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Bonhams becomes London to Brighton Veteran Car Run title sponsor

Published 28 February 2014

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has a new title partner, in the form of Bonhams. The London-based auction house, which has been running sales in conjuction with the world-famous event for several years, has confirmed that the run's name is now the ‘Bonhams Veteran Car Run’, and will remain so until the end of 2017.

Although its role as title partner is new, Bonhams has been a long-time supporter of the run. It has been a sponsor for the past decade and for many years provided mulled wine and hot chilli for participants at the finishing line in Brighton. Members of the Bonhams team are also regulars on the Run, many underlining their deep interest by driving their own pre-1905 veteran cars. In recent years, Bonhams has also worked closely with the Royal Automobile Club and event organisers to develop the Run from a single day attraction into an even more significant occasion.

The weekend now commences on the Friday with the annual Bonhams auction of London to Brighton-eligible motor cars and early automobilia. Some motor cars in the auction are even offered with an entry into the Run, so successful bidders can ‘buy on Friday, drive on Sunday’.

Last year’s sale was held for the first time at the newly refurbished Bonhams headquarters in London’s New Bond Street – just a short walk away from the start of the Run in Hyde Park – where a carefully chosen selection of 15 cars went under the hammer. These ranged from a 1903 Clement Talbot Type CT4K, which sold for £606,300, to a Curved Dash Oldsmobile at £36,800.

Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Group CEO said: ''The annual London to Brighton Run is an historic and globally-renowned celebration that I have grown up with and which brings back many a fond memory. I have always loved this event, and it is one which we as a company are extremely proud to have helped sustain. We are honoured to be the event’s main sponsor and look forward to many more years involvement with it.'