London To Brighton.

Andy. I put it to James, my Grandson, and I was pleasantly surprised when he said “YES”,
So, weather permitting, and the A1 is not covered by a layer of snow, I, look forward to meeting up.
It’s a shame Blue2 and young Scott, and Howard, Twin Otter may have something better to do,and not be able to visit on the day, however, it would be great if we all could meet up, as it will certainly make a change from, eating, watching, (Quite forceably, with wife and daughter, those bloody Soaps)
Young lad was taken to see Just Jane a couple of yrs ago, and the Panton Bros let him climb aboard, and look around, completely different from my answer from the Cosford Museum, when I told them I could prove that I had flown to Germany and back, in the Lincoln they have on display, just wanted to see the old girl, before….well you know what I mean, The rather lame excuse given, was that Elf and Safety say the dials on the instruments gave off radiation.:rolleyes:
I don’t think I have heard such a load of B/S in my life.
See you soon.:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Andy, I will ask James, my Grandson if he would like to go, I am sure he will say yes, just because he and I get on better than his other (Fathers, father), do.
It’s a family thing with him.
Long story, and will brief you if and when we come down. There may well be an exception, that’s providing Chelsea are not playing that day, he is an avid fan, :diablo:
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Jim.
If you do fancy a return visit, this might interest you–and it’s in the school Christmas holidays.
This was posted on historic a little while ago.
I’ll be there as well with a motorbicycle or two.

“The Shuttleworth Collection will be hosting an open workshop day. Visitors to the collection will have the chance to get behind the barriers in hangar 1 for photographic access and find out what goes on over the winter months with the collections aircraft by talking to the engineers who will be on hand to answer questions. Weather permitting, two or three of the Collections aircraft will be on show outside the shop.
The open workshop day will be held on 30th December 2012 between 10am and 4pm, normal collection admittance charge applies.”

Might see you there..?

Andy

Charlie.
It’s always been known as the Emancipation Run because it celebrates the passing of the ‘Locomotives on Highways Act 1896’, which allowed for the first time, vehicles to move along the highway without a man to precede them carrying a red warning flag. It also put the speed limit up to 14 mph.

It always takes place in November–in fact the first weekend of November and although doesn’t get too much media coverage has grown to be one of the biggest motoring events in the World.

This year over 500 pre 1905 vehicles took part.
Plus all the clubs etc which have meetings along the way.

Jim.
Thanks–the collection is very special–as you and many here know.

Andy

Andy, As you know, I have been there,and to say it’s “Very special” is an understatement, I would prefer to call it a National Treasure,There cannot be many in the world like yours.
Guess it will soon be time to take my 16 yrs old Grandson there,Sadly it would appear that History at his last school was put on the back burner.
So a good old fashioned dose of my nostalgia, may rub off on him.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Thanks, Andy – I never knew that. My first recollections are in the mid-fifties and I probably saw it most years over the next ten/fifteen. I knew little about the cars but loved watching the immaculately preserved engineering masterpieces.

John.
Up to point I agree.
However, there are still loads of family run cars in the run.
More often than not, these are the ones which arrive in the quickest time (although time isn’t a factor) and in the best shape.
This is because their owners understand them and usually can also wield a spanner.
Yes there are a load of the rich and largely indolent who turn up and take a wheel but they often don’t get too far.
Driving (or riding) anything that old is a seat of the pants type thing. The Marot Gardon and Aurora which I spend my life worrying about on behalf of the collection respond to extemely gentle amounts of feel. That’s why riding them is such a pleasure–it’s almost art.
The quad in particular will soon have a fit of the (French) vapours should it feel unhappy.

As to American cars.
The Locomobile is American–as are Stanley Steamers.
There are always a goodly selection of them in the run, as there are also those little Buicks.

Like all things sadly, the VCC is politics driven.
The thought of Ford T’s taking part might change the flavour a bit I suppose.
As far as I’m concerned by 1912, things were getting horribly modern.

Sadlu also, almost anything nice–two wheeled or four has got very silly price wise here in recent years.
Due mainly I think to people having little faith in the aforementioned bankers.

Andy

Sadly, it’s become too commercial.
The value of “Brighton Eligiable” cars have put them out of the reach on many vintage auto enthuiasts. You’re more likly to find Richard Branson and City bankers rather than the car owners portrayed in the great 50s film about the event, “Genevieve”.

A couple of years ago there was a proposal to allow any 100 year old car to enter (up to a certain cut-oof year which I don’t recall).
After all, any mechanical contraption that survives a century, and remains operational, deserves recognition.
Well, some of the older guys huffed and puffed complaining about a flood of “American junk”…to use their term ignoring the fact that you don’t find a flood of surviving Model Ts until the 1915 year.

Sounds to me like people trying to protect their investment.
Too bad they don’t allow a few more cars in so more people (drivers and spectators) and enjoy the event.

Charlie.
It’s always been known as the Emancipation Run because it celebrates the passing of the ‘Locomotives on Highways Act 1896’, which allowed for the first time, vehicles to move along the highway without a man to precede them carrying a red warning flag. It also put the speed limit up to 14 mph.

It always takes place in November–in fact the first weekend of November and although doesn’t get too much media coverage has grown to be one of the biggest motoring events in the World.

This year over 500 pre 1905 vehicles took part.
Plus all the clubs etc which have meetings along the way.

Jim.
Thanks–the collection is very special–as you and many here know.

Andy

Andy, A “Patt on the back” from me to, I know of all the hours you put into the restoration of the collection. If it were not for the likes of you and others down their, the collection would no doubt be in a sorry state.
Well done.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

A great event and unless I am wearing rose-tinted spectacles but it I remember it as a much more widely publicised event many years ago and what is the “Emancipation” Run – it used to be the London-Brighton Rally, didn’t it? I certainly watched the arrivals in Brighton on several occasions.