The Car’s the Star explores the part played by the motor car in feature films and TV series. Some cars help tell a story – some cars are the story. It might be a period car which helps the film transport us back to another time in history, or a futuristic car which is able to fly or travel through time. Whether your interest is Bond film cars or the iconic three wheeler from Only Fools and Horses, we have it covered.

Reflecting on one of the greatest stories of the modern age, here we shed new light on the evolution of the British motor industry. Shaped by the events of over a century of British life, we examine a period which began with steam trains and bicycles and encompassed unimaginable technological and social developments. Is it a story which makes us proud or could more have been achieved? Were opportunities exploited or squandered?

We will explore issues that have made their mark on the British motor industry. The impact of new technologies, production methods and engineering advancements as well as influences of globalization and the long-term effects of pollution.

So our story has all the elements of a good story: rags to riches, riches to rags, greed, crime, power, and politics all in the context of two world wars and sheds new light on the evolution of the British motor industry.

An illustrated talk on the history of the Mini. The car that revolutionised the world of motoring.

Created to respond to a fuel crisis. Inspired by the genius of Alec Issigonis with over 5,500,000 produced over forty years. It is a car of legend, of fashion, of sporting fame.  A genuine world icon.

The talk explores the background to its development, the challenges addressed and the personalities involved, using illustrations from our very own Museum archives.
It is about Britain casting aside the hum drum and forging an entirely new motoring concept that led the world. The Mini is part of our nation's heritage. Let us take you back to those days and celebrate the little car that redefined the cars we drive today.

As one of its series of History Talks, the British Motor Museum present 'The Most Beautiful Car in the World' with Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.

This is the story of the Jaguar E-type and the impact it made on the society of the sixties and seventies. Designed by Malcolm Sayer and built at Jaguar Cars' Browns Lane factory in Coventry it was introduced to an astonished world at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961 and took the motoring world by storm. Its commercial success, its sporting and competition success, its recognition as a design icon of the century and its lasting appeal to motoring enthusiasts right up to the present day are all part of the story of this unique and beautiful motor car.

How do you define the sports car?  

The first car to be accredited as Britain's first true sports car is the Vauxhall Prince Henry in 1910, but the desire for motoring speed, glamour and danger goes well back before this date through the racing carriages in the 18th Century and as far back as the classical Egyptian and Roman eras.

We investigate the development of the British sports car over 100 years, from the earliest times to the current day. All the old favourites; Jaguar, MG, Triumph, Morgan, etc. have their place, moulded by an ever changing social, political and economical landscape.

From Edward VII to Charles III, Britain’s finest car manufacturers have supplied the Crown with ceremonial and personal transport, many of which ended up in the Museum collections, including our new king's old Range Rover!

Through these cars, and many others, we’ll be talking about the history of the Royal Family on the road, from cars built specifically for international processions to more casual rural runabouts. Along the way, you'll hear all kinds of stories about the Royal Family, with cars at their heart. You might even find a few surprises along the way...

Farmers, foresters, adventurers, kings, queens and soldiers have all relied on Land Rover - the world’s most famous utility vehicle.

Now, discover the story behind this icon of British engineering and how it evolved from a farmyard passion project to a steadfast motoring hero, on and off the road. 

This talk will be covering the evolution of the Land Rover through the decades, including military vehicles, royal cars and even some of the greatest adventures ever undertaken in a car. Through it all, the Land Rover in every iteration shines through as a true legend of British motoring history.

100 years ago this motoring legend was born out of a volume manufacturer. Beloved around the world, MGs epitomised the sporting cars for the everyman.

We trace the story from MG's origin, through its most successful decades until an untimely demise arising from market challenges and underinvestment.

This was an industry hazard and for many marques their story ends there. However MG has risen from the ashes  and my yet have further global success in the new automotive world.

From the late fifties to the mid seventies, Italian designers dominated the British Motor Industry. This History Talk will explore how La dolce vita came to stuffy old Britain.

Image courtesy of Cameron Slater.