Beep-Beep Yeah! The BMM new sound inspired exhibition is open!
- ann-evans
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
One of my favourite albums is Rubber Soul by the Beatles, with Baby You Can Drive My Car being one of the albums great tracks. So how brilliant that the British Motor Museum has launched a brand-new sound-based exhibition called ‘Beep-Beep, Yeah!’ which most people will recognise as part of that Beatles’ track. And to add to the delight, the centrepiece of this exhibition is the Rolls-Royce once owned by John Lennon!
The car, a gleaming white 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V is synonymous with the Beatles white era and appeared in the Beatles film, Let It Be. It was sold in 1969 to Allen Klein, founder of ABKCO Records and the Beatles manager at the time. It has remained with the family ever since and has been kindly loaned by Jody Klein for the Beep-Beep Yeah! Exhibition.
Throughout the exhibition is the connection between cars and music from the favourite tunes we play when we’re driving, to the sensation of engine noises, and the quietness of modern cars.
The exhibition opened on 18 July and runs until Spring 2026 in the spacious new Rubery Owen Gallery at the museum, so plenty of opportunities to see the exhibition for yourself.
Richard Jenkins, Group CEO, Rubery Owen Holdings, commented, “As one of Britain's leading engineering companies and one of the earliest to be involved in the motor industry, Rubery Owen shares the Museum's commitment to preserving the history of Britain's automotive industry — both now and into the future. Rubery Owen is proud to support the creation of a new gallery space at the Museum.”
Unlike any of the other exhibitions held at the British Motor Museum, this one highlights the sounds of the motor vehicles, and visitors can immerse themselves in sound experiences through a range of interactive elements such as tuning a 1970s radio, feeling the noise of a BRM V16 P15 race car engine, or sitting inside a 2022 Bentley Bentayga to experience its incredibly powerful audio systems!
Within the exhibition is the oldest car the Museum’s collection – an 1899 Wolseley 3 ½ hp Vorturette – the first 4-wheel Wolseley. Discover the sounds this vehicle would have made compared to the 2019 Wells Vertige P2 prototype, for example.
And then there’s the quietness of the new electric cars, so silent it has a pedestrian warning sound as a safety feature. Plus, you also get the rare opportunity of seeing a 2018 Nissan Leaf electric car cut in half!
You can also discover how motor manufacturers through the decades have developed and used different materials to create the perfect driving experience, including vinyl and alpaca wool! And how cutting-edge technology and all the latest noise dampening techniques have been utilised in order to aid driving comfort and concentration. And learn how certain metal coatings on exhausts can change the richness and depth of engine noise.
There’s lots to see, read about, and naturally listen to in this exhibition. It seems that sound, music and the motor car have always had an emotional connection. Beep-Beep, Yeah! The Sounds and Songs of the Motor Car explores this connection from the engine rumble to the rhythm of our favourite tune and examines why the sounds we listen to in our cars can influence the way we drive.
Cat Boxall, Curator at the British Motor Museum, said, “We’re really excited to open an exhibition with a different focus by bringing sound to the forefront in an immersive and interactive way. This has given us a fantastic opportunity to explore our collection from a fresh perspective. When you visit, be sure to think about your favourite driving tunes. Leave your suggestions and scan to take away the playlist which we will be updating throughout the course of the exhibition!”.
Beep-Beep Yeah! Exhibition is on at the British Motor Museum until Spring 2026. For more details go to: at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
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