To celebrate reaching the 100th car milestone on hit Discovery Channel show Wheeler Dealers, presenters Mike Brewer and Edd China will restore and drive their dream veteran car, the Darracq 1903, in the Royal Automobile Club London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday, 3 November.
To mark this incredible milestone Mike and Edd return to their favourite childhood film; 1953 BAFTA winningGenevieve, a charming tale of rivals who race to Brighton and back for a bet. The real star of the film is Genevieve, a Darracq 1904, and for their 100th build Mike and Edd will restore their very own Genevieve to run the 60-mile distance in the Veteran Car Run (VCR).
Mike said: “I’m so proud that we’ve reached this milestone. The Darracq is the perfect motor for us to celebrate the 100th Wheeler Dealers car – a car that’s over 100 years old itself. One thing is for sure – Edd’s going to have his work cut out on this one to make sure we cross that finish line!” Edd added: “I’ve wanted to work on a veteran car for years – the Darracq is an incredible machine so I can’t wait to get under the bonnet! It’s going to be a steep learning curve but I’m determined to get us to Brighton in style.”
Haynes International Motor Museum has lent Wheeler Dealers its rare 1903 Darracq for this special episode. The car is one of the most sought after veterans, an instantly recognisable forerunner of today’s motorcar, because of its connection with Genevieve. Built by a French manufacturer the car is well known for its innovative design and engineering.
Throughout the show Mike and Edd will draw parallels between this four-seater, front-engine veteran and the typical car in the driveway of a Wheeler Dealers viewer as they restore numerous parts to make the car road safe in time for the run, the world’s longest running and greatest motoring celebration.
In Wheeler Dealers, now in production for an 11th series, Mike and Edd hunt for rundown classic cars and transform them into sleek, gleaming beauties ready to sell on for a healthy profit. The 100th car special featuring the Veteran Car Run will air next year.
Photo caption: Wheeler Dealer presenters Mike Brewer and Edd China will drive the restored Darracq 1903 in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday, 3 November.
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Editor's Notes
Veteran Car Run: With its unique atmosphere and camaraderie, the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run sponsored by Tindle Newspapers and Bonhams (staged specifically as a non-profit making veneration) commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896, which celebrated the Locomotives on the Highway Act. The Act raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 to 14mph, and abolished the need for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot waving a red flag. The Emancipation Run was first re-enacted in 1927 and has taken place every November since, with the exception of the war years and 1947 when petrol was rationed. The Royal Automobile Club has managed the Run with the support of the Veteran Car Club since 1930.
The Royal Automobile Club: Founded in 1897, the Royal Automobile Club's continuous support and promotion of the development of motoring in Great Britain began with the famous 1000 Mile Trial in 1900. In recent years the Club has focused on running annual free-to-spectate motor shows in the country including the Regent Street Motor Show, and the world's oldest motoring event – the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which will take place on Sunday 3 November 2013. For more information visit: www.veterancarrun.com
The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of famous trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal and the Dewar Trophy.
About Wheeler Dealers: Mechanic Edd China and auto trader Mike travel across the globe to buy, restore and sell some of the world’s most iconic motors. Edd gets stuck in back at the garage, while Mike sets off on his travels, searching for the ultimate deals. Along the way the Wheeler Dealers offer tips for buying and selling, advice on where to find the best deals on parts, plus loads of in-depth mechanical know how.
Wheeler Dealers, produced by Attaboy TV, is now in its tenth series since first airing in November 2003. The series airs on Discovery Networks International’s channels globally. A spin off with Mike Brewer, Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up premiered its first series in April 2013. The all-new series followed Mike as he navigated his way through the culture and idiosyncrasies of the international used car trade. Starting with just $3000, Mike set out to buy, deal and negotiate his way to the ultimate ride - worth $30,000.
About the 100th build: Since childhood Mike and Edd have both loved the film ‘Genevieve’ – the Oscar nominated, BAFTA winning 1953 movie, which is credited with re-starting worldwide interest in veteran cars. Against the backdrop of the London to Brighton race it is the charming tale of rivals who race to Brighton and back for a bet. Along the way relationships are tested, friendships lost and cars breakdown! Besides the actors – Kenneth More, Kay Kendall, Joyce Grenfell – the real star was the car which featured throughout the film. It was a 1904 Darracq, built by a French manufacturer well known for innovative design and engineering. In this 100th programme Mike and Edd want to restore a veteran car and they decide to track down their own Genevieve to work on.
Haynes International Motor Museum was founded on the success of the ‘how to’ mechanical guidebooks created by founder John Haynes. They have almost 400 cars from across the world in a huge museum in Somerset. They have a rare 1903 Darracq, which they will allow us to work on and film for the show.
Source: London To Brighton Veteran Car Run