Automotive admirers
We have the biggest collection of Black Country vehicles, from motorcycles to a fire engine!
This trail shares examples of where you can find out more about Black Country automotive manufacturing and vehicles. Want to find out more? Don’t miss our annual Festival of Vehicles held every June. It’s included in general admission with no further purchase necessary!
1. Bradburn & Wedge Motor Garage (1915)
The exterior façade of our recreation is based on the front of the iconic Wolverhampton motor garage established by William Howard Bradburn in 1915.
The garage contains an impressive display of vehicles that provide a unique record of the success of Black Country motor manufacturers, sporting rare marques from a range of manufacturers such as Sunbeam, AJS, Bean and Kieft.
2. J.H. Lavender Aluminium Foundry (1959)
J.H. Lavender is an aluminium die-casting foundry from Hall Green, West Bromwich, that was founded in 1917 and is still in operation today.
Our translocated building is set in 1959 when the business was producing large quantities of aluminium castings for the motor industry and other clients.
3. A. Hartill Motorcycles (1935)
Hartill’s motorcycle shop was located in Mount Pleasant, Bilston, and opened in 1937. Mainly second-hand motorcycles were sold. Bicycles were also sold, and hire purchase facilities were provided. The sale of spares and provision for repairs completed the service.
A. Hartill Motorcycles represents a typical 1930s motorcycle shop providing a comprehensive service to the community.
4. The Conway Garage (1930s)
Our building is a replica built of modern materials representing the Conway Garage that formerly stood near the ‘Fighting Cocks’ on the Wolverhampton to Dudley Road.
It belonged to Alexander ‘Alec’ Broome (1903-1987) who achieved fame as a motor mechanic working for the Sunbeam Motor Company of Wolverhampton.
5. Ride a vintage bus
We have a daily bus in operation that transports our visitors across our 29 acres. No fare is needed; simply hop on board!
Look out for our West Bromwich Corporation Motorbus 174 (1952), our West Bromwich Corporation Motorbus 252 (1953) and our Midland Red D9 Motorbus (1963).
6. Winston Churchill
This class L locomotive was built in 1923 by Manning and Wardle & Co and supplied new to Cadbury Cake Division of Blackpole in Worcestershire where it was given the number 7.
It was donated to us in the 1970s and now resides in front of our Museum Conference & Learning Centre after being moved from the Pensnett Trading Estate in 2013.
