episodes from Series 1 here too
If you are interested in driving some of these cars yourself (or giving as a gift to someone else) then you can click on the blue button below to see the full fleet of cars available
We hope you enjoy The Great British Car Share and it inspires you to visit Drive Dads Car or the Great British Car Journey for a very personal trip down memory lane where you will find many of the cars you grew up with
Some of the most frequent feedback we get from people taking our Drive Dad’s Car driving experiences is that they “wish they could try more cars” or that “their drive reminded them of a particular moment in their life” – this feedback gave us the idea to launch a new range of multi car bundles tp help people get more out of their experience. Detailed below are the first of our new themed bundles being launched at a very special price just for this Christmas. Do you know anyone that might enjoy one of these?
If you like, loved or ever owned a Mini then you are bound to enjoy this 3 car experience.
You will get to drive 3 different Minis starting with the original MK1 Mini then see how it evolved and changed into the MK2 and then finally how it was refined to become the legendary racing car the Mini Cooper.
You will also get to see even more Minis as entrance to our interactive museum is also included as part of the bundle
60 Minutes Driving Time around our road circuit
Supported by a trained instructor
More £50 Off Normal Multi Car Bundle
Includes Museum Entrance for Voucher Holder (Worth £18.50)
If you enjoyed TV detectives from the 70s and 80s then you will love our 3 car detective package.
Whether you are being Jack Regan from the Sweeney, Bodie or Doyle from the Professionals or the slightly more sedate Foyle you are bound to have a great day driving those 3 classic vehicles
You will also get to see even more Detectives Cars as entrance to our interactive museum is also included as part of the bundle. Including Morse’s Jaguar
60 Minutes Driving Time around our road circuit
Supported by a trained instructor
More £50 Off Normal Multi Car Bundle
Includes Museum Entrance for Voucher Holder (Worth £18.50)
Herbert Austin was a pioneer of the British Car Industry and this unique bundle will let you experience how his cars evolved from 1937 to 1971.
You will drive 3 classic Austins starting with an Austin Seven you will then experience the next generation Austin A30 (launched to compete with the Morris Minor) and finally get to drive an iconic Austin 1275 GT
You will also get to see even more Austins as entrance to our interactive museum is also included as part of the bundle
60 Minutes Driving Time around our road circuit
Supported by a trained instructor
More £50 Off Normal Multi Car Bundle
Includes Museum Entrance for Voucher Holder (Worth £18.50)
Another young, classic car enthusiast has kick-started their career at Great British Car Journey.
Riley Smith (19), from Underwood, has embarked on a Level Three Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing at the museum.
He joins from Ashfield School where he completed A Levels in Computer Studies, Physics, and Business Studies.
Keen to get his career started after school, Riley explained: “I didn’t want to go to university. I knew that I wanted to have a lived-experience of industry. Great British Car Journey has been a fantastic starting point for that to happen and I am looking forward to putting my Business Studies A Level into practice here.”
In his new role at the classic car visitor attraction, Riley will be helping to market Great British Car Journey’s new online range of merchandise.
Riley’s journey with Great British Car Journey began last year when he completed a work experience placement. Subsequently, the placement helped Riley secure a weekend job as a coordinator for our popular Drive Dad’s Car experience.
Richard Usher, Founder and CEO of Great British Car Journey explained: “Riley impressed us from the start. From a successful work experience week, through to his weekends working alongside members of the public; Riley has made an impact with his enthusiasm and willingness to learn.”
Riley’s enthusiasm for his apprenticeship is evident: “I’m living the dream! I’m restoring my own classic 1275 Mini at home so working at Great British Car Journey is a perfect fit for my future career ambitions and interests.”
Riley is one of two apprentices now employed at the museum. Its heritage apprentice Luke Henshaw was named as the Tourism Young Achiever in 2022 in the Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards. Last year, the attraction was named as the best New Tourism Business in the Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.
As the award-winning classic car attraction continues to go from strength-to strength, Richard reflects: “We are in a position to offer unique and meaningful apprenticeships and Riley is already making the most of his placement with us.
“The cars at Great British Car Journey here may have a rich history, but we are delighted to offer Riley a bright future with us.”
You can check out visiting times and book tickets to visit us here.
Members of the Great British Car Club were the first to see the new chapter at a special members breakfast.
