Sent to Coventry

Coventry isn't far from where we had our 'high tea' so we drove on and visited the transport museum.  Coventry was the centre of much of the motor industry in the UK, starting with the development of bicycles in the 1800s and then leading onto powered bikes and then cars. This museum takes you on a journey through this process and it is extremely well presented.  The museum originally opened in 1980 but it underwent major redevelopment in 2014/2015 and reopened in June 2015 as one of the finest collections in the world and one of the biggest in public ownership.

Coventry was the home to brands such as Austin, Triumph, Hunter, Damlier and Jaguar to name but a few. In fact Jaguar still have production in the area.   During WW2 Conventry was heavily bombed and the city had to rebuilt.  The car industry grew to even bigger heights during this period and in the 1950s was the second largest in the world and known as  'Motor City'. That unfortunately didn't last and by the 1970s it just couldn't compete with the American and European manufacturing. Between 1975 and 1982 the work force halved and the industry collapsed. Further information can be found by clicking  Museum

Hazelwood motorcycle

 

Showing the process

 

The next stage of a nearly completed vehicle.

 

Triumph sports car