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[dropcap] E [/ dropcap] Edward John Barrington Douglas-Scott-Montagu, Baron Montagu de Beaulieu, died just a week ago. This English aristocrat was one of the main promoters of the movement for the preservation of old vehicles, as well as a pioneer in the creation of museums, fairs and magazines dedicated to the subject.
Lord montagu He was born in 1926 and lost his father, an automotive pioneer who from his social position had fought for the defense of motorists' rights, at the tender age of two. He would return to him twenty years later, when in his memory he decided to transform the formidable family residence into one of the first classic car museums in the world.
Edward Montagu and his museum
In time this would become the British National Motor Museum -British National Motor Museum-, with huge funds as well as a tremendous library / archive. But let's not anticipate events: Lord montagu He started his project with just a 6 DeDion-Bouton 1906HP and other vintage machines on loan from car brands.
In 1956 he edited one of the first classic car magazines, the Vintage and Veteran, which over the years would become the famous Classic Cars. And in 1967 he inaugurated a concept brought from America but undoubtedly popularized in the English countryside: In that year the first edition of the Beaulieu's Autojumble, prototype of the outdoor sales and trade fairs that still attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors at each edition today.
Everything that surrounds the family residence, the Palacehouse, Already today the Cistercian Abbey of Beaulieu is a sanctuary dedicated to vintage vehicles that no fan should miss at least once in their life. It is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern architecture and machinery from other times.
Finally, in 1962 Lord montagu noted the difficulty for classic car owners to obtain suitable tires and co-founded the Vintage Tire Supplies, today one of the largest companies in the sector worldwide.
Montagu's trials
But not everything would be joys for him. Between 1953 and 1954 he was tried and convicted of practicing homosexuality. His case served for the establishment of the Wolfenden Committee, which with an important report contributed to the decriminalization of this sexual condition a decade later. Edward montagu He never hid his bisexuality, although he did not show it, he married two different women and had two children.
Lord Montagu was also active in motor sport, edited 21 books, held his seat until his death in the House of Lords, and successfully promoted the British tourist heritage. Rest in peace.
* Header photo: Allen warren
