A total of 572 vintage cars took part in the rally from Hyde Park to the East Sussex resort in this year’s annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, but only 433 of them made it to the finish line some 60-miles away.

According to the rules, only cars registered before 1905 were eligible to take part. A rally spokesman said: "These cars are all over 100 years old so they're not the most reliable and many break down along the way, and there are always a few non-starters." He added that though a number of the larger vehicles could touch speeds of up to 60mph, a majority were going at around 20mph.

One of the first cars to cross the start line was a circa 1894 Benz Victoria. A 1904 Darracq, which starred in the 1953 comedy film Genevieve, also took part in the race.

The driver checks the engine of his car Argyll 1904, standing on Westminster Bridge in London .

The French Teste et Moret, 1900.

 

Peugeot 1903

The driver sits in his car Argyll 1901, which broke down again.

Australian car Bergmann Orient Express 1898 edition.

Stanley steam car, 1903 edition