This year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has a very distinguished guest: a 3½ HP dating from 1899. The precious model of the first car produced by Fiat is ready to leave its permanent spot at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu and excite the crowds lining the route.
Stretching 60 miles from London’s Hyde Park to Madera Drive in Brighton, the inaugural edition of the London to Brighton Run took place 121 years ago to celebrate the introduction of the Locomotives on Highways Act. Before this legislation was introduced, motorised vehicles were obliged to carry a passenger whose job was to wave a red flag to warn bystanders of the vehicle's approach. The Locomotives on Highways Act abolished this requirement and also raised the speed limit from 4 to 14 mph.
The 2017 edition of the Run has a special VIP guest in the form of the Fiat 3½ HP, the Turin automaker’s oldest car. It was the first model produced by Fiat back in 1889, when it was known as the 4 HP. The small phaeton has 2-3 seats in a vis-à-vis arrangement and was designed by engineer Aristide Faccioli. The engine is arranged horizontally, the gearbox has no reverse gear and is separated from the engine, while the wheels are driven by a chain transmission. A total of 26 3½ HP cars were made, although only four are known to still exist.
The vehicle taking part in the 2017 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is permanently displayed at the National Motor Museum. It has a twin-cylinder horizontal engine with 697cc, a three-speed gearbox—with no reverse gear—and can reach a top speed of 21 mph.
London is set to welcome hundreds of century-old cars from around the world. The Fiat 3½ HP is raring to reach the finish line in Brighton, which will be a victory in itself!
More information at
www.veterancarrun.com