Pickfords was engaged by Nigel Mansell, Formula One World Champion in 1992, to move The Mansell Collection from Exeter to its new home in St. Helier, on the Channel Island of Jersey.
The Collection, consisting of racing cars Nigel raced in during 30 years in professional racing, along with original trophies from his Formula One career as well as other memorabilia including photos, prints, racing suits and helmets, was valued in excess of £10m.
Pickfords delivered a bespoke packing service to ensure the Collection was insulated from the effects of the 185-mile road and sea journey to St. Helier.
Pickfords’ team from the Exeter branch handled the bulk of the Collection, packing the memorabilia, prints, helmets and other items over a two-day period.
A sub-contractor was brought in by Pickfords to transport the racing cars, which included a Ferrari 640, raced by Nigel to a debut victory in the 1989 season, and a Williams FW14B, with which Nigel won nine races and the 1992 Driver’s Championship.
With the Collection packed and crated, the consignment was transported to Southampton where it was loaded onto a ship for transportation across the English Channel to Jersey.
Four racing cars were the first inhabitants of the new Mansell Collection building, having to be pushed up a long ramp to reach their home on the first floor. Extensive floor protection was used to ensure that no lasting damage would occur to the floor of the museum, either from tyre marks or from repeated walking across the same areas, carrying boxes to their new homes.
With a deadline looming, members from Pickfords’ branch in Jersey were on hand to assist the Mansells with unpacking and positioning items from the Collection in the new building. The bulk of this work took place out of office hours and across a weekend, demonstrating Pickfords’ willingness to go the extra mile.
"We were delighted to be selected by The Mansell Collection to move Nigel’s priceless collection of memorabilia from his racing career" said Pickfords Director of Business Solutions, Mark Herrington, "Our team brought our considerable expertise in moving high value, precious and fragile items to bear, with Nigel’s Formula One cars alone valued at more than £1m each."
Find out more about The Mansell Collection at themansellcollection.co.uk.