Courtesy Mansfield Museum

Mansfield Museum is going car mad as part of Museums and Galleries Month 2008.

Celebrating the history of motorcars, the exhibition ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ explores the role of the pre-war car through the iconic Shell Advertising campaign.

Running for the whole month of May, pictures on display show the various models and shapes of classic cars. The travel paintings from the Shell Collection bring to life the vivid history and evolution of the motorcar, showing some of Britain’s most famous landscapes in the ‘Visit Britain’ campaign.

On Saturday May 10, a host of events at the museum and in the town centre will cater for car enthusiasts of all ages; the chance to take part in a Scalextric Grand Prix being just one of the fun activities planned. In Mansfield Market Place, world record strongman John Evans will be attempting to balance a car on his head!

Courtesy Mansfield Museum

Jodie Henshaw from the museum says: “The latest exhibition is perfect for all of those car crazy people who like anything to do with four wheels.”

Mansfield’s local car collections are on show, including a fabulous 1956 Ford Popular from David Brown Vintage and Classic Restorations and a huge range of model cars from collector David Powers.

A selection of historical car paraphernalia from the National Motor Museum will also be on display, as well as the story of the UK’s first driving school, BSM.

Automotive activities throughout the exhibition include the chance to create your own car on the museum’s production line and a competition to design the most exciting eco-car.

Joanna Shimwell is one of our three Renaissance East Midlands arts writers, reporting on MGM 2008 events all over the region for the whole month of May. Renaissance is the groundbreaking initiative to transform England's regional museums, led by MLA, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.