'Old Meets New' As Peugeot Type 9 Prepares To Be Oldest Entrant In Veteran Car Run
Published: 25th October 2002
This Type 9 was the 133rd car to have been built by Peugeot, and features a V twin engine with hot tube ignition (without spark plugs). This produces 3¾ bhp at 750 rpm from a 1.6 litre engine to give a top speed of 18 mph. By comparison, the 2002 International Car of the Year – the Peugeot 307 – produces 110 bhp at 5,800 rpm and a top speed of 113 mph from its 1.6 litre engine, a real demonstration of how vehicle engineering has progressed over the last century. The 307 range starts from £10,860 for the 1.4 Style hatchback to £16,940 for the seven-seat 2.0 SE Automatic 307 SW. The 1.6 petrol Estate (pictured) costs £13,160.
The Type 9 has a ‘vis-à-vis’ body style, so that passengers face one another, whereas today’s 307 can accommodate up to seven people facing forward (depending on the model).
The proud owner of this 1895 Peugeot is Robin Loder, who says: "I own three pre-1900 Peugeot models, and have been an enthusiastic veteran car runner for the last 30 years. The Peugeot is one of the best all-round vehicles for its era, and a real joy to drive!"
With 10 vehicles in the family collection, Mr Loder is also entering another two Peugeots into the event: an 1898 Type 17 two-seat vehicle, and a four-seat Phaeton. Both have twin cylinder engines producing 8 horsepower.
Only motor vehicles with three wheels or more and built before 31 December 1904 are eligible to take part in the London to Brighton run. The first event was held in 1896 to celebrate the passing of the Locomotives on the Highway Act, which abolished the requirement of vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot. In 2001, 338 vehicles finished out of the 367 cars that started. Cars from all around the world are being entered this year including vehicles from Belgium, Finland, Germany, USA and Australia. It is estimated that the 2002 entry list is worth at least £40 million!
The event is not a race. Cars are limited to an average speed
of 20 mph and the only reward for a successful finish is a
Bronze Medal, which all entrants receive if they reach Brighton
before 4.30pm.
