Bits & Pieces - Autumn 2022

THE BEAULIEU AUTOJUMBLERS’ NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2022

THE NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Hundreds of 1970s cars gathered to celebrate half a century of the museum and the opening of its latest exhibition Recreating the Beaulieu car park of 50 years ago, an impressive selection of 1970s cars – including more than 50 from 1972, the year that the National Motor Museum was opened – parked up in the attraction grounds, as visitors and guests gathered to see the newly opened exhibition The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects.

To mark the occasion, Lord and Lady Montagu cut a cake in the shape of the 1930 ‘Blower’ Bentley 4½ litre Supercharged, while on the Arena stage, The Carousels entertained guests with hits from the Seventies. The Trust team members were engaging with guests and showgoers from their stand, while the NMMT Friends drove into the show at the end of their own Forest Drive.

The young ambassadors of charity Starter Motor chose the Lotus Elan Series 4 SE owned

by Beaulieu volunteer Kevin Kinsella as the best car of the show, while Wayne Rose’s impressive Toyota Crown Deluxe took the People’s Choice Award. Some showgoers even dressed for the occasion, celebrating the fashions of the era by wearing 1970s clothing.

1970S CLASSICS DRIVE-IN The diverse line-up for the 50th anniversary event included such rare sights as a Hillman Avenger Tiger, Opel GT, Reliant Rebel, and Morris Marina Coupe, as well as a Toyota Crown, Datsun 260C, and even a Ginetta G15 sports car and an Austin-Morris J4 camper van.

Lord Montagu said: “It’s been quite a trip back in time! When HRH The Duke of Kent came to open Britain’s National Motor Museum in July 1972, it was the proudest moment of my father’s life, and what we have in the museum is his greatest legacy.

“In 1972, our exhibits spanned a period of about 80 years; they now account for over 130 years and so it is no surprise that our collections have expanded considerably, especially in the libraries and archives. It has been with these collections in mind that we’ve created The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects, giving you every reason to re-explore the museum. The exhibition launches the start of our sixth decade and a new chapter in the development of Britain’s National Motor Museum.”

Honda displayed a rare 1972 Civic, the first to ever be imported into the UK, along with the very latest Civic, while New Forest-based Dormobile brought along three immaculate classic camper vans. They were joined by some of the museum’s vehicles from the original museum opening cavalcade, as well as the eyecatching 1972 Mini Outspan Orange.

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EXPLORE WITH SMARTIFY For the first time, visitors to the museum can use the Smartify app to unlock extra content in The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects, discovering an alternative take on the exhibition and accessing further content from the National Motor Museum collections.

THE STORY OF MOTORING IN 50 OBJECTS Marking the museum’s golden anniversary, the brand new exhibition tells the story of motoring through a diverse selection of exhibits.

in which motoring has changed our society, culture, economy and environment, as well as helping to shape modern design, advertising and art.

Chosen from the National Motor Museum’s internationally-acclaimed collection of more than 1.7 million items, the exhibition highlights 50 historically important motoring artefacts, film footage, images, documents and books from the museum’s archives.

Together, they span the remarkable history of motoring and its effect on mobility and the world around us.

The final 50 objects include pioneering vehicles, ranging from the 1899 12hp Daimler, which was the first car to enter the Palace Yard of the House of Commons, to icons such as the 1930 Bentley 4½ litre Supercharged.

Representing one of the most successful motoring designs of all time is the 1964 Honda C50/Super Cub, one of over 100 million made. While the 1959 Austin Seven Mini represents the birth of an automotive legend.

National Motor Museum Trust Chief Executive Jon Murden said: “The history of motoring has had many twists and turns, but the mobility it provides has been central to our lives for over a century. From illustrating motoring’s technology and progress, its achievement and endeavour, to transforming leisure activities and inspiring art, our final selection of 50 objects tells this vitally important story in all its diversity.”

Each of the objects in the exhibition has a fascinating story to tell, together painting a picture of the ways

CHARLOTTE’S CHAT 2022 has been a great year for events here at Beaulieu, with strong turnouts and warm, sunny weather for many of our favourite summer rallies.

Despite the rising cost of fuel, many enthusiasts have still journeyed across the New Forest to join us for all manner of successful shows, from our Hot Rod & Custom Show and Beaulieu Supercar Weekend, to Simply Jaguar, Simply Land Rover, Simply Porsche and more.

We also saw the welcome return of Simply Italian to the calendar, after a decade-long break. The colourful line-up included all manner of Alfa Romeos, Lancias and Fiats, as well as Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Maseratis. If you missed it, make sure to keep an eye on the Beaulieu website later this year for more details on the 2023 event.

Significant objects from the history of motoring are represented, including the 1907 Halda taximeter which gave taxi cabs their name, and cat’s eyes which helped make driving safer. The Spirit of Ecstasy and Lalique car mascots represent landmarks of art and design, whilst road builders’ clogs and archive Ford film footage illustrate the industry and economy of motoring. nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/ story-of-motoring

A SAD FAREWELL We were very sorry to hear that long-term exhibitor Anne Teague recently passed away.

Anne, who has had her Red Field stand every year selling leather goods and has been coming to the Autojumble since its early days, is sure to be missed on the field this year.

However, Anne’s stand will return to the show this September, in the hands of The Automobile magazine, who will run the stand in her memory.

Automobile magazine itself is marking 40 years since its first issue went on sale, back in 1982, so do go see the team and say hello.

WEEKEND TRADING We commit to providing a full weekend show to both traders and visitors, and ask for your commitment as well. Please be aware that, if you vacate your autojumble stand on the Saturday night of the show, or do not trade from your stall at all over the weekend, you risk having the rights to your stands removed for the following year.

All you need to do is to download Smartify for free on Apple and Android, either before you arrive, or when you are here by scanning the QR code on each object caption. Then, with the app open, simply hold your phone up to the chosen object to discover more.

With free WiFi within the Beaulieu attraction, you can learn more about the objects in the exhibition as you explore the National Motor Museum, while surprise objects can also be found in Beaulieu’s Palace House and the Buckler’s Hard Museum.

weekend, and issuing final warnings to exhibitors who do not trade for both days.

AUSTIN SEVEN 2023 LANDMARK Every year, we are delighted to welcome the Pre-War Austin Seven Club to Beaulieu, as they host the National Austin Seven Rally. With 2022 marking a century since the Seven’s 1922 launch, this year’s display was particularly varied, with a number of varieties of Seven joining the rally.

However, next year’s rally is sure to be particularly special, as it marks 60 years since the first Austin Seven rally was held at Beaulieu, back in 1963. Time may have marched on, but Beaulieu and the Austin Seven have both stood the test of time!

Sadly, we are receiving an increasing number of reports of this happening, so this year we will be checking on traders’ stalls throughout the

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BEST STAND AWARD The Best Stand Award was presented to Spring Autojumble newcomers Will Coles and George Comfort. Friends Will from Hertfordshire and George from Richmond had entered into the enterprising spirit and camaraderie of the event, filling their stand with colourful enamel signs, motoringthemed advertising, oil cans and more as part of their passion for buying, selling and collecting automobilia.

Will said: “This was a lockdown hobby that got out of control.

There aren’t many people our age collecting this sort of thing, but George has been around automobilia all his life, so when we were looking for investment, rather than buying stocks and shares, we decided that it would be a lot more fun start collecting.

TRIUMPHANT RETURN FOR SPRING AUTOJUMBLE

“It’s been going really well, and we’ve made friends with a few people too. With barbeque, beers and beers it’s a great weekend. It’s like a holiday, but you’re earning.”

After a three year wait, the show returned with everything the car enthusiast could need. Saturday sunshine saw deals being done, old friends meeting up, and bargain hunters scouring the fields for illusive items. Not even Sunday’s rain could stop the trading, with Trunk Traders bringing garage and shed finds to the fields, while the Land Rover Rummage pitches were busy with 4X4 enthusiasts.

George said: “For months, as we seek out new stock to bring to the show, we can’t wait to come back to Beaulieu.”

Spring Autojumble was back in action as over 13,000 visitors and exhibitors came to the busy show on 14th and 15th May.

Car club displays were at the heart of the show. No less than five examples of the rare lilac-painted Morris Minor Million were on show in Moggyfest, in a display that celebrated six decades of the limited edition model. Brought together by the Dorset branch of

the Morris Minor Owners’ Club, the display saw scores of Minors and contemporary classics park up to join the show.

The Austin A30 & A35 Owners’ Club displayed a selection of these charming ‘baby Austins’ on their club stand, including some rare and unusual examples. An A30 saloon that had been used on TV show Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, was joined by a very rusty but unique survivor, an Austin A35 works rally car that had competed in the gruelling 1958 Monte Carlo Rally.

honour of all Saabs imported into the UK from 1960 until 2012.

Watch the highlights from the show here, youtube.com/ watch?v=DODooNr-kps.

Will and George were presented with their award by Lolly Lee, who donates a trophy every year in memory of her late father and autojumbler Terry Lee, and Danny Hopkins, editor of event media sponsor Practical Classics.

Another show highlight was the Saab Enthusiasts Club line-up of Saabs of all ages, marking the 75th anniversary of Saab cars, and in

BLAST FROM THE PAST WITH NIFTY FIFTIES Beaulieu will be celebrating a golden era of motoring at International Autojumble on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September, with brand new display Nifty Fifties.

Following in the tyre-tracks of the nostalgia-fuelled Forgotten Favourites display at last year’s show, Nifty Fifties will bring together classic vehicles dating from 1950 to 1959, with a crowd-pleasing line-up from this much-loved era.

All 1950s motors are invited to take their places in the show, from popular British saloons and sports cars such as Standards, Wolseleys and AustinHealeys, to chrome-laded American classics such as Chevrolets and Cadillacs, European favourites such as Porsches, Citroens and Volkswagens, and even eye-catching bubble cars. beaulieu.co.uk/events/international-autojumble

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A MUSEUM ON THE MOVE Former National Motor Museum curator Michael Ware shares his memories of the race to get everything ready for the museum’s opening day, 4th July 1972

“I came to work at the Montagu Motor Museum as the photographic librarian in August 1963, before becoming the curator in 1966. The existing museum had been opened by Lord Brabazon of Tara in 1959 and consisted of a single-storey building, adjacent to two older wooden buildings which had previously housed the vehicles after they had moved out of Palace House.

“The collection had grown considerably and the building was full of cars, motorcycles, record breakers and assorted automobilia. With visitor numbers rising fast, it was apparent that the site layout was no longer suitable. On a busy day you joined a queue at the paybox and continued in the same queue to the museum and around the exhibits.

“Lord Montagu commissioned a report by the architect and planner Elizabeth Chesterton to see how it all could be improved. The layout we have today was based on her report, with a new bridge over the river, car parks hidden in woodland, and a new office block and entry point, along with a central path to Palace House flanked by the motor museum and cafeteria building. Leonard Manasseh was chosen as the architect for the new museum and Sir Hugh Casson as the interior designer.

“My job was to pre-plan the move so that the site would not have to close. At first, we were told that the new building would be handed over to us three months before the fixed opening date. Due to over-running, I think we had a maximum of four weeks. It seemed like much less!

The big move

“Unlike the old museum, this new building gave us a chance to spread the exhibits out. My assistant Derek Maidment obtained a large scale plan of the museum, and proceeded to cut out paper shapes to scale size for each car. No computers in those days. With the aid of Derek’s plan, we knew which cars we wanted, when and in which order.

“The vehicle moves took place every day from visitor closing time until late, usually around midnight, using three Land Rovers and every possible member of the Beaulieu and Estate staff.

The central path made an easy route between the old and new buildings, except for the fact that a small pond and fountain had been built part way down. The fountain was dismantled by the maintenance staff and covered by a long wooden ramp. With the exception of the low-slung Land Speed Record breaking cars, everything could be moved on this path.

“I had as many of the museum’s collection of historic posters put up on the walls, much to the disgust of the architect! The bays beneath the upper floor were each allocated to a major sponsor, asked to put in an appropriate historic display. Luckily, these companies were used to working to tight deadlines for motor shows.

“Outside in the grounds, there were also larger exhibits that needed to be moved away from the site, including a steam locomotive with three Pullman carriages, a hovercraft and a snowcat.

Opening day “Luckily for me, others were responsible for the actual opening ceremony. On the day, I remember lining up with the trustees and being presented to HRH the Duke of Kent. After all the trustees, VIPs and visitors had taken their places, I saw little of the ceremony. I remember sitting at the back, well out of sight with my head in my hands, trying not to fall asleep.

“We can’t have made too bad a job of it, as a year or so later we were awarded the Museum of the Year award.”

“The first night, we moved the cars for the entry level floor of the museum and put them in their correct places with pre-prepared captions alongside. The next day, visitors were allowed into that part of the new building. The following night, we did the same for the ground floor, followed later by the motorcycles, each one of which had to be taken upstairs on a rather slow lift. There were also many new exhibits to be displayed, some on loan from the motor industry, others from private owners.

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NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM LAUNCHES CLASSIC GRILLE EVENTS The National Motor Museum has thrown open its doors to motoring enthusiasts this summer at three brand new events, with the introduction of the Classic Grille evening meet-ups.

Welcoming owners of classic and cherished cars and bikes of all ages, with free admission for attendees and tasty barbequed food on offer, the first two Classic Grille events were a roaring success, with the third due to take place on Wednesday 24th August.

AWESOME MOTORS TURN OUT FOR HOT ROD & CUSTOM SHOW Over 5,400 visitors and participants took part in the vibrant Hot Rod and Custom Show on Father’s Day, with a busy line-up of impressive customised cars and bikes, dancing, music and trade stands.

More than 350 motors parked up in the busy show, held in association with the Solent Renegades club, on Sunday 19th June. Show ambassador and famous custom car builder Andy Saunders arrived in style in his 1937 Cord Westchester Tetanus, before selecting his favourite car of the show.

Winning the Andy Saunders Award was Mike Wareham from Bournemouth, with his distinctive 1968 Volvo Amazon estate. Mike said: “I’m over the moon with the award, chuffed to bits. It was scrap when I bought it, so I’ve rebuilt it with a Mazda MX-5 engine and air ride suspension.”

Andy said: “This custom Volvo is a very pretty car, and was built on a low budget. There’s so much work that has gone into it, such as the recessed door handles and the ‘frenched’ front sidelights – all these little bits make it look like a West Coast custom. If it inspires somebody else to build their own custom car, then it deserves to be applauded.”

The first evening on 22nd June got the series off to a terrific start, with 150 vehicles on display ranging from a Ford Model T to a rare Matra Rancho, and even a supercharged Austin A30. The museum’s 1930 ‘Blower’ Bentley was started up in front of an appreciative audience, while Vintage Tyres and the British Motor Show had stands.

Motorcycles took centre stage for the second Classic Grille on 20th July, with around 300 bikes of all ages and genres gathering on the Beaulieu Arena. Twice during the evening, crowds gathered to watch and hear two historic bikes from the museum collection being started up, with the 1961 BSA Super Rocket and ex-Mike Hailwood 1961 Honda RC162 thrilling onlookers.

Local dealerships showcased a range of new Suzuki, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, Royal Enfield and BMW bikes on their stands, while Motul generously supplied prizes for the ‘Bike of the Night’ awards. First prize went to Mick Sobalak’s spotless red Vincent Rapide.

Head over to the National Motor Museum on Wednesday 24th August to join the final Classic Grille event of the season. beaulieu.co.uk/events/classic-grille-evening-24-august

The Best in Show Award went to the 1963 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside pick-up of Michelle and Martyn Marsh from Frimley. The Solent Renegades Best American Award was presented to David Southcott of Hastings for his gleaming 1956 Buick Special.

Jim Turnbull from Dorset won the Best Hot Rod Award for his stunning 1932 Ford Roadster.

Winning the Best Bike Award was Martin Bradbrook from Shaftesbury, for his impressive HarleyDavidson Ironhead 1000cc Special, named ‘Moody Blue’.

The vibrant red 1956 Ford Thunderbird belonging to Leigh La-Reservee of Poole was chosen for the Best Custom Award. While the gleaming 1967 Dodge Coronet of Michael Nash was the heat winner of Classic American magazine’s Car of the Year competition.

See the show highlights by watching the video, youtu.be/rCEzMLVfHGw.

THE BRITISH MOTOR SHOW 2022 AND THE NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM PARTNERSHIP

will be fired up in the Bridgestone/Kwik-Fit Motorsport Arena. While a selection of other vehicles from the National Motor Museum will also be on display.

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is partnering with The British Motor Show 2022 to celebrate older cars, with some of the stars of the museum collection headlining a display of around 500 classic cars at this year’s show.

Dr Jon Murden, Chief Executive of the National Motor Museum Trust, said: “All the team at the National Motor Museum are incredibly excited to be working in partnership with the British Motor Show.

Every day at the show, taking place at Farnborough International from 18th to 21st August, the Land Speed Record-breaking 1920 Sunbeam 350hp

“The centrepiece of our display will be the 350hp Sunbeam which this year is celebrating 100 years since it broke the land speed record, being the first car to travel at over 130 miles per hour. And

we are extra excited to be able to run the car as part of the displays in the motorsport area.” thebritishmotorshow.live

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BOND CHASE CAR JOINS NO TIME TO DIE EXHIBITION New exhibits have been added to the Bond in Motion – No Time To Die exhibition inside the National Motor Museum, with the arrival of Madeleine Swann’s Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J90.

WORLD OF TOP GEAR REFRESHED FOR SUMMER World of Top Gear has reopened at Beaulieu following a refresh in time for the summer holidays, with new displays and new motors joining old favourites.

Bringing it bang-up-to-date, World of Top Gear has been reworked around three new themes; Destination: Adventure!, Innovation, and Team Top Gear. After a thorough going-over, rather than just a coat of paint and a pair of furry dice, the exhibition is revving up to welcome visitors once more.

Destination: Adventure! pays homage to Freddie, Chris and Paddy’s adventures in far-flung places. The Sinclair C5, which Freddie Flintoff bravely took down a Norwegian bobsleigh course, has taken its place alongside the Renault 4 and Peugeot 106 Rallye from the boys’ Nepal adventure, the Maserati Biturbo and Chevrolet Camaro that survived the Cuba roadtrip, and the bikes from the Vietnam Special.

Looking to the future, Innovation explores the changing face of motoring with the brand new Future Fuels Lab. In this part of the exhibition, the presenters’ home-made electric cars are joined by a new Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV, while visitors can watch a clip in which Chris Harris investigates the future of fuel.

Nearby, the Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust represents the first time the show dabbled with electric vehicles.

Bond uses the family SUV to drive his daughter and Madeleine to a forest hideout after being located

by Safin’s team, fending off a fleet of 4x4s, bikes and a helicopter in scenes which were shot on the Atlantic Highway in Norway, as well as closer to home.

New gadgets include Cuban CIA agent Paloma’s handbag and spy-enhanced lipstick case which hides the listening devices she and Bond use at the SPECTRE gathering. Q’s state-of-the-art QDar tracking device, is another new arrival to Beaulieu, used by 007 agent Nomi to map out Safin’s island bunker in 3D. Safin’s toxin vial, used by actor Rami Malek on the island set at Pinewood Studios, also joins the exhibition. When the vial breaks in the movie, Bond is permanently infected with the potentially lethal toxin.

With Bond in Motion – No Time To Die ending in November 2022, now is your last chance to see this amazing exhibition. Over the autojumble weekend, make sure to head inside the National Motor Museum to experience it.

Celebrating the teamwork of the three presenters as they complete gruelling motoring-themed challenges, is Team Top Gear. Take a close-up look at the stripped-out Mad-Maxerati that triumphed on the Wall of Death, then climb onto a stunt bike in a ring-of-fire photo opportunity, as part of Paddy McGuinness’ tribute to his childhood hero, former stunt performer Eddie Kidd OBE. Look out for the Stig… does his gaze silently follow you around the room? While inside the Enormodrome, watch a brand new introductory film, exclusive to Beaulieu, from the presenters and see the bungee-jump Rover Metro Cabriolet suspended, as you experience what it’s like inside the Top Gear TV studio.

SUNBEAM 350HP AT BROOKLANDS Beaulieu’s Sunbeam 350hp was the guest of honour at Brooklands on Tuesday 17th May, for the one-off Centenary of Speed event. One hundred years to the day that Kennelm Lee Guinness set a World Land Speed Record of 133.75mph in the Sunbeam at Brooklands, the car returned to the historic venue.

Hundreds of spectators lined the Finishing Straight as the Sunbeam was fired up and driven by Ian Stanfield for demonstration runs, followed by runs from other incredible racing cars of the era. Earlier in the morning, the car had returned to the Railway Straight, where it was passed by a steam train to partly recreate the famous F Gordon Crosby painting.

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