Loads of A7s in films from 1964

[Nick Salmon]

If you are stuffed with grub etc and needing a sit down, use the time to have a look at this super period footage from 1964. 

There's terrific VSCC racing but then, at just past 14m 30s there is a whole section on the driving tests at Beaulieu and the gathering of over 200 Austin Sevens for the A7 Register event. Well worth viewing - and just look at the crowds!

https://youtu.be/wyzK45pWVAU?si=CfS0EwYWHxc3_yZs

[Ian Wegg]

A great video, thanks for the pointer. This link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyzK45pWVAU&t=886s will get you straight to Beaulieu.

(A minor gripe: It's a good picture for a 1964 film, but it's a shame it's been uploaded in widescreen (16:9), so everything is stretched horizontally.)

I can't remember exactly when I first went to Beaulieu, it would have been late 1960s. I have no memory of the "railway memorabilia", I wonder when that train was removed?

As mentioned ... big crowds, spectators even perched on the locomotive!

       

[Colin Cooke]

Thanks for posting this, Nick. Not looked through it all yet, but looks great fun.

Ian - the railway carriages were a memory of mine from many trips to Beaulieu. Wouldn't like to say when they disappeared, but I would guess it may have been as late as the 1980s. Maybe someone can confirm.

Talking of Beaulieu - I do remember (at least once), the VSCC driving test taking place on the same day as the National Austin 7 Rally. 1964 was the first of the A7 rallies; I wonder if that was the one I remember. I definitely remember seeing Harry Rose's Blower Bentley (shown in video). I believe that this was the first of the Birkin Blower Bentleys, but more importantly, it was the subject of the second iteration of the Models of Yesteryear model.
I'd like to say that I recognise more people, but unfortunately not. I had to research, to see that the Gordon England was owned by John Harris for a long time, but I don't know if this is him driving.

[Hugh Barnes]

I need to dig deeper on the history of the Pullmans, but the loco is 928 'Stowe', a Schools class that was moved from Beaulieu in 1973 to the East Somerset Railway and then on to the Bluebell, where it entered service in 1981 after restorarion until its boiler certificate lapsed in 1991. It was finally purchased from Lord Montagu in 2000 and is now undergoing full restoration

For those interested, further reading can be found here - https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/blueb...stowe.html

Edit: The 3 Pullmans were Fingall, Agatha and Car 35

Fingall apears to be in fine fettle on the Bluebell - https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/blueb...ngall.html

Agatha not so much and is languishing awaiting restoration - https://www.flickr.com/photos/28083135@N06/23895793154

And Car 35 may have been destroyed in a fire whilst at Beaulieu after breaking its back when being lifted to be moved along with the others

If anyone has more up to date information, I for one, would be happy to hear it...

[Colin Cooke]

I love it that our anoraks have multiple applications.

Nice work Hugh.

[Henry Harris]

Hello Colin, 

The first 750 Motor Club National Austin Seven rally at Beaulieu was on the first Sunday of July, 1963. 

This film was shot at the second in 1964. I was there in my Box saloon (RP's didn't exist back then!) 18:38

Is that Klipspringer at 19:28?

The Gordon England Cup, TP 4312 at 19:24 is Barry Clarkes, fitted with an LAP overhead valve cylinder head.

Mike Eyres newly rebuilt TT. GW 82 at 19:26

[Steve kay]

Indeed, where would we be without anoraks? Yesterday I sent out a flier relating to Hereford celebrating the raising of the speed limit from 12 mph to 20 in August 1903. This was a speed hillclimb up Dinmore Hill, some time before the RAC organised a gentle trundle to Brighton. Sadly there was a typo in the text. Fortunately the world of owners of Austin Sevens and Three Wheel Morgans includes eagle eyed folk who are sufficiently alert to spot an error on Boxing Day!

[dickie65]

I suspect that I might have been at the VSCC Silverstone Meeting as a very young boy.
My father was a keen spectator I have memories of travelling in the Austin Heavy 12 to Silverstone.
We never went in any of the Austin Sevens father owned in the 1960s
Father Knew Jenks quite well as he lived not far from us.

[Colin Cooke]

I hadn't looked all the way through the film, so thanks to Henry for pointing out Klipspringer. It was looking very fresh then - had not been rolled at all at this stage. 
It's Mum in the passenger seat. I can only think that it is Phoebe Crompton driving. Her husband (George) helped Dad to build the car.
Off to Dave Wilcox trial now, but hopefully have another look tomorrow.

[Colin Cooke]

Had another look at the Beaulieu A7 rally section. I'll start with a correction - this was the second rally. I was fooled by the fact that Klipspringer was there - this wasn't on the entry list for 1964, but I guess Dad must have taken it there anyway.

Good to see Mike Griffiths' 2 seater tourer, appearing several times. He, along with Penny Chew, still organise the driving test at Beaulieu each year. His car is now red (it was blue in 1964), but comes along every year.

What are the expert views of the blue special(?) towing the trailer? AOE 69 features at later Beaulieus, listed as a 1934 Speedy. There are some Speedy features in 1964, but it has an interesting rear end treatment.