Beaulieu Spring Autojumble 2009
Although the majority of enthusiasts still associate the Beaulieu Autojumble with the second week in September, the MotorMart Autojumble runs at the same venue in May each year is growing in popularity. This year saw the sixteenth such event and despite less than ideal weather the attendance figure of 14,275 was only beaten by the numbers attending in 1994, when the first such meeting was held. There were nearly nine hundred stands catering for vehicles of almost any age selling a huge variety of parts, accessories and equipment.
Although complete cars are usually sold in the Automart, this MGA was on offer for £7,750 on one stand
On sale on one of the dealer stands in the Automart was this MGA, price £15,950
Signs of every description were to be seen on the stands at this year’s spring Autojumble
Books old and new always feature on the autojumble stands at Beaulieu
A nice addition at the spring event is the showcasing of a particular vehicle each year. This time we were celebrating the launch in 1959 of the Ford 105E Anglia and there was a display of fifty examples, including vans, estate cars, a pick-up truck version, and even a convertible, in addition to many of the ordinary two-door saloons with their distinctive forward-sloping rear window.
Amongst the 167 cars on offer in the automart were a number of MGs, although fewer than has been the case in some previous years. However, there were a large number of stands specialising in MG parts and equipment and there was no excuse for anyone keen on the marque going home empty handed. There was also quite a range of MG related literature on offer including some rare early sales brochures at appropriately high prices. Far more reasonable were those for the post-war cars and the wide variety of workshop manuals, handbooks and parts lists seen on many stands.
Don’t ask!
The illuminated MG sign on this stand was priced at £785 and the Morris hanging sign £385. Both nice – but expensive.
Just the thing to tow behind an old MG saloon – a 1940s caravan; yours for £2,950
An unusual exhibit in the Ford 105E celebration was this Anglia convertible
The spring meeting has developed since it started as the poor relation of the main September event and is now very worthwhile visiting. Many find that the slightly smaller size, less crowds and the variety of attractions make for a more relaxing and enjoyable occasion. Staged over two days, Sunday visitors have the bonus of being able to see not just all the features available on Saturday, but also the Old Sodbury’s Land Rover Sortout where almost everything ever made for those popular vehicles can be found. There are also some private individuals who under a trunk traders’ scheme take space for just the day to dispose of surplus items from their garages.
A reminder for your diaries that the next main Beaulieu Autojumble will be held on the weekend of September 12/13th and the next Spring MotorMart Autojumble is May 15/16th 2010.