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MOTORHOMENEWS

~ A personal take by Christopher Macgowan on tourism, travel and motorhomes.

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Tag Archives: NMM

Rolls-Royces come to Beaulieu.

09 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows, Places, This and That

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Beaulieu, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, NMM, Rolls-Royce, Sir George Martin, The Beatles

Two of the most exclusive Rolls-Royces of modern times have joined new display The Luxury of Motoring at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu with a Wraith built in tribute to Beatles record producer Sir George Martin and a brand new Dawn Black Badge.

The 2017 Rolls-Royce Wraith is a one-off tribute to the legendary Sir George Martin, known as ‘the fifth Beatle’. Commissioned by Sir George’s son, songwriter and producer Giles Martin, the beautifully hand-crafted Wraith is packed with details that pay homage to this giant of the music world.

The titles of Sir George’s 30 number-one hit singles are embroidered into the upholstery between the rear seats, with his signature stitched on each head-rest. Other details include Sir George’s name engraved into the base of the Spirit of Ectsasy mascot. Joining the display courtesy of Rodger Dudding classic vehicle collection at Studio 434, this unique Rolls-Royce is one of nine Wraiths ‘Inspired by British Music’, built to celebrate some of Britain’s most remarkable musical artists, including The Who frontman Roger Daltrey CBE, Sir Ray Davies of The Kinks, Dame Shirley Bassey and Status Quo.

Fresh from the Rolls-Royce factory is the 2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge. The bespoke and contemporary Black Badge range has attracted a new generation to the Rolls-Royce marque. Already a huge hit with Beaulieu visitors, the glamorous open-top on display has a deeply intense and hand-polished black paintwork, with threads of aircraft grade aluminium woven and bonded in carbon fibre, a high-gloss vamp Spirit of Ecstasy with black chrome finish and bold mandarin orange interior highlights.

Though what really makes the car special is beneath its skin. Tighter and more responsive thanks to revisions to its steering, suspension and eight-speed gearbox, the Dawn Black Badge’s 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine is even more powerful than that of the original Dawn, producing 593bhp. An entirely new exhaust system announces the car’s arrival with a menacing bass baritone.

Beaulieu has an unparalleled collection of Rolls-Royces by virtue of the Montagu family connection with its founders. Motoring pioneer John, 2nd Baron Montagu opened the first Rolls-Royce factory and his personal secretary and secret mistress Eleanor Thornton was a muse for Charles Sykes, who designed the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.

A third car has also joined The Luxury of Motoring display. Just back from Retromobile in Paris is the 1913 Argyll 15/30hp. Although over a century older than the Rolls-Royces, it was just as cutting-edge in its heyday. An exceptionally well-engineered machine, the Scottish-built Argyll was notable for sophisticated features such as brakes on all four wheels and its 4084cc sleeve-valve engine. Inside, its sumptuous interior ensured that rear seat passengers rode in comfort as they were chauffeured to their destination.

This privately-owned car was originally a wedding gift from a husband to his wife and has remained in the same family ever since. Many decades later, it became one of the first historic vehicles to be restored in the National Motor Museum’s restoration workshop.

The Luxury of Motoring not only showcases a selection of the most luxurious cars ever built but tells the story of their design, the people who owned them and the chauffeurs who drove them. Spanning the golden age of luxury motoring to today’s aspirational cars, perceptions of taste and class are themes that are explored through a range of fascinating objects, films and rarely seen images from the National Motor Museum Trust’s archives.

At the glittering heart of the display is a centrepiece of 28 Lalique glass car mascots on show together for the first time. The owner of the private collection chose the National Motor Museum as the home of motoring and therefore the perfect setting to showcase his treasures. From the light radiating, delicate veined wings of a dragonfly to the heartiest falcon mascot with its thick, tapered neck which fits tightly into the mount, the collection includes majestic animals and human forms that bring art into everyday life. The collection is on loan courtesy of Dawson’s Auctioneers & Valuers at Maidenhead.

To celebrate the new gallery, why not enter a competition to say What makes your car luxury? Whether it’s fluffy dice and cushions or a must-have Mercedes, share pictures of what makes your car special. To enter, share your pictures and suggestions on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum, Instagram @national_motor_museum or on email to competitions@beaulieu.co.uk. See www.beaulieu.co.uk/the-luxury-of-motoring/ for more details. The winner will be invited for a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of Beaulieu with exclusive access to areas of the National Motor Museum not usually open to visitors.

The Luxury of Motoring display can be seen as part of a visit to Beaulieu. A ticket to Beaulieu includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its collection of more than 250 vehicles from throughout motoring history, the new-look World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the stunning grounds and gardens. Tickets can be bought in advance online. For tickets or more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Strong caravans and charabancs presence at the National Motor Museum.

01 Friday May 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows, General, History

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Beaulieu, caravans, charabancs, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, NMM

        

Well worth a visit – and not just because of the strong caravanning presence.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Unseen Donald Campbell speed record footage restored

17 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows

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Beaulieu, Christopher Macgowan, Donald Campbell, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, NMM

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Donald Campbell is the only person to have broken both land and water speed records in the same year. Unseen family footage of Donald Campbell breaking the land and water speed records in 1964 has been restored to mark their 50th anniversaries. That year in Australia, Campbell set a new land speed record of 403.10mph (644.96km/h) on 17 July, and on water he reached 276.33mph (444.71km/h) on 31 December.

The film has been restored at Beaulieu National Motor Museum.

From 1955, piloting the Bluebird K7 jet-powered hydroplane, Campbell set seven world water speed records. He was killed at Coniston Water, Cumbria, in January 1967 while trying to improve on his 1964 record, at Lake Dumbleyung, by reaching more than 300mph (480km/h).

His Bluebird CN7, in which he set his 1964 land speed record on the dry bed of Lake Eyre, is part of a display at the museum.

Campbell’s nephew and land speed record holder Don Wales said: “It’s about time that people fully recognised that Donald Campbell should be remembered for that fabulous achievement and not just for the crash that ended his life.”

The film, How Long A Mile – which Campbell directed, will be shown in public for the first time at a sold-out event at the Hampshire museum on Saturday.

Campbell’s Bluebird CN7 is part of a display at Beaulieu National Motor Museum

SOURCE

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Motorcycle Ride-In Day at Beaulieu

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows

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Beaulieu, Christopher Macgowan, Motorcycle Ride-In Day, motorhome, motorhomenews, NMM

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Bikers everywhere will be kick-starting their engines on Sunday 13th July and heading for the fifth annual Motorcycle Ride-In Day at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

Jump on your bike and take a trip through the stunning New Forest to Beaulieu. Display your bike in the attraction’s picturesque parkland, meet other like-minded enthusiasts, and enjoy the Beaulieu attraction, all for a fantastic on-the-day price of £10 rider and bike, £15 with pillion, less if purchased in advance.

Watch amazing tricks and stunts in performances from 3 times British Trials Champion, Steve Colley, as well as the incredible Solent Eagles, children’s motorcycle display team.

Don’t miss the National Motor Museum’s new permanent display, The Motorcycle Story, a journey through motorcycling history with machines displayed in their historical and cultural context, from some of the earliest examples of motorcycles to the latest racing machines. The display is accompanied by artefacts including clothing worn and trophies won by sporting greats in displays which cover varied racing disciplines as well as road safety, British ‘Mods and Rockers’ youth culture of the 1950s and 60s and the Ace Café scene.

Check out the display’s Motorcycling Icons Wall of Fame, a gallery featuring the top twenty riders, as voted for by the public in a recent poll. Has someone been missed, is your favourite there? If not – make sure you vote for the person you would like to see on the wall.

Browse a number of trade stands selling accessories, clothing, parts and all the latest biking gadgets. There will also be refreshments available all day from the Brabazon Restaurant and various catering units in the parkland. As always, visitors to Beaulieu will be asked to vote for their favourite bike in the People’s Choice Awards and in the afternoon, the winner will be presented with a coveted Beaulieu Trophy.

Advance participant tickets are available to purchase at £6 per rider and bike, £12 with pillion, by telephone: 01590 612888 or online HERE

Event spectators should enter via the Main Entrance Hall at Beaulieu’s standard attraction admission rates. Admission to the event includes entry to the whole Beaulieu Attraction. For further information, please CLICK HERE

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

The National Motor Museum is a world record holder!

06 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows, General

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Christopher Macgowan, NMM

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The National Motor Museum yesterday set an (unofficial) World Record for the longest line of toy cars at: 24,189. The record will become official when confirmed by Guinness.

The museum collaborated with local companies and the car forum Piston Heads. The record was the culmination of much hard work by staff and volunteers, in advance and on the day. Just the count itself took 3 hours!

Over 10,000 of the toy cars ran though the Museum (in a long and very convoluted line) and the rest were outside.

The toy cars will be sold in aid of Naomi House and Jacksplace, local hospices for children and young adults.

The National Motor Museum has a special Caravan Club display open throughout the year and hosts the Club’s archives.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Summer Holiday 2013 Workshops inspire young talent.

05 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by chrismacgowan in General

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Angela Cox, Chris Gutteridge, Christopher Macgowan, Lady Montagu, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, NMM, The Caravan Club

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During the summer holidays, families visiting the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu were able to join in a series of fun drop-in creative activities, supported by The Caravan Club, including construction, colouring and crafting. Families could also take part in a Towcar Challenge to design, build and road test their very own car and caravan.

The children whose artwork was most eye-catching and creative were invited back to the museum to receive their prizes from Lady Montagu. Dominic Field (10) from Surbiton was the Overall Design winner, Gracie Pugh (7), from Watford, won Best Caravan Design and Alice Hann (7), from Bournemouth, received the most Facebook ‘Likes’. Jacob McCartney (8), from Burnley made the Most Roadworthy design.

Just under one thousand children and their families joined in the drop-in activities at Beaulieu and at the Caravan Club’s New Forest Centenary Site at Bransgore. Goodie bags of prizes for the winners included Caravan Club and Beaulieu gifts.

Angela Cox, Curator of the Caravan Club Collection said: “The Caravan Club was delighted to have sponsored the activities, which drew inspiration from its historic Collection housed here at the museum. The standard of creativity among young visitors this year was incredible, highlighting talented engineers and designers of the future.”

Chris Gutteridge, the museum’s Access & Learning Officer added: “We have been running these popular workshops for a number of years now and they provide a fantastic opportunity for families to access the collections of the National Motor Museum and the Caravan Club. We thank The Caravan Club for its support.”

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

BOND IN MOTION

06 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

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Beaulieu, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, James Bond, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, NMM, Skyfall

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The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu is proud to announce that BOND IN MOTION, the exclusive official exhibition of 50 original James Bond vehicles, will be continuing throughout 2013.

The exhibition, is the largest of its kind staged anywhere in the world and features 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films, including some of the best loved and most iconic.

The exhibition, staged to celebrate 50 years of this enduring film franchise is brought right up to date with four vehicles from the 23rd and latest Bond film SKYFALL which premiered last month; the Land Rover Defender 110 and two Honda CRF250R motorcycles that feature in the opening sequence as well as the vehicle most recently added to the exhibition, the Aston Martin DB5.

Beaulieu’s Commercial Director, Stephen Munn said: “Since its opening, BOND IN MOTION has been an outstanding success, attracting over 400,000 visitors from all over the world. This critically acclaimed exhibition has been a fantastic addition to the National Motor Museum and we are delighted to have the opportunity to extend its run and welcome even more Bond fans throughout 2013.”

BOND IN MOTION features a whole range of vehicles which have appeared in Bond films over the years including cars, boats, motorbikes, jets and many more. This collection of iconic movie vehicles includes the Phantom lll Rolls-Royce from GOLDFINGER, the Lotus Esprit S1 affectionately nicknamed ‘Wet Nellie’ from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, the Bede Acrostar jet famously flown in OCTOPUSSY, the original SFX Cello Case Ski famously navigated by Timothy Dalton in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS the original villain Parahawk featured in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH and the Aston Martin DBS from CASINO ROYALE

BOND IN MOTION will run to 5th January 2014 and can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction. Advance tickets, at a special rate, are available to buy online at http://www.beaulieushop.co.uk. For further information on the exhibition click HERE

Any interest in a gathering at Beaulieu – which has a dedicated motorhome car park – maybe in the New Year to brighten up a dull January??!!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

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