40th anniversary Cavalcade

May 7, Beaulieu is holding a May Day Cavalcade to celebrate 40 years since the opening of the National Motor Museum in 1972. There will be a number of period and classic vehicles representative of the museum’s collection over the past 40 years but we would
particularly like help in creating a stunning line-up of vehicles depicting each year from the last 40 years.

All marques and models of 1972-2012 vehicles are eligible, from a Ford Cortina to a Ferrari. Entry will be free for any chosen driver plus one passenger, with an opportunity during the day to visit the Motor Museum, Palace House and all the Beaulieu attractions at leisure.

The National Motor Museum’s origins go back to 1956 when the present Lord Montagu created a motor museum at Beaulieu, then known as the Montagu Motor Museum, as a tribute to his father, one of Britain’s motoring pioneers. With the museum rapidly growing in size and popularity a new building was designed to house the collections and in July 1972, the National Motor Museum was opened by the Duke of Kent.

The museum aims to tell the story of motoring on the roads of Britain from the 1890s to the present day in addition to world land speed record breakers, F1 racers and motoring oddities such as a giant orange on wheels!

Vehicles taking part in the May Day Cavalcade will be on display in the Beaulieu arena before taking part in a celebratory cavalcade around the Museum grounds. A special 40th anniversary ‘People’s Choice’ trophy will be awarded on the day.

Posted in: 40th Anniversary,Anniversary,Beaulieu,Cavalcade,Classic/Vintage,Duke of Kent,Lord Montagu,May Day Cavalcade,Montagu Motor Museum,National Motor Museum,Palace House