CLASSIC vehicles including a car owned by Princess Diana are being showcased at Coventry Transport Museums’ newest thirty-vehicle-strong exhibition.
And the Transport Museum is calling for former workers and their families who helped create the vehicles to get in touch with their stories.
Car lovers can see the 1980 Austin Mini Metro L owned by the Princess of Wales back when she was still Lady Diana Spencer.
It is believed to be a gift from King Charles III after he test-drove it at the vehicle’s launch.The car was made in Longbridge and remained in Lady Diana’s possession until 1981.
Also featured in the new gallery, called ‘Behind the Scenes: Wheels and Workers’, is a Coventry-made Jaguar XJS, which was painted bright pink and used as a prototype to create Barbie’s toy vehicle.
The Coventry-made vehicles in the exhibition include designs by Hillman, Standard, Singer, Alvis, Riley, Triumph, Humber and Daimler.
Marguerite Nugent, Director of Culture at CV Life who operates Coventry Transport Museum, said: “This is a really exciting moment for Coventry Transport Museum and means visitors now have the opportunity to see even more vehicles that are part of the city’s and the wider region’s heritage.
“There are some incredible names that will resonate with the people of Coventry as so many people have historic family links to the factories in the city and we have no doubt that it will attract people from across the region.
“Also, the fact that we have the car previously owned by Princess Diana and the striking pink ‘Barbie’ car will also be a draw, especially as the new Barbie film is expected to hit cinemas in 2023.”
