Former TV Wheeler Dealers mechanic Edd China will meet Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble show-goers on May 18th to launch and sign copies of his new book Grease Junkie – A book of moving parts which tells his life story.
Beaulieu visitors can meet the presenter and wacky motoring inventor from 2-5pm on the stand of event media sponsor Practical Classics and chat to him about his remarkable career and off-the-wall projects. Edd’s incredible motorised shed, road-legal bathroom suite and a taxed and MoT’d double bed were recently stars of Beaulieu’s Wacky Record Breakers exhibition.
The unmissable features of the silver-themed 25th Spring Autojumble continue with a start-up of the newly restored Costin-Nathan racing car prototype at 3pm the same day. At the wheel will be its original creator and racing driver Roger Nathan.
The hand-built racer, which became a David which slayed Goliath on the competition track half a century ago, was the brainchild of Nathan and automotive engineer Frank Costin. Nathan beat the big race teams by winning the 1966 Coupes de Paris race at the Montlhéry circuit in the unique car. After being sold, the Costin-Nathan was later rediscovered in 2016 and bought at auction by its new American owner, who commissioned Nathan to restore it. After the unveiling, the new exhibit will go on display in the National Motor Museum.
Spring Autojumble will continue across the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th when bargain hunters can scour 1,000+ stands packed with classic car parts, motoring literature and automobilia bargains – and even perhaps find a dream car amongst the range of classics for sale in Automart and Dealermart.
More features include the Mini 60 display, which will put one of Britain’s greatest classics in the spotlight with a timeline of every major milestone in the classic Mini’s lifespan from 1959 to 2000.
The Mini Cooper Register display will bring together a wide range of Minis, with more than 40 rare and remarkable examples already confirmed to join the display including an ex-BMC Works rally Mini, Mini Cooper police car, Mini vans and pick-ups, an Italian-built Innocenti Mini Cooper and the luxurious Radford Mini used in the 1966 BBC TV series Adam Adamant Lives!
Event sponsor Practical Classics will join the Mini celebration by bringing its own project car, a 1968 Austin Mini estate that has been off the road for more than 40 years. See this tiny time-warp and chat with the team about their latest project.
Another automotive star of the Practical Classics stand will be the 1959 Standard Ten Gold Star that was saved from certain destruction in Ford’s scrappage scheme. This low-mileage family saloon, known as Bluebell, captured the hearts of thousands of classic car enthusiasts who joined a campaign to overturn its destruction order. Newly returned to the road and making its Beaulieu debut at the show, the Standard will stay on display in the National Motor Museum throughout the summer.
The Dorset branch of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club will return to the show with its popular display MoggyFest, while the Morgan Sports Car Club and Wessex Car Club will both showcase an impressive selection of members’ vehicles.
On the Sunday, enthusiasts for another British legend can enjoy Beaulieu’s Land Rover Rummage as everything Land Rover-related is bought, bartered, swapped and sold in a section of the show dedicated to Britain’s favourite 4×4.
Also on Sunday is popular Trunk Traders, a treasure trove for surplus spares, tools, books and automobilia.
One-day and two-day Spring Autojumble tickets can be bought in advance online, with a final chance for discounted online tickets until 5pm on Thursday 9th May. For tickets and full details click here or call 01590 612888. Event tickets include entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction.
Exhibitors and Trunk Traders can book their stand online here or contact the Beaulieu Events team at events@beaulieu.co.uk or on 01590 614614.