The 24th Beaulieu Spring Autojumble transformed the events fields into a two-day motoring treasure trove, with hundreds of show-goers in seventh heaven as they bought, sold and bartered over classic car parts and every type of automobilia imaginable.
Equipped with sun cream and sturdy boots, as many as 16,390 visitors gathered in the grounds of the National Motor Museum to seek out bargains and rare finds, which was 1,655 up on last year’s figures of 14,735 visitors.
Spring Autojumble, on May 13th and 14th, was also the perfect setting for enthusiasts to catch-up and refuel their enthusiasm for classic car projects. Behind the relaxed festival atmosphere, business was brisk for traders as plenty of deals were done at 1,200 stands across the event.
Beaulieu Events Manager Judith Maddox said: “We have heard nothing but good comments from traders and the event was enhanced by impressive displays by MoggyFest and Friends, the Classic Hearse Register, Wessex Car Club and Retro Caravan Club.”
As many as 165 Morris Minors provided an eye-catching line-up in MoggyFest and Friends by the Dorset Branch of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club. Rows of saloons, vans, pick-ups, Travellers and convertibles showcased the cheerful family classic. Ted Brooke’s immaculate lilac 1961 Minor Million, which had been restored to Grand Masters concours-winning condition with white leather seats, was a particular favourite with visitors.
Also gleaming in the sunshine was a beautifully restored Morris Minor police ‘panda’, as well as a Minor van in British Air Ferries livery and Traveller in the bronze green and red colour scheme of the British Army’s bomb disposal vehicles. The club’s marquee recreated a Morris showroom and parts department from the 1960s. Joining the Minors was a selection of contemporary British classics including Morris Eight saloons and tourers, a Ford Anglia 123E, Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite and Wolseley 1500.
The Retro Caravan Club recreated the look and feel of campsites of the past, as members trailered their classic caravans into the show behind matching historic tow cars. A 1968 Safari, 1973 Viking Fibreline II and 1970 Cheltenham Roebuck were among the period-perfect caravans. Pre-war rarities, such as a 1935 Car Cruiser and 1928 Eccles, showed many similarities with the caravans of today.
Returning this year was the Classic Hearse Register, which brought an impressive selection of classics built for funerals. Alongside Ford, Volvo and Chevrolet hearses were fascinating creations based on the Ford Cortina Mk1 and Austin A55. Show regular the Wessex Car Club also put on a varied display of modern sports cars to post-war classics, as well as an eye-catching Ford Model A hot rod.
At Automart classics were on sale for every pocket. A charming 1965 Hillman Husky with excellent grey bodywork was on offer for £3,850, while a 1959 Austin A35 upgraded with a 1275cc engine was advertised at £1,595 and sold soon after show opening.
A Ford Escort Mk1 1300E was on sale at £16,800, while an unusual Nymph buggy – one of just 42 fibreglass buggies made using Hillman Imp mechanicals – could have been yours for £6,500.
At Dealermart visitors were offered a range of high-quality classic cars by traders.
Sunday’s Trunk Traders brought plenty of excitement to the events fields, as bargain hunters scoured the groaning trestle tables and crammed car boots for great automotive buys. Jumblers offered plenty of choice, selling tools, books, gauges, steering wheels, exhaust systems, doors, seats, model cars and all manner of motoring miscellany.
Land Rover Rummage was another Sunday highlight with an entire trading field dedicated to owners of Britain’s most iconic 4×4. The selection of spare parts was enough to build an entire Land Rover, offering body tubs, bulkheads, windscreens, doors, seats and wheels.
Show sponsor Ringwood Brewery treated visitors to the sight of its beautifully preserved 1950s Bedford truck, as they sampled special beers in the marquee.
The team from Practical Classics magazine, the show’s media sponsor, made Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble the last stop on a massive classic round-Britain road trip. Parking up their Citroen DS and Morris Traveller staff cars alongside the ongoing Ford Model T project, the team met readers as well as scouring the events fields for spare parts for restorations.
The closing hours of the show saw the return of the popular Walkabout Auction, when traders filled boxes with unsold stock to be auctioned to the highest bidders who fought over a Vanden Plas Princess bonnet, bumpers, prop-shafts and unused oil filters.
The event’s Best Stand trophy, donated by Lolly Lee in memory of her father and autojumbler Terry Lee, was awarded by Lord Montagu to Andy Jennings of MG Spares. Specialising in second-hand parts for the MGB, C, F and Midget, long-serving autojumbler Andy crammed his stand with engines, gearboxes, bumpers, body panels, electrical parts and even complete MG project cars. Andy, whose stand was chosen as the epitome of Spring Autojumble, was also presented with a special Ringwood Brewery gift hamper by Practical Classics Editor Danny Hopkins.
Andy said: “I’ve been in business for 39 years and for 20 of those I have had a stand at Beaulieu’s autojumbles. It’s an important part of the classic calendar and you never know who you are going to meet or the useful new contacts you will make.”
For the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic, Beaulieu’s International Autojumble will take place on September 2nd and 3rd.
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