Recently, we have been given two beautiful pre-war Austins: a delightful little Austin Seven Ruby and a lovely Austin 12 Harley. As a Brummie with a huge admiration for Sir Herbert and all his cars, both cars feel like a very generous recognition of the five years which have elapsed since we opened the museum in 2021.
Those early months were when COVID was still a terrible reality and all our visitors had to respect strict distancing and hygiene controls. That battle was won but since then the world has become a less safe and secure place in different but equally troubling ways.
Of course the Great British Car Journey spans more than a century of incredible change, often accompanied by strife and uncertainty. The generosity of all our supporters and particularly those people who have helped to strengthen our story by giving us cars is a shining example of goodness and a source of strength and inspiration to me.
All donated cars will soon be identified by a metal plaque which will say a huge and heartfelt Thankyou to the individuals and families involved.
Great British Car Journey is all about memories and legacy with a very strong slant on celebrating the cars which made it possible for the majority of the population to go wherever they wanted whenever they wanted.
We have been incredibly fortunate to be given support and encouragement in this endeavour and we have been genuinely humbled by the support of individuals who have seen fit to donate cars to us enabling us to keep the story relevant and dynamic.