• A Peugeot is the oldest car in this year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

• The Peugeot Vis-à-vis is from the Louwman National Automobile Collection in Holland

• The first car, the 1895 Peugeot, starts from Hyde Park (London) at 07.07 on 5^th November

On Sunday 5^th November, the 2006 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (LBVCR) sees an 1895 Peugeot lead the historic run, this year celebrating its 110^th anniversary.  The Peugeot Vis-à-vis (as car No.1) is the only car of 1895 vintage, and one of 36 19^th century vehicles. A total of 490 pre-1905 cars are participating, including 13 Peugeots.

The Vis-à-vis is from the outstanding Louwman National Automobile Collection from Holland and has recently been fully restored.  There were only 87 Vis-à-vis Peugeots built, at Valentigney in France, between 1894 and 1897.  The V 2-cylinder engine produces 3 hp – calculated from its 75 mm bore and 145 mm stroke – with a capacity of 1,282cc that produces a maximum speed of 12 mph. Another car from the Louwman Collection participating this year is a 1904 Darracq (running as No. 450).

“We have seen an increase of interest from veteran car owners for the 2006 LBVCR,” said event director Roger Etcell. “The entry has grown steadily with a 5% increase on two years ago. The biggest increase we've seen is in international entries, with 15% more from overseas since last year. We are very pleased to see the LBVCR growing and gaining in popularity since moving to a three day event format in 2004. When you remember that all of the vehicles on the 2006 LBVCR are at least 102 years old, the fact that more owners are deciding to drive their irreplaceable cars on the roads between London and Brighton in November for everyone to see is very encouraging and is an event that shouldn't be missed by anyone who has an interest in motoring.”

The line-up begins departing Hyde Park (London) from 7:07am (sunrise) and travels the 60-miles to Brighton along the A23. The event also includes a special LBVCR auction on Friday 3rd November and on Saturday 4th Regent Street will be closed to allow over 100 of the veteran cars to be displayed in Central London in the 2006 LBVCR International Concours, with selected vehicles giving demonstration runs around Berkeley Square.

Details about the "Brighton Run"

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is an annual event (conducted on the first Sunday in November each year), this year celebrating the 110^th anniversary of the first 'Run' in 1896. The event was held to celebrate the passing of the 1896 Light Locomotives Act by Parliament, which allowed motorised vehicles to travel at 12 mph (up from 4 mph) and made the requirement for a person with a red flag to walk in front of a mechanical vehicle no longer necessary.

Sunday 5^th November, 2006 LBVCR

07:07 to 08:30   Hyde Park, London

07:45 to 11:00   Croydon

08:30 to 13:45   Crawley (Official Stop)