They came with handlebar moustaches, Victorian headgear and, perhaps most appropriately, galoshes and umbrellas.

Undeterred by the miserable grey skies and buffeting winds, almost 500 drivers took part in Sunday's London to Brighton veteran car rally.

As the rain pelted down, the cars chugged through the streets of Sussex from Crawley, past Handcross, Ansty, Clayton and Preston Park to finish on Brighton seafront.

Among the famous faces taking part in the annual event, now in its 72nd year, were Jonathan Wrather, alias bad boy Joe Carter from Coronation Street, and Lord Montague from the Beaulieu estate and classic car collection in the New Forest.

The world-famous 1904 Darracq, Genevieve, the subject of the 1953 film about the rally, was driven by the owner's daughter, Quirina Louwman.

Among this year's 37 first-time entrants were two 17-year-olds, Emma Jowsey, of Whitby, and John Brooks, from Canada, who passed their driving tests just in time for the event.

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Bob Carden, was on hand to congratulate participants as they crossed the finishing line.

Tom Loder was behind the wheel of one of five cars from the collection at Leonardslee in Lower Beeding, near Horsham.

He set off at 7.30am in his 1900 Stephens with brother-in-law Steve Davies and was one of the first to roll into Brighton just after 11am.

Mr Loder, 33, said: "The rain was hitting us in the face as we flew along. At one point, it was so heavy we couldn't read any of the road signs."

Even those scuppered by the atrocious weather conditions pushed their cars across the finishing line to the sound of cheers from crowds who lined Madeira Drive.

Mr Loder added: "We did need a bit of technical support along the way - the car doesn't like sitting still. As we came down past Preston Park, we had to stop at the traffic lights and it was stalling a bit there so I had to keep getting out to start it up again.

"I've taken part for about ten years and in the past I've driven slower cars. I didn't have to drive them home as it would be dark by the time we arrived but this one goes at about 30 to 40mph so I've got no excuse."

His father, Robin Loder, 61, has been taking part in the run for 40 years.

Michael Kent, 60, of Highlands, in Bexhill, picked up his grandsons, William, ten, and Jamie, four, along the way.

The pair admitted their grandfather's 1899 Peugeot was not as comfortable as modern cars but said they had enjoyed the ride all the same.

Mr Kent, a financial adviser, said: "The camaraderie and humour of all the participants is just magical. A friend introduced me to the event some time ago and it's wonderful."

He said he had borrowed a car from a friend for past runs but bought it when he couldn't be bothered to clean it anymore.