Description
And now for something completely different! Just arrived at Shore Classics is this rather fabulous and completely outrageous Beauford Tourer presented in stunning Astral Silver over Beluga Black and powered by a glorious-sounding Nissan (Datsun L24) 2. 4 litre straight-6 with automatic gearbox. Enthusiast-built almost 20 years ago, this 2-door Tourer has covered just 13, 800 miles and comes with it`s original Build Manual with comprehensive hand-written notes. Popular with the wedding and hospitality industry, these Beauford Tourers were specifically created to blend 1930`s styling with modern engineering and are surprisingly easy to drive and maintain.
Beauford Cars Ltd. started life in Upholland, Lancashire in 1985 before moving to Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent where it remains still a family-run company to this day. Always supplied in kit form, early cars used a Mini bodyshell as the passenger compartment (note the Mini doors) whilst later cars featured a glass-fibre moulding secured to a ladder chassis. Both open or closed touring bodies were offered with a choice of short (2-door) or long (4-door) wheelbase and favoured engines were notably the Ford 2. 0 Pinto, Rover 3500 V8 and Nissan (Datsun L24) 2. 4 inline 6-cylinder. Around 2000 are believed to be currently registered on UK roads supported by an active Club.
Our car was acquired in kit form in 1995 by a gentleman in Burnley and was ultimately registered in August 1996 albeit age-related to January 1977 (from the donor vehicle). A short wheelbase 2-door Tourer, the car was fitted from new with the Nissan (Datsun L24) 2. 4 litre straight-6 as seen in the Datsun 240Z mated to an automatic gearbox and benefits from power-assisted steering. Unfortunately, we know very little of the vehicle`s history up until around 12 months ago when it was acquired by a serial classic car enthusiast in Nottingham who has undertaking basic recommissioning and servicing. Only the acquisition of another classic has reluctantly persuaded him to now part with the Tourer.
The photographs hopefully tell the story. This Series 3 Tourer in stunning Astral Silver over Beluga Black and sitting on chrome wires is a sight to behold. Indeed, the colour scheme is very Art Deco and could easily be the favoured transport of the Ant Hill Mob as it could a bridal car. Bodywork, a combination of central steel Mini tub and composite wings, is extremely good with the original paintwork displaying just a few age-related blemishes. The two-piece hood (the front section can be removed to create a Landeau effect) is tidy and serviceable whilst all brightwork and trim are excellent. The cabin features supremely comfortable, button-back Black leather upholstery which feels akin to a gentleman`s club whilst deep-pile grey carpeting and wooden dash and console to complete the air of almost over-the-top opulence. Turn the key and the Nissan-sourced 6-cylinder blasts into life sounding purposeful and very much in keeping with the look of the car. Select Drive and the Tourer wafts gracefully up to cruising speed in no time with almost seamless changes from the automatic gearbox. Power steering and power-assisted brakes make it very easy to drive and unsurprisingly, it is very comfortable with a superb ride and nice neutral road manners. On a sunny Saturday morning, I took the Beauford for a blast across the Dorset Downs and it made be grin more than anything else has recently. It is actually huge fun and creates such a reaction on the roads, turning heads wherever it goes.
Whether you are in the market for a car that will make money (these are hugely popular in the bridal industry) or just want the look of a vintage classic with modern engineering and driver appeal, these Tourers do make a great deal of sense. Come and experience it for yourself - I can guarantee you`ll exit the car with a big smile.
Our Beauford comes with it`s original Build Manual with comprehensive hand-written notes, lots of old MoT Certificates, a current V5C (registered Historic) and some Club literature.
A rather splendid 1930`s style tourer with the potential to earn a living or just enjoy.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
