The " London to Brighton Race" is the longest-running motorsport event in the world. Back in 1896, cars drove the 87 km route from Hyde Park in London to the seaside resort of Brighton for the first time. The annual revivals are popular, with around 500 cars taking part in the prominent event.
The right car
To take part, you must own a car that was built before 1905. Bonhams will be auctioning 11 of these rare vehicles in the auction, which will take place on November 1, 2013, two days before the race.
Panhard Levassor from 1902
The most expensive automobile at the auction is the Panhard Levassor 16 HP from 1902, which has been owned by one family since 1935. The owner was Lord Llangattock of Hendre in Monmouthshire, the father of C. S. Rolls, who founded Rolls-Royce. The estimated price of the four-cylinder with tonneau body was set at £ 550,000 to 650,000 (Euro 949,000 to 767,000, or CHF 803,000 to 949,000).
From 14,000 pounds
But it can also be cheaper, as a Riley Forecar from 1903 or a Locomobile Model 5 from 1900 are already available for less than £ 20,000.
Further information about the auction can be found on the Bonhams website.
Vehicles offered by Bonhams
| Make | Type | Year | Est £ from | Est £ to | Est € from | Est € to | Est CHF from | Est CHF to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panhard Levassor | 16 HP Four Cylinder Rear Entrance Tonneau | 1902 | 550000 | 650000 | 649000 | 767000 | 803000 | 949000 |
| Warwick | h HP Four Seater Stanhope | 1902 | 60000 | 70000 | 70800 | 82600 | 87600 | 102200 |
| Renault | 6 HP Rear Entrance Tonneau | 1902 | 60000 | 70000 | 70800 | 82600 | 87600 | 102200 |
| Winton | Runabout | 1903 | 130000 | 150000 | 153400 | 177000 | 189800 | 219000 |
| Locomobile | Model 5 | 1900 | 15000 | 20000 | 17700 | 23600 | 21900 | 29200 |
| Riley | Forecar | 1903 | 14000 | 16000 | 16520 | 18880 | 20440 | 23360 |
| De Dion Bouton | 8 HP Rear Entrance Tonneau | 1904 | 70000 | 80000 | 82600 | 94400 | 102200 | 116800 |
| De Dion Bouton | 8 HP Model V Rear Entrance Tonneau | 1904 | 50000 | 70000 | 59000 | 82600 | 73000 | 102200 |
| Clement-Talbot | 18 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau | 1903 | 350000 | 450000 | 413000 | 531000 | 511000 | 657000 |
| Lacoste & Battmann | 12 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau | 1903 | 150000 | 200000 | 177000 | 236000 | 219000 | 292000 |
| Ariel | 2 3/4 HP Tricycle with Quadricycle Attachment | 1901 | 25000 | 35000 | 29500 | 41300 | 36500 | 51100 |