Despite the weather forecast, the sun greeted the Simply Classics & Sports Car show, one of the flagship events on the calendar of the Beaulieu museum in England.
More than 200 pre-1990 vehicles took part, including several “family classics” such as a two-tone 1966 Wolseley 16/60, a 1984 Rover SD1 3500 Vanden Plas with only 70,000 miles on its odometer, and a 1972 Morris Marina 1300 built to replicate the one that ran the 1974 RAC Rally.
Another hit was a 1960 Volkswagen Microbus that had been completely restored mechanically but with its faded paint, surface rust and battle scars unmolested.
Sports cars included a Jaguar XK120, a Daimler Dart and such pint-sized performance cars as a 1971 Ginetta and a pair of immaculate Triumph Spitfires, as well as a more recent Lancia Delta Integrale, Porsche 911 Turbo and Jaguar XK 4.2
The Stag Owners Club displayed 15 of its members’ cars, finished in a variety of original colors, to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the V8 Triumph.
Throughout the day, visitors voted for their favorite cars in the People’s Choice Awards.
Third place went to Steven Brooks for his 1959 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Lowline in Conway Yellow. “It had been restored, but was quite tatty when I got it a few years ago,” he said. “I’ve restored all of the chrome and the upholstery, as well as adding period extras such as the sun visor and spot lamps.”
In second place was Gary Collins’ 1967 Volkswagen camper van, which is used regularly to attend shows. “I went to Cornwall in it last week and Ireland in it last year,” Collins said. “It’s not the most reliable machine, but that’s all part of the fun of it.”
The most popular car of the event was John Smith’s 1955 Austin-Healey 100M, finished in Florida Green over Old English White.
“It was the Earls Court Motor Show demonstration car and used for test drives by journalists,” said Smith, who bought the car four years ago at an auction.”
