MotorMartin’s love of all things Ford, especially those Ford’s that could now be described as ‘classic’, is well known to regular readers and so news regarding the new 2017 show season has been eagerly anticipated for quite some time.
And here it is, if you can ignore the sound of celebrations emanating from MotorMartin Towers that is, the news. Whether you love Anglias and Cortinas, lust after Capris and Pumas, or have a thing for Focuses and Mondeos, a show of more than 1,500 vehicles is expected for Beaulieu’s Simply Ford on Sunday April 30th, an event that was extremely successful last year, with a wide range of gorgeous vehicles present to wow the crowds.
Beaulieu have explained to MotorMartin that the event, unsurprisingly, has been a runaway success since its launch in 2010 and that the rally is now one of their biggest Simply events and scores highly for sheer variety. Characterful classics, modern hatchbacks, standard, modified, pristine or well-worn Fords, you can expect to find them all at the event when it returns for its eighth year.
As well as the classic, there’s something at the show for everyone as modern Ford models are at the heart of the event, with Focuses, Mondeos, Fiestas and Pumas well-represented in the line-up, not to mention the legendary Transit van. Though there will be plenty of eye-catching classic Fords on show as well. Look out for modern classic Sierras and Escorts, as well as crowd-pleasers including Granadas, Cortinas, Capris and Anglias, plus American models the popular Mustang and Galaxie.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ford Escort Mk1, a special area will be set aside at this year’s show. There are sure to be modified examples of this much-loved family saloon in keeping with the Escort’s proud history as a motorsport icon.
MotorMartin has been informed that Ford owners can drive into the Beaulieu parkland to join the varied line-up, with the chance to meet other enthusiasts, admire the Fords on display and enjoy all of the features of one of the south’s leading visitor attractions.
Simply Ford is always well-supported by owners’ clubs and enthusiasts’ groups, with 35 clubs from across the UK already booked to attend. ST220 Enthusiasts, the Ford Mondeo Mk2 owners’ group and Mondeo Mania are amongst the clubs that will be showcasing the popular Mondeo in all of its guises. Other model-specific organisations, such as the Ford Probe Owners’ Club and the Electric Orange ST Owners club, will delight Ford enthusiasts with displays of their members’ cars. The XR Owners’ Club, Bristol RS Owners’ Club and Ford Granada Nutz stands are also sure to impress.
Throughout the day, event participants and Beaulieu’s attraction visitors will have the chance to vote for their favourite car of the show in the People’s Choice Award. In the afternoon, the winner will receive a Beaulieu trophy, before leading a cavalcade of the most popular cars through the attraction grounds.
It’s important to note that for participants arriving in a Ford and joining Simply Ford in the Beaulieu grounds, entrance tickets are £10 an adult and £5 a child. Tickets can be bought in advance online or on the day. To buy a ticket or for more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events or call 01590 612888 and MotorMartin certainly recommends that you do.
Entry into the Beaulieu parkland for participants is from 9am, when the Brabazon Restaurant will be serving hot drinks and breakfast bites. For friends taking part in the show with more than one Ford vehicle, please ensure that you all arrive at the same time to park together.
All other visitors should enter Beaulieu though the Visitor Reception building with a standard attraction admission ticket from 10am.
Ford clubs are welcome to book a club stand so that their members can park together at the show. To book your club stand at least two weeks in advance and for all other Ford-related trade enquiries, call the Beaulieu events team on 01590 614614 or email events@beaulieu.co.uk.
MotorMartin is pleased to note that a Simply Ford event ticket includes entrance to the whole Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum and its collection of more than 250 vehicles, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House – which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538 – and its stunning grounds and gardens.
And it’s also worth noting that Simply Ford is one of eight Simply rallies, including Simply Porsche, Simply VW, Simply Land Rover, Simply Jaguar, Simply Japanese and Simply Smart. The next rally will be Simply Porsche on June 4th. Each event celebrates a particular marque or motoring theme, giving enthusiasts and attraction visitors the chance to see some of their favourite machines close up.
For more information on the 2017 Beaulieu events calendar, visit www.beaulieu.co.uk/events or find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, on Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or on Instagram @national_motor_museum, it’ll be well worth it. MotorMartin recommended.
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