This extraordinary 1904 Peerless has proven its reliability and endurance on one of the most prestigious veteran car events in the world, the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in England. Not only did it successfully make the 60-mile journey once, it achieved the remarkable feat of completing the historic run three separate times.
For those unfamiliar, the London to Brighton Run is more than just a leisurely drive; it’s a true test of early motoring technology and the determination of both car and driver. The event celebrates vehicles built before 1905, and with thousands of spectators lining the route, each successful arrival at Brighton’s seaside is met with enthusiastic applause.
To finish the run even once is a badge of honor, but to accomplish it three times places this car in a very select group. Each run reaffirmed its craftsmanship, durability, and the pioneering spirit of the early automotive era. Today, its record of success serves as a rolling tribute to the ingenuity of its makers and the resilience of the machines that paved the way for modern motoring.
Company History
The Peerless story began in 1869 in Cincinnati, Ohio, with something far removed from automobiles, simple, yet highly successful clothes wringers. By 1891, the company had pivoted to the booming bicycle market, producing more than 10,000 bicycles each year and establishing a reputation for innovation.
A decade later, Peerless set its sights on motorized transportation. The company acquired De Dion-Bouton, a thriving French manufacturer, and began building motorized tricycles and quadricycles in America. With confidence growing, Peerless moved boldly into the automobile industry.
In August 1903, the company unveiled an ambitious lineup: a 16hp two-cylinder, a 24hp four-cylinder Type 8, a 35hp Type 7, and the impressive 60hp Type 12, planned for 1904. Among them, the Type 8 emerged as a star, hailed as the most advanced and fastest production car of 1904.
Peerless didn’t just build cars; they embraced artistry. The company partnered with the J.M. Quinby Company to craft elegant aluminum bodies in the fashionable Roi des Belges style. These distinctive tulip-shaped bulges behind the seats drew from European design trends, adding sophistication to American horsepower.
What began with a wringer quickly evolved into a brand synonymous with luxury, performance, and daring innovation, helping to shape the early automotive landscape.
