PROJECT CAR ATTACKED AT BEAULIEU

Security staff called after vandals attack rare Renault lined up for display at the International Autojumble – full story inside

Classic fans who were at last weekend’s Beaulieu Autojumble are being encouraged to come forward with information after vandals damaged one of the event’s

exhibits. An unrestored Renault 14 belonging to CCW’s sister magazine, Practical Classics, was set alight by an industrial smoke flare, with the damage set to add a significant cost to its restoration.

The car’s custodian – and PC editor – Danny Hopkins, said: ‘It’s upsetting that someone thought that this was a good thing to do.’

Visitors to last weekend’s Beaulieu Autojumble are being encouraged to come forward with any information about an attack on a classic taking part in one of the show’s main displays.

Security staff at the National Motor Museum attended an unrestored Renault 14 TS – of which there are only nine on the UK’s roads – after it was damaged when a smoke flare was thrown into its interior, setting the carpets alight. It was taking part in a display organised by CCW’s sister magazine – and Autojumble sponsor – Practical Classics.

Danny Hopkins, the magazine’s editor, said that while he stressed the event itself was ‘great, and entirely petrolheady’ the damage caused by the after-hours incident would add a significant amount to the cost of the car’s restoration.

He said: ‘It’s really upsetting that someone thought that this was a good thing to do. I’m going to have an extra few day’s cleaning up the orange dust and trying to get rid of the smell

– it might have written the seats off completely.

‘It’s not what you expect at Beaulieu, which is the friendliest show I know, and one which the magazine is proud to sponsor. It kind of shakes your faith in car people, who you would think would respect someone else’s motor.’

Beaulieu confirmed that its staff attended the incident and that firefighters were not required to deal with the incident.

A spokesman for the venue said: ‘A canister of smoke was put in a restoration project car. It was quickly dealt with by security on site, who opened the door and removed it to limit potential damage.’ ❚ Hampshire Police, 101

The classic’s interior has been damaged beyond repair due to the effects of the smoke flare – and our sister magazine is now appealing for help finding new trim.

The Renault 14 TS was one of the classics being shown on the Practical Classics stand at this year’s Autojumble.