A total of 396 pre-1905 vehicles left Hyde Park at daybreak on November 1, with 349 completing the 60-mile journey to Madeira Drive. Thousands of spectators lined the route in mild weather to cheer on machines powered by petrol, steam and electricity.
The RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run commemorates the Emancipation Run of 1896, held after legislation raised the speed limit for light locomotives from 4mph to 14mph and removed the requirement for an attendant to walk ahead.
Sunday’s proceedings began with the traditional symbolic tearing of a red flag, performed by Mercedes-Benz Heritage chief Marcus Breitschwerdt and Royal Automobile Club chairman Duncan Wiltshire.
The cars passed through Three Bridges and Crawley, Staplefield, Handcross, and Cuckfield before heading to Brighton.
This year’s event also celebrated 140 years since Carl Benz’s Patent-Motorwagen, with an example of the pioneering three-wheeler displayed at the start.
The first cars departed at 6.53am, following a group of pre-1905 motorcycles and pedal cycles, including penny-farthings. Vehicles left in age order, giving the oldest machines the greatest time to reach the coast before the 4.30pm deadline.
Among the entries was the world’s oldest surviving Rolls-Royce, a 1904 Type A 10hp that had won Best in Show at the previous day’s St James’s Concours on Pall Mall.
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, television presenter Alan Titchmarsh and land speed record holder Andy Green were among those taking part. Entrants came from across Europe and as far afield as Australia, Hong Kong and North America, with 21 entries from the United States.
Although the Run is not a race, the first car to reach Brighton was a 1903 Lacoste et Battmann driven by German entrant Wolfgang Kraemer. The single-cylinder French car completed the journey in just over three hours.
Mr Green was among the later arrivals in his 1904 Stanley steam car, successfully finishing after a boiler failure ended his attempt in Brixton last year.
“Compared to last year, when the boiler reached the end of its life in Brixton, making Brighton is definitely a success story, so I’m very, very happy to be here,” he said.
Mr Green praised the volunteer marshals and the crowds lining the route, describing the run as unlike any other motoring event he knew.
Mr Wiltshire, who completed the journey in the Royal Automobile Club’s 1901 Mors, also praised the turnout and the work of the event’s 350 volunteer marshals.
“After 130 years, it is quite remarkable that this uniquely British event remains so vibrant and continues to attract participants and spectators from all over the world,” he said.
The run concluded the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week, following Saturday’s St James’s Motoring Spectacle and RM Sotheby’s London Sale.
Next year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is scheduled for Sunday, November 7.
1. Pioneering cars draw crowds for landmark London to Brighton Run
Hundreds of veteran cars travelled from London to Brighton on Sunday, as the annual run marked 130 years since the event that first celebrated a new era of freedom for motorists. Photo: Royal Automobile Club
2. Pioneering cars draw crowds for landmark London to Brighton Run
Hundreds of veteran cars travelled from London to Brighton on Sunday, as the annual run marked 130 years since the event that first celebrated a new era of freedom for motorists. Photo: Royal Automobile Club
3. Pioneering cars draw crowds for landmark London to Brighton Run
Hundreds of veteran cars travelled from London to Brighton on Sunday, as the annual run marked 130 years since the event that first celebrated a new era of freedom for motorists. Photo: Royal Automobile Club
4. Pioneering cars draw crowds for landmark London to Brighton Run
Hundreds of veteran cars travelled from London to Brighton on Sunday, as the annual run marked 130 years since the event that first celebrated a new era of freedom for motorists. Photo: Royal Automobile Club