London-to-Brighton Run & St. James Concours 2023 - old iron at the center of interest

Name: Darracq 10/12 Type O 1904
Brand: Darracq

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Created on November 10, 2023

Text:

Stuart Adams / Paul Krüger

Photos:

Stuart Adams

Veteran Car Run Media Office

Stuart Adams

Veteran Car Run Media Office

104

Bolide (1902) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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In 124 years, a few badges come together - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Even the tires have to be contemporary - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Finely crafted plaque of the Royal Automobile Club - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Radiator without grille, but with lettering on this Cadillac from 1903 - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Those with a tight top over their heads had a good laugh - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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The radiator of this De Dion bouton is also the license plate - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Back in fashion today: colorful painted wheels - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Looks like the inside of a piece of upholstered furniture, but it's the radiator - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Mercedes without Benz: that existed until 1926 - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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If you apply our modern age limit, this Daimler has been a veteran for almost 100 years - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Wrench-friendly ground clearance - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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I was once a post horn: Horn with curved funnel - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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First hints of design: circular radiator on the 1904 Spyker - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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The turn-of-the-century fascia: Horn with snake head - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Compared to the walls of St. James Palace, the cars are young guns - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Bright shining Spyker at the end of the dark aisle - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Just like the World Rally Championship: names of the crew on the Oldsmobile "Curved Dash" - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Beautiful, but less effective: Honeycomb radiator on the Napier from 1904 - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Undisguised technology: starter crank and finned radiator - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Bicycles are also welcome, although they were never affected by the Red Flag Act - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Brighton Revival: many car owners wore matching period clothing - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Complementary fashion: fur coat with checked hat here, checked coat with fur hat there - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Now if only you had a heated steering wheel... - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Darracq 1904: Surprisingly simple company crest for its time - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Too modern for the run, but still nice to look at: Procession team with cold-blooded horses and Bedford - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Still unclear why it is also referred to as the "brass era"? - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Not only available in Pebble Beach: final detail cleaning before taxing - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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I wonder if Oscar and Olda traveled on the road from the Czech Republic? - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Hold on tight please! Dutch reference to the particularly effective brake - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Ladies' hat adorned with foreign feathers - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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In love with detail: headlights with a heart border - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Anyone who thinks cars from the sixties are mechanic-friendly has never worked on one from 1900 - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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View blockage: Even the ideal positioning of the passengers in the car was not clear from the start - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Instead of a red flag, a red cell phone case will do today - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Some cooling systems were overwhelmed even by the English autumn weather - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Impregnating instead of polishing: Wooden wheel star - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Rear-view mirror at sole height - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Any Pimpmobile will pale in comparison: High wheel with 40-inch rim - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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The position of the thumb is exemplary; the scarf near rotating parts could still be improved - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Even a sneaker can look like 1898 when it's velvety and brown - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Solid metal wheel with wooden knob and unknown function - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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A crack in the bowl: A little patina is allowed after 120 years - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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There was already disagreement about the ideal shape of the rear-view mirror in 1904: around ... - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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... or would you rather be square? - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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These cars were veterans when most of today's classic cars hadn't even been built yet - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Bicycle with interesting frame shape and customized luggage set - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Motorcycle racing technology in 1903 - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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For the motorist in winter: thickly lined driving gloves - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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The sometimes complicated starting procedures always attract onlookers - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Autumn in England: veteran cars, golden leaves and rain - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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More comfortable than a tandem, at least for the person sitting in the back - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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The driver of this Oldsmobile thinks twice about taking off his shoes - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent as President RAC was visibly interested in the four-wheeled veterans - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Amédée Bollée (1900) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Clement (1903) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Columbia (1902) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Covert (1902) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Daimler (1897) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Daimler (1900) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Darracq (1902) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Darracq (1903) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Darracq (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Dreadnought (1903) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Fiat (1900) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Ford (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Georges Richard (1901) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Humberette (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Knox (1903) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Mercedes (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Napier (1902) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Oldsmobile (1903) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Peugeot (1892) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Peugeot (1898) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Peugeot (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Renault (1902) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Spyker (1905) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Star (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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More cylinders on the heads than under the hood: James & Browne from 1902 - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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It doesn't get more English than this: Departure from London, past Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Early in the morning the streets are still empty in London, the RAC may have helped a little - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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It doesn't get more English than this: Crossing Westminster Bridge with the Palace, Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben in the background - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Spectators were everywhere along the route - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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It doesn't get more English than this: pub with brick façade and MGA in front - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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Sunny Seaside: Arrival in Brighton in autumn sunshine - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

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On the weekend of November 4 and 5, the RAC organized the 127th classic car drive from London to Brighton. Yes, you read that right: The destination drive in the south-east of England, which was held for the first time on November 14, 1896, is the world's oldest event for automobiles that is still being held. To preserve the character of the original event from the late 19th century, only vehicles built up to and including 1904 are allowed to take part. This year, almost 400 cars from the brass era came to the annual celebration of automotive independence, which once celebrated the abolition of the "Red Flag Act".

It doesn't get more English than this: pub with brick façade and MGA in front - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

Some of the participating brands are still part of the street scene today, including Ford, Cadillac and Renault. Others have since disappeared or merged with another, such as Daimler, Darracq, Delahaye, Gladiator, Lanchester, Maxim, Mercedes, Napier, Oldsmobile or Sunbeam, to name but a few.

120-year-old movie stars

The main theme of this year's event was the film "Genevieve", the 70th anniversary of which was celebrated in 2023. The two star cars of the film - a Darracq 10/12 Type O and a Spyker 14/18 HP, both from 1904 - were the focus of the event and were provided by the Louwman Museum in the Netherlands.

Darracq (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

The 97-kilometer ride traditionally began at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning in Hyde Park in central London and ended at the seafront in Brighton on the English Channel. The route wound its way through central London and then south through the beautiful Kent and Sussex countryside, where the cars were greeted and cheered on by enthusiastic spectators along the route. Depending on the gradient of the road, the spectators could even run alongside like the coach in a cross-country ski race, as 8 horsepower occasionally runs out of breath on a hill.

Seven winners

Those who still prefer to admire the cars of the early days when they are stationary had the opportunity to do so on Saturday. The St. James's Concours was held in the grounds of the 16th century St. James Palace, which provided a fitting backdrop for the event. Unfortunately, the weather took its toll on the vehicles and many of the more 'vulnerable' cars decided to save their strength for the main event on Sunday. Nevertheless, over 100 vehicles braved the elements on Saturday.

Daimler (1897) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

The two "Genevieve cars" were of course the stars of the show. But all the other vehicles - including cars, motorcycles and pedal cars - were also enthusiastically demonstrated by their owners dressed in period clothing. A beautifully restored Daimler wagonette from 1897 won the trophy as the most beautiful of all the automobiles present. Eight other worthy winners were recognized in their respective categories. Here is an overview:

Concours d'Elegance - Overall winner: 1897 Daimler
Concours d'Equipe - For the vehicle, driver and co-drivers as a unit typical of the time: 1904 De Dion-Bouton
Young Driver Award - For a participant under the age of 30: Kelsey Whittemore, 1904 Peugeot
Historic Veteran Car Award - For the car with the most impressive history: 1892 Peugeot
The Judges' Overseas Award - A prize for an overseas participant: Jos van Genuglen, 1900 Amédée Bollée
Concours d'Elegance Light Vehicle Award - For the small vehicle: 1903 Darracq
The Royal Automobile Club Chairman's Award - A vehicle selected by the Chairman of the Club, Ben Cussons, as particularly worthy of an award: 1905 Spyker from the film Genevieve

Mercedes (1904) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

To add a royal touch to the occasion, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, President of the RAC, attended the Concours and enthusiastically inspected all the vehicles.

More exciting than sports cars

Other eye-catchers included the 1903 "Dreadnought" from the Brooklands Museum, believed to be the world's first motorcycle built specifically for racing; and an 1892 Peugeot from a Turin museum, thought to be the first car in Italy. It was the oldest vehicle in the field on Sunday's route to Brighton.

Peugeot (1892) - London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023

The St. James's Concours took place on Marlborough Road and was adjacent to RM Sotheby's annual London auction, held in the grounds of Marlborough House. Countering the neighboring occasion somewhat, the standout lots included a number of barely driven, mint condition supercars. However, the far more exotic vehicles were to be found outside St. James Palace. Or how many Dürkopp Adler cars are still on the road in England today? The London-to- Brighton Run , like the St. James Concours, was a great opportunity to honor all these cars from the pioneering era and to pay due respect to their enthusiastic owners for the preservation of these contemporary witnesses.