Heart of Taunton: County Classics Motor Museum to open from 21 November

Published: 31/10/2023

After a Herculean struggle with the impacts of Covid lockdowns and the sheer scale of the project he commenced four years ago, Pat Hawkins has achieved his life's ambition of creating a classic car and motorcycle museum in the heart of Taunton's town centre.

On Monday 20 November, a completely new car museum - County Classics Motor Museum - will open in Taunton, Somerset – a large and beautifully-laid-out museum located uniquely in the city centre of this fine old county town, in an historic department store building dating from 1836.

The Museum will be opened at 11:00am by TV star and passionate petrolhead Richard Hammond, who will be joined by local dignitaries, Press and classic vehicle owners. Admission to the Museum will be by invitation only on the 20th: public entry will begin on Tuesday 21st.

The personal passion of local businessman Patrick Hawkins – a true car enthusiast who has sunk his life savings into converting the County Stores into a car museum – it's focussed on affordable and accessible cars and motorcycles, mostly from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Beautifully detailed and featuring a café and small shop, the Tardis-like building extends 110m back from the street front (over two floors) to house c100 cars and c80 motorcycles – and an aeroplane!

Vehicles are from Pat's own collection and loaned by local enthusiasts.

Pat's life story could be titled "Against All Odds", as he started from nothing, buying and selling his first car at the age of 11. He built a highly-successful car sales business, with tyre wholesale and retail, owning 13 garages by the age of 36.

Having spent almost all his life in Taunton, he saw the Museum as a way he could help breathe life back into the town centre, as it began to suffer from the exodus of shops that has hit all towns and cities in recent years.

Covid and lockdowns made his task massively more difficult, as materials quadrupled in price and tradesmen became ever harder to find. The conversion took two years longer than planned – the reward for visitors is that the museum is now completely furnished and finished, with delightful details at every turn.

The museum website goes live at the end of October: it will then be possible to book tickets in advance, on www.countyclassicsmotormuseum.co.uk

The museum is at 52-53 North Street, Taunton TA1 1ND and can be contacted on: 01823 253777.