1981 Beauford Series 3 Open Top Tourer

Description

• Only two owners since built 
• Less than 11,000 miles since built 
• Absolutely immaculate 
• Sought after Split Screen version 
• Tax exempt 

The first Beaufords were built in 1985 by, you guessed it, Beauford Cars Ltd. The company was originally based in Upholland in Lancashire and later moved to their current headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent where they remain a family owned and run business. 

Originally built using a Mini body shell as the passenger compartment coupled with either a Ford, Nissan or Rover engine and Ford Sierra suspension, the Beauford Tourer has since become the car of choice for kit car builders and wedding car businesses. 

Its believed that there are only around 2000 Beauford Tourers currently on the road in the UK – our vendor is actually a member of the Beauford Club – and we believe this Beauford Series 3 Tourer to be right up there as one of the best presented Beaufords available. 

Our vendor purchased this open bodied Tourer from the original builder. He had kept it for a year or so after the build was completed before passing it on; we suspect to start his new project. Our vendor, now having owned it since 2010 reluctantly feels that it is time to find her a new home.  Unfortunately, time is passing, and the car no longer gets the use it deserves. Having put less than 2,000 miles on the odometer during his ownership and using it less and less, it really does have to go to someone that will enjoy it as it should be enjoyed. The rare Sunday blast and odd wedding just doesn’t feel enough. 

Originally built on a 1981 Ford Cortina chassis and running gear and fitted with a 2.4 Nissan petrol engine mated to an auto gearbox. The original logbook is showing 6 owners when it was the donor car however as stated above, since the rebuild, our vendor is only the second owner after the original builder. 

This lovely open body Beauford Series 3 Tourer will be supplied with a very large document pack that includes a plethora of previous and recent invoices, a portfolio of photos of the original build and some older MOT certificates. Please note that our vendor will put a brand new MOT on the Beauford prior to it’s sale. 

Exterior 

The Beauford Series 3 Tourer is designed to look like a vintage car. At the front is a long bonnet with flowing wings at either side, giving the appearance of a 1930s Style  Grand Tourer luxury car.  

Our version here is the two door open bodied long wheelbase version.   

Bringing loads of discussion in the office, we genuinely can’t agree whether the car looks better with the roof up or down. Predominantly due to the convertible soft top, like the rest of the car, looking immaculate. Down and with the green roof cover fitted it looks perfect but up, keeping the elements at bay, it just looks so classy. Maybe you should make your own mind up, like we say, we just can’t decide.  

Spend some time browsing the image gallery and you will see that the Goodwood Green paintwork is also spotless, high praise indeed considering it was built in 2009. It just goes to show the quality of the build, the paintwork plus the fact it has been garaged for most of its life. 

The brightwork is in the same immaculate condition with no signs of the chrome pitting or showing age related marks anywhere. It goes without saying that there is no damage, scrapes or scuffs anywhere on the bumpers, grille and so on. 

The underneath is just as nice as the rest of the car, it has clearly been built with an eye for detail.  At a push, the only blemish to mention is some surface rust on the prop-shaft. Tidy that up and it’ll be perfect. 

Engine 

Lifting the stunning bonnet shows just the same attention to detail. The immaculate bay that is housing the wonderfully smooth six-cylinder 2.4 Nissan engine, conveniently mated to the automatic gearbox.   

You will immediately notice the polished cam cover and note the cleanliness of the engine and ancillaries. This Beauford Series 3 Tourer really has not wanted for anything. Added to the meticulous nature of our vendor and the fact it has been garaged since purchase, we now understand how and why it is so well presented. 

Interior

Open the Mini door, yes, it is a Mini door, and take in the splendour of such a well put together interior. The cream leather seats are again showing no rips, scuffs or even wear and tear anywhere.  The door cards and kick panels are in perfect condition bar a couple of fingernail marks under the driver’s side door handle, they also match perfectly with the seats.  Staying with the door cards, they are capped with walnut trims that flow smoothly into the matching walnut dash and complement the cream trim perfectly. 

The dash itself looks spectacular with its Smiths dials and green leather trim. The steering column is also trimmed in green leather that matches the carpets and looks brand new. Everything complements the Goodwood Green coachwork perfectly, even the wooden steering wheel looks perfectly matched to this wonderful car. 

Our vendor confirmed that everything works as it should in the cabin, even the adjustable bonnet lamps swivel and point where you want them to go. We didn’t expect anything less to be fair. It is exceptionally presented so it would have been extremely unanticipated to find something inoperative. 

Wheels Tyres Suspension and other 

The wheels look splendid with matching Goodrich tyres all round, even the two spares have matching tyres! All six tyres look brand new and really stand out with their classy white wall design. 

The running gear is in perfect running order with no unusual knocks or rattles. Fitted with new poly bushes all round, and all painted and presented fantastically. None of the usual road grime and grubby marks everywhere are found on this lovely example; even the brakes were recently overhauled with new calipers and pads fitted. 

The stainless-steel exhaust shines like it is new and will likely last for a very long time before needing renewal. As previously mentioned, it genuinely needs for nothing and is ready to either be put to work as a wedding car or just to enjoy as it deserves to be enjoyed. 

Our view  

With such a sorted car very rarely coming to market there are probably no more superlatives to be shared. It genuinely is that well-presented and incredibly this Beaufrod is just not being used as it should. 

Meticulously maintained and superbly presented we doubt you will find one as nice as this in the current marketplace. Be prepared to receive loads of attention every time you stop and fill up. This Beauford Tourer Series 3 is a real head turner and conversation starter so don’t expect to get anywhere in a hurry – unless you don’t need to stop for fuel that is!