Extraordinary Automobiles from Across the Atlantic

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Famed author George Bernard Saw is reported to have said "Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language". This notion is perhaps best illustrated by the use of very different terms to define identical objects relating to automobiles. The American "hood" became a "bonnet" in the UK, the "trunk" is referred to as a "boot", "gasoline" became "petrol", and the "glove compartment" morphed into a "chubby box".

British cars have been a staple on American roads since the beginning of the Twentieth Century, and although they share basic mechanical functions, the design philosophy that shaped the great English marques varied considerably from those built in their former colony.

America offered vast, open landscapes, perfect for large-displacement high-speed touring machines, whereas British drivers were constrained by narrow country lanes and crowded urban streets, requiring nimbler, sports-oriented vehicles.

"Rule Britannia" displays the very best of British design from the dawn of the Twentieth Century to the present, featuring legendary marques such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin, MG, Triumph, Lotus and a host of lesser known brands. Join the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum as we celebrate these iconic examples of the British coachbuilder's art.

Highlights