The Beaulieu events season got off to a flying start yesterday when a record 410 Aston Martins put in an appearance for Simply Aston Martin making it the most popular event to date.
Last year 311 cars turned out, meaning that yesterday’s event saw a 32% increase on 2018, with a huge selection of Aston Martins of all ages on display in the beautiful grounds of the National Motor Museum for the first Simply event of 2019.
23 examples of the much-loved Aston Martin DB7 made a real-life timeline on Beaulieu’s Events Arena, spanning a long production life from 1994 to 2004 in celebration of Aston Martin’s most successful models.
Even the weather was kind, with the spring sunshine encouraging hoods to be lowered on DB7 Volante convertibles.
If you are an Aston Martin fan, you were spoilt for choice yesterday, with every variety of cars from this much-loved manufacturer on show. From 1955 DB2/4 DHC, 1959 DB MkIII FHC and 1962 DB4 Vantage, through to examples of the classic DB5, DB6 and V8 and the V8 Coupés of the 1990s. There were also a number of modern-day DB9s, while a special edition Vantage GT8 and Vantage N430 were joined by two of the very latest Aston Martin Vantages.
As you would perhaps expect, there were many members of the Aston Martin Owners’ Club, while dealer Aston Martin Chichester brought along an impressive selection of the latest brand-new Aston Martins from its showroom.
Stephen Webb from Fareham got the most votes with his gleaming black 2018 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Tag Heuer Edition, which he has only owned for a few months. It is one of only 50 examples built in collaboration with watchmaker Tag Heuer, and one of just a handful in the UK. The DBS with its twin-turbo V12 engine won the People’s Choice Award and Stephen was presented with a commemorative trophy and Autoglym prize by Jon Tee, Visitor Services Manager at Beaulieu.
Runners-up included Phil Dixon, with his 2017 Aston Martin Vantage GT8, and Les White, with his 2016 Aston Martin GT12. Phil had actually driven down from the Midlands in his bright yellow GT8 which he had owned for just a month and commented: “To say you own an Aston is a special experience. I’ve bought it to go on a massive road trip.”
Les White, who drove down from Buckinghamshire, has owned his GT12 from new and said: “It’s just unique, very comfortable and makes a great sound!”
Beaulieu’s calendar of 10 Simply rallies for the rest of the year includes Simply Audi on Easter Sunday April 21st, followed by Simply Ford on May 5th, Simply Porsche on June 2nd, Simply VW on June 15th, Simply Land Rover & Rummage on June 23rd, Simply Jaguar on July 14th, Simply Japanese on July 28th, the first Simply Mercedes on August 18th and Simply Smart on November 10th to round off the year.
Tickets for these events can be purchased in advance online at www.beaulieu.co.uk/events
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor-in-Chief of Our Man Behind The Wheel and Our Man On The Ground Travel and Lifestyle Magazine.
Photographs courtesy of Beaulieu
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