Lakeland Moter Museum

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!

It’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 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. 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.

Making the classic cars fit for presentation can involve painstaking work. “The Humber Hawk estate took 16 days to prepare,” explains Neil. “It’s interior was covered with orange mould and I had to use a toothbrush to make sure we got rid of it to stop it from deteriorating over time.”

He has spent two days a week over the last 5 years cleaning, waxing and polishing the many classic vehicles on display at the museum – making sure you can see your face reflected in the chrome finishings.

“I never get sick of the sight of them! They are wonderful vehicles and its great to be able to talk to visitors about them and show them all the incredible detailing.”

When he’s not at the museum Neil runs his own mobile detailing and valeting business covering North Lancashire and South Lakeland. So it’s hard to say just how many cars he’s waxed and polished in that time. “It must be in the thousands!” he says. “Working on the historic vehicles at the Lakeland Museum gives me a great sense of satisfaction. It’s great to know that I’m keeping a little bit of history in the best condition possible.”

He adds: “Don’t tell anyone but if I could afford to do it as a volunteer – I probably would!” 