Over 500 jaw-dropping custom and American vehicles headed to Beaulieu for The Custom and American Show on Father’s Day (Sunday 16th June).
he family-friendly show, which is always a favourite on the Beaulieu events calendar brought together over 7000 attendees who marvelled at eye catching motors whilst keeping entertained with live music, fairground rides, a rodeo bull and face painting throughout the day.
Held in association with the Solent Renegades Club, this event saw motors of all shapes and sizes displayed across the showground. The lineup featured a range of distinctive customs and remarkable bikes and trikes, as well as outrageous rat rods and powerful American muscle cars.
Click here to see the show highlights video.
Amongst the many showstopping cars, bikes and trikes parked up were some fitting displays. From American-style police cars by South Coast Cop Cars and enormous trucks, to cars featured in films and TV. The star line-up included the striking yellow Chevrolet Camaro featured in Transformers, the ‘Ecto-1’ Cadillac from Ghostbusters, the 1993 Jeep Wrangler from Jurassic Park, the ‘Mystery Machine’ from Scooby Doo and the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle ‘Herbie’.
A new feature that delighted fans of drag racing was seeing the iconic Allard Dragster, which roared into life on the events arena. Onlookers were whisked back in time by the sounds and smells of this thundering 1960s dragster which will be attending Santa Pod later this year alongside the National Motor Museum, to celebrate 60 years since drag racing arrived in the UK.
Custom car builder and long-time Custom & American Show ambassador Andy Saunders returned to the show this year with two of his extraordinary creations, Deja and Sundancer. Showgoers were able to marvel at the purple Deco-style roadster and vivid ‘70s-inspired lowrider up close, whilst also speaking with the man himself, who was offering book signings throughout the day.
Five distinct awards took place at the event this year, with winners receiving a trophy as well as prizes supplied by Spitfire Collection. The Awards were hosted by YouTuber and motoring enthusiast OurTim, who also provided showgoers with insightful and entertaining commentary throughout the day.
Winning the Andy Saunders Award for best custom creation was Andy Fenn with ‘That Mini’. Andy Saunders said: “When I was sixteen I used to get Hot Car magazine and I saw a feature on this car in 1979 and it just blew me away. It’s 45 years old and it’s just stunning. It has the same owner and the condition of it is just incredible.”
Classic American magazine held a heat for their Car of the Year competition, with Mick Nash, the owner of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, going home with the trophy and invited to compete in the finals of their competition at the NEC Classic Motor Show in November.
Show partners Solent Renegades awarded their Solent renegades Choice Award to Sven Larsen with his 1950 Nash Airflyte Ambassador. Sven said: “I didn’t expect to win. It’s a quirky car, some people like it, some people think it’s got a face only a mother could love!”
A new award, The Brian Ackland Memorial Award, was presented to Leigh La Reservee for his 1956 Bel Air. Brian was a popular individual within the custom car scene and Brian’s family said: “It’s something that Brian would have probably chosen himself. We know what he liked in a car and what we’ve chosen is that.”
Visitors got their say by voting in the People’s Best in Show Award. The award was won by Jeremy Hill for his 1933 Ford Cabriolet, custom-painted with a blue flame design. Jeremy said: “I wanted to win, but when I got here I thought it’s just going to be very difficult with the amount of brilliant cars here, but we managed it!”
Finally, it wouldn’t be Father’s Day without giving children the opportunity to nominate their dad for the “Best Dad Award”. Picked at random, the lucky winner was Andy Newing, who took away a Beaulieu hamper, packed full of goodies from the Beaulieu gift shop.
Visitors were entertained throughout the day with a variety of musical acts taking to the stage. From modern songs with a traditional twist by The Bluebirds to the country tunes of Route 66, the dancefloor was soon packed with families enjoying great music in the sunshine. The music was rounded off with familiar favourites by Craig Jefferson’s Elvis tribute act.
After another successful Custom & American Show , Beaulieu now looks ahead to the next major shows on the Beaulieu events calendar. For an adrenaline-packed two-day show, don’t miss the Beaulieu Supercar Weekend on 3rd-4th August, or for the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items in Europe, The International Autojumble is the place to be on 14th-15th September. For Beaulieu’s full 2024 events calendar, click here.