Step back to the 1970s for ‘Museums at Night’ at the British Motor Museum

Published: 16/09/2019

For the first time the British Motor Museum is taking part in ‘Museums at Night’, a bi-annual national festival funded by Arts Council England. The Museum will be hosting an exclusive 1970s themed throwback evening on 31 October from 5:30pm – 9pm showcasing archive material from that era from both the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust’s collection as well as guest motoring archives including the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. This special evening offers visitors a fantastic range of activities and displays along with supper outside of normal opening hours and is also an ideal way to avoid trick or treaters on Halloween!

Those visiting that evening can enjoy a special pop-up exhibition focussing on the press, advertising and sales material generated by the motoring industry in the 1970s. The exhibition will address the question of the female motorist. Did companies in the 1970s consider women as viable customers? Did they create sales material aimed specifically at women? How did this differ from marketing to men?

In addition visitors can enjoy a hot & cold buffet supper with tea & coffee, display highlights featuring some of the iconic 1970s designed cars including the recently donated 1971  Morris Marina 1.3 deluxe, a Triumph Dolomite Sprint, Austin Maxi 2 and a Triumph TR6. There is also full access to the main Museum to explore at leisure and an exclusive 1970s themed tour with a costumed guide.

Visitors will also have access to the Reading Room with an opportunity to view bookbinding  with the Conservator, see the ‘K’ from the Longbridge K gates on display, as well as watch 1970s motoring footage in the cinema and have the opportunity to chat to the archive team about the work they do behind the scenes to preserve the collection. Anyone arriving in a 1970s car will also have special front row reserved parking!

Mollie Horne, Archive Assistant and event organiser said “The event will be a relaxed and fun evening giving visitors access to the museum and exclusive 1970s archive material. The evening is intended to appeal to an audience who lived through the 1970s, as well as younger audiences who are experiencing the era as a vintage throwback. We hope to pose challenging questions such as gender politics and industrial relations which were synonymous with the 1970s but are still resounding now with the #MeToo movement and threat to businesses due to economic upheaval.”

Whilst motoring enthusiasts and those who love British motoring heritage will enjoy the event, it has been designed to be enjoyed by those with an interest in 1970s culture, iconic advertising & design, plus those with an interest in gender studies, social history and diversity.

Museums at Night & Lates were first developed by the V&A in 2001 with the intention of showcasing something different to what the museum offered on a day to day basis. Its aim is to open the Museum up to those who can’t visit during normal opening hours and to attract new audiences. Despite having the 5th highest regional population, the West Midlands has hosted the fewest Lates events in England between January 2009 and April 2017.

Admission is £10 per person which includes supper and refreshments. For those with an existing Gift Aid Annual pass holders and those who have paid to visit the Museum on the day of the event, there is a £6 supplement charge to cover catering and the exclusive evening access. To find out more information please visit the website www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events or call 01926 641188.