Issue 44 winter 24 - Journal - Page 18
London to Brighton
Veteran Car Run
Warm weather graced the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, making for an incredible journey
for the British Motor Museum participants.
The first of the Museum cars over the line was the 1904
Thornycroft 20hp tourer driven by Mike Brewer
(Wheeler Dealers) who was blown away by the crowds
lining the streets along the route.
Already planning ahead for 2025, the Museum
announces an exciting new collaboration with the Society
of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to offer a once-ina-lifetime experience on next year’s run to 4 outstanding
apprentices.
This year’s famous RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton
Veteran Car Run, took place on Sunday 3 November and
four of the six pre-1905 British Motor Museum cars made
it over the finish line. The Veteran Run has been running
longer than any other motoring event in the world. It
marks the historic day in 1896 when a group of pioneer
motorists set out from London towards the seaside, in
celebration of the ‘emancipation of the motor car’.
Despite the early start it was all smiles as the cars set off
over the starting line at Hyde Park on the unseasonably
warm and dry November morning. Amongst the participants in the British Motor Museum crew were actor,
Simon Gregson who has played Steve McDonald on
Coronation Street for over 30 years, Paul Cowland,
known for the series Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars, and
Mike Brewer, most famous for his many series of Wheeler
Dealers.
Arriving in Brighton at the end of the 60-mile route, the
first of the Museum cars to cross the finish line was the
1904 Thornycroft 20hp tourer, driven by Mike Brewer.
The remaining Museum cars that made it home were a
1902 Albion A1 dog cart, a 1904 Rover 8hp (the oldest
known Rover), and a 1904 Wolseley 6hp Phaeton which
were driven by Museum members and guests. Sadly the
1899 Wolseley 3.5hp voiturette, affectionately known as
OWL & the 1901 Wolseley 10hp tonneau were unable
to make it to the finish line. OWL has participated in the
famous London to Brighton Run a staggering 39 times
now, so with a bit of TLC it is sure to be back to try again
next year!
Looking ahead to next year, the Museum is delighted to
announce that it will be collaborating with the Society of
Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to offer 4
outstanding apprentices the chance to participate in the
2025 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Places on the
Run are extremely hard to come by and the Museum is
keen to use its unique position to share the history of the
industry and inspire the next generation of automotive
leaders, designers and experts. Working closely with member companies, SMMT acts as the voice of the motor
industry, promoting its position to government, stakeholders and the media. This partnership between the two
organisations will create a unique opportunity for apprentices to participate in a once-in-a lifetime experience.
More details will be released at the SMMT Annual
Dinner on 26 November.
Jeff Coope, Managing Director of the British Motor
Museum, said, “What a fabulous weekend! These
wonderful cars are more than a century old and are some
of the rarest and finest models from our collection. It was
a real treat to watch the cars and their drivers in action!
We’re delighted to share this amazing experience with
such an enthusiastic and appreciative group of people.”
To find out more about the British Motor Museum please
visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk. For
more information on the London to Brighton Veteran Car
Run please visit www.veterancarrun.com
