FEELING THE HEAT IN BRIGHTON

Classic run’s 30th anniversary outing attracts biggest-ever entry – but not everyone’s old-timers make it successfully to the seaside

Cars and their owners basked in searing summer heat on the London to Brighton Classic Car Run.

This year’s 30th anniversary run, sponsored by Classicline Insurance, set off from Greenwich Park, with a stop at Penshurst Place in Kent. Some 320 classics took part.

Geoff Mansfield and son Toby won the Best Period Costume award with their rare 1931 MG M-Type Sportsman’s Coupé, of which just 37 were built.

Talking of rarities, Mick Kason’s 1962 Fiat 750 Vignale, the only known running example in Britain, attracted plenty of attention. It has a 1050cc Abarth engine meaning it’s more than happy on the motorway.

He says: ‘I love the car – it’s almost a half-size Maserati 3500GT.’ Less appealing, though, was the eyewatering cost of a spare wheel. He says: ‘In the end I had to have one made by Borrani to the correct spec. It cost £2000.’

Taking the fancy dress prize were friends Megan Terry and Faye Newman, in their ABBA attire. Their transport from London was Megan’s 1972 MGB Roadster, ‘Norman’.

‘Norman broke down on the way with fuel system problems but we were kindly rescued by classic restorer Jamie Clarke,’ says fashion student Megan. ‘He’s normally well-behaved and I just love his shape. We thought that 1970s costume would be suitable for a 1970s car!’

Another extraordinary run entrant won the oldest car prize. The 1923 Stoneleigh Chummy 9hp of Dr Neil Cooke and his dad Frank features a radial vee-twin engine built into the chassis.

‘It’s a fascinating vehicle,’ says Neil. ‘We suffered a broken throttle linkage at Bromley but managed to rig up a hand throttle, so we made it.’

Spokesman for event organiser, GE Classic Motoring Events, Stephen Smith, says: ‘We are over the moon at how well it’s gone. The event is so successful that we are considering having two runs converging on Madeira Drive next year.’