Andy Saunders’ The Art of Kustom Launch at Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day – Sunday June 17th

Beaulieu’s summer exhibition The Art of Kustom featuring incredible creations from the imagination of car customiser Andy Saunders will be launched at Father’s Day’s Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day on Sunday June 17th.

To celebrate the opening, Andy will unveil his latest project Metropolis. The 1939 Peugeot 202 pick-up has been transformed from a rusty wreck into an art deco-style stunner in time for the exhibition in the National Motor Museum.

Then Andy will drive one of his stunning cars from the display collection – which has been gathered from private collections across Europe – in the cavalcade of Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day’s prize-winning show vehicles.

Visitors can see the full showcase of Andy’s cars inside the museum, including a Citroen that looks like a spaceship, road-going speedboat, shortened Mini Ha Ha, widely acclaimed Tetanus which took 14 years to complete and speed-breaking Reliant Rialto, which raced on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The exhibition will run throughout the summer until September.

The awesome machines don’t stop there. Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day, which is held in association with classic American car club Solent Renegades, will feature as many as 500 hot rods and customised vehicles ranging from smooth cruisers and low-riders to powerful hot rods, stripped-out specials and mega-powered monsters.

New for this is year is the Apocalypse Bug from Podpad Studios, a stripped-down Mad Max-style Beetle festooned with weapons and prepared to survive in the event of an apocalypse! Climb aboard this crazy creation to take a selfie or pose for an unforgettable family snap.

Sure to put on another crowd-pleasing performance will be Hard Up Garage, bringing a selection of wild machines including a modified Dodge Charger that will delight fans of the Fast & Furious films. The show is always a draw for bike fans and a wide variety of two and three-wheeled machines will be taking their places in the line-up, from traditional classics to bespoke, powerful trikes.

To get into the vintage groove, across the weekend there will be live musicdancing and a vibrant two-day Vintage Villageby Bows & Braces packed with nostalgic collectables, records, jewellery, luggage, kitchenware and retro clothing from the 1920s to the 1980s. Put on your glad rags and come along dressed in vintage clothing, with prizes to be won for the best dressed individuals, families or groups and camper van. Then get a perfect retro hair-do to complete your glamorous look at Paula’s Vintage Parlour.

Why not make big retro weekend of it with Simply VW on Saturday June 16th, when Vee Dubs of every variety will be on display. Enjoy both shows with free camping on the Saturday for Simply VW participants whose pride and joy meets the criteria of a pre-1980 classic vehicle. Or camping is available at £10 for all Simply VW participants who would like to stay for the next day’s show.

An unmissable rally for every Volkswagen fan, Simply VW will see a multitude of Beetles, Golfs, Campers, Sciroccos and Passats cruise into the Breeze Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles-sponsored event in the Beaulieu parkland. It is the perfect place for enthusiasts to catch-up, compare machines and talk about all things VW.

Enjoy live music throughout the weekend, with Isle of Wight-based vocal quartet Company B-UK performing 1940s swing numbers that are sure to get your toes tapping, while on Sunday six-piece band The Shakeups! will perform classic rock, soul, doo-wop and jangle pop hits. You’re sure to smile as Mariachi El Mexicano delights show-goers with rousing performances as they roam the grounds, then take to the dance floor with Jitterbug Jive as the Bournemouth Lindy Hop Club puts you through your paces with dance demonstrations.

If you own a relevant vehicle and would like to join either show, email details of your car or bike for consideration at events@beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 614614. Camping must be booked in advance.

Tickets can be bought in advance online or on the day. For participant and visitor tickets and opening times for both events see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.

Included in the events admission is access to all of the Beaulieu attraction including entry to the National Motor Museum with its collection of more than 250 vehicles and new display The Luxury of Motoring, new-look World of Top GearOn Screen Cars, ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the stunning grounds and gardens.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, on Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or on Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation with #hotrodday and #vintagevillage.

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