Now in its 45th year, Beaulieu’s famous International Autojumble was the usual runaway success in popularity: around 38,000 visitors over two days, an attendance matching that of the last few years, poured into Lord Montagu of Beaulieu’s beautiful estate, attracted by some 2000 stands offering anything and everything loosely connected with motoring, old and new (with more of the former than the latter).

All the stand spaces available were sold out long before the event, turning the weekend in an excellent opportunity to rummage through clothes, accessories, tyres, components, antiques, tools, old brochures and posters, with a selection of classic cars in various states of disrepair completing a display of potted history as a collectors’ dream.

Some attendees, such as Ernie Warmington, Tony & Jill Gosnell and ex-Christie’s consultant and fine ‘automobilia’ connoisseur Colin Warrington, have been going the event since its inception, whether as one of the inaugural fifty stand holders or as visitors. New exhibitors join every year, building on the event’s success and the irresistible allure of a motoring bargain.       

Quite aptly called ‘International’ Autojumble, the event saw enthusiasts hailing from Germany, Holland, France, Scandinavia and Italy, join the British public on 25 acres dedicated to the autojumble movement.
Colin Warrington of Old Motors said ‘many dealers, including myself, reported lower levels of business than last year, though one can never tell what will sell from one year to another; a higher percentage of European visitors keep up the numbers, but American buyers were noticeable in their absence: not everyone may not be looking for the finer automobile antiquities which I try to offer.’

Those tired of browsing through the vintage headlamps, antique toy cars, helmets and picnic hampers, could head for the ‘Arena’, where Automart offered some 200 classic cars for sale; or Bonhams’ auction, plentiful in range if not in value; a special exhibition at the Palace House, ‘The Flying Lady’, celebrated a hundred years of the famous Rolls-Royce mascot, so closely connected to the host’s family history and the birth of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

Beaulieu has hosted another, smaller autojumble in the Spring for the last 15 years, but it is the International event which merits the saying ‘if you can’t find it at Beaulieu, it does not exist.’