The balmy weather of an Indian summer, fields full to bursting with exhibitor stands and a record number of visitors contributed to make this year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble one of the best.
The event retained its cosmopolitan feel with thousands of European and overseas motoring enthusiasts joining the British contingent for the 48th International Autojumble, held in the parkland of the National Motor Museum on September 6-7.
Total visitor numbers over the weekend were 39,071, the best since 1992. The Autojumble was another sell-out for stand spaces with a waiting list of hopeful exhibitors, which is a very healthy sign for the future of the event. The final total number of stands was 2,431, which included 293 cars for sale on the Beaulieu Arena and in the Dealermart classic cars area.
There were plenty of interesting vehicles ready to be snapped up in the Automart, including a 1921 Ford Model T truck complete with
American licence plates for £8,500, a 1934 three-wheeled Morgan Super Sports with an exposed V-twin engine at £38,000 and a
beautifully preserved 1949 MG YT Tourer, one of less than 900 produced. The little known French marque, Amilcar, was represented by a re-built aluminum-bodied 1925 example at £25,500.
A more quirky offering was a 1976 Trabant Kübelwagen, a fascinating example of East German design, on offer at £7,500, which came complete with original fittings, including spades and ammo boxes! Much more expensive was a fully reconditioned 1950s Bristol Lodekka London Bus with a price to match its size—£165,000.
Trunk Traders was a Sunday highlight, popular with exhibitors and visitors alike, with amateur jumblers bringing a fresh injection of stock onto the showground. The free delivery service, taking large or heavy items bought at the Autojumble back to the car parks, was kept busy throughout the show.
The winner of the Best Stand was Tim Hodgekiss, who as selling selling electrical parts and accessories for vintage and classic cars. Tim and his wife Sue, from Norfolk, are Beaulieu exhibitors of long standing and have been coming to the Autojumble for over 40 years.
