Celebration of the NMM 50th anniversary, public and vehicles on the arena outside the museum

National Motor Museum celebrates 50th anniversary

04 July 2022

Hundreds of cars gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu as guests and visitors discovered the final selection to tell The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects.

Owners of Seventies classics joined the party in their Escorts, Minis and Ford Cortinas, as some even dressed for the decade to take part in the 1970s Classic Car Drive-In Day on Sunday 3rd July.

Lord Montagu asked young ambassadors of Starter Motor – the charity which aims to get the next generation driving, maintaining and enjoying classic cars – to choose the best car of the show on his behalf. They chose the Lotus Elan Series 4 SE owned by Beaulieu volunteer Kevin Kinsella, who was called from giving a tour in the National Motor Museum to be presented with his winning trophy. Event-goers picked the People’s Choice award, which was awarded to Wayne Rose for his impressive 1972 Toyota Crown Deluxe.

An anniversary golden paddock recreated the Beaulieu car park of 1972. It also displayed some of the amazing vehicles which took part in the original celebratory cavalcade at the museum opening, half a century ago.

Lord Montagu With National Motor Museum Trust Chief Executive Jon Murden

Lord Montagu said: “It’s been quite a trip back in time! When HRH The Duke of Kent came to open Britain’s National Motor Museum in July 1972, it was the proudest moment of my father’s life, and what we have in the museum is his greatest legacy.

“In 1972, our exhibits spanned a period of about 80 years; they now account for over 130 years and so it is no surprise that our collections have expanded considerably, especially in the libraries and archives. It has been with these collections in mind that we’ve created The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects, giving you every reason to re-explore the museum. The exhibition launches the start of our sixth decade and a new chapter in the development of Britain’s National Motor Museum.”

National Motor Museum Trust Chief Executive Jon Murden said: “Our next challenge is to take the museum and its collections forward, by reimagining Edward, Lord Montagu’s vision in order to engage with a wider audience and remain relevant for the future.”

At the celebrations, Lord and Lady Montagu cut a cake which was shaped as one of the 50 objects – the 1930 ‘Blower’ Bentley 4½ litre Supercharged. The Carousels entertained guests with hits from the Seventies, while Friends of the National Motor Museum Trust led their own cavalcade before setting off on a Forest Drive. Meanwhile on the Beaulieu Parkland, the National Austin Seven Rally celebrated a century of one of the world’s best-loved cars.

A 1903 De Dion Bouton Model Q 6hp veteran car

Final 50 objects revealed

Inside the museum, event-goers were the first to see the final selection of objects in the anniversary display The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects.

The objects were carefully chosen from over 1.9 million items in the internationally-acclaimed collection cared for by the National Motor Museum Trust. Curators whittled down the selection to a shortlist of 150, then made the final choice to include the most historically important vehicles, motoring artefacts, film footage, images, documents and books from its archives. Among the highlights are the 1903 De Dion Bouton 6hp – one of the museum/vehicle-collection/de-dion-bouton/s founding vehicles, a 1906 Votes for Women! Shell Postcard, Percy Lamberts racing silks from 1913 and the 1952 DRH car radio – the first factory-fitted radio in British cars.

Visit the exhibition

Visitors can discover the full set of 50 objects in the National Motor Museum, as the exhibition remains on display until April 16th, 2023 – using the Smartify app to scan objects and uncover more content and stories.

Explore The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects as part of your ticket to Beaulieu and join the conversation with #50objects on social.