Situated in Coventry city centre, Coventry Transport Museum holds the largest collection of British-made road transport in public ownership anywhere in the country. The city earned this distinction through its former position at the centre of the British car industry, and the museum reflects that history across more than 240 cars and commercial vehicles, 100 motorcycles, and 200 bicycles. Formerly known as the Museum of British Road Transport, it has grown into one of the most significant collections of its kind in England.
Notable Exhibits and Galleries
Among the most striking items on display are Thrust2 and ThrustSSC, the British jet cars that broke the land speed record in 1983 and 1997 respectively. Both vehicles now occupy the Biffa Award Land Speed Record Gallery, which opened following an £8.5 million redevelopment completed in 2015. That project transformed 12 of the museum’s 14 galleries and was funded through the Heritage Lottery Foundation, European Development Fund, Biffa Award, and Garfield Weston. Royal vehicles also feature in the collection, including the State limousines of Queen Mary and King George V. A Humber staff car used by General Montgomery during the Second World War is on display, alongside an Austin Metro previously owned by Lady Diana Spencer. Mass-produced models such as the Austin Allegro, Ford Escort MK2, Hillman Imp, Triumph Acclaim, and Peugeot 206 sit alongside Coventry-built marques including Jaguar, Triumph, Humber, and Standard. The motorcycle collection covers Coventry brands such as Rudge-Whitworth, Francis-Barnett, and Coventry-Eagle, and the museum is affiliated to the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust. Also on display is the bus used by Coventry City Football Club for their victory parade after winning the 1987 FA Cup Final.
Activities, Archives, and Seasonal Attractions
Beyond the permanent collection, the museum runs temporary exhibitions drawn from its own holdings and external loans, covering cars, cycles, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles. Visitors can take part in activities ranging from engineering challenges to scientific experiments. A 60-year-old Vintage Sleigh Ride has been a fixture for generations of Coventry residents. The museum also operates a full-time archive department handling historical items and offering a public enquiry service; visitors wishing to access the archives or speak to a curator should contact the museum in advance of their visit.