The museum houses the original ThrustSSC, the first car to officially break the sound barrier on land.
Coventry was known as the 'British Detroit' due to its massive concentration of automotive manufacturing plants.
The collection includes the world's largest display of British road transport.
The museum's '70 Years of Motoring' exhibition explores the rapid shift from horse-drawn carriages to early automobiles.
Many of the vehicles on display were manufactured within a few miles of the museum's current location.
The building was designed to serve as a centerpiece for the regeneration of Coventry city center.
The archives contain extensive records on the development of the cycle industry in the 19th century.
Coventry Transport Museum houses the world's largest publicly owned collection of British-made road transport. The museum celebrates Coventry's heritage as the former global hub of the bicycle, motorcycle, and car manufacturing industries. Its collection includes over 240 automobiles, 100 motorcycles, and 200 bicycles. Key highlights include the two fastest cars in the world, ThrustSSC and Thrust2, both of which broke the land speed record. The facility occupies a significant footprint in Millennium Place, integrated into the city's urban redevelopment area. Interactive exhibits cover the invention of the pneumatic tire and the evolution of the internal combustion engine. The museum preserves local industrial history, documenting the rise and decline of major marques like Jaguar, Daimler, and Triumph. The site features 14 galleries spanning over 100 years of mechanical advancement.
Directly in front of the ThrustSSC land speed record car, which is displayed in the main gallery.
Download the museum app before arriving for digital guides and interactive content.
Allow extra time to watch the 'ThrustSSC' simulator experience which replicates the sensation of breaking the sound barrier.
Check the 'What's On' section of their website for temporary exhibitions before visiting, as they frequently rotate smaller vehicle collections.
Do not rush through the early 'Bicycle' galleries, as they provide essential context for the later industrial exhibits.
