Carmen: There are almost 200 classic cars here at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, in Hampshire; including 1930s motors to modern-day racers.
So what makes a car a classic? And why are there so many British classic cars? Well, this is a great place to find out more about Britain's motoring history. The motor industry played a central part in Britain's industrial past.
Bentleys, Aston Martins and Rolls Royces, like this one, are just some of the classic cars to have been built in the UK.
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Carmen: Hi, Stephen.
Stephen: Hi, Carmen.
Carmen: Stephen Vokins is a classic car expert. He works at the museum, and sometimes gets to drive these cars. What a great job you have!
Stephen: It is a great, great job!
Carmen: So tell me about this car.
Stephen: This car is a 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle, known at the time as probably the finest motor car in the world.
Carmen: What makes it so special?
Stephen: Well, it was made by traditional craftsmen, handmade using the finest materials available regardless of cost.
Carmen: Well, can we go for a spin?
Stephen: Yes, let's.
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Carmen: For many years only the rich could afford a motor car. Then manufacturers found cheaper ways of making cars. Motoring broke through the class barrier. Mass motoring was here for good.
Britain is where much of motoring started. Famous car manufacturers like Rover, Austin and Morris made some of the best cars of the period. There were cars for driving trips in the country, families and sporty two-seaters.
The British car industry has been in decline for many years, but there are some more-recent classics like the Mini. This car was built in 1959 and soon became an icon. And it's still being manufactured.
Cars are a popular hobby in the UK. Motor enthusiasts can belong to owners clubs, or take part in motor shows, like the Super Car event here at Beaulieu.
For some these motors are dream cars! But is there a future for these petrol-guzzling classics?
People are beginning to think about more eco-friendly cars. The Citroen Evie is the UK's first four-seater, all-electric, ready-to-buy car. And Rachel Osborne is a proud owner.
Rachel: I bought an electric car because I wanted to help the environment. There's less pollution, there's no petrol, there's no fumes. I also wanted to save money. I don't have to pay for petrol, I don't have to pay for road tax and I get free parking around town.
Carmen: For those of us who might like something a little faster, this is the Tesla Roadster 2.5 – the latest electric car and the only one of its type. It can do an amazing zero to 100 kilometres an hour in 3.7 seconds and can travel on a full battery for 340 kilometres.
Electric cars come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps, the Tesla and the Evie will be the classic cars of the future.
Comments
It was so interesting.thank you
It's a very interesting video, I enjoyed watching it. I spend a lot of time with my cousin and he just knows everything about cars so I really loved this video, thank you very much....
I love the old cars !!!!
I like much Aston Martin cars and Corvette Stingray cars, like my brother-in-law.
Thank you for his video !!!
I like this video...very intresting
I don't like cars so much, but I would like to have a electric car. I think it's the future about cars
Thats some nice cars mate!
i like merceces benc , you should be 18 to take the driving test but i own already a car and i m not 18
Hello!I like cars! very interesting!!!!!!!!!
In albania you should be over 18 years old to take the driving test...
I like lamborgini cars
Interesting video
It is easy to say that you'd better buy a Tesla or an Evie if you are concerned about nature, pollution and fumes. Presently, electric cars are so expensive that an average owner should drive 15-20 years to get his money back. You can start saving money if you want to buy a Tesla before you retire.
i like meclaren ............. in my country you should be 18 years to take driving test a car
i have driven the car one time and i like very much to learn how to drive it....
sorry I don´t understand
I like old timers; it's so romantic to drive a pink old timer, in the style of 50's. I'd like to have one. When I lived in Paris, my parents bought an old timer and I enjoyed drivings in that car. People in Paris like old timers, and romantic things, at least, they used to. My parents sold the car many years ago, but I still have pictures. Now we have the new car, but I miss that old timer. In Serbia you can take driving test at 16, but you can drive only if someone elder is next to you, someone who's 18+. I'd like to drive, why not?
wow very interesting video.......... in my country you should be 18 years to take driving test a car
You must be 18 to get your license but at 16 you can get a permission and I´m not keen about getting my license there is a lot of traffic in my Country.You can spend two hours in the traffic for a short distance.
WOW do you know i'm the greatest racer in race games?
=D i love sports cars
my favorite car is the jaguard XJ200
i'm still waiting for be 18 years and get my license D=
Hey, EclairCat
Would you like to be a professional driver, like Michael Schumacher? I think that sport car are really amazing, they increase the level of adrenalin in our blood.
I am crayz about cars..
In Turkey you should be over 18 years old to take the driving test...