MGMW’s Paul Hadley reports on a memorable day out for the Group at one of Britain’s finest automotive collections.
The Perfect Setting
On a bright Sunday morning at the end of March, a good turnout of MGMW members, partners and guests made their way to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon in Warwickshire for one of the Group’s most enjoyable social events in recent memory. With the museum opening at 10am and lunch booked for 1pm, the day was deliberately kept relaxed, giving everyone the freedom to explore at their own pace before regrouping around the table for lunch.
The British Motor Museum needs little introduction to anyone with even a passing interest in automotive history. As the world’s largest collection of historic British cars, it covers everything from pioneering Edwardian machinery to Le Mans racers, Bond cars and everyday family motors that defined generations of British motoring. For a group of automotive journalists, it was, to put it mildly, a comfortable place to spend a Sunday.
Cars, Knowledge and Good Company
One of the highlights of the day came courtesy of MGMW member Mike Gould, who offered to share his considerable inside knowledge of the British Leyland and Land Rover vehicles in the collection. Mike spent 30 years at Land Rover, with many years in public affairs, and his insight added a fascinating layer of detail to what might otherwise have been a straightforward museum visit. It is one thing to read a display card; it is quite another to hear from someone who was actually there.
The collection itself gave members plenty to talk about. The motorsport array was a particular draw, with everything from a 1970 March Ford 701 Formula One car to a Jaguar Diesel BTCC racer catching the eye. The sports cars hall proved equally compelling, with TVRs, Lotuses and a stunning Aston Martin DB6 drawing admiring crowds. Several members spent a considerable amount of time in the Jaguar section, where the Silk Cut XJR-9 Le Mans winner and a green Jaguar R5 Formula One car from the brand’s ill-fated but fondly remembered F1 era provided some genuinely jaw-dropping moments.
There was also time for some lighter moments. The Trotters Independent Trading Co three-wheeler from Only Fools and Horses drew smiles from virtually everyone who passed it, while a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the museum’s working restoration facility revealed a D-type Jaguar and a green Bond-film Aston Martin both undergoing careful attention from the museum’s skilled team.
Lunch and Looking Back
At 1pm the group gathered in the South Wing for a private lunch, which gave everyone the chance to catch up properly and share their highlights from the morning. The conversation, predictably, never strayed far from cars. The afternoon brought more time on the museum floor, with members continuing to explore for as long as they wanted to.
It was, in short, exactly the kind of day the MGMW does well: good cars, good knowledge freely shared, good food and good company. Many thanks to Enda Mullen for organising, and to Mike Gould for bringing the collection to life in a way that only someone with his experience truly could.
The MGMW organises events for members throughout the year. To find out more about joining the Group, visit our How to Join page.
