The Cotswold Motoring Museum
A collection of cars, toys, and motoring memorabilia.
Location
The Old Mill, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, GL54 2BY.
Date
1978 - present.
Commentary
The Museum is a collection of cars and memorabilia put together in South Africa over a period of 20 years by motoring enthusiast Mike Cavanagh.
On his return to England in 1978, he housed his collection in some former derelict cottages that had been part of the Old Mill on the River Windrush, at the centre of the village.
The exhibits are designed to provide a journey down memory lane; each of the seven rooms is themed and supported with an astounding array of artefacts.
About 30 cars, and 15 motorcycles are on show. These include: a 1934 US Austin 7 Bantam, a left-hand-drive BMW 327 cabriolet, an XK140 Jaguar coupe, a rare Mk V Jaguar drophead, an original 1936 Morgan Super Sports (with a JAP engine) and a 1934 Riley Kestrel. There is also a 1950 Sunbeam Alpine, a 1932 Invicta saloon, several M.Gs and a Fiat Topolino.
Items of memorabilia are in abundance: period accessories, oil cans, petrol pumps, and an extensive display of model cars, with one section exclusively covering vehicles made by Ford.
Finally, there is also a corner devoted to motorcycle football, a popular sport in the local area just before and after the Second World War. Items on display include pictures and black-and-white film of a match, together with an example of one of the bikes used - a 1934 346cc Levis.
Further details
• The Museum website: www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk.
The Old Mill, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, GL54 2BY.
A collection of cars, toys, and motoring memorabilia.