British Car Museum

The British Car Museum in sunny Te Awanga represents a lifetime's passion - it is the personal and eclectic collection of Ian Hope. Ian has amassed over 450 cars and commercial vehicles (Austin, Bedford, Hillman, Jaguar, Morris, Triumph, Vauxhall and many more) with over 38 Morris Minors alone!

Many rows of cars are on display and enthusiasts could easily get lost among the vehicles. Little rounded A30s stare at the sleek lines of two Jaguars - a 2.8i auto and a d 1982 XJS HE 12 cylinder model.

There are three hearses, Vauxhalls, Hillmans Minxes, Triumph Heralds and 2000s, Oxfords and Princesses, Rovers and even a 1923 Dennis Fire Engine used by Hastings Fire Service at the time of the Hawkes Bay Earthquake Disaster in 1931. The hand-cranked siren is still attached and Ian encourages children to turn the handle for fun!

Many of the vehicles on display are rare and Ian welcomes you to look around, but warns that there may be some dust and oil among the cars. "I'm not as young as I was and just can't get around them all as often as I'd like any more" he says ruefully. Volunteer cleaners very welcome!

In addition to the vehicle collection, there is also an extensive array of memorabilia including car badges, number plates and petrol pumps, petrol tins, road signs, AA car badges - in fact, anything you associate with the history of the automobile - even car and aeroplane models and the odd toy automobile!There is also a rare collection of pianolas and more than 800 of the associated music drums on view.