In the oldest and largest vintage motoring event n the world, San Diego’s long entry will return from its historic voyage to England April 5th and 6th, 2025. The 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile, one of over 400 pre-1905 vehicles entered, finished the 60-mile-long London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in seven hours 49 minutes, including all refueling, oil and pit stops.
A San Diego County car, for fifty years displayed in Escondido, the olds made a nonstop voyage across the Atlantic (via shipping container), earning the moniker “Spirit of San Diego.” Driven by San Diego County’s James and Gene Train, the Spirit of San Diego was clocked at 23 mph.
The storied Run commemorates the end of the Red Flag Act of 1865, which had required a person waving a red flag to walk 60 yards ahead of a mechanically propelled vehicle, warning of its approach. On Nov. 14th, 1896, the Highway Act completely removed the need for a person to walk ahead of a vehicle, and also raised the speed limit from 4 mph to 14 mph.
Celebrating the 120th anniversary of The Ladies’ Automobile Club in this run, the San Diego entry featured the first woman of Filipino descent to complete the run.
The Spirit of San Diego return celebration will occur at Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum in Escondido with live music, food and beverage, car show, and the public is welcome. The owners will be there both days, the mechanic team is scheduled for Saturday and the drivers on Sunday, with events running from noon to 4:00 pm on April 5th and 6th.
Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum is located at 29013 Champagne Blvd., Escondido, CA. Their phone number is 760-749-1666.
