Historic Wolseley featured in Steve Goodwin commission ahead of this year’s RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
This year’s RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (Sunday 2 November) will mark the 125th anniversary of the seminal 1,000 Mile Trial of 1900. To commemorate this milestone in motoring history, the Royal Automobile Club has commissioned a special artwork by renowned graphic designer Steve Goodwin.
The striking lino print depicts the 1899 Wolseley 3.5hp Voiturette, designed and driven by a young Herbert Austin during the 1,000 Mile Trial. Affectionately known as ‘OWL’ from its distinctive registration plate, the Wolseley is housed at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, and is one of only two surviving cars from the 65 pioneering vehicles that started the ground-breaking city-to-city event, which captivated the nation.
Organised by the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland – later the Royal Automobile Club in 1907 – the original nationwide drive was designed both to test the endurance of early motor cars on a challenging route to and from London via Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Derby, Kendal, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham, and to promote the benefits of motoring to the British public.
For many spectators, it was the very first time they had seen a motor vehicle in action – an atmosphere that Goodwin has captured in his stylish relief print, complete with roadside crowds marvelling at the new machines.
“It was a lovely surprise and a real honour to receive this commission from the Royal Automobile Club,” said Steve Goodwin. “The 1,000 Mile Trial was such an important event, and I wanted to reflect both its historical significance and the incredible public interest it generated.”
The retro style adopted certainly helps to capture the period and brings together Goodwin’s two passions: traditional printmaking and motoring. Having worked in a printers after school, he retains a love for pre-digital techniques. Alongside his artistic pursuits, he is an active member of the Tunbridge Wells Motor Club, where he has organised countless events and has even served as a volunteer marshal on the Veteran Car Run.
Goodwin’s work has also gained recognition at the Royal Automobile Club’s annual Art of Motoring exhibition, one of the highlights of London Motor Week, which concludes with the London to Brighton Run. The exhibition celebrates Britain’s finest automotive artists at the prestigious Iconic Images Gallery in Piccadilly and this year runs from Wednesday 29 October to Saturday 1 November.
To honour the 125th anniversary of the game-changing 1,000 Mile Trial, the historic Wolseley will lead more than 400 veteran cars from Hyde Park at daybreak on Sunday 2 November, officially opening this year’s Run.
Goodwin’s commemorative image will also feature prominently over the coming months, appearing on event promotional materials including the official programme cover. A limited edition of 10 signed and numbered prints (10.5 x 15.5 inches) will be available at £150 each (inclusive of VAT). Those wishing to register their interest should email: vcr@royalautomobileclub.co.uk.
In addition, a special run of posters and packs of 10 postcards featuring the artwork will be produced. These exclusive anniversary items will be available to order online from Monday 29 September via the Royal Automobile Club Shop at www.shop.royalautomobileclub.co.uk. More of Goodwin’s work can be viewed at www.inkycrow.art.
Full event details are available at www.veterancarrun.com.
About RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
With its unique atmosphere and camaraderie, the RM Sotheby’s Veteran Car Run from London to Brighton (staged specifically as a non-profit making event) 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 14 mph and abolished the need for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot waving a red flag.
The first commemoration of the Emancipation Run was held in 1897 with a drive to Sheen House in Richmond Park. Then, in 1927, the inaugural re-enactment followed the original Brighton route and has taken place every November since, apart from the war years and 1947 when petrol was rationed and 2020 during the global Covid-19 pandemic. The Royal Automobile Club has managed the Run, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2021, with the support of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain since 1930.
For more information visit: www.veterancarrun.com
About the Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, sealing the Club’s status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.
The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains one of the world’s oldest motor sport events. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.
Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the RAC Foundation while promoting its own motoring events including London Motor Week, the new St James’s Motoring Spectacle and the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
The Club also awards a series of internationally recognised trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Torrens Trophy, the Simms Medal and the Dewar Trophy.
About RM Sotheby’s
RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house by total sales. With over 45 years of proven results in the collector car industry, RM’s vertically integrated range of services, from auctions (live and online) and private sales to estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of Car Specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM Sotheby’s is currently responsible for six of the top ten most valuable motor cars ever so
For more information visit: rmsothebys.com