Not even a miserable forecast or heavy showers could dampen the spirits of the participants in Beaulieu’s first ever Simply Pink rally, held on 31st May. This brand new event, supporting Breast Cancer Campaign, saw a colourful 
display of vehicles in pinks of every hue, from the palest of pinks to bright fuchsia, some in manufacturers’ colours, some re-sprayed from more conventional colours by their pink-loving owners and others pink to show their support of breast cancer charities. Some were solid colours, others two-tone and many were pink themed on the inside too. Drivers and passengers also joined in the pink theme with pink clothing, pink accessories and even pink hair!
A wide range of marques and models included a 1934 Austin 7 Box Saloon in pale pink, a VW Beetle, Mercedes SLK320, a pair of Minis, one wrapped in glitter pink the other a two tone white and rose Cooper, a Morgan +4, a striking Citroen S3 in black with a pink roof, several Smart cars, and a Porsche Boxter and Toyota Supra, both in fuchsia.
Several participants had travelled a long way to join the event, from the west of Wales to Essex and Kent in the east, Cambridge, Middlesex and Hertfordshire. Tim Lang Classics’ brought along a Morris Minor Million in pale lilac with white leather interior trim, number 185 of a special edition of 350 unveiled in 1961 to mark the millionth Minor to roll off the production line.
Ford Heritage added it
s support to the event with the soft top Ford Streetka, FAB Too, from the 2004 Thunderbirds action adventure film. Its distinctive pink paintwork marks it out as one of a limited edition of eight built to promote Ford’s involvement in the film.
A total of £825 has been raised so far for Breast Cancer Campaign, from entrance donations and money raised by some participants in advance of the day. There were also competitions to guess the number of pink sweets in a jar and the number of pink balloons in the Minor Million.
In the People’s Choice awards, the winner was Joy Mooney from Bournemouth in Henrietta, her 1934 Austin 7 which she has owned since 1962. Second was Bernice Benton from West Wales in a 1968 Hillman Husky van and third was Kelly Barber from Hornchurch, Essex in a 1991 Nissan Figaro.
After being presented with their awards by Beaulieu’s Managing Director, Russell Bowman and Vicky Whitham of Breast Cancer Campaign, the winning cars led all participants in a cavalcade around the grounds. Simply Pink is just one of a busy calendar of Simply themed rallies. A full list of Simply dates can be seen on the Beaulieu website, www.beaulieuevents.co.uk
