That’s one automobile event I’d love to see. The web site
calls it “The World’s Longest Running Motoring Event.” First run in 1896 (120
years ago) to celebrate the passing of the Locomotives on the Highway Act,
which upped the speed limit for “light locomotives” from 4 mph to 14, and dropped
the requirement that they be preceded by a man carrying a red flag, it’s been
run off and on ever since, though pretty much annually since 1927.
But it’s not just the age of the event that appeals to
me, it’s the fact that only cars built before 1905 are allowed to participate.
This year, they’re expecting 426 veteran cars for the 7 am Hyde Park start on
the 60 mile run. Among them will be 14 steam powered vehicles and two electric
ones.
There’s apparently a movie about the run, called
Genevieve, and the 1904 Darracqu from that film will be one of this year’s
participants. For more information on the movie, check out WIKIPEDIA. I think I
need to track down a copy of that to watch.
This year, the Run is also celebrating 130 years of the
automobile. In 1886 Karl Benz first revealed his Patent-Motorwagen. Fourteen
German-made cars will be participating in the run. Two, an 1898 Benz Phaeton,
and an 1989 Benz Victoria, have been entered by the Allgemeiner Schnauferl Club
(a car club), founded in 1900. Two more, a 1902 Mercedes Simplex, and a 1901
Benz Spider, have been entered by the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
All photos are courtesy Bonhams Veteran Car Run