Neil Makes Lakeland Motor Museum a Shining Example If you find it hard work keeping your own car bright and clean – spare a thought for Neil Wood who has hundreds to buff and polish!
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t’s Neil’s job to make sure all the classic and vintage vehicles at the Lakeland Motor Museum look their best for visitors. But, while many motorists find it a chore keeping one car clean, Neil relishes the huge task he faces: “I love it!” he says: “Absolutely love it!”. “I don’t really even mind when visitors come and accidentally put a handprint on a shiny new car – it gives me a job to do!” he laughs. It’s been Neil’s job to prepare and valet the Museum’s collection of vehicles since 2017. But his connection with the Lakeland Motor Museum goes back many years. “I’ve always had a real 198
affection for the place. I used to go and wander around the exhibits when I was a teenager and it was in its original home at Holker Hall,” he says. “It’s a special place. I’ve been to lots of other museums and they are just not the same. You go to some places and its obvious things haven’t been dusted for weeks!” Neil’s job involves far more than simply keeping things shining and clean. He’s a professional detailer and valeter. The Lakeland Motor Museum prides itself on preserving originality and not over restoring the classic vehicles it displays. “A vehicle’s age, style and signs of use are what makes it special,” he says. “On top of the usual day to day valeting I will also pick an individual vehicle and spend some extra time making sure it is looking nice. “It can be a car or one of the many motorbikes we have here – they are
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all special and deserve to be well looked after.” That can mean anything from removing rust from chrome work, tackling scratches to cleaning upholstery or waxing body panels. “My favourite vehicle here is the 1937 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine which was used on the streets of Knightsbridge in London. “If it could talk it would be able to tell so many tales of all the people who have ridden in it. It’s an incredible piece of motoring history.” The Fleetwood takes a lot of looking after. It’s the biggest car on show at the Backbarrow attraction. It was once the family car of the daughter of Sir John Betjeman – the former Poet Laureate. She was friends with royalty so who knows who may have enjoyed a trip in it. www.lancmag.com
