For only the second time in more than 50 years, hundreds of Veteran cars will drive down The Mall as part of the 2014 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on 2 November. The last time the Royal route was driven was in 1996 as part of the Emancipation Run's centenary celebrations, and prior to that it was included in 1962.
This year's run will follow a similar format to that of 1961, with competitors leaving Hyde Park and travelling down Constitution Hill before crossing Westminster Bridge.
So far, 433 Veteran cars have registered to take part in the annual event – 44 more than last year's total. The oldest car in the line-up is a 1888 Truchutet 4hp, while other names from the pioneer years of motoring – Benz, Daimler, Vauxhall, Peugeot and Renault – are well represented.
In addition to petrol-powered four-wheelers, there will be a number of three-wheeled entries, with steam and electric-powered vehicles playing a prominent role – just as they did during the dawn of personal transport.
The original event, the Capital to Coast Emancipation Run, took place in 1896 to celebrate the speed limit for 'light locomotives' being raised from 4mph to 14mph, as well as abolishing the need for cars to be preceded by a person waving a red flag.
