Simply Ford 2014 - Beaulieu

Cavalcade

Main arena

The first of Beaulieu’s 2014 calendar of Simply rallies, Simply Ford, was held in the grounds of the Beaulieu attraction on the 4th May. Participants of this popular event which is now in its fifth year, had a perfect day to show off their motors and relax in the sunshine.

A bumper number of over 1,700 joined the event with around 1,000 Ford cars, from early models to custom and modern classics, on display in the Beaulieu parkland.  The event this year celebrated 50 years of the Ford Mustang, one of the marques most iconic cars with a special display of owners’ Mustangs.

Judith Maddox, Beaulieu’s Events Manager said: “Simply Ford goes from strength to strength with 25% more participants this year. The fine weather certainly brought Ford owners out in force and it was lovely to see such a wide variety of cars on show.”

Clubs attending included the Ford Probe Club UK, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Second Generation ‘Gen 2’ Ford Probe, South West Ford, the Escort Cabriolet Club and the XR and ZS Owners’ Clubs. In addition, there were a number of trade stands selling Ford related parts and accessories.

Show regulars, the Ford Heritage Collection supported the event again with a number of their superb vehicles including an Escort Mklll Ghia, a Granada Scorpio 2.9 Auto Estate and an S-Max Titanium MPV. The Hendy Ford dealership also attended with a variety of vehicles from their new Ford range.

A People’s Choice Best in Show trophy was awarded to Mark Hudd, who is currently chairman of the Swindon RS Owners’ Club and a regular attendee at Simply Ford, for his 1986 Ford Escort RS Turbo.

An additional People’s Choice trophy for the Best Mustang was awarded to Terry Bridle from Reading for a1966 black and gold Mustang which he has owned for ten years.

After the trophy presentations by Beaulieu’s Commercial Director, Stephen Munn, the top People’s Choice vehicles took part in a cavalcade around the grounds.