Tales of the Car Run Trivia Quiz

Answer: True

The first "London to Brighton Veteran Car Run" was held in 1896. Although it wasn't held again until 1927, it has been run continuously since then, except for the period during World War II when Britain experienced gasoline rationing. It is also considered to be the largest gathering of veteran cars in the world.

The picture was taken from the 1903 Paris-Madrid race. The car was driven by Henri Rougier, who is perhaps best known for winning the first Monte Carlo rally.

Answer: Emancipation Run

In 1896 people were trying to become accustomed to automobiles; in Britain, many laws were passed to govern their use. Many laws were passed that specified speed limit, and a law had even been passed that mandated the use of a runner who had to carry a red flag ahead of the vehicle to warn of the approach of the car.

The laws, called the Locomotive Acts 1861, 1865 and 1878, were repealed by the Locomotives on Highways Act 1896; one of the issues changed was an increase of the speed limit from "4 mph (6 km/h) in the country and 2 mph (3 km/h) in the town to 14 mph (23 km/h)". Drivers felt emancipated! The "London to Brighton Veteran Car Run" was held to celebrate the end of what was viewed as oppressive restrictions. According to "The Motor" magazine, thirty-three cars left London, and 17 subsequently arrived in Brighton the first year.

Answer: November

Apparently there has been much discussion regarding the date of the "London to Brighton Veteran Car Run". Today it is held the first Sunday of November; the weather is potentially cold and rainy - very uncomfortable in an open car! Should the date be changed? The first car run, however, was held on November 14, 1896, in celebration of the date when the Locomotives on Highways Act 1896, became law.

Answer: Cars that were built before 1905.

Not only does every participating vehicle have to have been built before 1905, but it also has to be certified by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain as having been manufactured before that date! There are two ways the VCC Dating Advisory Committee certifies a car: a "Passport in the Interim" is valid for two consecutive years from date of issuance, while a "Dating Certificate" is valid for basically the life of the car.

The car in the picture is a 1898 Grand Duc, manufactured by De Dietrich.

Answer: Hyde Park

Although the car run itself begins at sunrise on Sunday morning in Hyde Park, many of the lovely cars can be seen on Saturday at the Regent Street Motor Show. From Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street is closed and viewers can see cars from many eras; those participating in the Veteran Car Run, however, are among those featured. An information packet is sent to participants in October (the standard registration deadline is the end of August but is possible to register late by the end of September). Participants are given instructions as to what sector of Hyde Park is their starting point, and the leaving times are staggered so as to try and relieve the inevitable traffic jam, from approximately 6 a.m.-8:45 a.m., according to the race program.

Incidentally, cars that have never participated in the race are not automatically accepted. As already stated, they must be certified. However, they must first register to enter. After their registration is reviewed by the Veteran Car Run Organization Team and a unique profile is created for the vehicle, all entrants must apply to enter the race and make their payment. At this stage the car is certified as described, after which, it may finally be accepted to participate in the run. This information was taken from the website of the race coordinators.

Answer: 60 miles (97 km)

Although sixty miles don't sound like an all-day trek by today's standards, this distance tests some of the vintage cars to the limit. According to Wayne Carini ("Chasing Classic Cars"), there are some very challenging hills along the way, which may require some assistance to cross. Please note: Many different sources gave different mileages, but my number came from the official website of the car run.

Participants in the race are encouraged to take plenty supplies that may be needed to maintain their car during the race, Vaseline (for lips!), a good raincoat and gloves, and to allow plenty of stopping distance between cars, as the vintage cars don't exactly stop on a dime!

Answer: There are two official stops, and others may be made.

Of course, it would be ludicrous to make rules that the vintage cars could not make stops. They break down, overheat, and stall! Nevertheless, the drivers are expected to observe the rules in the Highway Code, including stopping at the traffic lights and keeping to the right side of the bollards, or traffic posts. The two official stops along the way, according to some sources, are Crawley, which is considered the mid-way point, and Preston Park, a suburb of Brighton, which is the official finishing line.

The picture was taken from the Peking to Paris race in 1907. It covered a distance of 9,317 miles or 14,994 km and took two months for the winner, Prince Scipione Borghese, to complete the race!

Answer: A23

Evidently the route of the car run is re-evaluated every year. However, the majority of the run takes place on A23, which has been an important London to Brighton route for centuries. At some points, other routes may be included to try and prevent the traffic jam one would expect to accompany such a race.

It apparently is always possible to see celebrities participate in this historic car run. In 1968, Prince Ranier and Grace Kelly were participants; it is said that Prince Michael of Kent is a regular participant.

Answer: False

At this point it is important to emphasize that the "London to Brighton Veteran Car Run" is NOT a race, it is a run! What that means is that there is no winner; in fact, the order in which the cars complete the run is not typically reported. In addition, there is a maximum average speed - 20 mph (32 km/h) - that the cars are allowed to travel. Any car that reaches the finish line by 4:30 pm is awarded a medal - and the pride of knowing they finished!

Answer: Royal Automobile Club

Founded in 1897, the Royal Automobile Club was one of the organizations that campaigned for the moderation of the Locomotives on Highways Act 1896; shortly thereafter the club became Britain's governing body for motor sport. It became "Royal" in 1907 due to King Edward VII's interest in motor sport.

As late as 2016, the veteran car run, called "Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox" continued to be one of the events sponsored by the Royal Automobile Club. A visit to the club's website will reveal a catalog of the cars that registered in time to appear in the souvenir program as participating in the veteran run.