The commissioned bronze statue of Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, welcomes visitors outside the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, England
The portrait shows Lord Montagu in vintage motoring clothes associated with the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, resting one hand on a Dunlop tyre
The bronze figure is approximately six feet tall and stands on a stone plinth outside the museum entrance
Sculptor John Cox began the commission but died in 2014 before the work was completed
His wife Joy and their daughter Jayne Meadows completed the project through the family business, Escar UK Bronze
Lord Montagu was too unwell to sit for the portrait, so the likeness was developed from photographs; this commission shows how reference images can inform a full-length bronze portrait
The statue was unveiled in 2016 by Ralph, Lord Montagu, and musician and television presenter Jools Holland, during Beaulieu’s 50th International Autojumble celebrations
Ralph explained that the museum setting honoured his father’s proudest achievement and allowed the bronze figure to welcome visitors
The commission was supported by Beaulieu resident Paul Nicholas, a long-standing friend of Edward; Joy and Jayne also attended the unveiling
Paul wanted the statue to recognise Lord Montagu’s work for Beaulieu and his creation of the National Motor Museum
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, born Edward John Barrington Douglas-Scott-Montagu on 20 October 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 third 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, Edward opened Palace House to the public with a small display of veteran cars in tribute to his father John, a pioneering motorist
The growing collection became the Montagu Motor Museum in 1956 and moved into larger accommodation in 1959
The purpose-built National Motor Museum was opened by the Duke of Kent on 4 July 1972
It became a major tourist attraction and a centre 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 31 August 2015, leaving a legacy of passion for motoring and a commitment to preserving history
The Edward Lord Montagu statue links this motoring legacy with a personal portrait of the man who established the museum
The bronze portrait represents Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, who lived from 1926 to 2015 and founded the National Motor Museum
The statue stands outside the National Motor Museum entrance at Beaulieu in Hampshire, England
John Cox began the Escar UK Bronze commission; after his death in 2014, his wife Joy and their daughter Jayne Meadows completed the work
Ralph, Lord Montagu, and Jools Holland unveiled the statue in 2016 during the 50th International Autojumble celebrations at Beaulieu
The tyre and vintage motoring clothes connect the portrait with Edward’s enthusiasm for historic cars and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
Yes, Lord Montagu was too unwell to sit for the portrait, so photographs provided the reference material for his likeness; this is an example of a full-length bronze portrait commission developed from photographs
Explore our commissioned bronze sculptures or contact Escar UK Bronze to discuss a portrait from photographs