The 1896 Salvesen steam cart at St James's International Concours 2022

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One of the most famous and immediately recongisable vehicles to participate in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the 1896 Salvesen steam cart, a superb one-off built by a member of the Salvesen shipping family and one of the first self-propelled road vehicles to be built in Scotland.

The Salvesens migrated to Scotland from Norway in the mid-18th century, with shipping magnate Christian Salvesen establishing a company in Leith, a port area on the River Forth near Edinburgh. One of his relatives occupied the Polmont estate at nearby Grangemouth, and it was there that the steam cart was constructed for use as estate transport.

After Salvesen, the steamer was acquired by celebrated early collector John Cuthill Sword, and at the famous sale of the Sword Collection in 1960 was bought by George Milligen, another collector of equal renown. When his collection was dispersed in 2004, steam enthusiast John Brydon bought it, returned it to running order and became a regular participant on the Brighton Run. Duncan Pittaway became its most recent custodian in 2017, and continues to run it with his characteristic enthusiasm.

We were fortunate enough to capture it steaming along London's Marlborough Street as it arrivated at the St. James's International Concours for veteran cars.

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