PC POPS IN TO...
Where the secrets of our classic cars are uncovered on a daily basis…
Visitors to the British motor Museum, Gaydon, could be forgiven for walking straight past the small sign in the museum foyer. But the ‘Reading Room’, just left of the main entrance, is a window into more delicious secrets than any collection of cars could ever reveal.
Available for all to access upon request, artefacts from the museum's vast archive can be brought into the reading room for the purpose of research, with much of the information in so many books on British marques having been gleaned by authors in this way. But what will interest PC readers the most is what lies through the next door and how it can help you and your classic.
Beyond the reading room are the archivists’ offices. We’re greeted by Senior Certificates Officer, Richard Bacchus and Certificates Officer, Emily Cook who are busy poring over hand-written ledgers, producing Heritage Certificates for customers. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust holds build records for an impressive number of marques including Aston Martin from 1948-85, Austin 1945-69, Land Rover from 1948 to the present day, Morris from 1928-71, Wolseley from 1901-31 and ’49-75 and many more besides and it is these records which allow the team to provide a detailed history of your classic in the form of a DVLA approved certificate whether for the purpose of pure intrigue by the owner, for the recovery of a lost vehicle ID or other official use.
Starting from £48, a heritage certificate is a ‘Certified Copy of a Factory Record’ and will contain information such as build and dispatch dates, engine and body numbers, colour scheme, and details of factory fitted equipment. Based on in
