National Motor Museum

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National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

The National Motor Museum (originally Montagu Motor Museum ) is a museum of historic vehicles in Beaulieu, England , southwest of Southampton .

The museum was founded in 1952 by Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu , in memory of his father, John Douglas-Scott-Montagu , who was one of the great pioneers of motorsport in England. He was the first Member of the British Parliament to drive to Parliament in a car. He also taught the later King Edward to drive at the end of the 19th century.

At first the museum had only five automobiles and a small collection of automobilia , which were shown in the “Palace House”, the family's old residence. Soon the growth of the collection and popularity blew this home, and it was moved to barns on the property.

In 1972 a new, purpose-built museum building was built in the parkland surrounding the “Palace House”. The name was changed to the current name, also to change the status of a private collection in favor of a charitable foundation.

Today around 250 of the most historically interesting vehicles are on display, including four world speed record holders. Additionally, the museum is home to one of the most important collections of car books, magazines, photographs, films, and other automobilia in the world.

The world record vehicles include Malcom Campbell's Sunbeam from 1925 with 257 kW (350 hp), Henry Segrave's Sunbeam with 736 kW (1000 hp), the Golden Arrow from 1929 and Donald Campbell's Blue Bird CN 7 . The Reliant delivery truck from the TV series “ Only Fools and Horses ” is also on display, and there is a separate display of James Bond vehicles.

Additional attractions include a monorail , an operating bus line with vehicle veterans, a simulator of a rally car, a hall with PlayStation , a go-kart track , a playground, a restaurant and a considerable part of the “Palace House” and of the property, including the partially collapsed monastery. The monastery buildings include the dormitory and the refectory , which now serves as a church.

The museum is also the organizer of one of the world's largest events for enthusiasts of old vehicles, the world-famous “Beaulieu Autojumble” in the veteran car scene, a veteran market that runs over a weekend in September and attracts over 30,000 visitors annually.

The museum is open every day except at Christmas.

See also

Web links

Commons : National Motor Museum  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 50 ° 49'23 "  N , 1 ° 27'13"  W.