A four seater convertible with Italian style and a V8 engine. Sold between 1970 and 1978 as a luxury sports car to compete with Mercedes Benz S Class. The Stag was a huge success when launched in the UK where it now enjoys cult status but never cracked the US market that it was originally targeted at
Fresh air motoring for the whole family provided by the Rootes Group in the early 60s. With styling cues from Studebaker, the Rapier cut quite a dash with two tone paint, plenty of chrome and pronounced rear fins. The Rapier sold well in both saloon and convertible form (both of which you can see at the Great British Car Journey) and competed with distinction in rallies like the Monte Carlo.
Rolls Royce is historically the world’s most famous luxury car brand. We have both a Silver Spirit and Silver Shadow at the great British car Journey as well as other luxury cars like Bentleys and Daimlers. This Silver Spirit is unmistakably a Rolls-Royce both inside and out. Effortlessly eating up the road with a cabin full of leather and varnished wood, this car has a presence and pedigree beyond doubt.
Perhaps the best remembered of the Hillman cars the Imp ws built in a new Scottish factory, the Imp was Rootes’ attempt to take on the Mini. Poor build quality and early unreliability took its toll and although it is fondly remembered by many, it only achieved 10% of the Mini’s sales figures.
Often unfairly criticised as not being as striking as the E type, the XJS is in fact the best selling car Jaguar has ever made. Whether in Six cylinder or V12 form, coupe or convertible, the XJS offered distinctive style and effortless cruising in a very British form.
Nash Metropolitan 1958 donated in September 2022 by Michael McLean.
The Nash is a real piece of Automotive Americana built in Longbridge by Austin and exported in considerable numbers. This UK market car is a real time-warp car and we are truly privileged to be its current custodians. Like so many cars at Ambergate, we will never see anything quite like it again. On display in Chapter 2.
To see ALL our cars visit Great British Car Journey … The Interactive Museum where you can even drive more than 40 Classic cars.
This Jaguar XJ Sport 3.2 1997 was donated by Stuart Sorockyj in December 2022.
This car belonged to Stuart’s father in law and has been well looked after and cherished for many years. Another product of Ford’s tenure of the Jaguar brand, it combines the original shape of Lyon’s XJ6 with a silky smooth six cylinder engine and a sumptuous interior.
This Triumph 1500 1972 “Laura” donated by Sam Malins in December 2022.
Sam was given this car by her father in 1997 before she had a driving license and when she passed her test it was her daily driver for a number of years. Prior to Sam, Laura had one owner who finally stopped driving at the age of 94 having covered 27,000 miles in 25 years. Laura is now retired with 57,000 miles on the clock but she drives very well which is a testament to the care lavished on her for more than 50 years. On display in Chapter 4 next to a Triumph Toledo.
This beautiful 1981 Ford Dorchester Granada by Coleman Milne has been donated in February 2023 by Andy Lord and is now on display in Chapter 7.
We love limousines at Great British Car Journey and have a number of fine Daimlers on display with a few more in reserve. However, Although Daimler were the most prolific Limo constructors in the UK , they were by no means alone. Bolton-based Coleman Milne have been producing funeral cars and hearses since the 1950s and this car was delivered to Chesterfield Co-op funeral services in 1981 .
In 1993, Andy was working as a software engineer and developed a package for undertakers. The Co-op was renewing its fleet and he bought the car and looked after it for the next 30 years. It has covered a mere 40,000 fairly leisurely miles and is now parked in front of a Daimler DS420 in Chapter 7/8.
Jaguar XJ8 1999 donated by Ian Lingard in March 2023 … currently awaiting service and recommissioning in the workshop. A fine example of a car produced at a time when Ford were pouring plenty of money into Jaguar. This was the first Jaguar saloon to be powered by a V8 engine which delivered almost 300bhp and loads of torque. Ian’s car has been dry stored for many years and not started for at least a decade. We will hopefully bring her back to life. If anyone has a spare offside front wing , we would be delighted to make you an offer as this is the only blemish on a very nice car.
Having produced generations of worthy but staid cars. Rover broke the mould with the sharp P6 particularly in V8 form. The SD1 would continue the revolution.
We also have the Rover 800, Rover P4 and 216 featured in the Car Journey
It is 75 years (in 2023) since Sir William Morris reluctantly launched the Minor, which he rather dismissively called the “poached egg” at the 1948 British Motor Show There are plenty of Minors at Great British Car Journey including a lovely low -light convertible, a 1956 saloon with less than 7,000 miles on the clock, a genuine Minor “Million” and of course an early Traveller. You can even drive a convertible and our second “Minor Million”
Designed by a genius called Alec Issigonis, (who also designed the Morris Minor) the most successful British Car of all time. Launched in 1959 and still in production 40 years later. Originally sold as the Austin Seven Mini but also branded Morris Mini Minor before reverting to just plain Mini in 1969. 30 years after it was launched , the Mini was still selling well despite the success of the Metro. A few tweaks to the styling to modernise ir but pretty much the same little car
We have both the MK1 and MK2 Minis but we have lots of other Minis too at the Great British Car Journey from Mini Coopers to Clubman to Travellers to other Special editions.
In 1984 & 1985 the new Front Wheel Drive Cavalier MK2 outsold the Ford Sierra for the first time. it was always a strong seller and was another piece of essential street furniture for decades despite losing ground to the Sierra and its successor the Mondeo in later years.
The first post-war small car from Vauxhall, the Viva firmly established Luton’s credentials as a producer of good value small family cars when it was launched in 1963. The Viva went through two facelifts from the original HA version before being replaced by the hatchback Chevette.
The Mini is the ultimate hero of our story. Cheeky to look at, huge fun to drive and an inspired piece of engineering, its no wonder that more than 5.4 million were made between 1959 and 2000. We love Minis!! There are lots to look at Early Editions, Coopers, Clubmans, Limited Editions and also several of them to drive too.
A very clever hard top version of the Much-loved MGB. The V8 was a truly fast car but it needed more styling oomph to distinguish it from the standard version.
A true child of the 70s with a futuristic wedge shape and a slightly crazy interior. Advertised as “the shape of things to come” it was designed by Harris Mann who also designed the wedge-shaped Princess. More than 100,000 were produced between 1975 & 1982
Great British Car Journey
Derwent Works
Ambergate
Derbyshire DE56 2HE
