The film-star Spyker shows its true colours

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It goes without saying that the two best-known veteran cars are Genevieve the 1904 Darracq and her friendly rival, the 1905 Spyker 12/16hp which co-starred alongside her in the 1953 film. Yes, technically the Spyker's an Edwardian but we think it has earnt itself honorary veteran status.

Genevieve remains a familiar sight to us all because her owner, the Louwman Museum in the Netherlands, keeps her in excellent fettle and transports her across the English Channel every year so she can continue to run in the London to Brighton. The Spyker, however, has led a quieter life. Many of our readers will know that it, too, forms part of the Louwman Museum's remarkable collection, but the last time it raced - sorry, accompanied - the Darracq to Brighton was in 2010.

With this year marking the 70th anniversary since Genevieve was released in cinemas, the good news has been announced that the Darracq and Spyker are to take part together once more. There's even better news, though. For a long time now, the Spyker has been painted a bright green with contrasting yellow wheels, but work has been going on over the past few months to return it to the attractive colour scheme of off-white with dark accents which it wore in the film.

For thousands of enthusiasts, the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday 5th November will present the first opportunity to see the Spyker restored to its film colours. Keen-eyed readers will notice, too, that it's windscreen has been taken off, as was done at the insistence of the cameramen who would otherwise have struggled to get clear shots of Kenneth Moore and Kay Kendall.

That, of course, is one very good reason to line the route from London to Brighton. The other very good reason is that the Spyker and Genevieve will be appearing alongside more than 350 other beautiful veterans all turning out to honour the pioneer motorists of 1896. It's an event not to be missed.

Don't worry if you can't get to Brighton, though. From 7th August to 20th October, the two film stars will be displayed side by side in the exhibition gallery at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, meaning those of you who'll be visiting the Autojumble will have an excellent opportunity to inspect them close-up.

Photos by the Louwman Museum
 

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