Exmoor Classic Car Collection

Some 50 years ago Stephen Johns began collecting memorabilia which soon lead to the purchase of his first classic car, a 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25. As time went by the collection increased and when he first moved to Wootton Courtenay seven years ago the collection followed, most vehicles driven here from Yorkshire and opened his museum in Minehead to fellow enthusiasts.

He has now been lucky enough to buy a 'time warp' garage in Porlock High Street where Wallace Harding had his body shop at Doverhay Garage.

He looks forward to welcoming you to the varied collection.

My message is short, my message is sweet,
I just want to tell you about my treat,
I've bought an interesting old garage,
It's not too small and it's not too large,
Wallace Harding is a name you'll have heard,
It's been Wally & Michael for near 50 years,
With painting and polish they've kept you car smart,
But now it's my turn to make a new start,
Over the winter I've moved all my bikes,
My car and my models - I've even a trike
To DOVERHAY GARAGE in PORLOCK HIGH STREET,
A Warn welcome awaits you

A museum for all the family

Some 50 years ago Stephen Johns began collecting memorabilia which soon lead to the purchase of his first classic car, a 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25. As time went by the collection increased and when he first moved to Wootton Courtenay seven years ago the collection followed, most vehicles driven here from Yorkshire and opened his museum in Minehead to fellow enthusiasts. He has now been lucky enough to buy a 'time warp' garage in Porlock High Street where Wallace Harding had his body shop at Doverhay Garage.

The Exmoor Classic Car Collection museum in the  the High Street in Porlock and is owned by Stephen Johns.  Previously in Minehead this was originally Stephen's private collection. Coming up to retirement age, but he didn't feel that he wanted to totally stop so a friend suggested that he opened up the collection to the public by opening a museum a few days a week as a sort of a hobby.

The Exmoor Classic Car Collection

There is a collection of twenty or so cars and motorcycles from a Bonneville to an LE Velo.  There are some BSA Bantams in the GPO corner, the earliest being 1948. The collection also includes a girder-forked AA outfit, a Triumph twin and two Bridgestone motorcycles. The Bridgestone name is well known now as the maker of racing car and motorcycle tyres.
 

The Exmoor Classic Car Collection 

This is a nice collection of vehicles which are not roped off. Stephen does not mind if you touch them. Most of the vehicles are MOT'ed and taxed and used on the road. There are lots of items of automobilia and hundreds of model cars, including a collection of models of Le Mans winners from the last century, plus other exhibits including a genuine AA box, Land Rover fire engine, Aston Martin DB2/4 and a 1938 Austin taxi cab. Whilst you are there look for the 1928 driving licence that allows you to drive either a car or motorcycle. The Exmoor Classic Cars collection is at Doverhay Garage, High Street, Porlock TA24 8PS, Phone 07970 497741 or 01643 841476 for details.

Contributed by: Stephen Johns 'head gaffer': Jim Kirbride