A formidable aero-engine 1921 Napier Blue Bird Homage built in the spirit of Malcolm Campbell’s Land Speed Record breaker is one of the remarkable vehicles going under the hammer at Beaulieu’s International Autojumble this weekend.
The vintage racing car created by Lorne Jacobs features a colossal 24-litre W12 Napier Lion aero engine, Delage front axle, Bentley rear axle, Minerva brakes and a chassis clothed by a hand-formed aluminium body. The unique Napier is estimated to fetch £250,000 – £300,000 and will be one of the stars at Bonhams sale of collectors’ cars and automobilia on Saturday September 2nd.
Another incredible lot is a replica of the 1885 Daimler Reitwagen, the first ‘modern’ motorcycle and built from wood. A faithful recreation of Gottlieb Daimler’s two-wheeler, which demonstrated the inventor’s prototype high-speed internal combustion engine, the fully-functioning motorcycle features cart-style spoked wheels and stabilisers. This snapshot of automotive history is estimated to reach £10,000 – £15,000.
Other historic machines on offer include a rare 1951 Invicta Black Prince Shooting Brake, one of just 12 survivors, a 1953 Daimler Ferret armoured scout car and a 1958 Albatross Sports Runabout speed boat.
While a rare survivor looking for a new owner is an early Austin Seven Mini from 1959, which has not been used since 1974, has just 57,000 miles on the clock and is expected to reach £5,000 – £7,000. Admission to the sale room is by pre-booked catalogue only. To register in advance with Bonhams or for more details see www.bonhams.com/auctions/24121/.
To mark 50 years of its popular International Autojumble, Beaulieu will start up the National Motor Museum’s Lotus 49 at the event on Sunday September 3rd. The legendary F1 racing car which was built in 1967 – the same year that Beaulieu first held its event – will roar its 2993cc V8 engine into life at 3pm in front of the museum. The Lotus with chassis number 3 was famously campaigned by Graham Hill and became one of the most iconic racers of its generation.
From humble beginnings, the International Autojumble has grown to become an unmissable date on classic car enthusiasts’ calendars with more than 2,000 stands offering motoring spares, accessories and automobilia. As the saying goes, if you can’t find it at Beaulieu, you won’t find it anywhere.
Automart is sure to have enthusiasts reaching for their wallets, with up to 200 classic cars for sale on the Events Arena, while the automotive temptations continue in Dealermart with a range of first-class classics for sale by dealers.
Sunday will welcome Trunk Traders to the event fields, as jumblers sell off their unwanted motoring items from the boots of their cars. There are sure to be plenty of bargains laid across the traders’ trestle tables.
Show media sponsor Practical Classics magazine will be showcasing its long-term Ford Model T project as it nears completion, with the magazine’s team meeting and greeting enthusiasts on its stand. Equally popular with visitors, show sponsor Ringwood Brewery will offer visitors a taste of its cask beer straight from the award-winning New Forest brewery.
Admission to the National Motor Museum and Brabazon Restaurant for breakfast on both event days is from 8.30am, while the main event opens from 10am to 5pm on the Saturday and 9.30am to 4.30pm on the Sunday. A free shuttle bus will run between the car parks and Beaulieu’s Visitor Reception during the show, while a free delivery service will help autojumblers take their heavy or bulky purchases back to their cars.
International Autojumble event tickets include access to all of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum and its collection of more than 250 vehicles, the new-look 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.
To book tickets in advance online, for prices or more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events or call the ticket hotline on 01590 612888. Exhibitors and Trunk Traders can email the Events team at [email protected] or call 01590 614614.
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