BUILDING UP ROOTES’ CLASSIC CAR HISTORY
It’s been another memorable year for those people who go just that little bit further to protect the UK’s motoring heritage
CCW wanted to recognise a person, club or organisation that has done something amazing to promote classics during 2018. Actually, we’re recognising a bunch of heroes – all those involved with the Rootes Archive Centre Trust (RACT), who managed to bring the project to build a permanent home for a vast collection of Rootes heritage material from zero to, well, hero, in just over two years. The new Rootes Archive Centre, at Wroxton near Banbury in Oxfordshire, officially opened its doors on Drive-it Day this year. Two and a half years previously, it must have seemed like a pipe-dream; a bold plan, launched at the 2015 Classic Motor Show, to raise £165,000 to build a permanent location to house the RACT’s many thousand of items relating to the defunct car conglomerate. Previously, they’d been stored in a series of cramped, rented locations; their future was by no means secure, but their loss would have been incalcuable. Yet, after £60,000 had been raised via Association of Rootes Car Club members, companies, individual enthusiasts, collections and gift aid loans, the RACT was able to finance the start of a new building. In October 2017 – fewer than two years after the appeal began, a remarkable timescale – it took possession. Following fitting out and the relocation of the archive material, 22 April 2018 saw over a hundred Rootes vehicles turn out in Wroxton to see the centre formally opened by the Reverend Bill Rootes and Lord Nicolas Rootes. Celebrities including works rally driver, Rosemary Smith, also attended. It was a triumphant moment, and a chance for the public to see just how much important history – from brochures, blueprints and microfiches through to the Rootes boardroom table – has been saved for future generations to appreciate. Well done to all involved!