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MotoFest brings thousands of people into Coventry city centre each year, but beyond the cars themselves lies a much bigger story.
In this special episode of Motor City UK, recorded on location throughout Coventry MotoFest 2026, we explore the people who keep the city's automotive culture alive today.
From concours judges and classic car enthusiasts to grassroots motorsport organisers, educators, historians and civic leaders, we hear how Coventry's relationship with the motor car continues to evolve.
Along the way we discover forgotten stories, celebrate iconic vehicles, explore the future of automotive skills, and ask what car culture means in a city that helped shape the industry for more than a century.
Featuring:
Roger Bailey, Lord Mayor of CoventryJames Noble, Festival Director, MotoFestMike Riley, Riley Cars Archive Heritage TrustOrganisers of the XJ40@40 celebrationCoventry CollegeLoughborough Car ClubConcours judges Iain Tyrrell, Marc Allum and Dominic Taylor-LaneMotor City UK explores the people, places and technologies shaping Britain's original Motor City.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
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Coventry MotoFest
Loughborough Car Club
XJ40 Register
Welcome to the Riley Cars Archive Heritage Trust
Coventry College
Iain Tyrrell
Marc Allum
Dominic Taylor-Lane
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Can a video game inspire a lifelong passion for cars? In this episode of Motor City UK, we explore how Forza Horizon, the British Motor Museum and the wider West Midlands automotive ecosystem are helping shape the next generation of enthusiasts.
Recorded at the British Motor Museum's Forza Horizon: The Experience launch event, this episode examines the growing overlap between gaming, engineering, automotive heritage and modern car culture. From developers and museum leaders to drifters, journalists and vehicle builders, we explore how digital and physical automotive worlds increasingly connect.
Forza Horizon and Playground GamesBritish Motor MuseumCoventry and West Midlands automotive heritageAutomotive engineering careersDrift culture and motorsportArctic Trucks and enthusiast communitiesMotor City UK explores the people, places and technologies shaping Britain's original Motor City.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
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British Motor Museum
Forza Horizon 6
Playground Games
RDX Drift Academy
Arctic Trucks
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Coventry’s post-war reconstruction reshaped not only the city itself, but the wider British motor industry. In this episode of Motor City UK, we explore how wartime shadow factories, industrial expansion and large-scale manufacturing transformed Coventry into one of the defining automotive centres of post-war Britain.
Joined by historian Damian Kimberley at Coventry Transport Museum, the episode traces the growth of Jaguar, Rootes, Standard Triumph and more in Coventry, alongside the gradual shift from industrial confidence towards consolidation, labour disputes and the end of mass car production in the city.
Coventry Blitz and post-war reconstructionShadow factories and wartime productionJaguar at Browns LaneRootes GroupBritish Leyland, Chrysler and PeugeotLEVC and the future of Coventry manufacturingMotor City UK explores the relationship between transport, industry and identity in Britain’s original motor city.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
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Damien Kimberley's books on Coventry's transport heritage:
Coventry's Motorcar Heritage https://amzn.to/4cdovpm
Coventry's Bicycle Heritage https://amzn.to/4qSLpWq
Coventry's Motorcycle Heritage https://amzn.to/4s6lcEX
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Jaguar’s history is often told through its cars — but the people behind the brand reveal a very different story. From early employees in Coventry to global figures shaping international markets, women played a critical role in Jaguar’s rise.
In this episode, Motor City UK explores the untold contributions of women in Jaguar’s early years, from sales leadership and business development to motorsport success and global expansion.
Jaguar history and origins in CoventryWomen in the automotive industry (1930s–1950s)XK120 and post-war export strategyMotorsport heritage and Alpine Rally successGlobal expansion and European distributionCultural shifts in the UK automotive sectorA deeper look at the people who shaped one of Britain’s most iconic automotive brands.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
The Women who made their Marque’ can be found online HERE
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You can find the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust online at the following locations:
Instagram
Website
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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A Clean Transport Revolution with NatWest and Warwick Manufacturing Group
Episode four of the Motor City UK podcast takes us to the Junction Building at Warwick University - home to the NatWest Clean Transport Accelerator.
In an informative panel discussion we explore Coventry and the West Midland’s contribution to the development of new transportation technology, through the lens of the NatWest Clean Transport Accelerator.
The episode features insights from experts at the University of Warwick and NatWest, with discussion focused on challenges like regulation, infrastructure, and public perception in the transition towards innovative transport solutions.
The discussion highlights the importance of supporting early-stage businesses and the potential of connected, autonomous, and electric vehicles in shaping a sustainable transportation ecosystem.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
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You can find our guests from this episode below:
Adam Walters - NatWest Accelerator Community Manager
Federico Melotti - WMG Principal engineer
David Milton - WMG Entrepreneur in Residence
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If you are interesting in registering for the NatWest Clean Transport Accelerator, be sure to download the NatWest Accelerator App::
NatWest CTA
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Episode three of the Motor City UK podcast takes us to Fargo Village on Far Gosford Street, to meet with automotive artist Ian Cook, better known as PopBangColour.
Ian will be a familiar face if you have visited a car show in the UK recently, he is often seen creating unique artworks from his mobile studio at events across the country.
Using radio-controlled cars, tyres and toys, he has created a completely unique artistic style that’s vibrant, colourful and full of energy.
In this episode, we talk about Ian’s creative journey, the steps he has taken from school in Solihull to studying fine art at one of the UKs leading art schools to working with major automotive and sporting brands around the world.
We dig into his inspirations, motivations and plans for the future while coming back to talk about Coventry and how the city and its rich automotive heritage stimulates his creativity.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
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Find the PopBangColour online HERE
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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The second episode of the Motor City UK podcast gives us a behind the scenes look into the ups and downs of running a city-centre motoring festival.
The Coventry MotoFest is a unique blend of past and present, showcasing vintage vehicles alongside cutting-edge automotive technology.
Event director James Noble shares insights into Coventry's influential role in the global automotive industry and how the Motorfest not only celebrates historical achievements but also works hard to bring the excitement of cars to a non-traditional audience.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
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Find the Coventry MotoFest online HERE
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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This first episode of the Motor City UK podcast gives a deep dive into Coventry's pivotal role in the evolution of the UK's automotive industry.
We highlight the city's shift from sewing machine production to become the epicentre of motor vehicle manufacturing, the show illuminates the influential figures, events, and innovations that made Coventry a national leader in the sector.
We meet with Damien Kimberley, renowned local historian, as we tour the Coventry Transport Museum to fully immerse ourselves in the automotive history of Coventry.
Find Motor City UK on Instagram @MotorCityPod
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Damien Kimberley's books on Coventry's transport heritage:
Coventry's Motorcar Heritage https://amzn.to/4cdovpm
Coventry's Bicycle Heritage https://amzn.to/4qSLpWq
Coventry's Motorcycle Heritage https://amzn.to/4s6lcEX
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Find the Coventry Transport Museum online HERE
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Motor City UK is created, produced and hosted by Rob Capaldi, Get in touch with Rob in one of the following ways:
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Coventry, a city renowned for its contributions to the automotive industry, has undergone a fascinating transformation.
The introduction of car manufacturing in the 1800s established it as a pivotal hub, with local production volumes peaking in the mid-20th century.
Despite the decline in manufacturing by the early 2000s, Coventry has recently reignited its place in the global automotive industry.
The city is now a cornerstone for research in low carbon and self-driving technologies, driven by its world-class institutions and innovators.
Join us as we delve into Coventry's automotive past, present, and future, uncovering the enterprises and people steering its current resurgence.
We also dive into the city's place in automotive culture as we meet the clubs, creatives and event organisers that keep the city buzzing.
