The 20th annual Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, sponsored by ‘Practical Classics’ magazine and held over the weekend of 18th and 19th May, attracted myriads of fascinating stalls (a record number of 1,069) and thousands of enthusiastic people (a best-ever figure of 16,507, including stallholders).
The weather was good for this year’s event, helping visitors to navigate easily their way through the aisles of stalls, selling everything from nuts and bolts to body shells and panels to mechanical components. On the Sunday (only) there was the additional and traditional ‘Old Sodbury Sortout’ of Land Rover components.
Those I spoke to – including stallholders and visitors – felt very upbeat about the Spring Autojumble event. Many buyers had found already parts they needed for restoration projects, and for those seeking a ‘new’ old vehicle, there was a wide variety of vehicles for sale in a separate ‘Mart’ area, between the National Motor Museum buildings and the Autojumble fields.
Cars for sale that especially attracted me included a 1938 Ford Ten in lovely, original condition, a smart-looking Riley One Point Five, and several ‘modern classic’ Jaguars.
In addition, over the weekend the Dorset Branch of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club had arranged a simply superb display to celebrate 100 years of Morris cars, with examples from every decade. From Bullnose Cowleys to the last Morris model (the Ital from the 1980s), and almost every Morris in between, the vehicles were displayed in chronological order, with much printed information in front of each vehicle, to help the uninitiated to differentiate and understand the various models.
I have seen many displays of vehicles over the years, and have to say that in my opinion this line-up was one of the finest I’ve ever witnessed. I found myself returning to it again and again over the weekend.
The event was also celebrating 50 years of the Hillman Imp, and again the Imp Club had arranged a display of Imps of every type, from the basic Hillman versions to the upmarket Singer Chamois models to the sport fastback Sunbeam Stilettos. Again, an excellent line-up, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I always have a great time when visiting the Beaulieu events, and this year’s Spring Autojumble was no exception. I came home having thoroughly enjoyed myself, and with bags laden with automotive goodies.
I am now looking forward to the next, bigger still 2013 Beaulieu Autojumble, to be held this year over the weekend of 7th and 8th September. For more information, please go to: www.beaulieuevents.co.uk