Well, this museum was a very pleasant surprise. I only learned of its existence a few weeks ago. Unexpectedly I found myself in the area recently, so I took the opportunity and popped in for a look around.
The museum is housed in a former bus garage
This is a cracking set-up: Housed in what was once a garage and repair depot for a local bus company. The extensive collection is, at least from a floor area point of view, dominated by cars, particularly the lower floor. These are all presented beautifully. Some fabulous machines span the decades principally from the 1940’s to the 1970s. The Jaguar D-Type replica and a stunning Riley salon took my eye.
Extensive Collection of Bikes
From a biking perspective I was pleased to see a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 given a prime slot. This particular example being an Indian built and registered model. Owned by an amazing British woman called Jacqui Furneaux. She has ridden the Enfield across more than 30 countries spread over a period of seven years. Impressive stuff. Even breaking a leg at one point didn’t deter her!
New Displays
In a bid to reflect the more recent biking scene a small room is being set up, but this only has a couple of bikes in it right now. But one of those, a 1987/8 Honda CBR600F ‘Jellymould’ brought back happy memories of testing one back in 1987 for me. I took it out from a dealer called Lings of Watton in deepest, darkest Norfolk. That bike blew me away at the time. Smooth, fast and you could really throw it around. It was light years ahead of the 1985 Suzuki GS550E I was riding at the time. The sobering thought is that was thirty-four years ago. So much for being modern!
I still think of these as a new bike…they are in museums now! 1987 Honda CBR600F
Head Up the Stairs!
The bulk of the bike collection is accommodated on the museum upper level. Very impressive it is too. All the usual suspects are in evidence. Triumph, BSA, Vincent, Norton etc. A few machines piqued my interest in particular: The single cylinder 500cc Vincent Comet for example. They just look a little odd to me with the rearmost cylinder missing from the full-fat 1,000cc V twin engine which is now a thing of legend.
The Often Overlooked Vincent Comet
A very pert little BSA C15 is a bike I could very much see as ‘My first classic Brit bike’. Funny how your taste changes as you spin into the oblivion of old age!
I really liked this little BSA
Meaty Sunbeam
Matchless from the AFS
One of the older bikes, this flat tank Douglas
The collection of smaller motorcycles and scooters was very interesting too. My favourite was an immaculate 1957 BSA Dandy, about as un-macho name as you could possibly imagine. The Dandy was just cute, for want of a better word.
Cute 57 Dandy
There seemed to be a big emphasis on sidecar outfits. Both RAC and AA patrol outfits were on display and made for an interesting contrast. There was a 1984 Neval of Russian origin, which looked light a right bruiser; it even had a small ‘Jerrycan’ strapped to it! All that is missing is a machine gun mounting on the nose. It looked like something from the Great Escape film!
Tough Neval
Your choice of recovery options: AA or RAC
Lots of Combinations on display
Memorabilia featured heavily too. Old petrol pumps, petrol cans, signage etc. Henry Cole would approve.
A Bit of Everything
The collection was varied as I say, and not just limited to smelly old Brit bikes. Japanese bikes, Honda in particular, featured and they were small real oddball machines. There was even a couple I had simply never even heard of before!
Mighty Africa Twin. The most recent bike on show
Honda C90. Leading a quieter life than the example once owned by my sister
Odd set up
New one on me: The Aspes 125 Hopi of 1975 vintage
All this for £10 entry fee. A bargain, especially in tourist focussed Devon. It is a shame that it may be closing in the coming months as the owner is thinking of retiring.
No tea room
There wasn’t a tearoom or café on site unfortunately, but you only have to wonder down the hill into the middle of the town to find several choices. I opted for the central tea room, serves good food and hot drinks.
Overall then, well worth heading for next time you are looking for an excuse to get out on the bike. Just remember that it is closed on a Monday and Friday!
Words and Pictures: Tony Donnelly
Full details on location, entry times and costs etc can be found by following the link below