A new exhibition at Wolverhampton City Archives is exploring the city's once thriving motor industry.

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The Wolverhampton Motor Industry Exhibition, which runs until the end of September, both celebrates and examines the history of the industry through original documents, photographs and other material taken from the collections of Wolverhampton City Archives.

It particularly focuses on famous marques including Guy Motors, AJS and Sunbeam - which memorably once held the land speed record - as well as two once-successful companies which failed to stand the test of time, Clyno and Star.

The exhibition also features a Wolverhampton-made 1913 Sunbeam motorcycle kindly loaned to the Archives by the Black Country Living Museum for the duration of the display.

Jon Everall, Acting Service Manager at Wolverhampton City Archives, said: "The motor industry played a very significant part in making Wolverhampton the city it is today. We are very pleased to be able to present this exhibition of archive material which will give our visitors fantastic insight into the story of one of Wolverhampton's most important trades."

Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: "Famous names such as Guy Motors and Sunbeam played a hugely important role in the history of not only Wolverhampton but also our nation. Many families will have ancestors who once worked for these companies and this display promises to be fascinating."

The Wolverhampton Motor Industry Exhibition is on display until Saturday 28 September, 2013, at Wolverhampton City Archives, Molineux Hotel Building, Whitmore Hill. Wolverhampton City Archives is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 5pm, Wednesdays from 10am to 7pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. Entry is free and for more information, please call 01902 552480.

  • released: Monday 12 August, 2013