2009 Beaulieu International Autojumble Review
"Beaulieu in September has the magic aura of something
special."
Michael Mayr-Harting, Austro Classic Magazine
Warm sunshine all weekend, for this year's International
Autojumble, sponsored by Classics Monthly and held in the grounds
of the National Motor Museum on the 12th & 13th September, gave
the event a real holiday atmosphere. The biggest problem was
persuading people at leave at the end of the show!
The popularity of the Autojumble, the largest in Europe, shows
no sign of waning and demand for stand spaces increased again this
year, resulting in a best ever number of 2,102 stands and 278 cars
for sale in the Automart and Dealermart. There were also a record
number of overseas exhibitors, coming from as far afield as Eastern
Europe, Australia, Japan and North America.
Advance tickets sales were also up this year and large numbers
of jumblers were eagerly waiting on both days for the doors to
open. Saturday was exceptionally busy, Sunday a little less
so and total show numbers were 38,500. This was 2,000 up on
2008 and the best since 1992. Large numbers of foreign visitors
attended, particularly from northern Europe and, at times, it was
hard to hear any English among the many languages being spoken in
the Event fields.
Prices on the stands were, in the main, quite realistic and
exhibitors reported brisk selling. The Autojumble lived up to its
reputation that 'if you can't find it at Beaulieu, it doesn't
exist', with many delighted buyers finally finding an elusive part
that they had been searching for. There was also an increase in
motorcycle jumble stands carried an excellent range of stock.
On Sunday, Trunk Traders offered amateur jumblers an opportunity
to sell their surplus bits from the back of their cars. This
feature is poplar with both exhibitors and visitors, all hoping to
unearth a rare or unusual find that has perhaps been languishing in
the back of someone's garage for many years.
Lord Montagu, making his first appearance since breaking his hip
last month, was on hand to congratulate the winner of this year's
Best Stand, Frenchman Alain Montpied, maker of bespoke wooden
wheels. Alain, is one of the last ten wheelwrights still
practising this craft in France and attracted considerable interest
as he demonstrated his rare skills at the show. He will receive a
free stand at next year's International Autojumble.
In show sponsor Classics Monthly's Restoration Village there
were demonstrations of restoration skills including soda blasting
and panel beating. There was also a display of readers' classic
cars including a Triumph Herald prototype hatchback, which has been
lovingly restored after its owner spent 20 years looking for the
car.
This year's Automart had the usual eclectic mix of vehicles for
sale, from restoration projects such as a 1972 TR6 to a completely
restored 1932 Austin 7RN with an asking price of £6,250 and a 1954
Ford Poplar with a price tag of £5,500, restored five years ago.
Two early sales were a 1937 MG TA for £13,500 and a 1932 Austin 7
2-seater tourer which sold for £7,000, within ten minutes of the
show opening.
Bonhams Head of Collections, Motor Cars UK, Tim Schofield,
reported a packed crowd for another buoyant Beaulieu sale with 105
out of 114 vehicles sold. 42% went to overseas buyers, mostly
from Europe, with a good proportion of the rest going to South
Coast buyers. Tim said "We are keeping up with tradition in
our 8th year at this Beaulieu venue with over 90% of vehicles
selling and a hammer price of 1.8million."
Highlights of the sale included a 1949 Land Rover Series One 80,
bought by the son of its original owner for £19,000 and a 1932
Delage D8 'Faux Cabriolet' Coupé which more than doubled its bottom
estimate and went to an overseas buyer for £112,600.
Good weather, the huge variety and mix of vehicles and stands
plus enthusiastic purchasers combined to make this year's event
both memorable and enjoyable, maintaining its position as the
premier Autojumble in Europe.
The next International Autojumble will take place on the 11th
and 12th September 2010. See you then!
Click here for other galleries of Patrick
Mullan
www.internationalautojumble.co.uk
© photos Beaulieu
