The Grand Opening of County Classics Motor Museum
Imagine a visionary man with a passion for cars and a desire to give back to his community. This man, who had faced death head-on, had a big idea to open a car museum in the heart of Taunton. His name is Hawkins, and his journey to create County Classics Motor Museum is nothing short of inspiring.
It all started with a failing food store called County Stores, a historic establishment that had been around since 1832. Hawkins saw potential in this space and approached the council with a proposal. He offered to buy the land without any hassle if they would support his vision. The council agreed, paving the way for Hawkins to turn his dream into reality.
But the road to opening County Classics Motor Museum was not easy. It took a year of hard work, skilled tradespeople, and £3.5m to refurbish and convert the 23,500sq ft shop into a world-class museum. In the meantime, Hawkins was busy acquiring cars for the collection, spending around £2.5m on vintage gems from private sellers and auctions.
Finally, in November 2023, County Classics Motor Museum was ready to welcome visitors. The Grand Tour presenter Richard Hammond cut the ribbon, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Taunton’s history.
As visitors step inside the museum, they are greeted by over 100 cars and an equal number of motorcycles, spanning decades from the 1950s to the 1990s. Each vehicle is a testament to automotive history, with low mileage, one previous owner, and original condition.
The collection is a diverse mix of iconic cars, from Ford Capris to Fiat X1/9, Ford Mustang Mach 1 to Porsche 911. Rare finds like the Nissan Cherry Europe GTi and AC Cobra Superblower 5L add a touch of exclusivity to the museum. Rally cars like the Ford Escort RS Turbo Series 1 Group A and Lancia Fulvia S1 showcase the racing heritage of these vehicles.
And that’s not all. The museum also houses classics like Jaguar E-Type, Triumph Dolomite, Morris Marina, and Mini Metro, appealing to car enthusiasts of all ages.
County Classics Motor Museum is a testament to one man’s vision and determination to create a space where automotive history comes alive. It is a must-visit destination for anyone with a love for cars and a fascination with the past.
