Some 400 old crocks took part in the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run today (Sunday 5 November).
The event recreates the “emancipation run” of 1896 when drivers celebrated the 4mph speed limit rising to 14mph and the requirement for a man to walk ahead of a car being scrapped.
Today, the organisers also marked the 70th anniversary of Genevieve, a film set against the backdrop of the annual veteran car run.
The 1953 pitted the drivers of two old crocks in a rivalry – a Darracq named Genevieve and a Spyker. Today, both cars crossed the line together.
The event is open to cars from before 1905 and one driver said that it was a testament to their makers and owners that so many turned out again.
The weather was dryer and brighter than the wet and stormy conditions yesterday although the air was fresh.
The first cars left Hyde Park at 7am and, although it is avowedly not a race, drivers had until 4.30pm to cross the finish line in Madeira Drive, Brighton.
Crowds turned out along the 60-mile route and on Brighton seafront to welcome the old crocks.
Brilliant! Brave people! Not only well built, but very well maintained! (PS, Volks railway has older cars!)
We should not be celebrating cars. We should be celebrating bikes. They don’t pollute and are great for getting to the sea. I even have an electric one now. It’s great! Cars = pollution
The carbon footprint of these vehicles is miniscule after all their lifetime compared to a new electric vehicle which is immense. As to the the morality of children mining cobalt and lithium to produce the batteries…. Look at the larger picture, don’t believe the propergsnda
Fully agree. Electric cars stand for displaced pollution and severe socio-ecological pain
for the poor people on this world. Nevertheless in a couple of decennia, after enough
technological battery development, they may be better to save the world, so to speak, than
combustion engined vehicles.
But of course, nothing goes beyond the real bicycle. And that should not be electric to my
humble opinion. Cycling is good exercise, and more healthy than any other form of transport,
even including the manufacturing process of this means of transport.
I fully enjoyed, again, your fabulous London to Brighton event with so many vehicles.
Over 375 if I am correct. Hope this event may continue for ever. As I am a car enthusiast.
Best regards to all of you from Venray, Holland.
Ben Wortel Venray The Netherlands ben.wortel@kpnmail.nl
actually there are veteran bicycles involved too, I know because im taking part next year on one
Of course that Lithium bike battery is grown locally you know!
It’s just old cars that are fun to watch, fun for the owners and fun for Spitfire because he can chase and keep up with them: he probably thinks there a farm animal but hey we enjoyed them.