Report: Beaulieu Autojumble

It was a record year for the Beaulieu Autojumble, with 16,507 enthusiasts attending the event over the long weekend. An impressive tally of 37 car clubs were also in attendance, with the Dorset Branch of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club, putting on the largest display, in honour of the marque's centenary.

There were some genuine bargains in the Motormart, with plenty of cars sold. Cars on offer ranged between £1750 for a black 1953 Wolseley Four Forty Four barn find to £33,000 for a 1997 Bentley 400RT LWB with just 29,000 on the clock. Jaguars were a Motormart mainstay, with a 1998 Jaguar Sovereign XJ8, which was a steal at an asking price of just £2000 and a 1987 Jaguar XJ-S selling at a very reasonable £14,950.

The Walkabout Auction made a return. The auction offers an ‘end of show’ chance to buy and sell, giving exhibitors an opportunity to sell off surplus items of stock on the Sunday afternoon for just a £1.

The Best Stand trophy, donated by Lolly Lee in memory of her father, Terry Lee, was awarded to Mike Rowell and his stand of Classic Cars Spares. Mike‘s stand is a mini autujumble all on its own, selling new and second hand car parts, automobilia, workshop manuals, engine gearboxes and axles. Mike has a vehicle recovery and scrap business, based in Southampton, and has been attending the Spring Autojumble for the past 13 years.

Beaulieu Events Manager, Judith Maddox, said: 'It has been wonderful to see this event grow over the years and we were delighted to finally break the record attendance numbers set in 1994. This year’s show has been thoroughly enjoyable. We are very grateful that the weather has been kind to us, exhibitors have reported brisk trading with many visitors commenting on the high quality of the stock on offer.'

The date of the 2013 International Autojumble is 7-8 September, and Spring Autojumble 2014, 17-18 May. Visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk nearer the time for more information.