About the Collections
The National Motor Museum has a responsibility to care for its collections to ensure they are preserved for future generations to enjoy. The 280 vehicles in the museum are only the start. There are over 1.9 million items in our Collections Centre and we are committed to promoting education, research and preservation in motoring history for the benefit of everyone.
Our collections have been designated by Arts Council England as being of national and international importance. As an Accredited Museum, we adhere to nationally agreed standards that ensure we operate as a sustainable, focused and trusted organisation. The Collections Team and the enthusiastic volunteers who work alongside them undertake specialist tasks on all kinds of items.
The Collections
• Over 280 vehicles
• 50,000 objects
• 1.4 million photographic images
• 100,000 archive items
• 26,000 film, video and audio recordings
• 315,000 items in the Reference Library
Our Vehicle and Object Collections represent motoring on the roads of Great Britain. Other collections have worldwide subject coverage. All relate to the motorcar, its development and social context. The Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection is also hosted at the National Motor Museum.
Access
Many of the vehicles and associated motoring items can be seen on display in the National Motor Museum. Other collections are housed in the Collections Centre; these are available to the public through the Motoring Research Service, or appointments with the curatorial staff. We also run a commercial Motoring Picture Library and Film and Video Library.
Collections Development
Our collections cover all aspects of motoring. Most items at the National Motor Museum are owned by the Trust. Some items are on loan from other collectors or museums, and some from Lord Montagu. The Collections are growing all the time. In common with other museums, we have a Collections Development Policy which defines our areas of interest and helps guide our decisions about what we acquire.
Find out more about how to donate an object to the National Motor Museum.
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