Manky Monkey Motors

I'm on holiday from work this week, but had a few things to do, so couldn't go away anywhere. So I've been treating myself to a few afternoon trips, just jumping in the car, driving at random & seeing where I end up.
Earlier in the week I went North & spent a very pleasant afternoon strolling along the canal path in Oxford.
On Wednesday I went South & visited Arundel & Brighton.
So today I went West, heading vaguely towards Bath. As I passed through Calne in Wiltshire I spotted a sign for a motor museum, so I pulled in.
What a great little place. As far as I know, it was one man's collection & when he died, a group of enthusiasts took it on, created the museum & opened it to the public. 100 vehicles -cars, motorcycles & a few lorries, mainly from the 50s, 60s & 70s -which meant I remember & even owned several of the models on show. When I arrived I was literally the only visitor there. The chap who took my £6 entry money was very welcoming though & we chatted for a good 10 minutes before I even went in.
Feel free to walk among the exhibits to get a closer look or move the barriers to take photos if you want. All we ask is that you don't sit in the cars.
I had the whole place to myself & spent a very interesting couple of hours wandering around.
They hold a 2 day classic vehicle rally there, with camping. This year's is on the 13th & 14th of July.
If you're in the area I'd recommend it.

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"Phat Pheet"?

Apparently the very last Rover SD1 off the production line.
I pointed at the motor, then at the 2 Ford Pops in the corner. I've got one of those, in one of those.

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Austin Ruby on the left. Austin 10 on the right I think.
Scottie the hotrod haulier's drag car's based on a Ruby.

A fab belt measurer. Never seen one of those before.

And an early trolley jack. Who needs hydraulics.

A Plymouth Fury. A little older than Kapri's? Lovely lines. The Plymouth, not Kev.

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I'm curious as to what the gold plated starter motor was awarded for.

Remember these?
I don't.  :P

The cut away BSA C11 engine was electrically driven & I spent a good 10 minutes pressing the button & watching it go though the cycle. I'm easily amused.
Ain't engineering beautiful to watch in motion.

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The Rover SD1. I always thought they were a good looking car & quite a modern looking design for their time.
The curator told me a retired Metropolitan Policeman had visited a few weeks ago. He'd patrolled in one of these & took it round the clock 4 times before he retired. He tried to buy it off the the force when he retired but they wouldn't let him.
Affectionately known as "Jam sandwiches" because of their white with orange stripe around the middle Police paint scheme, they were a common sight in London when I were a teenager.

Bikes too. I used to have a '66 Bonneville, identical to the red & white Tiger. Mine had a 750 Thruxton tuned Bonny engine in it though. Why, oh why didn't I keep it?!

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great way to spend an afternoon ,the original owner was a lucky chap indeed

A nice find Andy, must take a trip there in the future.

Yeah, he obviously had a good eye for a classic. Tucked away in a village. Deserves to be supported though. I'd happily go again.
The more modern vehicles were just as interesting. I had a Morris Ital, (in beige), & my brother Brock had the Scimitar behind it.

Now that's what I call a garage.
Mercurys & Cadillacs.

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The Mini's the prize in a raffle, to be drawn in December. Not bad for a quid a ticket. Wonder how much the truck's worth?

Future classics? Talbots & Peugeots etc.

I'm strangely drawn to these old Dormobiles. Just love their quirkiness I think.

Yep, my dad had the first kind of driving licence, and I had the second, the one in the little red booklet with the stickers in.  Wish I'd kept it now.

Never knew the museum was there - only about 60 miles from me, will have to take a ride up there!

A Goldwing club turned up unannounced last week.
2 of them wandered in & said mind if we bring a few people in to look around. 
Course not. How many of you are there?
60!

MG?
Nope. A '64 left hand drive Datsun Fairlady.

Is that a Scott Squirrel in the background?

Ahh, before my time I'm afraid Bobbi!  :P

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1930s Sat Nav!

And diagnostic computer.

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http://www.atwellwilson.org.uk/

No cafe, but a large picnic area & childrens playground.
Thorougly recommended.  ;D

The white horse at Eddington. One of several I passed during my rambles.

Seen this?

http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11612.0 (http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11612.0)

Ha! I knew it rang a bell! Great minds think alike obviously. It was a lovely little place.
I stopped for lunch at a pub on the edge of the Bowood House estate. This is one of the entrance gates, next to the pub.

looks like an LE Velo.

A lovely afternoon. Beautiful countryside, warm sunshine, good company, (my own), great food.
I've had a good day today.

Yep - got my odd motorcycles mixed up!

Nick Berry use to ride one on Heartbeat and the police used to have them in Eastbourne.

I've been past that museum a few times when going to the camp site down the road (Dont go there now as its very expencive) and always wondered what it was like inside. It looks very small from the outside but looking at the amount of vehicles in there it must be a Tardis  ;)

 :) 100 vehicles they said.

Cor the old velocette LE.weren't they water cooled and shaft driven? I remember the Rozzer's buzzing around London on them. We used to call them Noddy bikes. Can you think of a good use for that Reliant thats parked by the entrance?

That was a 25th Anniversary edition Reliant!

The fact that they were made for so long, doesn't mean they were any good. Just shows a lack of imagination.
TRIKE IT !  ;)
Never been to the museum but must have gone past it many times.

sounds/looks like just the place for a ,manky monkey motors, day out ,,trip,, or weekend meet ,,

There's a classic car sow there soon.

A car "sow" you say?

Is that similar to a plastic pig ?  ;D

(I'll get me coat)

Me n Cuddles went there last year in July, we were treated to the sight of the start up procedure of the Model T and watched it drive round the paddock for about half an hour. They routinely run all the vehicles in the collection and use some of them for weddings to raise some much needed cash for their upkeep. I thought I`d mentioned it on here, but maybe not.
The story behind the Indian Scout is very touching I thought. Right old character owned it, went everywhere dressed in cowboy gear was very well known locally.
 ;D ;D ;D ;D

A car "sow"
 I always thought that was was something to do with back seats and wild oats.
 But I might be wrong. ;) ;)

I hate you lot. You know that don't you.  :P

No you don't. You are just saying that to be kind. ::)

 :P