The Ian Hope collection
It was known by more than one name ... "the British Car Museum" or "Ian Hope's Backyard Museum" being the most used, but I prefer to think of it as the Ian Hope Collection - because this is a singularly personal collection, reflecting Ian's own personal tastes. So if you should wonder for example why aren't there more Fords - I once asked him that. "Never thought much of 'em" was his response. And if you asked why he had so many Morris Minors (there are more than 30 in the main hall, plus more donors outside) he would - if he trusted you enough - tell you that they were all earmarked (and labelled) for his nephews, nieces and latterly grand-nephews and grand-nieces in his Will. It was his way of showing how much he cared.
Why "Backyard Museum"? Because that's what Ian called it himself; there were no airs and graces and he saw no need to beautify anything - for Ian, there was no pretence. It was all about the cars and how they were interwoven with the lives of the people he most cared for - his family. If you didn't like it, tough - of course he wanted people to enjoy his collection, but he was not prepared to compromise on anything.
He had a story (he shared them readily with anyone willing to listen) about every single car in the place (there are over 500) and would often follow me around, talking about where each car came from and how they had come into his possession. Many were local cars given to Ian for safe keeping by families when their loving owners passed away - others he bought from all over New Zealand if they caught his eye and the price was keen - Ian loved a deal.
Yes, Ian was obsessive and eccentric but most of all he was a real enthusiast of British motors and he was my friend. RIP, Ian.
Current status of Ian's collection (as at December 2020):
I understand the collection is now held in a legal trust and cannot be broken up or sold off. I have heard it can be visited by prior arrangement only but have no contact with the Trustees or any further information.
Paul Sweeney
Copyright exists in all images - they are my personal photographs and I own the copyright. I'm sharing for your enjoyment but please don't steal them.
Click on an image to enlarge.
Click on a marque/heading to filter the images - this will display a sub-set of images matching the selected filter.
Why "Backyard Museum"? Because that's what Ian called it himself; there were no airs and graces and he saw no need to beautify anything - for Ian, there was no pretence. It was all about the cars and how they were interwoven with the lives of the people he most cared for - his family. If you didn't like it, tough - of course he wanted people to enjoy his collection, but he was not prepared to compromise on anything.
He had a story (he shared them readily with anyone willing to listen) about every single car in the place (there are over 500) and would often follow me around, talking about where each car came from and how they had come into his possession. Many were local cars given to Ian for safe keeping by families when their loving owners passed away - others he bought from all over New Zealand if they caught his eye and the price was keen - Ian loved a deal.
Yes, Ian was obsessive and eccentric but most of all he was a real enthusiast of British motors and he was my friend. RIP, Ian.
Current status of Ian's collection (as at December 2020):
I understand the collection is now held in a legal trust and cannot be broken up or sold off. I have heard it can be visited by prior arrangement only but have no contact with the Trustees or any further information.
Paul Sweeney
Copyright exists in all images - they are my personal photographs and I own the copyright. I'm sharing for your enjoyment but please don't steal them.
Click on an image to enlarge.
Click on a marque/heading to filter the images - this will display a sub-set of images matching the selected filter.
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