More than 250 cars turned out for the 2016 edition of Beaulieu’s Simply Classics & Sports Car rally. Celebrating the wonderful world of classic motoring on the grounds of the National Motor Museum in Brockenhurst UK, the popular event offered pre-1990 classics and sports cars along with everything from pre-war sedans to modern day roadsters to catch the fancy of nearly every motoring enthusiast.
For the first time, visitors could also enjoy a host of special retro-themed features that included the Vintage Village, created by Bows & Braces, that offered the chance to browse and buy period-perfect accessories, including vintage clothing, jewelry, luggage, homeware, records and traditional sweets.
Sports car fans could enjoy the numerous performance machines on display, cars ranging from a Triumph Spitfire to a Corvette Stingray, and including a trio of Daimler SP250 “Darts” that had travelled with their owners from Germany as part of a UK tour. Modern sports cars, such as the Lotus Elise and Mazda MX-5, were also well represented.
Club stands were at the heart of the show, with the Bournemouth and Poole MG Owners Club and the Wessex MG Club both displaying pristine examples of sports cars bearing the famous octagon-shaped badge. The Lotus Seven Club assembled a selection of Lotus and Caterham Sevens, while the Toyota MR2 Roadster Owners Club showcased more than a dozen of its members’ cars.
A yellow 1981 Matra Murena 1.6 was one of the unusual and distinctive machines on display, a rare example of a quirky French sports car that featured no less than three seats side-by-side. An elegant 1958 Simca Aronde Plein Ciel coupe was another glamorous addition.
Visitors and participants voted for their favorite car of the show in the People’s Choice Award, with show regular Steven Brooks taking first place for his immaculate 1959 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Lowline that is finished in eye-catching Conway Yellow.
“I’ve owned it for two-and-a-half years,” said Brooks. “Although it had been restored, it was still quite tatty when I first got it.” He was presented with a commemorative Beaulieu trophy and special Autoglym prize by Beaulieu’s Financial Director Phil Johnson.
Simply Classics & Sports Car is just one of several “Simply” rallies taking place at Beaulieu during 2016. Still to come are Simply Japanese on July 31, Simply Land Rover on August 7 and Simply Smart on November 13. For complete information please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk/events
