Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Press Release may be of interest.

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PRESS RELEASE - 22 September 2011

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run generates over £1million each year for Brighton & Hove economy

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run drove the Brighton and Hove economy to the tune of £1.1 million in 2010 while attracting 20,000 people to the locality. Results of an independent economic impact study conducted by the University of Brighton in conjunction with the Federation of British Historic Car Clubs underline the real value of the world's longest running and greatest motoring event.

The economic impact study is believed to be the first of its kind to consider the economic benefit of an historic vehicle event to a wider community. It was based on primary data collected during and after the event at points along the route from Patcham, on the outskirts of Brighton, to the finish line at Madeira Drive on the seafront.

In the catchment target area, University of Brighton students implemented a number of research tools including questioning spectators, filming crowds at various points to provide evidence of spectator numbers, and conducting a questionnaire with participants while organisers' and sponsors' expenditure in the city was also accounted.

The unique motoring showcase attracted 20,000 spectators in Brighton alone, 66 per cent of whom were from outside of the city, helping to generate a staggering £1.1 million for the local economy. Furthermore, 65 per cent were returning to view the Veteran Car Run having previously attended the event. A massive 93 per cent said they intended to watch the Run again in the future.

Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee, Ben Cussons said; "The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has long been established as the pinnacle of historic vehicle events in the UK but the economic value of such an iconic showcase should not be underestimated. We are extremely proud of our working partnerships throughout the Brighton and Hove district and will continue to work in unison with those partners to ensure the event grows year-on-year, and thereby further assist the local economy."

Geoff Smith, Vice-President of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, said; "We believe that the economic impact study implemented around the 2010 running of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the first of its kind, to look at how an historic vehicle event brings economic and social benefit to a community. The Veteran Car Run is a unique event but there are similar national and local events that take place in other towns and cities throughout the country. The exercise highlights the value of historic vehicle activities bring to such locations."

The 115th running of the Veteran Car Run, sponsored by Tindle Newspapers and Bonhams Auctioneers, promises to be one of the best yet on Sunday 6 November 2011. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the historic 60-mile route, which starts in London's Hyde Park and finishes on Madeira Drive in Brighton, making it one of the biggest free-to-spectate events in the country.

With the focus on Germany as this year's feature country, the 2011 Run recently announced sponsorship from German automotive giants Mercedes-Benz and Bosch for what is expected to be one of the biggest gatherings of early Benz, Daimler and Mercedes cars ever seen.

Entrants of the majestic Veteran vehicles will start to arrive in London for the Bonhams Auction in New Bond Street on Friday 4 November, which features period-related vehicles, parts and automobilia, before the international participants retire to a reception hosted that evening by the auction house.

Around 100 of the 19th Century cars will grace London's Regent Street for a Concours d'Elegance on Saturday, offering the public the first opportunity to see some of the Veteran cars that will take part in Sunday's Run. Meanwhile, in stark contrast, approximately 80 21st Century cars will arrive from Brighton having completed the Club's new Brighton to London RAC Future Car Challenge, competing against each other on the same Veteran Car Run route in reverse, using the least energy possible.

More than 500 of the world's earliest cars (pre-1905) hailing from over 20 countries will leave Hyde Park at official sunrise (07:02am) on Sunday morning (6 November) and will attempt to cross the finish-line in Madeira Drive, Brighton, between 10am and 4.30pm.
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Rick - Admin
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[Rick]

Latest PR for those interested in veteran motor-cars

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One of a kind London to Brighton Veteran Car Run



Some of the most unique Veteran cars in existence will be taking to the roads in their unaltered glory, on Sunday 6 November, to participate in the Royal Automobile Club's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

In a sight to behold, over 500 pre-1905 cars will take the event's 75th anniversary start from London's Hyde Park at official sunrise on Sunday morning, 7.02am precisely. Among them will be a fine collection of entirely original vehicles, each with its own fascinating history and all of which helped build the foundations for the cars we drive today.

One revolutionary car maker was George Bouton, under the patronage of Count Albert de Dion, who helped advance the more highly-powered engines of the late 19th century which became the heart of De Dion Bouton motor cars. In 2011, the De Dion Bouton is the most-entered event marque, with 86 models, but one in particular carries a delightful story behind the reason for its authenticity.

Robert Brown's De Dion Bouton two-seater is a fine 1904 example featuring significant items such as the De Dion Bouton carburettor. Although some minor ignition system revisions have been carried out some time ago, the paintwork appears to be original and the car's bodywork unmodified, complete with leather valences to the inside face of the front mudguards, whilst the dashboard carries correct battery and coil boxes.

The 6hp single cylinder car, chassis number 360, can boast such unspoilt condition as its first owner is reported to have moved the car into his living room for safe wartime storage. He would enjoy his pre-dinner aperitif sat in the driver's seat, sounding the car's bulb horn when necessary to summon the butler!

Although a seasoned Veteran Car Run stalwart, with around 50 recorded finishes to the car's credit since its first Run in 1950, its new owner for 2011 is not and Robert looks forward to making his event debut this weekend.

A 111 year-old English Mechanic two-seater thought to have been the world's first build-it-yourself car will also feature among the impressive field gathered in honour of the event's 115th anniversary.

Built following instructions in the weekly magazine 'English Mechanic and World of Science and Art' of the same year. Hyler White, designer of the world's first ever kit car, apparently rode in the 1896 Emancipation Run of what is now known as the world's greatest and longest running motoring event. Boasting a single cylinder and 3hp, the 1900 model first tackled the Veteran Car Run in 1929. This year the car will be driven by the owner, since 1966, Blake Dorrington.

An extremely original car with an even more original story is the 1901 Argyll Spindle-seat Tonneau owned and driven by Michael Hilditch. After being kept in its first owner's garage it then spent nearly 50 years, from 1945 to 1993, safely stowed in the second owner's living room in a first floor flat.

A beautiful example, the first owner's crest is still visible on the bodywork of the car, chassis number 106, which features a single cylinder, 5hp and a maximum speed of 18mph.

Manufactured just two years after the Argyll, the 1903 Peugeot two-seater can also claim an interesting history. Dismantled in 1919, it was found under floorboards in the 1960s and as such remains unspoilt. A full rebuild was completed of the rather typical French single-cylinder period car in 2004. A regular Run participant since then, the Peugeot completed the historic 60-mile route in 2010 prior to new ownership by Keith Austin this year.

Another entry that can claim absolute originality is the 1901 De Dietrich Vis-à-vis that will be driven by the car's fourth owner, Stephan Musfeld, who is also the owner of the Old Timer Museum Pantheon in Basel, Switzerland.

Delivered on 7 June 1901 to Basel, 100 years later the vehicle remains in complete condition and received the award for Most Original Car in the 2009 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run Concours d'Elegance.

Stephan will once again showcase this beautiful example as part of the 100 Veteran vehicles of the 2011 Concours d'Elegance which this year forms part of the inaugural Regent Street Motor Show on Saturday 5 November.
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Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop