Despite its pre-eminent collections, Coventry Transport Museum’s location in a quiet back street of Coventry meant that it was, until its redevelopment, one of Britain’s best kept secrets.

The £7.5 million task of revitalising the museum was completed in March 2004. The most dramatic change has been the creation of a brand new frontage for the Museum, facing out on to the City’s new Millennium Place.

Four new galleries have been added to existing displays and include an introduction to Coventry’s unique role in transport history, which pays tribute to the people who worked in the industry. Two particularly popular exhibits are the World Land Speed Record Cars, Thrust SSC and Thrust2.

The redevelopment has resulted in a much more integrated and cohesive experience for visitors. Residents, the museum says, who hadn’t set foot in the museum have been drawn in by its stronger outward presence; in the first six months since the relaunch, the Museum received over 180,000 visitors, beating all targets and doubling previous visitor figures.

Joe Elliott, Chair of the Museum's Board of Directors said "It is absolutely brilliant news that the Museum has reached the final stages of the Museum of the Year Award, particularly in light of the quality of the other shortlisted museums. We look forward to welcoming the panel of judges in the near future."

Richard Noble OBE, the man who broke the World Land Speed Record in 1984 in Thrust 2 and led the team who currently hold the record with ThrustSSC, says: “Both Thrust2 and its successor ThrustSSC are wonderfully cared for and displayed by the Museum. I have always believed it to be a jewel, representing Coventry’s transport and motor engineering heritage and now also the City’s regeneration. I will be rooting for it to win.”

Visitor comments
“As a ‘CovKid’, I am proud of Coventry’s rich history. The transport museum is a fantastic example of the kind of innovation and creativity Coventry has inspired.”
Angela Foran, Church Lawford, Warwickshire

“If you have not visited it so far, then please do, because it will change your opinion of the museum as well as the City itself. Coventry has upped its ambitions and we are all proud to be part of the ambitious future.”
Ahmed Syed, Coventry

“This Museum has become the critical link between the City’s past and its future.”
Kevin Foster, Coventry

Key facts
Re-opened: March 2004
Development costs: £7.5 million
Funders: Heritage Lottery Fund; ERDF; Coventry City Council; DCF; Local Charities
Visitor figures: 281,285 in the first year since re-launch on March 18th 2004Admission charges: free
Opening hours: 10.00am-5.00pm daily

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