Five picks from Bonhams|Cars’ The Golden Age of Motoring Sale

These early pioneers paved the way for everything that followed, even if they had to do it at a walking pace. Back in the 1860s, the infamous Red Flag Act limited speeds to 4mph and required someone to walk ahead waving a flag, warning others that a terrifying contraption of modernity was approaching.

That all changed in 1896 when a group of motoring trailblazers gathered to celebrate the law's repeal by driving from London to Brighton — no flag-waver required. The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run was born and is still going today, making it the world's longest-running motoring event.

Which brings us to Bonhams| Cars' upcoming sale — the perfect place to find a Brighton-run ready machine. 

1902 Panhard et Levassor

Estimate: £250,000-£300,000

If you fancy taking part, this 1902 Panhard et Levassor might be your ticket. Shipped to the UK and sold in 1903 by one of Britain's earliest car dealerships, it was used regularly until 1905 and retired to a coach house in 1907 — possibly the world's first "barn find". By 1919 it had been pushed out of the coach house and into the garden before motoring journalist John Bolster rediscovered it in 1932. Since then, it's become a regular on the London to Brighton run.

Panhard can lay claim to being the first proper production car maker. Its "Système Panhard" — front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, clutch, gearbox, and differential — basically invented the modern car layout (at least until front-wheel drive came along). A tilted steering wheel and front-mounted radiator soon followed. 

This example has been in its current ownership since 2003 and remains beautifully maintained. It’s up for auction with an upper estimate of  £300,000.

1915 Mercedes 22/50hp

Estimate: £250,000-£300,000

The 1915 Mercedes 22/50hp Open Tourer takes things a step closer with a name we recognise today. Mercedes, named after the daughter of businessman Emil Jellinek who headed up Daimler, would soon build a reputation for luxury and refinement.

This particular car's story is worthy of a documentary. Ordered by Swedish engineer Rudolf Lilljeqvist, it was commandeered mid-delivery by General August von Mackensen during World War I and didn't reach Sweden until 1918. It then vanished into a barn on Lilljeqvist's estate and was only rediscovered in 1969 by the current owner's father.

Lovingly restored but mechanically original, this historically significant car comes with its factory build sheet, documentation and period photos, and goes on sale with an upper estimate of £300,000.

1899 Benz Velo

Estimate: £160,000-£220,000

Predating both of the above, this 1899 Benz Velo represents motoring at its purest. Karl Benz pioneered the idea of designing a car around an engine, rather than bolting an engine onto what had previously been a horse carriage, creating the world's first proper motorcar – or ‘Motorwagen’, as Benz christened it.

Building his car meant that Benz also had to invent spark plugs, electrical ignition and the clutch — a mere weekend job for the hardy home mechanic. Ahem.

The four-wheel Velo followed soon after. Gloriously alien to modern eyes, there's no steering wheel, just a tiller; you get brakes but only on the back wheels; it's chain-driven, not shaft-driven, and it runs exclusively on SBP2 high-vaporising fuel, using around a gallon every 20 miles. This still represents the early DNA of the car you drive today. It was last run in August this year and has an upper estimate of £220,000.

1901 Albion Model A1 8hp Dog Cart

Estimate: £150,000-£170,000

Glasgow-built and wonderfully eccentric, the Albion Model A1 8hp Dog Cart sits halfway between horse-drawn and horsepower. The name comes from the space once reserved for the family dogs on a carriage, now occupied by a modestly powerful 8hp engine.

Albion built just 58 examples, with this being one of seven survivors. Shipped to South Africa when new and later repatriated, it's been restored, refreshed and used — including for four successful London to Brighton runs. It even towed another stricken veteran car 60 miles to the finish line, proving that the Albion lived up to its "as sure as the rising sun" slogan. 

Fully sorted mechanically and fitted with subtle upgrades like a modern carb and electronic ignition, it's ready to go again, carrying a £170,000 upper estimate. 

1904 Mobile 6hp

Estimate: £35,000-£45,000

At the more affordable end of the veteran-car field sits the 1904 Mobile 6hp, estimated at £45,000, or about what you'd pay today for a high-end Volkswagen Golf.  

Originally owned by Royal Navy officer Captain Perfect, it later spent years as a makeshift power unit before being rescued in the 1950s — for free, as its Quaker owner refused to profit from the sale.

Restored and capable of a heady 25mph, it later spent decades in the Ulster Transport Museum before returning to private hands. For anyone wanting to join the London to Brighton run without breaking the bank, this could be the one for you.