Automobile Pioneer becomes a Patron of the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
By reviving the 'Viva' name for its latest supermini, Vauxhall is proving it is in touch with its past.
But Vauxhall's long and illustrious history goes back much further than the 1960s. In fact, the very first Vauxhall car was built in 1903 in Vauxhall, south London after which the company moved to Luton (still its UK home) in 1905.
Today, part of the Luton site is given over to Vauxhall's own Heritage Centre where many significant cars from its past are housed.
One of the most important is a 1904 6hp single-cylinder two-seater, but this is no dusty museum piece. It is used regularly and is an early entry for the 2015 Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The car has taken part in the world's longest-running motoring event 53 times, with one of the earliest in 1927, driven by Vauxhall's MD, Percy Kidner (it wore a different reg number then). Hopefully this year the 6hp will be joined by its 1903 5hp sister following some major mechanical restoration. The 5hp has completed nine runs in Vauxhall's 20-year ownership.
But Vauxhall's involvement with the Run, which takes place on Sunday 1 November, goes beyond coaxing the 111-year-old and 112-year-old veterans to Brighton. A long-term supporter of the event, the company is joining fellow pioneering carmaker Renault (est. 1898) in becoming a Manufacturer Patron of the Run.
Denis Chick, Vauxhall Communications Director, said: 'Vauxhall has been a regular in the run since the 1950s with either and sometimes both of our veterans. This year is particularly poignant as Vauxhall celebrates 110 years of vehicle production at its Luton plant and 90 years of ownership by General Motors. We look forward to sampling the sea air yet again in 2015!'
The advance entry fee for this year's Run ends on Friday 31 July after which the late entry fee will apply. Anyone thinking about entering is encouraged to do so before this deadline to take advantage of savings. More information on the Run can be found at www.veterancarrun.com
The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the pinnacle event in a week of motoring nostalgia in the capital during 'London Motor Week' - a series of events hosted by the world famous Royal Automobile Club which also includes a Literary Festival, Motoring Forum, and the Regent Street Motor Show.
Editor's Notes
About Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors has been manufacturing vehicles in the UK continuously since 1903. Vauxhall's range spans all mainstream sectors of the vehicle market with best-selling model names such as VIVA, Corsa, Astra, ADAM, Meriva, Zafira and Insignia regularly topping the sales charts. Vauxhall is also the only manufacturer of light commercial vehicles in the UK and is its parent company General Motors' 4th largest global market.
Vauxhall employs over 4500 in the UK and exports over 70% of its production. It is headquartered in Luton, Bedfordshire with manufacturing plants in the town (Vivaro van production) and at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire (Astra production).
About Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
With its unique atmosphere and camaraderie, the Bonhams Veteran Car Run travelling from London to Brighton (staged specifically as a non-profit making veneration) commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896, which celebrated the Locomotives on the Highway Act. The Act raised the speed limit for 'light locomotives' from 4 to 14mph, and abolished the need for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot waving a red flag.
The Emancipation Run was first commemorated in 1897 with a re-enactment following the same route in 1927 and has taken place every November since, with the exception of the war years and 1947 when petrol was rationed. The Royal Automobile Club has managed the Run with the support of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain since 1930.
About London Motor Week
The Veteran Car Run is an integral part of London Motor Week, which in 2015 incorporates the following events:
◾Monday 26 October – Royal College of Art - Design Presentation Evening
◾Wednesday 28 October – Literary Festival and Motoring Book of the Year Awards
◾Thursday 29 October – Royal Automobile Club Motoring Forum
◾Friday 30 October – Bonhams Auction
◾Saturday 31 October – Regent Street Motor Show
◾Sunday 1 November – Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
About The Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, sealing the Club's status as Britain's oldest and most influential motoring organisation.
The Club's early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed for motor sports event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.
Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Motor Sport Association (MSA), Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation, while continuing to promote its own motoring events, such as the free-to-attend Regent Street Motor Show and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy and the Torrens Trophy.
www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk