Tucked away in Ambergate, there’s a blue building that might normally be easy to drive past without paying too much attention. However, as we knew what was inside, we made sure to call in to The Great British Car Journey.
The layout of the museum flows chronologically, which works well. You start with the likes of the Austin Seven and Morris Minor, gradually working your way through the decades. Each car is presented with just the right amount of information. What I mean by that is you know what you’re looking at and why it matters, but it doesn’t override the memories you might have about that particular car.
One of my favourite things about The Great British Car Journey is the fact that the displays aren’t about horsepower or top speeds; it’s about the context of the vehicles. These were the cars that took us on family holidays, got us to work, helped us move house, and taught us to drive.
I was very keen to see the 1974 Vauxhall Victor FE that was found with just 86 miles on the clock, but still remains something of a mystery. I loved being able to see it for myself, parked up on display.
One of the main attractions of the museum is the “Drive Your Dad’s Car” experience. I think that this is a brilliant idea that can trigger a huge amount of nostalgia and emotion.
The Great British Car Journey is one of those places where you can very easily spend longer there than you thought you would. For us, every time we thought we were finished, we spotted another car that triggered a memory or started another conversation.
The Great British Car Journey isn’t about supercars or rare prototypes. It’s about the everyday stuff that meant the world to us at the time. And that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s honest. It’s relatable. And it reminds you that even the most ordinary car can carry extraordinary memories.
More to come in the next issue of Driver Magazine (out in August 2025)
You can also read about the rest of our Great Northern Road Trip:
A Visit to Great Northern Classics
A Visit to Crich Tramway Village
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