London-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2021

[@jonstout9236]

Yay!! I feel a strong affinity for the Imperial College entrant, known to her closest as 'Bo' ... I was captain of the City and Guilds College motor club for 2 years whose members work on keeping her running to the best possible engineering standards. Thanks for the special mention, Jago, sir!!

[@dbracer]

Compliments from a former member of the RCS Motor Club. Bo is a masterpiece.

[@jonstout9236]

@@dbracer You guys had a bloomin' fire engine! That still going??

[@jonstout9236]

@@bryansmith1920 I would like to think they are linked. Back about 30 years ago Imperial College was made up of 3 sub-colleges (with much rivalry between them!) : City and Guilds college (engineering etc), Royal School of Science (sciences, of course) and Royal School of Mines (geology etc) ... I would guess that the City and Guilds accreditation is part of the history.

[@highpath4776]

@@jonstout9236 Prob used on the London Brighton Commercials Run in May

[@TheBeansta]

@@jonstout9236 yep, although she’s currently got her transfer box out due to casing cracks

[@Ibis117]

Got to feel for the RAC guy who got that callout. "I think it's the whiffle flange thrust bearing that's failed. Do you have one in your van?"

[@highpath4776]

The RAC came to me and actually solved a cutting out problem - I had installed the coil in a new location AND a new indicator relay, For some reason the coil lead was resting on the relay and shorting to ground when the car was in motion. only saw what was happening at the nighttime callout. Couple of cable ties in the right place and job sorted

[@annaeborall934]

Thoroughly enjoyed that video so thank you Jago. I don't know much about old cars but what a lovely spectacle. Was only thinking hope they all make it to Brighton and then saw the car behind the RAC van.

[@Albatross-365]

Imagine being on the switchboard and asking for the make and model number and the problem. Bet there's not much they can actually do.

[@KJeske8274]

I’m so glad you put this up! Participating in this run has been a bucket list item for me for a few years now. I’m a hopeless Anglophile (I’m American), a die hard history enthusiast and I was raised with a master mechanic, classic car collecting and restoring father. This run ticks an awful lot of boxes for me and makes me positively giddy! Someday I will cross the pond, don my period clothing and drive one of these magnificent machines in this run! I have no idea how but I just have to! Then, I will most likely never return home. 😉

[@Auldpharte]

In the late 1980s I worked in an office at the foot of Reigate Hill. One year there was one of these charming old artefacts dolefully stationary just outside the office on the Monday morning following the run. Watching the owner restoring the motor to function was amusing.

[@bingbong7316]

My late father took my brother and me over to the A23 near Gatwick for this in the 1960's, fine spectacle every year. Love the steam cars; saw one catch fire once, most exciting for driver and spectators alike.

[@malcolmgibson6288]

William Rees-Mogg probably considers these to be the future of personal transport and bemoans the repeal of the red flag act.

[@Auldpharte]

I believe he drives a 1930s Derby Bentley. Quite the cutting edge.

[@roderickjoyce6716]

William Rees-Mogg hasn't considered anything since his death in 2012. If you mean his son, Jacob, I suspect his favourite vehicle is a horse-drawn Victorian hearse complete with a coffin filled with his native earth.

[@malcolmgibson6288]

@@roderickjoyce6716 yes of course I meant his son but at times it's difficult to tell them apart.🧐

[@roderickjoyce6716]

@@malcolmgibson6288 The son is as odd as his father :)

[@brianartillery]

The automobile is far too crass for the likes of the parasitic oxygen thief Jacob Rees-Mogg. A Sedan Chair, carried by two perspiring 'little men from the village' is as modern as he sees transport.

[@baystated]

The fine people across this road had no idea they would be supporting artists in such an auspicious production. Which I watched to the very end. "Oh, I know you! You were Gray Hoodie Chap With Bottomless Coffee Watching the Car Run With Sisters. Such an incredible performance!"

[@ZGryphon]

It has long been a low-key aspiration of mine to portray a character with a credits name like that in a movie. Man on Subway with Newspaper. Bystander No. 3. That kind of thing.

[@ronalddevine9587]

A truly delightful change of pace. You have a great way of narrating anything. Your voice is very easy to listen . So nice seeing all the old cars. I once saw a Stanley Steamer in action here in New England. You are absolutely right about them being quiet. Very enjoyable. Thank you 😊

[@zil1832]

Btw I absolutely had no idea of gay identity. Like its hard to believe that Barney of himym was gay. Wow!

[@worldcomicsreview354]

Jay Leno has several steam cars, some of the very last ones, the Dobles, were remarkable. They "started" in only a few minutes, and retained a lot of water, they also attempted to keep the heat of the burned fuel inside, possibly making them pretty efficient (for the time, anyway). But by then steam was seen as the engine of the past. It has incredible torque, too. There's footage of tractor pulls where some contraption with eight v8 engines barely pulls the sled at all, but a 1906 traction engine just walks away with it.

[@rjwusher]

The correct pronunciation of 'Louwman' in two parts. Firstly: Louw. The 'ou' is pronounced like 'ow' in the word 'dowager' or 'Dow Jones'. Secondly: man. The 'a' is pronounced like 'u' in 'mundane'. Lowmun. From the 1930s onwards the Louwman family amassed a large collection of classic automobiles. The rather beautiful museum near The Hague donning the Louwman name is comprised of three collections: Louwman, Riemer (a car dealer turned collector) and the former Autotron Museum. Greetings from The Netherlands and thank you for your fantastic channel, Bob

[@musicforaarre]

Thank you for you specific and well stated pronunciation explanation. Aarre Peltomaa

[@eekee6034]

I really want to visit the Autotron museum... :)

[@LeoStarrenburg]

Some 50 years ago I measured up the steamroller that stood rusting away outside the back of the Leidschendam museum, I wonder what happend to it. If memory serves me right it was an Aveling and Porter.

[@rjwusher]

@@eekee6034 Unfortunately Autotron doesn't exist anymore. There are oldtimer related events held under the name Autotron, but the original museum in Rosmalen is now defunct and the collection was transferred to the Louwman Museum near The Hague, which is rather beautiful and quite worth a visit.

[@eekee6034]

@@rjwusher Ah, thanks. I was just going by the name, it's very evocative. :) It would be fun to see the cars in Louwman anyway.

[@Albanwinter]

That little sudden exclamation about that one steam made my night! Like you I know nothing about cars but the older ones are just awesome. Truly, truly hoping to see this next year. And if do make it, I'll probably be a lone woman standing there buried in warm clothing mumbling excited appreciation for the cars under my breath. No family member will brave cold or cars for that matter. LOL

[@Vampire.Vegan.]

"They put out little plumes of steam" is the most 'Sunday morning in Britain' thing I've ever heard

[@pras12100]

I used to watch them pass the end of my road in the 1970s when I lived in central Croydon. I remember it was always cold and the cars had spread out by Croydon so it took a long time to see most of them. Nice bit of nostalgia.

[@barbaralamson7450]

What a wonderful trip down memory lane. Thank you for taking us with you. It was most enjoyable.

[@PLuMUK54]

This is the only time that one of your videos has brought tears to my eyes. My late dad would have loved to have seen this, but never got round to going to see it as he didn't live in London. The video has brought back fond memories of taking him to steam traction rallies, the Bulldog Bash in Stratford-upon-Avon, to see Concorde, and a variety of car rallies and meets. Anything to do with transport fascinated him. Thank you for sharing this, and for allowing me to indulge in memories of, in many ways, a happier time.

[@DanceswithDustBunnies]

I'm utterly gobsmacked there are that many pre-1905 autos left!

[@Larry]

Isn't it a legal requirement to mention the movie Genevieve when talking about the London to Brighton veteran car run? :D

[@JagoHazzard]

I was so tempted to just show the car and not acknowledge it in any way.

[@Dave_Sisson]

@@JagoHazzard On Jago's previous coverage of this event, I congratulated him on never mentioning the name of 'that film'. But it's quite a nice film, rather innocent and highly whimsical. it evokes the long lost Britain of 70 years ago. The Americans would probably give it the damming sobriquet of "wholesome" which often indicates that a film is dull and soulless with anything potentially interesting cut out to keep the G rating, but Genevieve is nothing like that, it's actually a sweet and fun film with some rather mild tension thrown in.

[@Dave_Sisson]

Amazingly, a complete high res version of Genevieve (1952) is right here on KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqu9fpaqh7N3gtk

[@RichardWatt]

But hello Larry!

[@RichardWatt]

I wonder how the E10 fuel requirement will affect the petrol driven veteran cars?

[@r0bhumm]

There is a roughly equivalent event for Motorcycles, the pioneer run. The pioneer one is open to Motorcycles built before the end of 1914, and runs from Epsom down to Brighton. I have the owner of owning a 1914 son that took part in the first pioneer run in 1930 and have upon occasion made of the event. Unfortunately I have completely lost my vision now and this cannot write machine currently but I still retain ownership and lend it out to others to take part.

[@tonys1636]

Also a similar event for commercial vehicles, lots of Foden steamers and early Dennis, AEC and Leyland's.

[@gonvillebromhead2865]

It's always fun to point out the movie "Genevieve" is older than Genevieve was in "Genevieve"...

[@eekee6034]

Buh? Huh?

[@blameless_hyperborean8638]

@@eekee6034 To put it another way, Genevieve is more that twice the age that she was when she was an improbably old car in a film.

[@Random3716]

@@eekee6034 When the film Genevieve was made, the eponymous automobile was 49 years old. The film itself came out in 1953, which means that we of the present are further removed from the making of the movie than the people making the movie were from the people who made the car that was used in the movie.

[@andyjay729]

@@Random3716 Put another way, some of the people who saw the movie when it was new would've remembered when those cars were new.

[@caramelldansen2204]

when people call films "movies", I can't imagine that not sounding weird. for reference, it's like if we called images "still-ies"

[@n17hero]

"They're not the ones making the chuffing noises." Keep it clean Jago, this is a family channel.

[@JagoHazzard]

THE MANSON FAMILY MAYBE

[@garryhammond7616]

Wonderful stuff! I sat on a wall in Burgess Hill for a couple of hours watching this wonderful British spectacle. Thanks Jago.

[@alunjones4427]

The amazing thing is over a 125 years later we are still using essentially the same old petrol engine driven cars as we were back then. Only now are we moving on to electric cars. Even more amazing was we had electric trolley buses and trams & trains over 70 years ago and went backward.

[@eekee6034]

I was told it came down to power-to-weight ratio, and I believe it. Petrol engined cars still have much better range than rechargeable electric cars, and the electric cars are heavier meaning they're actually expending more energy to move themselves. I'm sort of half-waiting for a hue and cry over electric cars causing a new environmental disaster, but I don't really know if they actually will or not. As for non-rechargeable batteries, I'm not a good historian but I don't think there were any in that era, and I suspect we can be thankful for that. I doubt any used battery is recyclable or compostable, not even aluminium-air because the aluminium turns into aluminium oxide which requires a lot of energy input to become aluminium again. But perhaps I'm being too negative again. There are some very strong acids produced biologically. They must break down naturally. Hmm.

[@srpacific]

Electric cars are only as good as their batteries and even today lithium ion is still not ideal, just as lead acid and dry cell batteries were not ideal for the electric cars of 125 years ago.

[@EmyrDerfel]

@@eekee6034 What killed off electric cars the first time round was the Texas oil boom and its many investors' influence on Henry Ford. The sudden proliferation of cheap petrol overtook the expansion of the electricity grid.

[@highpath4776]

@@eekee6034 There were petrol-electric ones where a petrol engine drove a dynamo which drove motors. was smoother to use

[@dominicfindlay]

@@eekee6034 this is likely why we still haven't seen the Tesla Semi, the batteries would weigh too much and there is a limit to the total weight of a lorry or the roads would sink... But yeah there is a inefficiency with carrying the extra weight of the battery. As E = 1/2mv^2 , Double the mass, double the energy needed. + also its harder to brake as more energy, however as electric motors can regen this can add to the breaking force. It currently works ok with cars but what we need is a more energy dense lighter battery.

[@trevordance5181]

Much of the film Genevieve was actually filmed in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. Nowhere near the actual route of The London to Brighton run.

[@backblaise1255]

One scene is outside the Jolly Woodman pub, which is still open! It's near Slough.

[@misamsung6191]

Watching the video reminded me of one of my fave old car movies "Genevieve" from 1953 about two classic car nuts doing the run. Thanks

[@chrisblay]

I have often spent afternoons watching these arrive on Brighton seafront over the years. Great fun to see them all.

[@camerastooge]

I'm surprised at how MANY cars are in the event... with the cars having to be as old as they are, I would've thought there was only a handful. But they just kept coming... and coming... and coming...

[@princecharon]

Good construction. They don't build them like that anymore. (Also, really good restoration and maintenance work.)

[@highpath4776]

@@princecharon How much of the vehicle must be original ?

[@princecharon]

@@highpath4776 That's a good question that I'm not qualified to answer. They must allow some replacement parts, though, or there wouldn't be nearly as many cars at the run. It might be specific parts rather than percentage of mass, or some combination of both. I expect that it's less philosophical than the Ship of Theseus, at least.

[@highpath4776]

​@@princecharon Wheeler Dealers changed the damaged headlights on the one they used for 3D printed mountings and 9V Battery bulbs rather than the acetylene burners.

[@TheClockwise770]

Largely due to the fact they were hand built using thick 1steel

[@LLavery]

Lovely event, but I was wondering how many Trigger's Brooms might've been taking part

[@trevordance5181]

It doesn't seem to have the same attraction and fame as the Veteran Car Run, although there are still many people lining the route, but on the first Sunday of May every year there is the London to Brighton commercial vehicle run. Old lorries, vans, taxis, buses, coaches, fire engines, ambulances etc. That is worth seeing, and the vehicles are more varied of course.

[@oc2phish07]

Of course we liked it Jago. As interesting as ever.

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Absolutely ideal collection of autos, they're all bang up to date and just so swish Sammy Davis Jr. driving a brass era car is so in character

[@captainjoshuagleiberman2778]

Love it. Given that none of those cars is younger than 116 years old, it is amazing there are so many. I sympathize with you about the anonymous woman in green coat I had a wonderful shot of the Golden Gate Bridge from my cruise ship ruined by an anonymous man in a Hawaiian shirt and his arm. I proposed that there should be a saw function on smart phones.

[@Dave_Sisson]

An extendable guillotine bracket might be even more useful

[@highpath4776]

He was wearing his arm ?

[@highpath4776]

@@Dave_Sisson If you want dedicated photo opportunities you have to pay for the photo journalists only sessions

[@nlemecfc]

Ruined or enhanced?

[@captainjoshuagleiberman2778]

@@nlemecfc definitely ruined.

[@bryan3550]

Remarkable. In retrospect, my dad was born in 1902, before the Wright Brothers took off and lived to see humans on the moon. Quite a century, that one... n.b. Master Jago: "Revolves Around" and "Centres Upon" thank you...

[@Pesmog]

My Grandfather was born in 1880 and while he didn't live to see a man on the moon he did live to see one go into space. That generation probably saw more change in their lifetimes than any other.

[@medea27]

Thank you for bringing us coverage of these fabulous machines! No commentary necessary as the artistry in their engineering speaks for itself, and they are a joy to watch regardless 🏁💜 The roadside assist bit at the end - absolute gold!! 👌🧐

[@KravKernow]

14 mph is still faster than the average speed through central London!

[@Linleys]

Fabulous day out today! I was lucky to be with entry #26 which I spotted in your video as a blur going past in view. Great commentary with the background behind the day. Nice one :)

[@bob56gibson]

My cup runneth over. First off a new Joolz. Then Hazzard makes for a perfect afternoon.

[@nutsnproud6932]

Jago thanks for getting up early and showing us the beautiful old cars. Best wishes.

[@awizardalso]

I love to see old antique cars, that are still running! I'm glad you posted this!

[@Malvictis]

This is one of your best videos, loved it!

[@deanswetman3887]

You've really gone 'off the rails' this time Jago old chap, chortle chortle.

[@trevordance5181]

Nice little film Jago. Thanks for posting. I was watching the old cars today from a friend's house in Redhill. She lives right on the route, and always invites 30 or so people to view the event from her front garden. Plenty of sausage and bacon rolls, tea, coffee, mulled wine or something a little stronger if you prefer! For those that don't know, apart from the start and finish line sections, the whole route is on open public roads so the old vehicles have to mix in with all the normal modern road traffic.

[@sirrliv]

A lovely little video, Jago. Nevermind about the commentary, it was nice to just sort of "Old Car & Chill" for a bit. If you like, the sparse commentary made it feel even more like we were there at the event with you, a very personal experience. Speaking of personal, I admit I was in a bit of a foul mood when I sat down to watch this and it really perked me right up. So thanks for the mood adjustment, I think I can face the world now without biting anyone's head off. I wonder if Jay Leno has ever brought anything over for this event? Lord knows he's got a few beauties in his collection that would qualify. Including a Stanley Steamer that once exploded and almost seared his eyebrows off on camera. Got a nice laugh out of hearing that the queen once participated as a passenger. This is why even us overseas love Queen Lizzie; she really is The People's Queen.

[@AaronOfMpls]

I was mildly surprised Her Majesty was a passenger, since she _does_ know how to drive. I could totally imagine her driving for at least _part_ of the run!

[@johnnyhollis9977]

Brings back memories for me as I used to live on the route for this annual run. One year, probably in the early 70's the weather had the very bad taste of delivering some very unwelcome snow on the day!!!! 🥶

[@millomweb]

I liked this - because I like this. I've been aware of the run for decades but never seen it happen - so thanks !

[@djsmeguk]

Used to watch them parade past Crawley every year in my tiny youth 40 years ago... Always fun, though annoying too, because the route cut off the trip to the shops.

[@mwallace2922]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. It was awesome. 👍👍🇦🇺

[@jaapsch2]

Pronouncing Louwman - Louw rhymes with how, and man rhymes with nun. That museum is really good. I'm not into cars, but found it to be a beautiful museum and would highly recommend it to anyone, whether they like cars or not. So if you happen to be near the Hague, give it a go.

[@atschoen]

Beautifully documented! I always enjoy the channel and this video was a highlight.

[@nilo70]

Thank you Jago for making this wonderful trip and taking me along .

[@ianthomson9363]

What a wonderful thing the London to Brighton Run is! I may endeavour to attend next year.

[@richardbatty6520]

A glorious indulgence gor me, a car enthusiast. Excellent video. All of your content gives me pleasure, I really enjoy your wry and interesting commentaries. Thank you Tom.

[@stevetaylor1312]

Lack of commentary or not, it's a joy to listen to whatever insights you add. Thank you.

[@stephenfitzgerald8779]

I enjoy everyone of your shows keep up the good works and much thanks!

[@ContinentalShop]

Thank you so much for posting this video l love seeing the rally. We have no coverage of it here in the states. Many thanks, you made my day.

[@Backroad_Junkie]

There was an antique rally in Yellowstone National Park one time when I was there. At 8,000 feet, the external combustion engined cars weren't having as much trouble as internal combustion cars, but they were all slow going up (relatively) steep, lengthy uphill grades, lol...

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Thank you for posting this. As with other viewers I am truly amazed by how any cars still participate.

[@richardsawyer5428]

The commentary was just right. As someone that's fascinated by engineering listening to the sound of the engines was rather nice.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Thanks for the variety in transport.

[@pete6645]

I watched this event pass by, way back in November 1963, from the bottom of Monson Road, Redhill. My dad took me when we were staying with relatives nearby and thoroughly enjoyed it - keep thinking I'll come and watch it again one year but never got round to it.

[@adamcrofts58]

After a very arduous week at work, watching your vid was a panacea to my ills. The spark plug, the heart of any petrol engine came about because of Napoleon. It's a long thread to follow. James Burke in his brilliant series, both in film and book called Connections mentions it. Again thanks

[@tonykyle2655]

I very much enjoyed it. Thank you for doing this. I'm happy to share this with my FB friends, all 2 of them. :D

[@davidwelch6796]

One could argue that these are the greenest cars on the planet as it is generally agreed that over 80% of the pollution caused by every car during its lifetime occurs during the manufacturing process. Therefore it makes sense for cars to be kept running for as many years as possible.

[@KravKernow]

I always justify my Land Rovers on 'dust to dust' costs. I like to point out that 75% of Land Rovers ever manufactured are still on the road*. Although friends point out that mine spend about 40% of the time in the repair shop. (* That's the figure we always quote anyway)

[@brianartillery]

Lovely video, sir! I'm amazed at how beautifully those cars run. I was waiting, with bated breath, for you to point out a particularly expensive looking vehicle, and tell us something like: "And this 1899 Drindling Farrago was owned by Charles Tyson Yerkes. It was stolen and burnt out several times, by guttersnipes, hobbledehoys, and other top gits, before the Insurance company smelled a rat." But you didn't.

[@davidwelch6796]

@blacknester You are absolutely right about oil loss and poor fuel consumption, but bear in mind that most of these cars complete a very small annual mileage, perhaps 100 to 200 miles and their pollution generation is insignificant compared with modern cars completing 8,000 per annum or often more. Ameliorate their total pollution, including their manufacture, over their lifespan of at least 117 years and then do the same for a modern car and these veterans win hands down every time. Not a fair comparison I grant you, but food for thought.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Of course, that 80% figure is for cars that are used a few years and then dumped. Indeed for lots of cars, fuelling becomes >50% of the pollution after 5-15 years depending on how often it’s driven. By now, the manufacturing emissions are a small fraction of the lifetime emissions from these cars! But yes, keeping working items in use for as long as possible is of course good. Not to try to argue against that :)

[@brucewilliams8714]

Oh, I did enjoy that! Great to see old Genevieve. I must dig out the DVD. Thanks, Jago, for a bright spot in a cool late Spring Sunday morning.

[@francisnewmarch6837]

I liked that a nice change for a Sunday. Bravo

[@ajt22]

I love the commentary and humour, and often sarcasm on your videos. keep it up.

[@itsjohndell]

Absolutely fascinating! The sheer number of these vehicles boggles the mind.

[@eekee6034]

Lovely to see these old motors; thanks Jago!

[@LastofAvari]

I most definitely enjoyed this hastily put together video. Thanks!

[@Eevee13-xo]

Can we get a whole video on "what if your celebrity gets arrested?" My mates a dead ringer for Jarvis Cocker. However neither are likely to be incarcerated.

[@thesteelrodent1796]

feel like it'd make for a great collab with Jay Foreman

[@tr0nt]

Jarvis nearly did in 96 after the whole BRIT Awards debacle

[@henryhol8538]

Well done! My videos of the Regent Street Motor Show and the London to Brighton Run showed just a selection of the cars; its good seeing nearly all of them in one video!👍🏽

[@GavinByrneLand]

Lovely video, thanks for sharing. 🙂

[@johntodd6081]

Lovely surprise thank you Jago

[@cheesedoff-with4410]

It's late. I'm trying to get to sleep . I enjoyed the video a lot. But I've now got Larry Adler and his harmonica going round and round in my head...... Hazzard, you did this!

[@christopherlawley1842]

The cars are their own commentary. Enjoyed the watch.

[@tobyrosoman7438]

Just the 'chuffing' brings backs plenty of Memories for me, not of the London to Brighton, but a youth spent huddled in/on a 1905 De Dion Bouton Z Type. Saved by me Grandfather and restored used by my Father. It also bares claim to shame for me, of my slowest crash, as while manoeuvring it at Kop Hill I 'bumped into a 1898 De Dion Bouton' at something well under walking pace (the non standard controls alas got the better of me). Luckily no damage was caused to either vehicle but my pride was dented hugely. Sadly this was the last outing with the car as it was after my father had passed away and it was sold, although I believe still in use today. Keep up the good work :-)

[@BrianSeaman]

What struck me most when watching / filming this in previous years, is the fact that some passengers are sitting in front of the driver and travelling backwards 😱🙏 I suppose they were the first crumple zones before today’s variety!

[@chrismcgarry2840]

I wonder if that's a hangover from horse drawn vehicles?

[@eekee6034]

I recall the Vis-a-Vis being shown as remarkable for having that design. Whether it was somewhat less remarkable than the museum claimed, or whether there are several Vis-a-Vis restored and participating, I don't know. In any case, I was certainly impressed (in a negative fashion) by the Vis-a-Vis's steering wheel. It was about 3 or 4 inches in diameter, with a slender knob sticking up from the rim, by which you presumably wound it round and round to steer.

[@lwilton]

@@eekee6034 That steering method had been common in the first steam tractors and lorries. Basically a windlass to wind up a loose chain attached to the ends of the front axle. It seems to have been a crossover of dray (wagon) engineering and ships engineering. Tillers, as on a small boat, were also common on early cars. It took a while for someone to come up with the bright idea of a steering wheel and reasonable gearing.

[@chuckbradley1]

Brilliant stuff. Keep it coming. Thanks.

[@automotivel3501]

Jago, the Internal Combustion Engine came to the car very late indeed. The first motorised Taxi's in London were all electric. The Model T Ford had been planned to be Electric, but a fire at Edison's battery factory, and Oil being discovered in Texas, meant that these oil companies lobbied Ford to use a petrol engine. WWI also killed the Electric vehicle, as no one wanted to wait 35 Hours to recharge batteries in their tank.

[@eekee6034]

Interesting! I was taught power-to-weight ratio was important, which seems complementary to your statements.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

The invention of the self-starter in 1912 by Charles Kettering had a lot to do with killing off the early electrics and steam cars.

[@Pesmog]

@@lawrencelewis2592 Magneto ignition systems being introduced were another important innovation that brought the end of the steam & electric cars. Some of the early cars on this run will still have hot bulb engines which need 10 minutes being heated by a blow torch before they can be started. Having to do this was quite an inconvenience until ignition magnetos and spark plugs started to be fitted on engines from about 1900 onwards.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

@@Pesmog I've heard of hot tube ignitions, I guess hot bulb is the same thing. I've never seen one in real life, operating anyway.

[@Pesmog]

@@lawrencelewis2592 Yes some use a hot tube and others directly heat a bulb of metal in the cylinder head. The tube type has to be permanently heated by a flame for the engine to run, a bulb type is more direct and once the engine is running the external heat source is removed and the fuel in the engine self ignites. There were other variations on this back in the day before spark ignition came along. I have started a hot bulb engine a few times over the years but never a hot tube engine.

[@ToxicCheese_NL]

A side note from Holland. The Louwman museum in The Hague (next to the King's residence) is a museum dedicated to cars and automobiles. In my youth they had a zoo at that location. Oh and the name Louwman is pronounced lowe-man where lowe is similar to loud as is speaking loudly.

[@Eddyspeeder]

Oh yes, that's a nice fun fact indeed: the Dutch king literally lives next door.

[@aethellstan]

I used to live in Kennington rd near Lambeth North station, the rally used to trundle past our house every year and it always amused me as to how many would break down that near to the start line. Lovely cars though.

[@martynridley513]

Cheers, once a year, good to see the olde ones out to play!

[@peterjones3557]

It's good to see the old cars, too.

[@davefour-real1615]

A job well done, and published on the day. A++ Thank you.

[@Albatross-365]

Remember being woken up early in the morning for a treat as a kid, wrapping up warm and being taken to Waterloo Bridge to watch them come past. Great stuff.

[@nlemecfc]

Love this and love the fact there's an awful lot of cars that neither I nor you know anything about!

[@brettpalfrey4665]

Lovely to see the "Old Crocks" again...I used to watch them climb the hills in Redhill, and boiling over frequently..

[@lawrencelewis2592]

Look closely at what the film Genevieve is showing. Kenneth More's wife comes home with a bag of fresh vegetables. You see new buildings being constructed, the tram tracks are abandoned and truck loads of new Morris Minors. The post-war recovery is well in hand and it's time to enjoy life again, symbolised by the lady with the trumpet.

[@tonyboloni64]

The beautiful Kay Kendall.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

@@tonyboloni64 thanks, I forgot her name.

[@sjcuk]

Perfect. To be able to stand by the barrier from the comfort of my sofa trumps the hassle of driving to London to do exactly the same thing. Bonus bystander included.

[@telquad1953]

Well done. Enjoyed this.

[@davidjames2910]

Thanks for bringing this to us. I imagine you would have been ecstatic if it had been a run of trains!

[@MrGreatplum]

Excellent stuff. Back when I was about 19/20, I used to work for a chap in the holidays helping catalogue his books or doing some gardening. My sister used to work at Leonardslee gardens in the cafe. I used to pick my sister up from there and the owner at the time of the gardens, Robin Loder had quite a collection of these ancient cars. I believe he used to do the London to Brighton rally every year in one of them. As ever, the route is only about a mile from my house and every year, I forget about it!

[@jappedut9009]

Mike Breewer and Ed China participated a few years ago in a car they renovated

[@andyaccount]

In most of the 80's, maybe the late 70's we, as am extended family, used to watch the rally going through Coulsdon when my grandparent lived there, and also in Croydon after my Nan moved there afterwards. This weekend just happened to coincide with three family birthdays so we were always together anyway. I remember one year the Blue Peter team took part, which was the year Peter Duncan asked the viewers to design a outfit for the journey and the winner came up with a green and white checked design.

[@SDCornishman]

Thanks. I too enjoy old cars and don’t know that much about them. But again I also enjoy fine art and can’t paint.

[@kaitlyn__L]

The rear legroom on some of these later ones is HUGE! The ones with a soft top cover look like they’d be pretty warm and comfortable even today. But the contrast against the examples where the rear seating practically hangs off the back is very striking…

[@chrispayne523]

Didn't there used to be a Veteran Commercial Vehicle run. I am going back to... must be the 60's maybe. I don't know if it started there but I seem to remember going to the old transport museum at Clapham Common to see it.

[@PtolemyJones]

Reminds me of that wonderful movie, The Great Race. Natalie Wood, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Peter Falk. So much fun. I wonder, if you dashed to the train station, could you beat the first across to the finish?

[@JagoHazzard]

Possibly. I was thinking of giving it a shot one of these days.

[@brianartillery]

It's a good movie, but I prefer 'Monte Carlo Or Bust', (1969), a sequel to 'Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines' (1965).

[@SteveMikre44]

Great episode! A lot of fun to watch. I can just picture Sammy Davis Jr riding in one of those automobiles...

[@roymichaeldeanable]

Saw them on Regent Street yesterday

[@susancorvalan6765]

Hoorah to all the owners and restorers who love their vehicles! And the period costumes, sewests too. This is so sweetly charming!

[@Bunter.948]

Thank you, Mr H. Most enjoyable. But I suffered a jolt when you mentioned that our beloved Queen (my words) was a passenger in 1971 and I realised that was half a century ago. Doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself? Thanks, Mr H Simon T

[@corinheathcote9868]

HRH was just leaving town, must heard I was born that year.