The world's largest collection of historic British cars
The world's largest collection of historic British cars
"I am very grateful to you...for making one of my dreams come true. The event was really great and the support you provided us with was fantastic."
Following the success and interest in the opportunity last year, we are once again offering Premium Members the incredible chance to take part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2024! This is a self-funded experience, being offered to Premium Members only.
Have you ever wanted to drive a car that is over 100 years old through the streets of London with spectators cheering you on and a team of mechanics backing you up? Well, this may be your chance!
Each year, the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust takes part in this historic event, which this year takes place on Sunday 3 November. We will be entering at least six pre-1905 vehicles (all of them British of course!) and we’re allocating a limited number of seats for Premium Members to join us for this incredible journey!
This is a chance for you, and a guest if you wish, to take part in the 2024 RM Sotheby's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the longest running automotive event in the world.
This is a self-funded experience and to take part, we're asking for a minimum contribution of £1,500 per person, with each Premium Member able to apply for a place for themselves (£1,500) with the option of including a guest (additional £1,500) if they wish. In the case of Joint and Family Premium Memberships, all adult Premium Members can apply, subject to being willing and able to self-fund.
On 14 November 1896 motoring in Britain changed forever. The 'Red Flag Act' was abolished and cars no longer had to be preceded by a man on foot. A group of the most enthusiastic car owners decided a celebratory run should take place and chose a route from London to Brighton. Some 33 cars set off from the Metropole Hotel, but such was the reliability of the cars (and drivers) only 13 arrived in Brighton. In 1927 the editor of The Daily Sketch organised a re-enactment of the original run and mustered 50 veterans for the trip. It subsequently became an annual affair.
This bespoke experience offers the opportunity to join the Run on Sunday 3 November 2024 in one of the six pre-1905 cars entered by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. Those taking part will need to share the driving and please bear in mind that this is an outdoor experience like no other! Your veteran car might have been cutting edge technology 120 years ago, but it doesn’t feature any of the creature comforts that your current model affords, for example; a roof, doors etc. Please be prepared for the November weather – warm layers and waterproof clothing are essential, as is a hat and gloves. For those that want them, goggles and a blanket are provided on the car. You'll also need an ever-present smile and an ability to wave to spectators constantly!
This experience includes the following, you must be available to attend all elements (provisional agenda which may be subject to change):
- October (date TBC at a convenient time for the Museum and drivers) - Pre-Run driver training at the Museum.
- Saturday 2 November 2024 - Hotel in London tbc. Arrival mid-afternoon, check in to hotel followed by a drinks reception with the British Motor Museum team, Team Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
- Sunday 3 November 2024 - A 5am call ahead of light refreshments at the hotel and the short drive to Hyde Park for the official start of the Veteran Car Run. A breakfast stop on route is organised and your estimated arrival in Brighton should be between 1pm and 3pm and hopefully ahead of the official finish time of 4pm!
Rest assured, our team of technicians and support vehicles will be on hand throughout the Run so no need to worry about breakdowns or getting stranded! If you’ve travelled by car to London, your own cars and luggage will be collected from the hotel in London and transported to Brighton, ready for your arrival at the finish line.
As part of the package, you will also need to attend a pre-run driver training day. This is an essential element of the experience and an opportunity to drive the car you will be driving on the run. Likely to be in October, training dates will be confirmed when the cars have been prepared by the workshop ready for the Run.
This offer is for Premium Members of the British Motor Museum only. Premium Membership must be in place and active on the deadline of 11 August and when the application is made. Participants must be a minimum of 25 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least 5 years. We are required to undertake a driving licence check so please inform us of any driving convictions or points on your licence when you declare your interest. We will then run this by our insurers to confirm if you would be able to take part, due to our insurance requirements. Drivers will only be allowed to participate if judged competent following the pre-run driver training, further training may be offered if required.
Whilst our support team will do everything reasonably possible to ensure that all our cars reach the finish line, these are veteran cars, and we are therefore unable to guarantee this. If your car begins the run and is unable to complete, we will ensure you get to Brighton by a modern alternative, it is all part of the experience!
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements to London and back from Brighton. If driving your own car to London, we will arrange for your own car to be ready for you in Brighton following the run as per above. Participants' luggage will also be transported to Brighton.
Those taking part may be required to participate in reasonable publicity arising out of the event. Reasonable publicity may include, but is not limited to, an announcement of first names via the British Motor Museum’s website and social media channels. We will also be taking plenty of photos and videos of the event, which those taking part consent to being used for marketing purposes by the British Motor Museum. Marketing purposes may include, but are not limited to promotional material, adverts, websites, third party listings, social media and press releases. Please also bear in mind that the event also gets lots of other media attention.
All seats will be filled, so if applying for a single seat, please bear in mind that you will be paired with another Premium Member or Museum guest and driving on the run will be shared.
You must be available on the dates listed and, if selected, willing and able to pay a minimum contribution of £1,500 by 1 September 2024.
If you are not already a Premium Member, you will first need to click here to buy a Premium Membership. If you need any help, please contact the Membership Team at memberships@britishmotormuseum.co.uk or call on 01926 895 295, Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm.
We expect this to be a popular opportunity and it is anticipated that only four seats will be available for allocation to Premium Members and their guests. It is therefore likely that we will receive more applications than we have seats so we are asking for those interested to email fundraising@britishmotormuseum.co.uk clearly stating whether you are applying for a single seat or a seat for yourself and a guest. You should also outline in no more than one hundred words, your reasons for wanting to take part. The deadline for applications is Sunday 11 August. Please ensure that you are happy with all the elements on this page, including the “small print” section, before submitting your application!
Successful applicants will be contacted shortly after the application deadline. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted after 1 September 2024.
Please note, the Museum reserves the rights to select the successful applicants from the applications received. The selection process will include consideration of the reasons given in the application email for wanting to take part.
If you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing fundraising@britishmotormuseum.co.uk
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