Few events cultivate quite so many loyal adherents as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Having grown up in Croydon, I was first taken to see it when I was four years old and I’ve watched from the side of the road every year since, and there are people now in their eighties who can make the same boast.
As far as cars and drivers go, though, are there any more loyal or enthusiastic than John Dennis, the man behind the wheel of the unique 1902 Dennis 8hp tonneau? November will see the car tackle its 70th Brighton Run, and its 62nd with John at the helm, which may very well be a record.
Some readers will be familiar with early Dennis commercial vehicles, but relatively few will know that the first years of the company were spent constructing bicycles, tricycles, quadricycles and cars. Like many motor businesses, John Dennis (grandfather to the present Mr Dennis) began by setting up a cycle shop in January 1895, situated at 94 High Street, Guildford.
He and brother Raymond
