Coventry Transport Museum – Exploring the City’s Automotive Legacy

Located in the heart of the city centre, just steps away from Millennium Place, the Coventry Transport Museum tells the story of a city that once stood at the centre of Britain’s motor industry. The museum is not just a repository of vehicles; it is a vivid chronicle of innovation, resilience, and local pride. From hand-built bicycles to land speed record-breakers, this vast collection spans more than two centuries of British transport history, all with deep roots in Coventry itself.

The city’s connection to the motor industry began in the 19th century with the manufacture of bicycles. Coventry quickly became a national hub for cycle production, and it was not long before the city transitioned into motorcycle and motorcar manufacturing. The museum captures this evolution with care, curating everything from penny-farthings and Triumphs to Jaguar prototypes and Rover classics. One of the prominent displays near the entrance features a Triumph motorcycle showcased against a mural wall celebrating Coventry’s cycle heritage, including brands like Swift, Rudge, and Alvis. Also on display is a bronze bust of Eileen Sheridan, the record-breaking cyclist from Coventry, along with vintage posters and memorabilia that celebrate the city’s cycling legacy.

Coventry Transport Museum

Each exhibit is accompanied by detailed timelines and personal stories that situate the machines within Coventry’s industrial and social life. Among the museum’s most celebrated exhibits are the Thrust2 and ThrustSSC, the jet-powered cars that broke the land speed records in 1983 and 1997, respectively. These are displayed in a dedicated gallery, where immersive lighting and sound recreate the drama of the record-breaking attempts.

Not far from them, visitors can find a 1974 Jaguar E-Type, known for its classic design and engineering precision. One of the last fifty produced, this model had only travelled 800 miles before the museum acquired it in 1975. Nearby, a 1990 Jaguar XJS with a distinctive hot pink paint job draws curious glances. Branded the “Barbie Jaguar,” this car was originally prepared by Jaguar for a Mattel product launch, before being repurposed by the museum as a standout piece in its collection of cultural and commercial transport icons. A separate section showcases the evolution of Jaguar, from its early SS Cars through to the iconic E-Type and the electric I-Pace, featuring a full-size statue and tribute wall dedicated to founder Sir William Lyons.

Coventry Transport Museum

One of the more curious and historically significant vehicles on display is the 1912 Crouch Carette, a small three-wheeled car manufactured in Coventry. Designed as an early economical option for the working class, it was often referred to as a cycle car and was built close to the site where Lady Herbert’s Garden now stands. The museum’s display highlights both its appeal and its mechanical challenges; most notably, a weak rear brake and bouncy suspension.

The museum also features Coventry-built wooden-bodied vehicles like the 1949 Lea-Francis Estate Saloon. Constructed by APA Ltd on Stoke Row, this vehicle typifies the post-war ingenuity that defined the city’s car production. Its wooden frame, rugged 14hp engine, and long family ownership story are all brought to life through well-curated interpretation panels.

Coventry Transport Museum

A nearby exhibit features the 1986 Peugeot 309, the first Peugeot model assembled in Coventry at the Ryton-on-Dunsmore factory. Originally planned as the Talbot Arizona, the car was rebranded and produced under the Peugeot name after PSA phased out the Talbot brand. The 309 became a familiar sight on British roads and marked the beginning of a new chapter in Coventry’s automotive timeline.

Among the more elegant vintage saloons is the 1935 SS Jaguar 1.5 Litre, the first car to carry the Jaguar name. Its distinctive Art Deco styling and coach-built bodywork reflect the era’s aesthetic aspirations. This particular vehicle remained with a single family until its donation to the museum in 1981. The display is part of a wider showcase of Jaguars including the sleek XK120, elegant Mark V saloons, and concept cars like the futuristic C-X75 prototype and electric models from the 21st century.

Coventry Transport Museum

On the same line is the 1963 Hillman Super Minx MkII, a well-preserved car with a personal story behind it. Its donor and only owner fell in love with it as a teenager, saved up with the help of her parents, and drove it proudly for decades. The car was eventually donated to the museum in 2020, making it a piece of living memory as much as mechanical history.

Also on view is a 1931 Swift Coupe, built by a local firm that began as a bicycle maker before moving into car production. This drop-head coupe, with its “dickey seat” at the back, offers a quirky reminder of the crossover between early cycles and motoring culture.

Coventry Transport Museum

A more playful yet nostalgic object is the Riley Electric Scooter, a compact post-war electric vehicle made by the late Percy Riley. Designed for factory use in tight indoor spaces, it was adapted from a children’s fairground ride and is believed to have achieved speeds of up to 20mph.

The museum’s deeper collection also includes the 1910 Humber Landaulette, a large Edwardian motorcar once used as a London taxi. Manufactured by Humber in Coventry, this car represents the early emergence of motorized public transport and commercial vehicles.

Coventry Transport Museum

Adding to this historic showcase is the 1953 Riley RME, the last Riley car designed before the brand was absorbed into the Nuffield group. A post-war update of the earlier RMA, this model is part of the museum’s running collection and still makes appearances at public events.

Another civic icon is the 1931 Daimler M16/20, a modified saloon used by the Lord Provost of Dundee. The car was converted into a limousine-style vehicle with extra room and includes thoughtful luxuries like a built-in cigar lighter and powder compact.

The 1965 Alvis TE21, once owned by former Alvis chairman J.J. Parkes, represents the peak of British executive car design in the mid-20th century. With a top speed of 107 mph and impeccable craftsmanship, it embodies Alvis’s blend of tradition and innovation just before production ceased in 1967.

Coventry Transport Museum

The 1934 Riley Lynx, a four-seater open tourer, stands out for its sporty character and timeless design. Its crash gearbox and reverse gear layout are rare features, and it remains striking whether the hood is up or down.

Among the practical post-war family cars, the 1964 Morris Traveller Estate, known affectionately as the "Woody", exemplifies mass motorisation in Britain. Produced at Coventry's Morris Motor Bodies Branch, this station wagon with wooden framing was built until 1971 and served as one of the last British cars to use timber in its construction.

The museum also houses a wide range of service and military vehicles, including a bright red Jaguar Daimler Fire Brigade tender used in the City of Coventry, and a Ferret Scout Car, a compact military vehicle designed for reconnaissance. These vehicles showcase how Coventry’s engineering also supported defence and civil services beyond the commercial sector.

Coventry Transport Museum

While the size of the collection is impressive, what truly sets the museum apart is its attention to storytelling. Visitors are guided through galleries that unfold in chronological order, beginning with the early 1800s and continuing to modern-day innovations in electric vehicles and automotive design. The exhibitions are interspersed with archival photographs, workshop reconstructions, and interactive displays that invite visitors to understand not just the machines, but the people and processes behind them.

The museum building itself blends modern exhibition space with the character of a city once dominated by factory chimneys and industrial yards. Its location, adjacent to the old Grammar School and opposite Lady Herbert’s Garden, places it within easy walking distance of other heritage landmarks in the city centre. 

More than a showcase of machines, Coventry Transport Museum serves as a tribute to the generations of engineers, designers, and workers who helped shape the city’s identity. It reminds visitors that Coventry's story is not only one of survival through wartime destruction, but also one of driving forward, quite literally, into new eras of invention.

Happy travelling.