The BMC & Leyland Show held at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon was first held in 2013 and now has become a firm favourite with all car enthusiasts of thje British marques represented at the show. I have attended the show several times in recent years and never fail to be impressed by the love and care that owners have put into preserving these important icons of British heritage.
As one wanders around all the cars on display you cannot help but reflect on the fact that many of these marques were well established long befor the concepts of BMC and Leyland were thought of; many of them originating in the city of Coventry.
Here are photos of cars that caught my eye at the 2026 show. As always, I try to find rare or particularly well presnted cars to photograph, I hope you like them too –
AUSTIN
1934 Austin 10/4 two seat tourer.
1948 Austin 16
A very fine example of a 1950s Austin A90 Atlantic covertible. The Atlantic was designed specifically for the US market but it was not a success. Surplus engines forn this project were used in the Austin Healey 100.
Austin A35 Club display1967 Austin Westminster A110 Mk. II.
CLASSIC MINI
2000 Mini Cooper Sport 500. The Mini Cooper Sport 500 is the highly sought-after final edition of the classic Alec Issigonis-designed Mini, released in 2000 to mark the end of the original production run.
JAGUAR
Jaguar E Type Coupe. The E Type is probably one of the world’s most photographed cars, so normally I would ignore them at these types of show. But this one was so well presented, in glorious metallic blue, it shouted “please photograph me”, so I did. 🙂
RILEY
1936-38 Riley Adelphi
Riley 12/4 two seater sports special
STANDARD
1934 Standard 121953 Standard Vanguard Phase Two.
TRIUMPH
1957-62 Triumph TR3A1970-1977 Triumph 2500
COMPETITION CARS
Classi Mini Rally Car1991 Rover Metro 1.4 GTi 16 valve Twin-Cam “Works” Group N Rally Car.Abingdon Works MG Centre1958 Austin Healey 100/6 ex works race car driven byTed Worswick. Prior to being raced it was Abingdon’s Press Car. It also appeared in the British Film “School for Scoundrels” in 1960. The BMC Competitions Dept. coverted to a track racing car in 1964.1963 ex works MG Midget. The long nose streamlined bonnet, first used on the “Dick Jacobs” midgets, was created by RS Panels of Nuneaton – https://www.rspanels.co.uk/index.php who are more famous for their work on Jaguars.
STEERING WHEELS
I was fascinated to come across this vendor at the show and wanted to share it with you –
IN THE CAR PARK
Ferrari 365 Daytona Spyder. Evocation? At events like the Goodwood FOS, it is often said that some of the most interesting cars are to be found in the visitor car parks. I saw this car just as I was entering the BMM gates.
That’s all folks! I hope that you enjoyed the trip.
Nick
Note –
This article and the photographs contained within is subject to copyright and should not be republished in part or as a whole without permission from the author.
