BEAULIEU IS THE HOME OF MOTORING FOR NEW CAR SERIES FILMING

BEAULIEU IS THE HOME OF MOTORING FOR NEW CAR SERIES FILMING

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is the perfect backdrop for new prime-time car show The Car Years which begins broadcasting its first series on Tuesdays from May 7th.

The museum – with its world-famous collection of more than 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring history – was the natural choice for presenters Vicki Butler-Henderson and Alex Riley to go head-to-head with their favourite cars from chosen years. The Montagu ancestral home of Palace House and its stunning grounds and gardens are also featured during the six-episode series.

Starting with an ITV4 double-bill from 8pm, Vicki will pitch the iconic Porsche 911 sports car against Alex with his Ford Mustang original muscle car from 1964. Then for 1984, Vicky chooses the turbo powered Ford RS200 while Alex picks Miami Vice favourite, the Ferrari Testarossa.

Winners of the car battles are picked by judges including former F1 drivers and broadcasters Tiff Needell and Karun Chandhok, motoring writers and presenters Erin Baker and Quentin Willson, former Top Gear Stig and stunt driver Ben Collins, motoring author and vlogger Richard Porter and world-renowned motoring auctioneer Chris Routledge.

Later in the series, the British MGA sports car driven by the likes of Elvis Presley is pitted against the Hollywood favourite Mercedes 190SL from 1955, while the world-beating Audi Quattro is set against Alex’s childhood hero the Renault 5 Turbo from 1980, the Porsche Boxster competes against its sports car rival the Lotus Elise from 1996 and four-seater performance cars the Golf GTi hot hatch and Saab 99 Turbo go head-to-head for 1976.

Beaulieu’s Commercial Director Steve Munn said: “We have been pleased to host The Car Years filming and look forward to working with the production team on future series. As the home of British motoring, Beaulieu is the perfect setting for the new show which celebrates some of the most popular cars in automotive history.”

The Car Years is also a perfect fit for its sponsors, Beaulieu’s partners and classic vehicle insurance specialists Footman James. The show’s celebrities recently appeared at Beaulieu’s media partners’ Practical Classic’s Classic Car & Restoration Show at the NEC.

To see the backdrops used in filming, a ticket to Beaulieu includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. Tickets can be bought in advance online. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

RARE LORD SCRUMPTIOUS CAR JOINS BEAULIEU’S CHITTY EXHIBITION

RARE LORD SCRUMPTIOUS CAR JOINS BEAULIEU’S CHITTY EXHIBITION

A rare 1912 Austro-Daimler 27/80 Prince Henry that starred as Lord Scrumptious’ chauffeur-driven car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is to go on show at Beaulieu.

The Prince Henry joins an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious, original Child Catcher carriage, the film’s inventive machines created by Rowland Emett, a replica Grandpa Potts’ hut, original artwork and memorabilia in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years at the National Motor Museum.

The Austro-Daimler is one of just four known surviving examples of a model known as one of the world’s first sports cars – and its off-screen story is as astonishing as its on-screen exploits in the much-loved musical film.

Only about 50 of the exclusive Austro-Daimler 27/80 Prince Henry were built and this car has been in the same family for more than six decades. The current keeper’s grandfather, vintage and veteran car dealer Cecil Bendall, bought it for £310 in 1956 from the estate of Herbert Whitley who founded Paignton Zoo. Bendall restored the car before using it to compete in numerous Veteran Car Club rallies and Vintage Sports-Car Club motorsport events and often provided historic vehicles for filming.

The car starred as the transport of Lord Scrumptious and was driven by spies during the kidnap of Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was released in 1968. By a decade later, its sophisticated 5.7-litre engine was in need of a rebuild and Bendall later hoped to drive it in the Land’s End to John O’Groats Trial but sadly passed away before the project could be completed. His grandson Tristan Jensen has since picked up the baton, with the goal of getting this impressive machine back in action to drive in historic motoring events once again.

Tristan said: “A busy life, family and many cars are slowing down the progress. However, all of the new parts have now been made and the engine just requires assembly. I am planning to enter events again in 2020.”

After many years off the road, the Prince Henry has been dusted down to join Beaulieu’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition from Easter and will remain on display until the exhibition concludes in November.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years can be seen as part of the general admission to Beaulieu, which includes entrance to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. To buy tickets in advance online or for more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation with #Chitty50years.

ARISTOCARS FROM TOP GEAR FILMING GO ON SHOW AT BEAULIEU

ARISTOCARS FROM TOP GEAR FILMING GO ON SHOW AT BEAULIEU

Three luxury cars dubbed the Aristocars from the latest Top Gear filming are to go on show in the World of Top Gear at Beaulieu. 

Stripped of their plush interior fittings and modified to survive a gruelling six-hour endurance race at Silverstone, Matt LeBlanc’s Bentley Turbo R, Chris Harris’ Mercedes 600 SEL and Rory Reid’s Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow are quite unlike any normal race cars. 

In episode four of the new series, Matt, Chris and Rory were challenged to buy a second-hand car for the same price as the UK’s cheapest new car, a Dacia Sandero. Not surprisingly with a budget of £6,000, the presenters aimed high and snapped up three special executive saloons with powerful V8 and V12 engines. 

With his 1988 Bentley, Matt chose a coveted British super saloon with impeccable heritage, while the grandiose appearance of Rory’s 1975 Rolls-Royce was equally imposing and  Chris opted for German quality with his high-spec 1992 Mercedes. 

The cars were pitted against each other on the Top Gear test track, challenged by Stig at the wheel of a Dacia Sandero and tasked with avoiding obstacles on the ‘Top Gear real-world urban driving simulator’. The greatest test was to complete the Birkett Six-Hour Relay Race at the famous Silverstone circuit. Extensively modified for track use, the trio of cars swapped leather seats for roll cages and beefed up the suspension to create unlikely looking racing cars. 

Visitors to Beaulieu can see the Aristocars on display in the World of Top Gear, which was recently refreshed with new exhibits from recent Top Gear filming while continuing to pay homage to the programme’s past.   

The World of Top Gear is included in a general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which also includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu home of Palace House, 13thcentury Beaulieu Abbey, the grounds and gardens. Tickets can be bought in advance online. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, on Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or on Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation. 

FANTASTIC FIAT 500C IS PRIZE FOR NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM VISITOR

FANTASTIC FIAT 500C IS PRIZE FOR NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM VISITOR

FANTASTIC FIAT 500C IS PRIZE FOR NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM VISITOR

A brand new Fiat 500C TwinAir has been presented to the winner of the National Motor Museum Trust Prize Draw in a ceremony at Beaulieu's Palace House.

Beaulieu Managing Director Russell Bowman handed the keys for the bright red soft-top to Rosalind Cottee and her husband Norman, who were delighted to drive home to Maidenhead from the New Forest in the sought-after top raffle prize. They were joined for the ceremony by Niall James from Snows Fiat and Abarth, which supplied the car.

Rosalind and Norman had visited Beaulieu in the summer with their grandchildren when Rosalind bought her successful raffle ticket in the National Motor Museum. She said: “We had a lovely day, but I really didn’t expect to win anything, let alone the car. I think the only other thing I’ve ever won in a competition was a bowl of fruit, so this is wonderful! We’re both retired so I will be using the Fiat for local trips.” 

Carole McGuire, from Tonbridge in Kent, won the second prize – a money-can’t-buy opportunity to take part in the 2019 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, as a passenger in one of the National Motor Museum Trust’s historic vehicles, with an overnight stay in London. Seated in the 1904 De Dion Bouton Model Q, which she will ride in for the 60-mile event, Carole was presented with a commemorative certificate by National Motor Museum Manager and Chief Engineer Doug Hill.

Carole said: “I’m thrilled to bits. It was meant to be! Years ago, I used to live near the route of the run so I always went to watch the veteran cars pass by.”

Looking forward to taking part in the event, Carole is well aware that preparation is the key. “I’m hoping it’s not going to be raining, although I think I might need to wear my thermals!” she added.

The third prize went to Michael Burton, from Formby near Liverpool, who won a VIP trip around the New Forest in a vehicle from the National Motor Museum collection. This special day out also includes a visit to the Beaulieu Chocolate Studio for a demonstration and chocolate treat goody bag.

Tickets have gone on sale for a chance to win the 2019 National Motor Museum Trust Prize Draw. See www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/support-us/prize-draw for more details. 

Source: Beaulieu

CHILD CATCHER’S CARRIAGE JOINS BEAULIEU’S CHITTY EXHIBITION

CHILD CATCHER’S CARRIAGE JOINS BEAULIEU’S CHITTY EXHIBITION

Child Catcher’s carriage joins Beaulieu’s Chitty exhibition

The original Child Catcher carriage from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be on display for the first time in the UK at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu to celebrate the golden anniversary of the film. The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition opens on October 20th.

Only two of the four carriages built for filming have survived and this ‘hero’ carriage, on loan from the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum in Germany, was used for all of the key scenes. Standing alongside will be the Child Catcher’s costume, as seen in the film.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years will tell the story of Chitty and feature an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious.

Coggins’ Garage will be recreated in the museum to house the film’s inventive machines created by Rowland Emett, including the Humbug Major Sweet Machine, Clockwork Lullabye, Little Dragon Carpet Sweeper and Hot Air Rocking Chair.

A full-size replica of Grandpa Potts’ hut has been built using the 50-year-old technical drawings from the archive of EON Productions. The actual Spy Phone prop used in the film will also be on show, together with Sally Anne Howes’ life-size music box doll dress.

A timeline wall will chart the Chitty story from its beginnings – like James Bond creator Ian Fleming’s inspirational book about the magical flying car – to Cubby Broccoli’s unique interpretation on film. Fleming was inspired by the real-life exploits of racing driver Count Louis Zborowski who designed and built four aero-engined racing cars that were named Chitty Bang Bang because of the sound they made while standing idle. The exhaust and leather bonnet strap from the Count’s original Mercedes Chitty will be on display as part of his legacy.

The cloud-shaped wall will also feature first edition copies of Fleming’s book which he wrote for his son Caspar and was published posthumously in 1964, alongside producer Cubby Broccoli’s programme from the Royal World Premiere of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film in 1968. Weird and wonderful Chitty memorabilia includes signatures of the star-studded cast, pedal and Corgi cars, comics, computer games, pop-up books and even lunch boxes made to celebrate the children’s favourite film.

Never exhibited before original film concept art by Sir Ken Adam, storyboard watercolour artwork by Robert Laing and technical drawings by Peter Lamont will be on display, along with the solid silver Chitty model bought for producer Cubby Broccoli by his wife Dana.

Outside in the grounds, visitors to Beaulieu can see a stunning Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction being driven around the attraction.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years can be seen as part of the general admission to Beaulieu, which includes entrance to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. To buy tickets in advance online or for more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation with #Chitty50years.

BEAULIEU LAUNCHES CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG 50 YEARS EXHIBITION

BEAULIEU LAUNCHES CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG 50 YEARS EXHIBITION

To celebrate the golden half century of one of the world’s favourite films Beaulieu is to launch its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition which can be seen in the National Motor Museum from October 20th.

The exhibition will tell the story of Chitty as the star of the fantasmagorical family adventure and feature an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious in the much-loved musical film.

Coggins’ Garage will be recreated in the museum to house the amazingly inventive machines of Rowland Emett seen in the film, including the Humbug Major Sweet Machine, Clockwork Lullabye, Little Dragon Carpet Sweeper and Hot Air Rocking Chair.

Standing outside will be a full-size replica of Grandpa Potts’ hut, recreated using the original 50-year-old technical drawings from the archive of EON Productions. The actual Spy Phone prop used in the film will be on show alongside.

Costumes as seen in the film will include those of the infamous Child Catcher and Sally Anne Howes’ life-size music box dolldress which she wore while dancing with Dick Van Dyke for Baron Bomburst’s birthday surprise.

A timeline wall will chart the Chitty story from its beginnings – as James Bond creator Ian Fleming’s inspirational book about the magical flying car – to Cubby Broccoli’s unique interpretation on film. Fleming was inspired by the real-life exploits of racing driver Count Louis Zborowski who designed and built four aero-engined racing cars that were named Chitty Bang Bang because of the sound they made while standing idle. The exhaust and leather bonnet strapfrom the Count’s original Mercedes Chitty will be on display as part of his legacy.

 

The Humbug Major from Chitty 1968 / The Little Dragon Carpet Sweeper from Chitty 1968

The cloud-shaped wall will also feature first edition copies of Fleming’s book which he wrote for his son Caspar and was published posthumously in 1964, alongside producer Cubby Broccoli’sprogramme from the Royal World Premiere of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film in 1968. Weird and wonderful Chitty memorabilia includes signatures of the star-studded cast, pedal and Corgi cars, comics, computer games, pop-up books and even lunch boxes made to celebrate the children’s favourite film.

Never exhibited before original film concept art by Sir Ken Adam, storyboard watercolour artwork by Robert Laing and technical drawings by Peter Lamont will be on display, along with the solid silver Chitty model bought for producer Cubby Broccoli by his wife Dana.

Outside in the grounds, visitors to Beaulieu can see a stunning Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction being driven around the attraction – you may even be lucky enough to go for a ride!

Thanks to Fleming’s brilliant story about the beautiful, magical car and Roald Dahl’s screenplay adaptation, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains as popular today as it ever has been.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years can be seen as part of the general admission to Beaulieu, which includes entrance to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. To buy tickets in advance online or for more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation with #Chitty50years.

Count Zborowski in Chitty Bang Bang