On a cool autumn evening, members of the Bolsover Rotary Club embarked on an enjoyable excursion to the Great British Car Journey, an engaging attraction that celebrates the rich heritage of British motoring. This visit provided not just a delightful evening out, but also an opportunity to explore the fascinating history of some iconic vehicles that have shaped the British automotive landscape.
The Great British Car Journey is located in the picturesque Derbyshire countryside and features a remarkable collection of over 130 classic British cars. From vintage models boasting elegant designs to modern classics that tug at the nostalgic heartstrings, the exhibition is a treasure trove for car enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
The museum was started by Richard Usher, and we were very fortunate that Richard was our host for the evening. He guided us through an era when British entrepreneurs and engineers were at the forefront of a transport revolution.
This is the story of a British industry which in its heyday was a worldwide force, and its products could be found in all corners of the globe. Its heroes are the popular cars from a bygone era when, for half a century, British cars did literally ‘rule the road’.
During the tour Richard shared fascinating anecdotes about the featured vehicles, including details about their production, design inspirations, and the impact they had on British society.
After a huge dose of nostalgia this exclusive tour ended with a buffet provided by the museum, and a chance to chat to Richard and his colleagues about this unique display of British motoring heritage.
The museum is very well curated and we were taken on a journey from the Austin 7 that was built in Germany as BMW’s very first car, to the “back to the future” film star Delorian. One car that did stand out was the Rolls Royce owned by Lord Robert Baden-Powell the instigator of the UK and global Scout movement.
The story of Jamroll
It was a special event in Lord BP life that all 6000 Uk scouts in the late 1920’s were asked to donate 1 old penny to buy him a special present. When asked what would he like as a present, he deliberated for a while and then said he already had everything he needed but could do with a sturdy set of braces.
But the Scout organisation wanted to get something that reflected the height of respect he held in their eye…. So for the best they ordered the best car a Rolls Royce. Jamroll (derived from Jamboree Rolls) is the ONLY ROLLS ever to have the Scout Fleur-de-Lys instead of a “Spirit of Ecstasy” on top of the famous grill.
Many thanks to Richard Usher and his team for putting together such a great representative collection of Britain’s motoring heritage, and for hosting us so well.