All roads lead to Madeira!

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The Royal Automobile Club has announced that the island of Madeira will once again be a partner of the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2025.

We immediately wondered whether this was merely a commercial collaboration, or whether there was something deeper behind the renewed partnership. As it turns out, it celebrates a remarkable historical connection between the British seaside town of Brighton and the Portuguese island that gave its name to the famous Madeira Drive.

Every year, hundreds of participants set off at dawn from Hyde Park in London to complete their journey on the Brighton seafront – on the iconic Madeira Drive. For more than a century, this boulevard has marked the finish line of the world’s longest-running motoring event.

The name Madeira Drive dates back to the nineteenth century, when the Victorians first discovered their fascination for the island of Madeira. They were captivated by its mild climate, lush gardens, and clean air, and saw in the name the perfect association for a fashionable seaside resort on England’s south coast.
When the first Madeira Road was built in 1870 behind Brighton’s new sea wall, the name came to symbolise elegance and a touch of exoticism. Later, at the end of the 19th century, the boulevard gained its distinctive Madeira Terrace – a cast-iron promenade overlooking the sea, protected by a green wall inspired by the island’s terraced gardens. This remarkable structure is currently being restored, allowing Brighton to honour its heritage once again.

The link between Madeira and Great Britain goes far beyond a shared name. On the island itself, a lively motoring tradition began more than a century ago. The first car – a British Wolseley 10hp – arrived in January 1904, brought by English businessman Bernard Harvey Foster. His arrival marked the beginning of Madeira’s automotive story, and many historic vehicles can still be found there today.
That passion for classic cars continues through events such as the Madeira Classic Car Revival, held every May, which brings together hundreds of cherished vintage vehicles on the island.
For more information, visit www.veterancarrun.com.

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