Two pioneers, one grand finale: One of the world’s oldest roadworthy delivery vans and Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp conclude Mercedes-Benz anniversary celebrations in London

• Mercedes-Benz Classic at the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
• Closing chapter of the “140 Years of Innovation” and “130 Years of Van History” celebrations
• Benz Combination delivery van from 1899: Pioneer in the commercial vehicle sector
• 1902 Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp: Defining concept for the modern car

Mercedes-Benz Classic delighted spectators at the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (LBVCR) with a selection of special vehicles from the brand’s early history yesterday, Sunday 1 November 2026. Before the start in Hyde Park, London, Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), and Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, performed the legendary “Tearing of the Red Flag”. This ritual was already part of the “Emancipation Run” of 1896, which the LBVCR commemorates today.

At the “Run” itself, as well as at the RAC’s St. James Motoring Spectacle held the day before on Pall Mall, visitors were able to experience the 1899 Benz Combination delivery van. It is one of the world’s oldest roadworthy vans. A 1902 Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp with a tonneau body was also on display, it was among the vehicles on the starting grid on Sunday. It is one of the earliest vehicles in the Mercedes-Simplex range, which was first produced in 1902. The authentic reconstruction of the 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car highlighted Carl Benz’s invention of the motor car over the weekend. At the same time, it embodied the link between the LBVCR’s motto, “Celebrating 140 Years of the Motor Car”, and the Mercedes-Benz brand anniversary, “140 Years of Innovation”. 

Latest photos: November | London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

For Mercedes-Benz Classic, taking part in this legendary event marked the conclusion of 2026, a year that has seen two major anniversaries: “140 Years of Innovation” and “130 Years of Van History”. This first anniversary marks the date on which Carl Benz filed the patent application for his motor car on 29 January 1886 – the spark that ignited the success story of the motor car, with countless innovations from Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands. Ten years later, in 1896, Carl Benz invented the first motorised van. Mercedes-Benz Vans celebrated this anniversary on various occasions this year with special-edition models, exhibitions and a glimpse into the future of vehicles in this segment.

The RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run set off from Hyde Park at 7 am on 1 November 2026. Along the route, which was around 100 kilometres long, crowds of enthusiastic spectators lined the streets to cheer on the automotive pioneers. The St. James Motoring Spectacle on Pall Mall kicked off the LBVCR weekend on 31 October 2026. This year, there were over 150 extraordinary vehicles from various eras appearing there. Before the weekend, a faithful reconstruction of the Benz Patent Motor Car had been on display in the rotunda of the RAC to mark the “140 Years of Innovation” anniversary. On Friday, 30 October 2026, the Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp, the Combination delivery van and the reconstruction of the Benz Patent Motor Car were present at the Mercedes-Benz World circuit in Brooklands for media and content productions. 

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has been held since 1927; it is the world’s oldest motoring event to have been organised in the same form ever since. It relates to the year 1896. At that time, motorists celebrated the raising of the speed limit for road vehicles outside built-up areas to 14 mph (22.5 km/h) with the “Emancipation Run”. At the start of the Emancipation Run 130 years ago, the 12^th Earl of Winchilsea tore a red flag in two for the first time. This symbolised the repeal of the “Red Flag Act” of 1865. That Act required a person carrying a red flag to walk ahead of self-propelled road vehicles (initially steam-powered) to warn passers-by. To this day, the “Tearing of the Red Flag” ceremony held before the start of the LBVCR commemorates the British politician’s dramatic gesture in 1896. Today, two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles with various drive systems, built before 1905, can take part in the Run. In 2026, over 400 vehicles set off from London.

Benz Combination delivery van, 1899

As the world’s oldest automotive manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz is one of the companies that can take part in the Run with suitable vehicles. The 1899 Benz Combination delivery van attracted a great deal of attention last weekend – it is one of the world’s oldest delivery vans still in working order. To mark its anniversary year in 2026, Mercedes-Benz Classic has restored an original Benz Velociped from 1896, which forms part of the company’s own collection. The faithful replica of the panel van bodywork was built from scratch based on the historical model of a van that Hewetson’s Ltd., as the official English Benz distributor, had manufactured under licence around 1899. This vehicle, known as the “Ideal Van”, had around 3 hp and could carry a payload of around 100 kilograms plus the driver. 

Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp, 1902

As a milestone in the history of innovation the 1902 Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp with a tonneau body was equally impressive. In March 1902, this model replaced the legendary Mercedes 35 hp, the first modern car in history, designed by Wilhelm Maybach. The suffix “Simplex” refers to the ease of use, as perceived at the time. The Mercedes 35 hp was the first to define the car’s distinctive form. Characteristic features included the long wheelbase, the light and powerful engine installed low down and the honeycomb radiator integrated organically into the front end, which was to become distinctive for the brand. The first Mercedes and the Mercedes-Simplex marked the definitive departure from the carriage-style design that had previously dominated the industry.

Further research and multimedia material:

mercedes-benz-archive.com/museum

Mercedes‑Benz Classic on social media:

www.instagram.com/mercedesbenzmuseum

www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzmuseum

Mercedes-Benz anniversary year “140 Years of Innovation”

Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes-Benz has dedicated itself to constant innovation and to creating the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world’s first automobile in 1886 to the biggest product launch programme in the company’s history that is currently underway. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that runs through everything Mercedes-Benz does: Welcome home. 

Mercedes‑Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation: Three new S-Class saloons went on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide as part of the “140 Years. 140 Places” tour. Each place highlighted the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence. Along the way, customers, fans and colleagues got to join in the celebrations right up to its grand ‘Homecoming’ finale at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Highlights of the tour can be found on our “140 Years of Innovation | Mercedes‑Benz Media” special.