The famous Grand Prix and military museum at Donington Park, the Donington Grand Prix Collection, is set to close its doors after 45 years.

The museum at Donington Park, home to a huge collection of Formula 1 cars, vehicles from other motorsport series, as well as an expansive military collection, will close its doors on November 5th.

The museum opened in 1973, run by avid collector of Grand Prix machinery Tom Wheatcroft. A former builder who attended motorcycle races at the venue in the late 1930s, he used savings to buy an old 1951 Ferrari F1 car in 1964 before buying several more cars over the following years. Initially keeping the cars at home, he purchased the unit which would become the museum in 1971.

Tom Wheatcroft died in 2009, with the business passing to his son Kevin. However, nine years later, Kevin says it’s time for the business to close. “Closing the Museum after 45 years has been a really difficult decision, but family responsibilities simply make it the right thing to do.” he told the Leicester Mercury.