A new permanent gallery at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu will showcase rarely seen archive photographs from the museum’s collections. The first exhibition will be a special selection depicting the famous Le Mans 24 hour sports car race to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first race.

The ‘In Focus’ gallery creates a space that will have temporary exhibitions of photographs, artwork, motoring objects and memorabilia – drawing from the museum’s collection of over 1.7 million items.

The Le Mans photographs depict the stages of the famous endurance race, from the start line sprint through to the checkered flag.

Gail Stewart-Bye, Senior Curator Objects and Exhibitions says, “This exhibition offers a rare chance to see a selection from our extensive photographic archive. Some of the photographs selected for this exhibition include images which are fine examples of the work of Maxwell Boyd, the renowned motor sports photographer of the 1950s and 60s.”

Le Mans – The Race of the Century will be in the National Motor Museum ‘In Focus Gallery’ from 3 June until the 10 September.

The Le Mans exhibition will be followed in September by The Magic of the Marque – celebrating 100 years of MG.

Image: image: 1964 Le Mans Ferrari Aston Martin Iso Rivolsa Ferrari 330P Ferrari 275P ENH