The Yorkshire Air Museum is set to roll back the years once again with the return of Cold War Wheels, a classic car and motorcycle show with a unique historical twist. Now in its third year, the event has grown into a signature summer experience, attracting enthusiasts and history lovers alike. Taking place on Sunday, June 15th, Cold War Wheels 2025 invites visitors to journey back to the Cold War era — from the 1960s through the 1980s — through the vehicles that defined everyday life during one of the most geopolitically charged periods in modern history.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the museum’s unrivalled collection of Cold War-era aircraft, including giant strategic bombers and sleek supersonic fighters, the show brings together a wide array of iconic vehicles from the era. Attendees can expect to see British and international favourites such as the Ford Capri, Triumph Stag, and even the quirky Sinclair C5 electric scooter.
Yorkshire Air Museum spokesperson Jerry Ibbotson said the event is a powerful and nostalgic way to reflect on a pivotal period in recent history: “The Cold War cast a huge shadow over people’s lives, and a great way to reflect on that time is by revisiting the vehicles we grew up with. Combine that with our incredible Cold War aircraft, throw in some period music, and you’ve got a truly evocative event.”
This year’s show is poised to be the largest yet, with more than 130 vehicles already confirmed, including a classic double-decker bus and the museum’s own 1970s airport crash truck. The event also includes a special Cold War-themed programme. Historian Graham Cook, joined by Yorkshire Air Museum trustee Tim Kitching, a former member of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC), will deliver a talk titled “Watching for Armageddon – The Royal Observer Corps in Yorkshire.” The talk explores the vital role played by the ROC, including their operations from the Cold War bunker in Holgate, York, where volunteers trained to respond in the event of nuclear war.
In addition, the museum will screen a selection of short films throughout the day in its on-site cinema. Titled Cold War Stories, the series features first-hand accounts from people who lived through the era — including a former nuclear bomber pilot and an individual who grew up in the Soviet Union — offering powerful personal perspectives on a tense period in world history. Cold War Wheels 2025 is included with regular museum admission. No special tickets are required. For full event details and to plan your visit, please go to:
www.yorkshireairmuseum.org/events
