Backfire Engines: London-Brighton 2014

Since 1927, every first Sunday of November the English commemorate in this particular way the abolition of the ridiculous speed limits that cars "suffered" until 1896, and there are already 78 editions.

This limit reached the extreme that by law, a man on foot waving a red flag It had to precede any self-propelled vehicle, and that is why today the start of this "race" is held punctually at 6:30 in the morning with the breaking of a symbolic red flag, in central London's Hyde Park.

London-Brighton has become one of the most important vintage motor events in the world, to the point that it has raised the price of vehicles built before 1905 considerably, simply by being able to participate.

Departure of the first participants - the oldest ones - from Hyde Park

Regent Street, always crowded with public

Bonito Mors from 1902

The rain appeared intermittently ... and not all had a hood

Waiting for departure time, in Hyde Park

British climate

Until relatively recently the event was limited to the "race" on Sunday, but now it takes up three days: The Bonhams auction - in which an attempt was made to sell the famous Panhard M-18-, the elegance contest on Saturday in the central London Regent Street -only for a select few- and finally the big day.

This year 440 smoky steam engines, Gasoline or electric took the exit in London, of which 357 managed to reach the coastal town of Brighton, located about 100 km from the capital.

Given the dates of the celebration, the normal thing is that the rain makes an appearance, and although this year it dawned clear, at around 11 in the morning the "heavenly taps" were opened and an intense downpour soaked almost all the occupants in the most of the way.

This powerful 1899 Panhard-Levassor has reached the finish line in first place several times

Antique 1899 Boursaud in Regent Street

Ed China, from «Jewels on Wheels», has been participating for several years

Nice Panhard-Levassor from 1903

DeDion-Bouton from 1903, with a «tufted» roof

This 1896 steam Salvesen has been involved for many years

In addition, it must be taken into account that this type of vehicle usually lacks a hood, windshield or any other protection against the elements, and of course the British organizers do not even consider a change of dates; not even though most of the participating cars are important pieces that are difficult to see outside of museums.

The big brands

Some of the participants are unique specimens of unknown brands, while others are dozens. An example of the latter is the DeDion Bouton, with about 50 models present, among which the single-cylinder “vis a vis” with facing seats that sound like a “fat” motorcycle stood out in quantity.

Regent Street, always crowded with public

Dennis from 1902, with striking white-band tires.

One of the many DeDion Boutons from 1902-1903

The 1903 Napier of the Gordon Bennet race, owned by the National Motor Museum of England

The Darraq of 1901, before losing its Spanish registration

One of several stops, mid-morning on Sunday

The Panhard et Levassor are also a multitude, as they are highly appreciated for their quality and powerful four-cylinder engines that reach reasonable speeds of around 70 km / h. The English brand that was seen the most was Wolseley, with its curious two-cylinder "V" models and wraparound radiator, while the American Oldsmobile "Curver Dash" were legion.

Regarding the Spanish participation, This year the only one registered was the curious 3 Vauxhall 1904-cylinder from the Llavería family (you can see it in the header photo, before the British Parliament), which has been in our country since the 60s and which reached the finish line in the top 30 . Also participating with the number 94 was a 1901 Darracq that after many years in Spain was bought by a foreign collector and that, recently, has lost its old registration "BH-92". A shame!

* Our thanks to Alexis Llavería