Heritage Collection at Syon

AS REPORTED briefly last month, British Leyland’s Heritage Collection has been moved from Donington Park to a new home in the beautiful surroundings of Syon Park, near Brentford. The move has given Leyland better opportunities to show the cars, and to use then, both for display purposes in the grounds of Syon Park, and in various events. The main collection is housed in a converted greenhouse, which feels as if it would make an aircraft hangar look small, and the cars are arranged around the walls with one or two special displays in the centre. The plaques on the vehicles give only scanty information, such as make and date, but a beautifully illustrated and well written catalogue is available for those wishing to take an intelligent interest in the exhibits.

A few yards away from the main collection is another building (perhaps a potting shed?) which houses a display of one-off, prototype vehicle., sectioned engines and a couple of early commercials. This building also contains a classroom/lecture hall with full projection equipment, which is available to schools and other education establishments.

Six permanent staff are employed at Syon Park, and on special occasions, extra staff will be drafted in to demonstrate some of the vehicles on the roads of Syon Park, giving rides to certain, lucky visitors. — P H J .W