The commissioned bronze statue of Edward, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, stands outside the entrance to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, England
Erected in 2016 he is depicted holding a Dunlop tyre and dressed in the vintage attire he wore for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, an event he frequently participated in
The statue stands 6 feet tall, weighs 200 kilos and is now mounted on a 3 feet high marble plinth to align his sight with visitors as they approach the main museum building
The commission was originally started by the bronze artist John Cox but unfortunately John passed away in 2014, before the statue was finished
Consequently, the task to bring it to fruition was taken on by his widow Joy and their daughter Jayne and Joy continues to run Escar UK Bronze to this day
Unfortunately at the time of the commissioning, Lord Montagu was too ill to pose so the statue had to be created entirely from photographs
The statue was unveiled on the 24th of August 2016 by the late peer’s son Ralph, the new Lord Montagu, along with TV presenter and musician Jools Holland
Ralph added, “We have placed the statue here because the National Motor Museum was his proudest achievement and the most important legacy he left us. It’s appropriate his figure should be here to welcome everyone into the museum as a reminder of the person without whom the building would not be standing”
Also present were Joy, her daughter Jayne and Edward’s friend of over 50 years, Paul Nicholas, who originally commissioned the statue on his behalf
Paul, aged 79 at the time said, “He was a great guy and I thought he deserved it in recognition of his work for Beaulieu and with what he achieved with the National Motor Museum”
Sadly Paul Nicholas passed away in June 2022 at the age of 84 and Escar UK Bronze were also commissioned to cast a bronze in his memory
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, born Edward John Barrington Douglas-Scott-Montagu on October 20th, 1926 was a distinguished British aristocrat, a passionate motoring enthusiast and a trailblazer in the heritage and preservation of automotive history
Raised in a family deeply rooted in British nobility, Montagu inherited the title of Baron at the age of two, after his father’s untimely death
His early life was characterised by a strong fascination with automobiles inspired partly by his father’s interest in motoring, and this passion for cars would go on to define much of his life and legacy
As the 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, he is renowned for founding the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, and for his substantial contributions to the motoring world
In 1952, Montagu organized the first veteran car rally in Beaulieu, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his father John Montagu’s death, he himself being a pioneering motorist
This event laid the foundation for what would become the National Motor Museum
Officially opened in 1956, the museum featured an extensive collection of vintage and classic cars, illustrating the development and history of motoring
It became a major tourist attraction and a center for automotive history, preservation, and education
Beyond his contributions to motoring heritage, Lord Montagu was a significant figure in British public life
He served in the House of Lords advocating for the preservation of Britain’s historical sites and cultural heritage
His conservation efforts extended to his family estate, Beaulieu, where he worked hard to maintain and enhance its historic buildings and grounds
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu passed away on August 31st 2015, leaving a legacy of passion for motoring and a commitment to preserving history
His work has had a lasting impact on the heritage sector and continues to inspire enthusiasts and historians alike