Gaydon reply to email...

[minispeedstar]

here's what i got today:

Dear Mr Dunster



Thank you for your message regarding the cars from our reserve collection. I thought that I should write to clarify and explain the situation. The Trust was given notice to leave its previous storage facility at very short notice some months ago and having looked at a number of options the decision was taken to bring storage on site for security and financial reasons. This process has been more prolonged than we anticipated as planning permission has had to be sought from the local authority and as a result we have regrettably had to keep some cars outside, a situation we are less than happy with as you can imagine.



We have now been able to obtain the necessary permissions from the local council, but in the interim we have been moving a significant number of the prototypes, specials and more fragile vehicles into covered storage or display in the museum . The rest of the cars are being covered whilst outside. At the same time we have also taken the opportunity to inspect cars in our workshop as we move them as I write two vehicles are being cleaned and checked before being put on display, with the Royal P5 next in line.. We certainly have no intention of keeping any cars outside during the winter period and are working very hard to ensure that the process is completed as soon as possible.



This move is only an interim solution, and following the completion of our museum display redevelopment, we have already begun work on plans for a major on-site Collections Centre that will enable us to permanently display all the vehicles in our collection . This centre will enable enthusiasts and the public to view all the cars in our care all year round to the highest standards. The centre will also contain our archive and workshop facilities. Fundraising for this centre, which is likely to cost in the region of £3 million will begin in the New Year and we hope to complete this major project within 3-4 years. We're sure that this will be popular with enthusiasts and public alike, and will be a great addition to our museum.



With regard to your question about the Nissan Bluebird currently displayed in the museum, we have our own collecting policy set by our board of trustees. One of the aims of the Trust is to tell the story of the industry itself, and whilst the core of the collection will always be from the original BL/Rover marques, we also want to show other British makes. The Nissan is the first British-built example of a Japanese designed car - the motor industry has changed dramatically in recent years and whilst many of the familiar names have now gone, British workers and factories are producing large numbers of vehicles and we do need to reflect this new part of the story, even though the traditionalists might find it difficult. On the other hand, in recent years we have also acquired other British names such as Rolls Royce, Aston Martin and Morgan to present a widest selection of cars for the public.



I hope that this has helped to explain the situation we have found ourselves in and would like to assure you that we are working very hard to resolve the problem as quickly as we can. I also appreciate the concern and support of clubs and individuals like yourself you help sustain our motoring heritage.



Yours sincerely



Tim Bryan


interesting that his email address is: :tbryan9@landrover.com :roll:

[The General]

at least now you know that thy are all going to be looked after. never been down to gaydon but will get there one day. also at least he had the decency to reply.

[The General]

although you would think that if they are mainly BL/ROVER they would take priority over a bluebird.