Look out for blues and twos at The 999 Show at Beaulieu on Spring Bank Holiday Monday May 29th

Look out for blues and twos at The 999 Show at Beaulieu on Spring Bank Holiday Monday May 29th as all shapes and sizes of historic emergency vehicles join the celebration of the emergency services.

More than 30 emergency vehicles of the past will be on show in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, from fully-equipped fire engines to police patrol cars.

Equally eye-catching will be two World War II themed trailers, which recreate shelters that were familiar to blitzed Britons in period-perfect detail. A mobile recreation of a 1940s police station will be set up in the Beaulieu grounds, joined by an Air Raid Precautions mobile unit built using a vintage caravan.

Representing the long arm of the law will be a diverse selection of police vehicles, including an ex-Hampshire Constabulary 1966 Volvo 121 Amazon estate, one of the first foreign cars to be used by a British police force, and a sporty 1959 MGA Roadster used by Lancashire Constabulary.

Rapid traffic duty classics include a 1969 Lotus Cortina and V8-powered 1985 Rover SD1 3500SE. Look out for a wide variety of American police patrol cars, including Chevrolet Caprices, a Camaro and Impala, plus no less than six sturdy Ford Crown Victoria squad cars. As different as chalk and cheese will be an Austin Allegro panda car and a replica of the incredible 1970s Ford Falcon XB used in the Mad Max films.

The Blue Light Vehicle Preservation Group will display its members’ classic police cars, including an ex-Metropolitan Police special escort group 1994 Range Rover P38 and Vauxhall Vectra SRI 2.6 V6.

Three fully-equipped Dennis Rapiers will represent the proud heritage of the fire engine, with these huge but rapid machines joined by a 1939 Bedford WLG Heavy Unit fire engine, still in its wartime Auxiliary Fire Service livery. Classic ambulance fans will love the 1950 Austin Sheerline DA1 ambulance, which will be joined by a diminutive Smart car ambulance and American-built 2005 Ford E350 ambulance, plus a 2001 Dodge Ram Military Police security van.

The event, which will mark the start of the year in office for Lord Montagu’s sister Mary Montagu-Scott as the High Sheriff of Hampshire, will also feature a CSI Beaulieu murder mystery at Palace House. Find out from Specialist Operations Regiment, Royal Military Police forensic investigators how to hunt for clues, dust for fingerprints, collect evidence and photograph the scene of a crime. A cast of Beaulieu guides and actors will bring the story to life for event-goers to follow the murder trail around the Montagu family home.

Once the crime has been solved at the end of the trail, see how it feels to be locked inside a prison cell with a visit to the groundbreaking Prison Me! No Way!mobile prison cell van raising awareness for young people about the causes, consequences and penalties of crime.

Event demonstrations include the rescue of a celebrity casualty from the scene of a crash as the emergency services stage an extrication display on the Events Arena.

Expect the unexpected with a VIPkidnap which shows the role of bodyguards to protect potential targets from the threat of a real-life attack.

For family fun, see horses in the New Forest Agisters’ pound,dog skill demonstrations by the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service plus Police puppies and retired German Shepherds from the charity Pensions4Paws.

All of The 999 Show event features are included in a general admission ticket to Beaulieu. Entrance also offers access to the whole Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum and its collection of more than 250 vehicles, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House – which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538 – and its stunning grounds and gardens.

Riley gets exported back to the UK to take it's place at in the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

A remarkable 1948 Riley RMB has been shipped across the world from New Zealand to Hampshire by its long-term owner, who has donated it to the National Motor Museum Trust at Beaulieu.

Mr James Welch, who had known the car for much of its life and had painstakingly restored it, generously donated the Riley to the museum and paid to have it transported to the New Forest.

This Riley RMB 2 ½ litre has a remarkable story to tell. Built in 1948 in Coventry, it was exported to a dealer in Bern, Switzerland, before being sent to the coachworks of Reinboldt & Christé AG of Basle. 

This specialist coachbuilding firm had carried out a number of body modifications to Riley drophead models, but this was to be the only saloon to receive the same treatment. Two German coins dating from 1949 that were found inside the car still accompany it, souvenirs of its time in Europe.

James Welch’s father, Pat Welch, acquired the Riley in 1955 as part payment on his farm, after the car’s owner had brought it with him when emigrating to New Zealand. Joining a car club, Pat then started to compete in hill climbs and speed events, accompanied by his son. “In January 1957, at age 15, I passed my driving test in the car,” recalled James Welch. “My father gave me permission to compete along with him in hill-climbs, before graduating to beach races and club circuit races.”

After a series of successes, including first place in saloon car races at International Grand Prix meetings at Ardmore, near Auckland, the Riley was finally retired from competitions in 1960.

“My father sold the car in 1970,” said James. “Soon afterwards the new owner’s son fell asleep at the wheel, when on his way to Wellington. The right side of the Riley was damaged and it was then abandoned outside for some years, hence the major deterioration.” After languishing outside in all weathers, the stricken Riley was then stored for several more years in a shed.

The car’s spell of bad luck ended in 1985 when it was bought back by James, who started a total restoration, with help from the Riley RM Club. “I have been a Riley nut since 1955, so when I rebuilt my car I had to get it as near to perfection as I could.” Having worked in the luxury car building trade in his youth, including a spell making body panels for Mulliner Park Ward on the Rolls-Royce assembly line, James carried out most of the work himself, including the bodywork, paint and the interior trim, leaving only the engine, transmission and seats to be rebuilt by professionals.

“After I sold my business in 1999, I could work full-time on the restoration of the Riley, spending up too twelve hours a day on it, sometimes seven days a week,” said James. “When I think of all the work that I did on it, my guess would be that I have spent between 2,500 and 3,000 hours on the project. I spent approximately 150 hours on the interior fascia wood, while the hub caps alone took up 100 hours.”

The Riley finally returned to the road in 2007, still with just 55,000 miles on the odometer. James covered another 5,000 miles before deciding to pass the car on. “I am 74 and with no beneficiaries,” he said. “I had dreamed that this car, because of its rarity, should go to a place where it can be exhibited for all to see. The time was right to send it off.

“I decided on Beaulieu as I had visited there and to me it was a very prestigious place, where the staff treated me as if I was royalty. Now I know I was correct and as the saying goes, ‘some things are meant to be.’ After having this car in my life for 61 years, I am so very pleased that it has gone to such a prestigious home.”

Once it had arrived in the New Forest, the National Motor Museum engineers could carefully extract the Riley from the shipping container that had protected it during its ocean voyage, before putting it on display.

The Riley joins the National Motor Museum collection of over 250 cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles, which spans the history of motoring in Britain.

The Riley RM series of cars, which includes saloons, a convertible and a drophead coupe, is well known in the classic car world for its attractive styling and lively engines. The Riley RMA and RMB saloons were both unveiled in 1946, and while the RMA was fitted with a 1.5-litre engine, the RMB boasted a more powerful 2.5-litre engine.

While a standard RMB originally produced 100bhp, this example's 2443cc four-cylinder engine has been tuned to give 120bhp.

The Riley RMB can now be seen in the National Motor Museum as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which includes On Screen Cars, the World of Top Gear, the 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey and grounds and Palace House, which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538.

Beaulieu played host to the Hot Rod and Custom Drive-In Day with over 6,000 visitors enjoying the cars and bikes.

An exciting display of 700 customised cars and bikes created a vibrant Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day against the backdrop of live music and vintage fashions at Beaulieu.

More than 6,000 visitors enjoyed the lively show on Father’s Day, which attracted an extra 150 vehicles to last year’s event as well as an expanded Vintage Village created by Bows & Braces which sold vintage clothes and jewellery from the 1920s to 1980s, nostalgic home decoration, luggage, records and maps.

Capturing the spirit of show, stripped-down hot rods parked alongside ‘slammed’ American classics and pristine custom cars at the event which was held in association with American car club the Solent Renegades. A particularly good turn-out of Buicks, Corvettes, Chevrolets and Ford trucks were on show, as event-goers sauntered around the grounds of the National Motor Museum to pick their favourites.

Events Manager Judith Maddox said: “It’s such a vibrant event with a lovely atmosphere and everyone enjoyed themselves. We had an even wider range of fantastic looking hot rods and American custom cars this year, which fired up the imagination.”

Hard Up Garage proved a popular addition to this year’s show with dramatic flame-throwing hot rods and rat rods, which were started up for special displays.   

Bike fans were spoilt for choice with the beautifully crafted custom bikes from the Crank Jesters club, featuring two and three-wheeled mega-powered and pedal-powered machines.

A special area was dedicated to Volkswagen enthusiasts for their characterful classics, while Daltons Transport returned to Beaulieu with its collection of lorries with amazing airbrush artwork, including the topical Ghostbusters-themed lorry.

Vintage Victory Rollers event salon was kept busy, creating inspired make-overs with updos and cat eye flicks to add glamour and style to the show. Joey and the Jivers and Aphrodite’s Duo provided the musical backdrop on the entertainment stage, while Jitterbug Jive and the Bournemouth Lindy Hop Club gave demonstrations and took event-goers through their steps.

Lord Montagu presented trophies and Autoglym prizes for the event’s best and favourite cars and bikes. Curly Harris, in his Morris Z van, won the Best Hot Rod trophy, while the Best American trophy went to Jason Petro for his 1950 Pontiac.

The amazing Alvis Woody, customised with parts from aircraft and milking machines and with a Buick engine under the bonnet, won both the Best Custom prize and the People’s Choice award for its owner Graeme Rust.

The Best in Show trophy went to Ben Luke for the first outing of his 1954 Chevrolet pick-up which has cost him £85,000 to rebuild with its 355hp V8 engine and Lamborghini wheels. The landscape gardener has even had to build a special barn in his driveway to house the new creation he has restored with engineer Richard Welch, who turned his vision into a reality. Ben also won a £100 cash prize and an Autoglym valet pack.

Hard Up Garage chose Greg Walters’ eye-catching 1930s rat rod as its trophy winner. The Best Bicycle trophy went to Crank Jesters’ honorary member Nick Payne, while Andrew Safe’s Indian Trike, which took two years to build complete with its Reliant Robin Engine, won the Best Bike award.

A popular custom-built showpiece for families were two parent-and-child matching silver teardrop retro caravans, which came complete with towing Ford F-100 and Chevrolet trucks.

Best dressed event-goers also won prizes, with Bows & Braces rosettes, return tickets to next year’s show and cash prizes for Lesley Vickery for the female award, Neil Hudson for the male’s and Rebecca Lewis with partner Will Hunt Vincent and children Will and Violet winning the family award.

Next year’s Hot Rod and Custom Drive-In Day is planned to return again for Father’s Day on Sunday 18^thJune.

The 54th Austin 7 Rally at Beaulieu holds one of the longest unbroken runs for a one marque club at the same annual event.

The 54^th National Austin 7 Rally takes place at Beaulieu on Sunday 3^rd July and holds one of the longest unbroken runs for a one-marque club using the same venue for its annual event.

For one enthusiast the event will mark a particularly significant milestone. Bertie Fowler, who bought his first Austin 7 in 1966, will be attending his 50^th rally.

He purchased the 1936 ‘Nippy’ (one of the relatively few production sports models that Austin made) at the age of 19, negotiating the £90 deal in darkness by the Derby Grandstand at Epsom racecourse. It was, he says, ‘the best buy I ever made’.

Years of happy motoring followed, even in the face of what Bertie describes as ‘the usual Nippyisms’ of the doors flying open when negotiating fast corners.

The car came off the road in 1976 and lay under sheets in his garden shed for several decades, but in recent times has been expertly restored by Robert Foreman and Chris Gould (who is a living legend in the world of sporty Austin 7s).

Bertie will proudly display the end result at the rally and will join many other ‘Austin 7 Sports and Racers’ which are the theme for this year’s special display.

Several extremely rare and famous Austin 7s will also be attending, including Graham Beckett’s ‘Simplicity’, the Tony Hutchings built OK7095 works racer replica, and several of the Bert Hadley Championship cars being brought along by the Pre-War Austin 7 Club.

The display is expected to be one of the largest seen in recent years and is open to all Austin 7 owners from the UK or Europe. Austins form the core of the event but pre-1975 vehicles of all makes are invited to attend and will have a designated parking area on the rally field.

The National Austin 7 Rally is an ideal day out for enthusiasts and families. Entrance includes access to the whole of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum, Palace House which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538 and the 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey and gardens.  

For entrants wishing to make a weekend of it camping facilities are available and on the Saturday there is an organised run through the picturesque New Forest followed by the ever-popular evening barbecue on site.

Beaulieu releases it's schedule of events for 2016, from Cars to Boats, from trucks to caravans, and everything else.

The time of the year has arrived where the National Motor Museum, and Beaulieu Palace releases it's schedule of events for the coming year, 2016, with the return of a number of successful events from classic car shows and auto jumbles, to special events for the family during half term holiday time. 

So, if you like all things motoring, or just want to visit the museum, which is one of best motoring venues in the United Kingdom, then this is definitely the place for you and your family.

Date	Event Name	Content
FEBRUARY
13th–21st February	February half-term	Get ‘hands-on’ with interactive activities for all the family.
MARCH
25th March   10th April	Easter Holiday Activities	Follow the Easter Trail around the attraction and meet the Easter Bunny (Easter weekend only).
APRIL
10th April	Simply Aston Martin *	A display of Aston Martins of all ages, in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
17th April	Spring Alfa Day *	The first national event of 2016 for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, with 500 Alfas expected to attend.
24th April	Boatjumble*	Search for a bargain amongst the hundreds of stands selling boating spares and accessories, plus used boats for sale.
MAY
1st May	Simply Ford *	Celebrating all ages and models of Ford, with clubs and individuals welcome to attend.
21st & 22nd May	Spring Autojumble*	Over 1000 stands selling motoring parts, literature, automobilia and accessories, plus up to 200 cars for sale.
22nd May	Land Rover Rummage *	A trading corner of Spring Autojumble dedicated to Land Rover parts and accessories. Sunday 22nd May only.
25th May – 11th August	Surrey Sculpture Exhibition	A diverse display of artwork in Palace House and its grounds. All pieces are for sale.
28th May  – 5th June	May Half Term	Enjoy a variety of Medieval May activities, plus giant games in the attraction grounds.
29th & 30th May	Truckmania*	The two-day show devoted to trucking, with amazing displays, activities and trucks of all ages and types.
JUNE
5th June	Simply Porsche *	Open to Porches of all ages, individuals and clubs alike can join this rally.
12th June	National Mini Cooper Day *	Hundreds of Mini Coopers line-up in the Beaulieu parkland for the key annual event of the Mini Cooper Register.
18th June	Simply Classics & Sports Car *	Pre-1990 classic cars, plus sports cars of all ages, are welcome to attend this vibrant rally. The event also includes a Vintage Village.
19th June	Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day *	A celebration of Custom, Hot-Rod and Classic American cars, with live music and trade stands plus a Vintage Village.
26th  June	Simply VW *	Volkswagens of all varieties and ages will be on show, in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
JULY
July Date TBC	Shakespeare in Beaulieu Abbey Cloister	An open-air  performance by the Castle Theatre Company in the Abbey Cloisters
2nd & 3rd July	Stationary Engines *	A range of historic stationary engines is put on display in the attraction grounds.
2nd & 3rd July	Austin 750 Rally *	Up to 300 examples of the Austin Seven attend this long-running annual event.
10th July	Simply Bikes *	A gathering of motorcycles and trikes of all shapes and sizes, with trade stands.
16th July	Beaulieu Village Fete	Held in the grounds of Palace House, play traditional games, browse stands and enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment.
17th July	Vanity BMW Rally *	A diverse display of BMWs, as owners’ clubs and individuals display their BMWs.
19th July	Swiss TR Rally	Triumph TR sports cars drive into the Beaulieu grounds.
23rd July – 4thSeptember	Summer Activities	With these holiday activities, meet characters from the past, see historic motors in action and watch falconry demonstrations.
31st July	Simply Japanese *	Celebrating all Japanese car marques and models.
AUGUST
6th August	Jaguar XKEC *	The XK8/XKR Enthusiasts Club’s (XKEC) summer Show & Shine.
7th August	Graham Walker Memorial Run	Annual get-together for pre-1930 veteran and vintage bikes.
7th August	Simply Land Rover *	All Land Rovers are welcome to join the display, with a 4X4 off-road course.
12th – 14th August	T4 Fest *	A weekend gathering of Volkswagen T4s in the Beaulieu parkland.
20th August	Super Classics *	Pre-1990 classic supercars will go on show in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
21st August	Supercar Showdown *	A selection of high-powered modern supercars will be on display and revving up on the Demonstration Run.
SEPTEMBER
3rd & 4th September	International Autojumble *	Europe’s biggest Autojumble, with over 2000 stands selling classic and vintage spares, plus full-size cars and the Bonhams auction.
23rd - 25th September	Holiday Caravan Show	See a wide selection of the latest static holiday homes.
25th September	Foam Fest	A charity event for Naomi House, featuring a fun run through a foam-filled obstacle course within the Beaulieu parkland.
OCTOBER
22nd – 30th October	Half-Term Hauntings	Spooky Half Term activities for all the family to enjoy.
29th October	Fireworks Spectacular *	Celebrate Halloween with this spectacular fireworks display, set to music, plus fairground rides. Entry from 3pm.
NOVEMBER
11th November (P)	Countryside Education Trust Christmas Fair	In Palace House, see dozens of stands selling gifts, festive foods and refreshments.
13th November	Simply Smart *	Held on Remembrance Sunday, this rally celebrates the Smart car.
DECEMBER
17th December – 2ndJanuary 2017	Victorian Christmas at Beaulieu	Experience the magic of Christmas past in Palace House.

Key

*          Event tickets include entry into the Beaulieu attraction.

(P)       Provisional dates.

Date	Event Name	Content
APRIL
10th April	Simply Aston Martin *	A display of Aston Martins of all ages, in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
17th April	Spring Alfa Day *	The first national event of 2016 for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, with 500 Alfas expected to attend.
MAY
1st May	Simply Ford *	Celebrating all ages and models of Ford, with clubs and individuals welcome to attend.
21st & 22ndMay	Spring Autojumble*	Over 1000 stands selling motoring parts, literature, automobilia and accessories, plus up to 200 cars for sale.
22nd May	Land Rover Rummage*	A trading corner of Spring Autojumble dedicated to Land Rover parts and accessories. Sunday 22nd May only.
29th & 30th May	Truckmania*	The two-day show devoted to trucking, with amazing displays, activities and trucks of all ages and types.
JUNE
5th June	Simply Porsche *	Open to Porches of all ages, individuals and clubs alike can join this rally.
12th June	National Mini Cooper Day *	Hundreds of Mini Coopers line-up in the Beaulieu parkland for the key annual event of the Mini Cooper Register.
18th June	Simply Classics & Sports Car *	Pre-1990 classic cars, plus sports cars of all ages, are welcome to attend this vibrant rally. The event also includes a Vintage Village.
19th June	Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day *	A celebration of Custom, Hot-Rod and Classic American cars, with live music and trade stands plus a Vintage Village.
26th  June	Simply VW *	Volkswagens of all varieties and ages will be on show, in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
JULY
2nd & 3rd July	Stationary Engines *	A range of historic stationary engines is put on display in the attraction grounds.
2nd & 3rd July	Austin 750 Rally *	Up to 300 examples of the Austin Seven attend this long-running annual event.
10th July	Simply Bikes *	A gathering of motorcycles and trikes of all shapes and sizes, with trade stands.
17th July	Vanity BMW Rally *	A diverse display of BMWs, from owners’ clubs and individuals display their BMWs.
19th July	Swiss TR Rally	Triumph TR sports cars drive into the Beaulieu grounds.
31st July	Simply Japanese *	Celebrating all Japanese car marques and models.
AUGUST
6th August	Jaguar XKEC *	The XK8/XKR Enthusiasts Club’s (XKEC) summer Show & Shine.
7th August	Graham Walker Memorial Run	Annual get-together for pre-1930 veteran and vintage bikes.
7th August	Simply Land Rover *	All Land Rovers are welcome to join the display, with a 4X4 off-road course.
12th – 14thAugust	T4 Fest *	A weekend gathering of Volkswagen T4s in the Beaulieu parkland.
20th August	Super Classics *	Pre-1990 classic supercars will go on show in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
21st August	Supercar Showdown *	A selection of high-powered modern supercars will be on display and revving up on the Demonstration Run.
SEPTEMBER
3rd & 4thSeptember	International Autojumble *	Europe’s biggest Autojumble, with over 2000 stands selling classic and vintage spares, plus full-size cars and the Bonhams auction.
NOVEMBER
13th November	Simply Smart *	Held on Remembrance Sunday, this rally celebrates the Smart car.

Key

*          Event tickets include entry into the Beaulieu attraction.

(P)       Provisional dates.