Thousands of cars have made the 60 mile journey from the capital to Brighton seafront over the last 118 years.

In fact the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the longest-running motoring event in the world.

First held in 1896, it had a chequered history in its early years.

Back then, as it remains today, the cars had to have been built before 1905 to qualify.

Competitors and motor lovers travelled from around the world to see the mighty machines as well as some of the country’s best countryside.

The first event has held on November 14, 1896. to celebrate the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act, which raised the limit for ‘light locomotives’ from a slow 4mph to a steady 14mph.

It also abolished the requirement for vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot.

The law before required a man on foot to carry a red flag to warn other road users.

The act was known as the Red Flag Act and a red flag is symbolically waved at the start of the run to this day.

For the first two years the cars did not actually head to Brighton. On the first anniversary of the run, in 1897, the special convoy went from Whitehall Place all the way to Richmond Park, a distance of eight miles.

By the second year the event was growing and some 280 guests took part enjoying a concert and five course luncheon with fine wines before the off.

It was on the third run that the decision was made to make Brighton the destination. However, many of the cars did not make it all the way.

In 1903 the event came to an end when the speed limit was raised to 20mph. The organisers did not see it necessary to continue to celebrate the raising of the original speed limit.

But people missed the annual run and in 1927 it was reinstated.

From the 1930s the organisation of the event was taken over by the Royal Automobile Club of Pall Mall. They run the event to this day.

In 1936 they moved the ceremonial start to Hyde Park, and the event has changed very little.

Generations of the same families have taken over the family vintage cars and carried on the long running November tradition.

Other than the war years, the run has been held on the first Sunday of each November. The only other time the event has been cancelled was in 1947 due to petrol rationing. However, it is said one motorist braved low fuel to make the 60 mile trip.

The event has been the feature of a comedy movie in 1953’s Genevieve. But it was the run in 1971 that received most attention.

Her Majesty the Queen took to the start line that November in a 70-year-old Daimler owned by her great grandfather Edward VII.

The car has actually completed the run on many occasions often driven by members of the palace staff. In recent years Prince Michael of Kent has also taken part in on the run.

Despite the cars getting older and older each year, the appeal of the run never fades.

Here’s to another 118 years of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.