London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

The greatest free car show in the world. The first run was in 1896 as the Emancipation Run following the Locomotives and Highways Act of that year which increased the speed limit to 14 mph in the country. It was revived in 1927. It is for cars built before 1905.

Run on the first Sunday of November, there are three options for the weather: very cold, very wet or periods of both. The last two years it has been cold but bright, the best option.

If anyone would like a copy of any image from 2016, please send me an email on slkg then the at and btinternet.com

I’ve got three or four of most vehicles, but be warned, I’ve picked the best for here so be prepared to be disappointed. And thanks to everyone who took part, including the organisers of course. It was brilliant as ever.

I’d appreciate a link or two, or more, on social media, forums and to friends. It all helps with the Google rankings.

2017

The 2017 run was completed in lovely bright weather, if a little cold. The wind was rather sharp. The theme of the day was France, perhaps in response to Brexit. When filming in Brighton I had a couple from France on my left and a Chinese couple, with some quality photographic gear, to my right. One of the French chaps had come over that morning for the event and was returning that evening. One of the highlights of the day is that you can talk to anyone about the cars and then move on to who they are, where they are from and why they love cars.

Thanks to everyone who was more than willing to talk.

One feature of the 2017 run was the percentage of female drivers.

2016 was cold. Really quite sharp. Still a great day.

Thanks to all those who waved.

You wait 65 years for a bus to come along and then . . .

This 1949 Bedford OB, the one above dates from 1955, was the only vehicle on the run that I saw being driven by a woman.

The degree of preparation is evident in these two images.

Some merely vintage cars sneaked in the run.

This 1904 Knox Runabout, with its twin cylinder, 16-18 hp engine, came through Burgess Hill, about 45 minutes from the finish at Brighton, around 3.30 pm. To be classified as a finisher it had to cross the line at 4.30 or before. I hope it made it.