Britain’s National Motor Museum at Beaulieu held its fourth annual Simply Classics car show last weekend, though this time organizers changed the event’s name to Simply Classics & Sports Car. We’re not sure why the word “car” is singular — ah, those witty Brits! — but the idea was that in addition to traditional classic cars, the field this year would be open as well to sports car, and especially sports cars produced by MG, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary.
More than 200 MGs turned out, ranging from early VAs and TAs to MGBs and Midgets, and even more recent MGT and MG TF models.
Among the awards given were two voted by spectators. The “favorite MG” award went to Mike Short of Holbury, Southampton for his 1937 MG VA drophead coupe wearing British Racing Green colors. Short said he bought his car last year at Bonhams auction at Beaulieu, where it was offered as a non-running project vehicle.
The car had been restored in 1984, but since then was driven only 10 miles and spent nearly 30 years in a home garage. Short spent last winter bringing the car back to life. It recently did a 120-mile drive, though Short says he still has work to do.
Also honored was the People’s Choice award given to the spectators’ favorite vehicle regardless of marque. That award went to a non-British car, a blue-and-white 1967 Volkswagen camera van owned by Gary Collins of Chichester.
