Customs come to Beaulieu

Events
 | 20 Jun 2012

More than 6500 people attended the fifth annual Custom and Hot Rod Festival at Beaulieu National Motor Museum from 15-17 June.

A mixture of custom cars and ’bikes took part in Saturday’s Cruise-Out through the New Forest to Bucklers Hard, on the banks of the Beaulieu River, and were then displayed on the main street of the village.

For the Sunday Drive-In custom machinery returned to be displayed at the National Motor Museum and its surrounding parkland before taking part in an awards ceremony hosted by Lord Montagu.

Winner of the Best Hot Rod (above) went to Russell Cook from Boston, Lincolnshire, for his Hemi-engined 1930 Ford Model A. Chris Burroughs from Hayling won Best Custom, for his black 1952 Ford Victoria and the People’s Choice Award went to Sam Hard from Fareham for his Cadillac Camper Conversion.

Overall Best in Show went to a cream 1950 Mercury lead-sled, which was owned by father and son Teri and Mark Smith from Christchurch.

This year's festival incorporated the Custom Motorcycle show attracting hundreds of  ’bikes to the event, which is now one of 30 World Championship Custom Bike Building Official affiliate events held around the world.

Adding to the atmosphere were a Beach Boys tribute band, Beach Boys Smile, and rock ‘n’ roll band, Carmen Ghia & the Hot Rods, and there were also free dodgem rides for visitors.

Beaulieu events manager Judith Maddox said: “The new style Custom Festival has been very well received and it is a format we will be repeating for next year.”