We Had One of Those
We Had One Of Those, is our new permanent and interactive exhibition showcasing some of the most popular cars from the 1960s through to the noughties and beyond.
What makes this display different is that you can get back in the driver's seat of some of the most popular cars from your childhood with iconic vehicles from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and noughties on display. This attraction is designed for you to get up-close and personal with them, opening the doors, sitting inside, marvel at retro dashboards and interact with their buttons and dials.
Relive those memories
Do you remember the sights, sounds, smells and feeling of your very first car? Or even of the cars your parents or grandparents had? Relive and reignite those memories as you step into the newest attraction at Beaulieu, and remember what it was like to drive the vehicles all those years ago.
Surrounded by pop-culture
The cars will be surrounded by popular items, sounds and accessories to transport you back to those years and evoke fond memories. From records made in each era, fluffy dice hanging in the windscreen to beaded seats and GameBoys, you’ll remember the ‘good old days’ in new ways.
What will be on display?
The exhibition will have a selection of nostalgic vehicles. View and read more about each of the current We Had One of Those cars below.
What cars for We Had One of Those?
Jon Murden, National Motor Museum Chief Executive describes the concept of the We Had One of Those display and delves deeper into the history of cars in Britain from the 1950s to the start of the 21st century.
The 1960s
Hillman Super Minx
Years made: 1961 – 1967
Rootes Group saloon car, continuously upgraded throughout its production life from MkI in 1961 to the MkIV introduced in 1965. Also badged as Humber and Singer models.
The 1960s
Morris Minor 1000
Years made: Morris Minor 1948 – 71 (Minor 1000 1956 – 71)
The ever popular ‘Moggy’. 1,619,658 saloons, estates, convertibles, vans and pick-ups built in a twenty-three year production run.
The 1960s
Volkswagen Beetle
Years made: 1938 – 2003
Germany’s ‘people’s car’. Designed by Dr Ferdinand Porsche for the German Government. Over 21.5 million built before production ended in Mexico in 2003.
1970s
Austin Allegro
Years made: 1973 – 1982
Nicknamed the ‘All Aggro’. The car that everybody loved to hate in the 1970s, yet British Leyland sold 642,350 Allegros in nine years.
1980s
Vauxhall Cavalier MkII
Years made 1981 - 1988
Vauxhall’s version of General Motors’ ‘World Car’. Sales of Cavaliers sky-rocketed when Ford launched the Sierra in 1982, which was initially seen as too radical by many buyers.
1980s
Nissan Micra
Years made: 1982 – 2023 (K11 model 1992 – 98)
Nissan’s much-loved supermini, made in the UK. Voted Car of the Year for 1993.
1980s
Ford Capri
Years made: November 1968 – December 1986
Launched with the slogan ‘the car you always promised yourself’, the Ford Capri was one of the earliest examples of a mass-produced GT car. The affordable glamorous cult car became an aspirational working-class hero by combining great looks, fake alloys and air scoops.
1990s
Ford Fiesta Mk III
Years made 1989 – 1995
Ford’s best-selling supermini. Over 1 million built in the first two years of production and so many people’s first car.
1990s
Ford Mondeo
Years made: 1992 – 2022
Ford’s first ‘World Car’. Over 5 million made worldwide.
2000s
MG ZS
Years made: 2001 - 2005
Continued the British motor industry’s long-established practice of ‘badge engineering’. A facelifted, sporty version of the Rover 400 small family car.
2000s
Renault Avantime
Years made: 2001 - 2004
Renault’s ‘Executive Coupé.’ Okay, you probably didn’t have one of these! However, this car was based on the Espace and related to the many MPVs and people carriers popular in recent times.
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