NATIONAL AUSTIN SEVEN RALLY, BEAULIEU  2009

Held  on the Events Field at Beaulieu Motor Museum.

The annual gathering of Austin Sevens at the Beaulieu Motor Museum attracted around 150 entries this year. The Event, organized by the 750 Motor Club has been run for 47 years and celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Club.

A line-up of Sevens at Beaulieu.

In its heyday the Annual Rally could boast 400+ cars - numbers only now seen at special events like the London to Brighton Rallies but it is still possible to see a large variety of Sevens on display.

Being an anniversary year there were a number of special vehicles lined-up. these included the 1935 Austin Seven Cooper Number One built by Charles Cooper for his son's 14th birthday. His son was John Cooper of Mini Cooper fame. the car was built on the chassis of a burnt out 1932  saloon and was fitted with a tuned A7 engine. this car was given the Cooper chassis number C1 and is therefore the first ever Cooper car.

Cooper Number One.

The 1957 Works Lotus Eleven Coventry Climax was a car that marked a high point in Colin Chapman's career winning all three classes entered in the Le Mans of 1957. This car was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in 1958.

Works Lotus eleven.

The 1953/63 Simplicity 750 Formula Car was designed and built by Jack French to compete in the 750 F a formula that appeared in 1949 to offer a cheap form of racing based on the Austin Seven.

Simplicity 750F Austin Seven.

The main field featured the Beaulieu Driving Test which this year took an appropriate form. the driving test and relay competitions were organized by Mike Griffiths.

Driving Trials on the Main Field.

Besides the more familiar Austin Sevens there are usually a number of the more unusual incarnations in evidence at Beaulieu.

Near the autojumble stands there was a rather odd pickup truck. Or was it a dumper truck? The driving position with the engine beneath and behind the driver suggests the latter.

An unusual Austin Seven based pickup

Near to the trophy gazebo there was a small Austin Seven based tractor. Presumably scaled for a smallholding.

An Austin Seven tractor for smallholdings?

Dorset A7 Club presented their demonstrator vehicle. Godiva, as she is known, is a stripped down Seven with all of the working parts made visible and simple to understand for teaching purposes.

Dorset A7 Club's Godiva demonstrator

Amongst the specials there was a pedal car that would have been every young lad's dream. It was in original condition and a treat to behold.

All shapes and sizes.

The afternoon saw the presentation of a gazebo's worth of trophies for the judged events.

The family silver

As usual there were a number of autojumble stores lined-up around the edge of the field offering an eclectic mix of Seven related bits. These stalls are always worth a browse as you never quite know what is going to turn up. You can still buy items for a pound but the Ebay effect is making itself known in prices generally.

Axle needs careful owner

On the show field the Sevens were lined up for judging and viewing. The weather was 'undecided' as seems to be the pattern this year but at least the rain held off.

Sevens on the show field

Amongst the auto jumblers were a number of stands offering new parts and services for Sevens. Roach coachbuilders had examples of their craft on display.

the Roach stall.

Lurking amongst the cars in the show field was Geoff Cox's box saloon. The signage that accompanied the car lists the journeys that have been made in it over the last 16 years including France, Spain, Germany, Chile Argentina and New Zealand. I think the rest of us can try a little harder!

Long distance traveller

Click on the picture for video

Whilst at Beaulieu we decided to have a refresher viewing of what the Museum itself has to offer. The whole complex has the air of an attraction that was in its heyday two or three decades ago but that cannot take away from the quality of it's collection.

The National Motor Museum

As you would imagine Austin sevens make an appearance in the collection including a 1923 Chummy.

A Chummy in the collection

In the entrance area is the Museum's 'type specimen' 1931 Swallow. This car had only one owner and is almost entirely original.

The Beaulieu Swallow

There are a number of tableaux within the Museum including an early Sainsbury's store and a 'typical' garage.

Looks familiar?

As an attraction for kids the Museum installed a theme ride some years ago called 'Wheels'. It is a little tired now but the Seven makes an appearance in the form of a Chummy minus it's number plate but plus a couple of rather wooden actors.

A Chummy in the 'Wheels' ride

All in all an interesting day out. I really must get organized to attend a future rally with our car to help to swell the numbers.