Cornwall's Motoring Heritage

In many ways the origins of the automobile can be traced back to Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick and his very first trip through Camborne high street. Trevithick’s high-pressure steam car effectively marks the birth of the motoring age and Christmas Eve 2001 marked the bi-centenary of this momentous event.

Austin Healey 3000 Another great contribution was made by fellow inventor Mr. Lodge from Newquay who pioneered and manufactured the first sparking plugs. Lodge plugs were widely used for many years in the motor industry for both production and racing cars.

However, Cornwall’s association with the motor industry does not just end there. A great number of influential figures in the motor industry were either born in Cornwall or have links with the region. Both Lionel Martin of Aston Martin fame and Donald Healey were Cornish with the latter starting his motor career in the county and later retiring to Trebah House on the Helford.

Lord Nuffield (formerly Sir William Morris) used to enjoy holidaying in the county as did Cecil Kimber the founder of the M.G. Sportscar. Kimber was particularly fond of sailing around Falmouth and used Exmoor for testing some of his early prototypes. Indeed Mr. Martin owned two early examples of the M.G. marque, an 18/80 Mk I & Mk II, such was the cross over of 'development' in the emerging motor industry.

St Mawes Petrol Station Cornwall has also been host to a great number of motor-sport events throughout the years with an active trials scene even today. Events such as the MCC Lands End Trial can be viewed by the public to see a wide variety of classic and modern machinery attempting to ascend legendary hills such as Bluehill's mine and Beggar's Roost.

Cornwall has even had its own Formula One race track at the old US air force base at Davidstow towards the northern end of the county. This was used for racing in the immediate post-war period but was abandoned due to similar problems to those experienced by the air force. Davidstow is particularly prone to mist, making it difficult for spectators to see the action, whereas pilots had rather more serious problems as landing or indeed even getting airborne was a hazardous business! Today the airfield is all but abandoned with the micro-light club the only remaining inhabitants of this interesting venue.

If you should like to visit Cornwall – effectively the birthplace of the motoring age – why not take one of our special inclusive classic car breaks? See Cornwall from the wheel of an appropriate piece of Britain’s motoring history!

Classic Car Short Breaks from £234 per person / Car Hire from £169 Inclusive