Automobile Heritage and Tourism

Automobile heritage encompasses a complex range of artefacts and activities. Beyond just historic vehicles which are the primary artefacts of this niche, it also includes communities of collectors and enthusiasts, private owners and public institutions, as well as historic motoring environments, literally thousands of museums, exhibitions and car shows throughout the world, and a range of paraphernalia that includes both original and replicated promotional materials, equipment and parts, and guide books.

Although automobile heritage has been the subject of some limited research, Automobile Heritage and Tourism is unique in examining its scope and role within tourism. The book looks at a vast array of topics, from the experience of using and collecting old cars, related destination development, automobile heritage and museums, to events such as vintage automobile racing, promotion and social change. It thereby provides a thorough review of the impacts of automobile heritage on tourism. A number of theories provide a framework and are analysed throughout, including those related to the collection, display, exhibition and use of historic automobiles. The title takes a global and interdisciplinary view of the subject with international contributions from both established and emerging scholars in the field.

This book adds to the industrial heritage tourism literature and will appeal to a diverse audience, in particular those in the fields of cultural heritage and industrial heritage tourism, but also practitioners involved with the planning, restoration, exhibition and management of automobile heritage attractions and events.