This year the main displays were from Rover, Wolseley, Austin and various classic American marques.  The car of the day for me was a lovely 1937 Packard Super 8. These cars are hugely impressive in the flesh – pictures never do them justice.   There were a few other very nice classic American cars like a Chrysler Windsor and a lovely 50’s Cadillac convertible.

I was also keen to see the Rover display as I am a fan of the P5 model in particular.   There was a good selection of earlier cars, P4s, P6s and even SD1s, but only two P5s on the day.  That was a shame as in prior years there have been a great variety of models to choose from.

I drove there in the DS.  I didn’t display the car as I was not a member of any of the clubs participating, but I don’t think that would have mattered.   I hope in future years even more car clubs attend the Linnwood house day.   There is loads of room and its a very nice car show.

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The museum is located in Warwick, near Birmingham, about an hour or so north of London on the M40.

One of the first cars you see is an 1897 Daimler, the oldest UK built example.   It was used extensively in its heyday and is still in working condition.   You can see its flame ignition system, which is essentially a pair of Bunsen burners heating metal tubes that ignite the fuel.   The car was later fitted with an elephant hide hood.

Proceeding into the museum you see a number of concept cars such as a Rover SD1 estate, and a BL electric car.    From there, the museum is divided into a number of exhibits.   These include:

• The concept cars described above
• Famous Jaguar Competition cars
• Royal vehicles, including the Queen’s personal Rover P5
• ‘Memory Lane’ type exhibits that show popular vehicles from a particular time period
• Competition and record breaking cars
• Estate cars
• Land Rover/Range Rover
• British Sports cars including an excellent cutaway MGB GT

Including spending time at the Overflow collection and the Jaguar Heritage Collection, I spent the entire day there.

The British Motor Museum is also the home of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust archives.   The archives are the suppliers of heritage certificates.    There is also a reading room which is available for research by appointment.

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Lot 4: 1951 AUSTIN A90 ATLANTIC 2 DOOR COUPE

This is not a car I know much about, but it has oodles of character and a price guide of $18,000-$24,000.   The paint work is not in great shape, but it looks like a nice car nevertheless and it has loads of cool period details.

Lot 7: 1975 CITROEN D SUPER 5 SEDAN

This is a car that caught my eye at first, but on closer inspection I am not so sure.   A D Super 5 is popular model – basically a DS21 engine and 5 speed transmission in the D Super body with its simpler hydraulics and less trim.   The D Super 5 is also a model we never got here in Australia, so are not common as all are private imports.

However, on closer inspection, the VIN listed on the Shannons website shows that the car started as a 1975 D Special and has been modified to become a D Super 5.   Nothing wrong with that, but it should be disclosed.   Secondly, for a near new paint job, there is already bubbling below one of the headlights, and it looks like they were masked off and not removed.   They list the price guide as $24,000-$28,000 which I think is a tad high given it is not an original car.

 Lot 14: 1934 STUDEBAKER DICTATOR ‘6-WHEEL EQUIPPED’ SEDAN (RHD)

Unfortunately the photo I took didn’t come out but this car was rather interesting.   It is called a six wheel because it has two spares, not because it is a tank.   Since it has not been used since 1995, there is probably a reasonable amount of work needed, but this car is striking and has great period styling features.   Being a flat head six it is probably fairly reliable.    And it’s called a Dictator.

I wonder sometimes what will happen with cars like this.   As you could imagine, this car is being sold by an older gentleman and I’m not sure that cars like this appeal as much to the generation of car enthusiasts who are born in the 60s and 70s rather than those born in the 30s and 40s they are replacing.     Price guide: $18,000-$22,000

Lot 18: 1967 JAGUAR E-TYPE 4.2 SERIES 1 COUPE

I include this car because I think it was the worst buy there.    In my view, you either buy a car that is at least a 6/10, or buy a 2 or 3/10.    Cars that are 4 or 5 out of 10 need a full restore anyway, so might as well start with something that is compete but not pay a premium for something that is very tatty and will always be that way without a restore.     To me, this car is a 5/10.  It needs EVERYTHING.   for example, every piece of rubber is crumbling away, the body is covered in dents and the inspection report is not promising.

Lot 20: 1954 AUSTIN-HEALEY 100/4 BN1 ROADSTER

This was one of my favorite cars on display.   Less money (and arguably better looks) than a 3000, this little beauty was offered for sale with a price guide of $52,000-$58,000.

Lot 22: 1958 JAGUAR XK150 ROADSTER

A lovely XK150 roadster.   It needs to loose the silly racing harness, but other than that, this car looked great.   Price guide $105-$120,000.   Based on other XK sales, this does not seem out of line.

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