Patrick Hawkins at his beloved County Classics Motor Museum, in Taunton. Picture: County Classics Motor Museum

Pat Hawkins, founder of Taunton’s County Classics car museum, passes away suddenly

Paul JonesAugust 11, 20250 Comment0

THE owner and driving force behind a car museum in Taunton has passed away.

Patrick Hawkins died suddenly on Wednesday (August 6) at the age of 68.

Mr Hawkins, a passionate petrolhead, was behind the conversion of the former County Stores, in North Street, Taunton, into the County Classics Motor Museum.

Spread across several floors, the attraction showcased notable vehicles through the years, featuring many cars from his own collection, built up over many years of motoring.

The museum opened in North Street after the closure of the landmark County Stores stores, which had been in the town for almost 200 years.

But it was not an easy journey. Mr Hawkins spent years transforming the property before the attraction opened in November 2023 during a ceremony led by Top Gear star, Richard Hammond.

Top Gear star Richard Hammond cuts the ribbon to open the Taunton museum in 2023. Picture: County Classics Motor Museum

A museum spokesperson described Mr Hawkins as “one of the nicest, most generous souls you could hope to meet”, and added: “Since Richard Hammond opened the museum nearly two years ago, Pat has personally greeted many visitors from around the world and welcomed thousands to its excellent first floor cafe.

“His attention to detail and the spotless cleanliness of every part of the museum led to a very recent award of which he was immensely proud. Trip Advisor presented the Museum with a certificate showing it was rated in the Top 10% of all visitor attractions in the world.

“Pat’s car obsession and business sense began young, by necessity, (and) he went on to build a successful series of businesses after buying, improving and selling his first car at the age of 11.

“Pat quietly overcame many battles in his life and when Musgrove Park Hospital flew a surgeon from the USA to carry out a unique and life saving operation on his heart, he wanted to give something back to the town of Taunton and the county of Somerset that he loved so much.

“The County Classic Motor Museum, achieved against all odds through the materials crisis and rising costs of Covid, would be his legacy.”

They said the museum would be closed today (Monday) “to give staff time to come to terms with the loss of their leader and inspiration”, but would re-open on Tuesday, “as Pat would have wished”.