2025 RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run Celebrates 129 Years of Motoring Heritage

London, November 2, 2025 — As dawn broke over a rain-soaked yet spirited London, 384 pioneering veteran cars, their enthusiastic drivers, and thousands of early risers gathered in Hyde Park to mark the start of the 2025 RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run — the world’s longest-running motoring event and a beloved celebration of automotive history.

Despite the early drizzle, excitement filled the air as participants awaited sunrise to signal the start of this year’s historic journey. The annual Run, which dates back to the original Emancipation Run of 1896, commemorates the Locomotives on Highways Act, which famously raised the speed limit for “light locomotives” from 4 to 14 mph and ended the requirement for a man to walk ahead waving a red flag.

This year’s Run also celebrated the 125th anniversary of the 1000 Mile Trial of 1900, a landmark event that introduced the motor car to communities across Britain.

A Symbolic Start: Tearing Up the Red Flag

The traditional pre-dawn ritual of tearing up the red flag was performed by racing driver and broadcaster Alex Brundle and presenter Charlotte Vowden, who led the cavalcade from Hyde Park in a historic 1899 Wolseley 3.5hp Voiturette — affectionately known as “OWL” for its registration.
The vehicle, part of the British Motor Museum’s collection, is the only surviving working car from the original 1000 Mile Trial.

As daylight emerged on an unseasonably warm November morning, the Run began with a procession of pre-1905 motor and pedal cycles, including daring penny-farthing riders, who received enthusiastic cheers from spectators lining the streets.

A Journey Through Motoring History

At exactly 7:00am, Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), officially flagged off the first of the pre-1905 ‘horseless carriages’, marking the start of a 60-mile journey from London to Brighton.

The convoy passed many of London’s most iconic landmarks — Wellington Arch, Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch, Whitehall, and Westminster Bridge — before splitting into two routes through south London to ease traffic. Both routes reunited near Croydon, as the parade continued through Surrey and West Sussex, heading for Brighton’s famous Madeira Drive.

Vehicles set off in age order, giving the oldest Victorian-era machines the most time to complete the route. Among the early starters was the Salvesen Steam Car, a true “steam locomotive for the road,” complete with a stoker feeding its fiery furnace. Participants also included motor tricycles, early electric vehicles, and numerous petrol-powered pioneers — some using sustainable e-fuels and eCoal blends made from olives, coffee, and molasses, showcasing a modern nod to greener mobility.

Global Participation and Historic Marques

The 2025 Run attracted entrants from across the world, with vehicles from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the USA, and more. Over 100 historic marques were represented — from Adler and Argyll to Waverley and Wolseley.

Notably, Mercedes-Benz Heritage took part ahead of the brand’s centenary in 2026, entering a 1901 Benz Spider and a 1904 Mercedes-Simplex, the former completing the entire course successfully.

While many of the marques have faded into history, iconic names like Ford, Cadillac, Renault, Vauxhall, and Mercedes-Benz continue to thrive — a testament to the enduring spirit of automotive innovation.

Triumph in Brighton: 340 Finishers Celebrate a Milestone Run

By late afternoon, under bright Sussex sunshine, 340 of the 384 starters successfully crossed the finish line on Brighton’s seafront before the 4:30pm deadline, proudly receiving their coveted finisher’s medals.
The first to arrive was the No. 46 Renaux tricycle, winner of the 1900 Paris–St Malo road race, completing the journey in just under four hours.

“What a fantastic RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run it has been today,” said Duncan Wiltshire, who himself completed the Run in a 1901 Mors owned by the Royal Automobile Club. “The turnout from spectators was mighty impressive, and the organisation seamless — a fitting way to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the 1000 Mile Trial.”

Alex Brundle, who led the start, also shared his delight:

“It was an incredible experience. I didn’t know much about the event before, but now I’ve completely fallen in love with it! Driving OWL and seeing the cheering crowds was unforgettable.”

A Grand Finale to London Motor Week

The RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2025 served as the grand finale to the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week, which featured a series of automotive celebrations, including the St James’s Motoring Spectacle on Pall Mall — the perfect curtain-raiser to this historic journey.

With its blend of nostalgia, engineering marvels, and community spirit, the Veteran Car Run once again proved why it remains one of the most cherished traditions in global motoring — a living tribute to the pioneers who paved the way for the automotive world we know today.

For full details, visit: www.veterancarrun.com