COVENTRY is to bid to smash the world record for the largest classic car parade ever staged.
It is hoped 2000 historic vehicles will take part around city streets in June to celebrate the official relaunch the following week of Coventry Transport Museum.
The aim on June 14 is to break Guinness World Records for the Largest Parade of Classic Cars, and the Largest Parade of Jaguar Cars.
The transport museum in Millennium Place, city centre, has undergone a £9million transformation project and has teamed up with classic vehicle insurance broker Footman James.
The current record for the Largest Parade of Classic Cars was set in Mexico City in 2014, and stands at 1,674 vehicles.
The Largest Parade of Jaguar Cars is held by the Silverstone Classic’s parade of 767 E-types in 2011.
Organisers are encouraging classic car owners to get involved by registering to bring their vehicles to the streets of Coventry on the day.
The route of the parade, which must measure at least two miles in order to meet Guinness World Record rules, will start at the Ricoh Arena and will include part of the city’s ring road.
To qualify for the parade, each car taking part must be at least 30 years old and be presented with its original registration documents on the day of the event.
Gary Hall, chief executive of Culture Coventry, the trust that runs Coventry Transport Museum, said: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Footman James and the Ricoh Arena, to bring these two World Records home to Coventry, the spiritual home of the British motor industry.
“There couldn’t be a more fitting way to celebrate the re-launch of Coventry Transport Museum than to bring classic cars from all over the country, to the city which designed, built and inspired so many gorgeous and pioneering machines.
“We expect demand to take part in this event to be high, so we are asking people to register their interest as soon as possible.”
Coventry Transport Museum’s redevelopment of the whole site will see 12 of the museum’s 14 galleries completely transformed.
It includes bringing the museum’s neighbouring 12th Century Old Grammar School back into public use for the first time in decades.
Classic car owners who would like to take part are asked to register their interest by no later than April 30, by visiting www.footmanjames.co.uk and completing the online Expression of Interest form.
Further details and confirmation of entry will be sent out after this date.
