London SE1 community website

Hundreds of historic cars cross Westminster Bridge

London SE1 website team

More than 500 vehicles - all at least 106 years old - took part in the 77th London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday morning.

Hundreds of historic cars cross Westminster Bridge
Hundreds of historic cars cross Westminster Bridge
Hundreds of historic cars cross Westminster Bridge
Hundreds of historic cars cross Westminster Bridge
The RAC assists a broken down steam car in Lambeth Road

The run was first held in 1896 to celebrate the Locomotives on the Highway Act which permitted road vehicles to increase their top speed from 4 mph to 14 mph and dispensed with the requirement that cars be preceded by a man on foot bearing a red flag.

The event started at 7am in Hyde Park and the cars crossed Westminster Bridge before heading down Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth Road and Kennington Road.

567 cars were entered for this year's event, including 168 from overseas.

The lineup included 17 steam vehicles and three electric cars.

The youngest driver taking part is aged 17, with the oldest being 91.

This year the weekend included the inaugural RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge featuring some of the newest and least polluting vehicles.

The SE1 website is supported by people like you
We are part of
Independent Community News Network
Email newsletter

For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.

Archive
News archive from February 1999 to January 2001
Got a story for us?
Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.