Visit to Beaulieu - National Motor Museum

[trainmad]

Had a plod down to Beaulieu, the home of the National Motor Museum today.
I paid a visit because of the "Bond In Motion" exhibition they currently have on, which is celebrating 50 years of James Bond films with a display of various Bond vehicles.

There was also an additional display called "The World of Top Gear" featuring numerous Top Gear cars, including the Reliant Robin Space Shuttle and the Limos!

Do enjoy the pictures!


Jermey Clarkson's "Sports Train" - very much of interest to me! In the background you can make out the Combine Harvester Snow Clearing Machine and the back up Reliant Robin Space Shuttle!


Aston Martin DB5, as used in "Goldeneye" and "Tomorrow Never Dies" (BMT 216A was the "Goldfinger" DB5, not this one!)


Aston Martin V8 Vantage, driven by Timothy Dalton in "The Living Daylights." Also seen in the background is the cello case which Bond and Kara use as sledge in the same film.


Crocodile Submarine from the film "Octopussy."


Lotus Esprit (or Wet Nellie, as it is also known) from "The Spy Who Loved Me."


BMW 750il from "Tomorrow Never Dies."


BMW Z8 from "The World is Not Enough." In the film, this car ended up getting cut in half by a helicopter!


Various models were also on display. This is the train from "Goldeneye." A model of the Tiger Helicoper from the same film can also be seen.


The museum is well worth a look round, and has a varying range of cars, including this Austin Clifton Heavy 12/4.


I have no idea what car this is, can anybody help?

[simid]

Great pics!

Can't help you on the Delorean. The rear tubing looks fairly large in diameter though.

[tgraham]

Very nice! I think the trains episode from the last season of Top Gear was one of the best. And the Robin Space Shuttle episode was certainly up there too... might have to make the trip down there the next time I'm in the UK.

Travis

[tgraham]

I just looked at the Museum's page on the Top Gear exhibit: http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/attractions/world-of-top-gear

They have the motorhomes, the amphibious cars, and the electric car monstrosity (amongst plenty of other good stuff) too! This has moved up on the priority list...

Travis

[trainmad]

Was a rather excellent collection of Top Gear stuff! If i'd have had a proper camera I'd have taken more photos!

[Guinney1971]

cool photos.

The BTTF conversion is owned by Clive Priest, and is the one that used to be driven by Glen Hale.

The kit on this car was on 'Backy' that was owned by Chrispy originally (and now lives in the northwest
with a guy called Martin 'dogsbolox' on here).

The car itself is another ex Chrispy car, the one that was called 'Herman', although the vin number
escapes me.

Travis, you could always plan a UK trip for next June, and come along to our Summer event in North Yorkshire
whilst your at it

[Phil Peters]

trainmad Wrote:
Aston Martin V8 Vantage, driven by Timothy Dalton in "The Living Daylights." Also seen in the background is the cello case which Bond and Kara use as sledge in the same film.

Here's a shot of the Timothy Dalton V8 Vantage (I assume it's the same one?) on display at the Midland Motor Museum circa 1987. You can also see my DeLorean lurking in the background

[Guinney1971]

nice one Phil

BTW, that Austin Clifton 12/4, the museum make out that is 'Gumdrop' from the books
by Val Biro, but I can confirm that Val and Gumdrop are alive and well and live in the
Kent/Sussex area and the car at Beaulieu is definately not Gumdrop (radiator surround is
wrong colour anyway), and Gumdrop has the reg PR6719.

I was privileged to get 'up close and personal' to Gumdrop in 2003, thanks to Martin
Gutkowski, who's father was a friend of Val in WW2. Val also kindly signed my Gumdrop
book that I've had since I was 7yrs old.

[trainmad]

I must try and get to see Gumdrop one day.
The only reason I knew that type of car was was because of Gumdrop, so took a picture pretty much straight away!

As it happens, the Bond in Motion Exhibition has been extended until Januray 2014, so time to see it yet if anybody is interested!

[Guinney1971]

here's the real Gumdrop and Val Biro, these were taken at Val's house in 2003

[trainmad]

His garage is just as I expected it!

[stunned_monkey]

Polly and I asked Val to bring Gumdrop to our wedding near Cirencester last November, but with a top speed of 30mph, the drive from Chichester would've been a bit too much.

[Guinney1971]

stunned_monkey Wrote:Polly and I asked Val to bring Gumdrop to our wedding near Cirencester last November, but with a top speed of 30mph, the drive from Chichester would've been a bit too much.

congrats on the nuptuals Martin, didnt realise you and Polly had got married

How is Val these days? Please give him my best next time you speak to him, I treasure my Gumdrop book that he signed for me,
Kezia is not allowed anywhere near it 8)

[stunned_monkey]

Thanks Claire. Only had three DeLoreans there... :wink: