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British Leyland had inherited the names of some of Britain's most famous motoring concerns, including Austin, Morris, Rover, Land Rover, Triumph and MG. In 1974 a new division of BL was formed in order to preserve and manage the company's collection of historic vehicles. BL's heritage collection grew, taking on not just more vehicles but also archive material from the companies.
In 1979, the company became BL Heritage Ltd., adopting a new headquarters at Studley in Warwickshire. Two years later, a museum was opened at the London Transport Museum's former home of Syon Park, west of London. Some 100 vehicles from the collection were put on display, the archive and administration remaining at Studley.
During the early 1980's, closer ties were made with other British motor manufacturers. In 1983, the collection was afforded charitable status and became the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (Charity No 286575). Although several motor manufacturers were involved with the Trust, the main flavour of vehicles was still from former British Leyland companies. Austin-Rover continued as the main backer of the Trust and gradually the other companies withdrew their support. Meanwhile, the collection continued to grow.
From the late 'eighties it was evident that new larger premises would be required as the Collection developed. Several new sites were considered for a purpose-built museum. The present location was chosen, on the site of the former RAF Gaydon airfield in South Warwickshire which was the current home of Rover Group's design, technology and testing ground. Plans were drawn up and construction began in 1991 for the new Heritage Motor Centre. Set in 65 acres of grounds, the Centre brought together all the Trust's operation for the first time, providing exhibition and storage space for the collection of over 250 vehicles and archive of more than two million photographs, business records, brochures and drawings, as well as dedicated conference facilities.
When the German manufaucturer BMW bought Rover Group in 1994 the Heritage Motor Centre came under the new ownership of the BMW Group. Six years later in 2000, BMW sold the Rover Group, which meant that the Centre changed hands again, this time under the new owners; Ford Motor Company. This latest change in the British motor industry gave the Trust the opportunity to expand its collection to include all of the companies that have formed part of the history of the motor car manufacture in Britain.
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