London to Brighton Run 2018: in pictures

The world’s longest-running motoring event was in fine fettle this year

The 2018 instalment of the Bonhams London to Brighton Vintage Car Run took place on Sunday (4 November) and went off without a hitch.

Some 90% of the nearly 400 competitors completed the 60-mile journey from Hyde Park to the Brighton seafront, with this 1896 two-cylinder Peugeot driven by Alessandro Rossi di Schio from the Museo dell’Automobile di Torino in Italy the first to start.

Click to view the rest of our picture gallery from the world’s longest-running motoring event.

Early start

The entrants set off before dawn, with the first cars leaving at 6.59am on Sunday (4 November). This 1902 De Dion Bouton was a relatively early starter.

Preparation time

The 1900 New Orleans on the left and the 1899 Daimler were among the older entrants in the 2018 Run.

Backwards journey

The passengers in this 1901 De Dion Bouton may not have got the best view!

Large field

Nearly 400 entrants took part this year.

Swedish classic

Another De Dion Bouton, this one having travelled from Sweden for the event.

Electric dream

This 1901 Columbia was an oddity in that it's an early electric vehicle.

A long way to travel

A 1901 Locomobile all the way from Australia.

Crank it up

Some of the classics needed a helping hand to get going.

Doing it for charity

Many of the entrants sported moustaches either on the cars or their drivers – or both – in support of the Movember charity.

A window into the past

London's roads were for a brief period taken over by the vintage cars.

The Chairman’s drive

Ben Cussons, Chairman of the RAC, drove this 1901 Mors.

Student drivers

This 1902 James & Browne was driven – in fabulously natty fashion – by a team from Imperial College, London.

Tonneau charm

We just love this 1901 Gillet-Forest Tonneau – and who wouldn't?

Capital gains

A 1902 Oldsmobile heads through London as the sun comes up.

Late leaver

De Dion Boutons were well represented in the field, and this 1904 example was one of the oldest – and therefore one of the last to set off from Hyde Park.

Gone to the dogs

A 1902 'Dogcart' made by Arrol-Johnston – the producer of the first automobile made in the United Kingdom.

Historic vehicle

A 1903 Daimler sets off from Hyde Park. This year, the entrants took one of two routes out of the capital, in order to avoid traffic snarl-ups. The routes then joined up again at Croydon.

Blue beauty

This 1902 Panhard et Levassor was resplendent in blue.

Viva Vauxhall

Vauxhall has a long and illustrious history, and the British marque chose to demonstrate just how long by taking its second-oldest surviving vehicle on the Run.

This 1903 5HP was the 45th made by the company, and was piloted by Vauxhall’s Managing Director, Steve Norman, and former Communications Director, Denis Chick.

Famous name

There were several Panhard et Levassors in this year's Run, but this 1897 example in the centre was notable in that it numbered among its crew one Robert Panhard, a direct descendant of the marque's founder René Panhard.

Crawley calling

A 1902 Darracq makes its way through Crawley, halfway along the route.

Panhard procession

Another Panhard, this one a 1902 20hp example.

Mors more more

A 1902 Mors makes its way through Crawley.

Who needs an F1 car?

Christian Horner, team principle of Formula One team Red Bull Racing, was taking part in the Vintage Car Run in this 1904 Panhard et Levassor, owned by Irvine Laidlaw. Don't worry – Christian had a turn behind the wheel later. 

Fine conditions

Unlike many competitors, this 1903 Clement actually has a full windshield – although fortunately it remained mostly dry this year. 

Darracq star

Another Darracq, this one a 1904 example.

Achilles wheel

The car on the left is another De Dion, but following it is a rare 1903 Achilles.

Horner’s turn

See, we told you the Red Bull boss got a chance to drive this lovely old Panhard too, and past Brighton's stunning Royal Pavillion to boot! 

Success!

We saw this 1899 Daimler at the start – and here it is crossing the line at the end. Not bad going for a 119-year-old!

Good going

About 90% of the entrants – including this 1902 Delahaye – made it to the finish line before the 4.30pm cut-off point.

Yellow vintage machine

This 1902 Pick must have been one of the brightest cars to cross the finish line.

A run not a race

The race is not technically competitive, although first over the line was a 1902 Oldsmobile (not pictured) driven by Andres Melkus from Austria.

Old and young

Possibly the youngest finisher arrived in a 1904 De Dion Bouton which must be at least 113 years older.

See you next year!

The event was deemed a big success, and we're certainly hopeful it will still be running in another 100 years…