Catch an early glimpse of rally’s veteran cars on Pall Mall

It’s the annual London to Brighton veteran car rally this Sunday morning, when more than 100 old bangers set off from Hyde Park heading for the coast at Brighton, passing through Streatham, Norbury and Thornton Heath, trundling under the Croydon Flyover on to South Croydon, and then past Purley and Coulsdon along the way.

If we set aside the damage to the planet caused by the infernal combustion engine, the museum-standard display of mostly Edwardian-period vehicles is a sight to behold. But even at the veteran cars’ relatively modest speeds, they chunter past along the streets of Croydon all too quickly.

But the organisers at the RAC are providing an opportunity for the public get up close to many of the old cars, on Pall Mall in central London this Saturday, November 2, with what they are calling the St James’s Spectacle, which is free to attend.

With most of Pall Mall closed for the day, there’s a chance to gaze and gawp at what the RAC is calling a “celebration of motoring through the ages and into the future”.

They say: “The stunning collection of amazing cars on display will span from pioneering Grand Prix winners dating back to the dawn of motorsport right up to the very latest supercars, showcasing revolutionary technologies for a more sustainable future.”

The one-day experience takes place on the doorstep of the RAC Club on Pall Mall.

Running from 10am to 3pm this Saturday, the eye-catching event is a highlight of London Motor Week 2024, which also includes lectures, award presentations, the Art of Motoring Exhibition in the Iconic Images Gallery, and concludes with the annual RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday.

“The Spectacle really will live up to its name,” said Duncan Wiltshire, the chairman of the Royal Automobile Club.

“Whether it’s the extraordinary collection of Victorian and Edwardian pioneers or the glittering array of equally innovative hypercars furthering the ground-breaking technologies to come, Pall Mall will be packed automotive legends past, present and future.

“Best of all, everyone can enjoy the Spectacle for free!”

Around 75 of the pre-1905 motoring trailblazers will be on show on Pall Mall for the St James’s Concours, where a panel of judges as well as the public will be casting their eyes over the cars.

Among the coveted awards to be presented are special accolades for female drivers in recognition of the 120th anniversary of the Ladies’ Automobile Club, being honoured on the following day’s London to Brighton.

And exemplifying how far the car has come over the past century, the Modern Design Zone to the west end of Pall Mall features a line-up of the latest generation of high-tech supercars, plus a smattering of design classics from the past, including a 1904 Mercedes Simplex, a 1931 Bentley 8-Litre, a Subaru Impreza rally car and one of the gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5s built to promote the James Bond movie Goldfinger.

Among modernday supercars, there will be an Aston Martin Valkyrie, Lamborghini Huracan STO, Pagani Huayra Roadster, Koenigsegg Regera, McLaren P1 and a rare opportunity for visitors to see a Porsche 963 prototype from this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Full details of both the St James’s Motoring Spectacle and the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run are available on the official www.veterancarrun.com website

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