Monday 1st September 1902

Sixty-three motor cars took part in reliability trials, driving from London’s Crystal Palace to Folkestone, Kent and back in a day, demonstrating that they were almost as reliable as railways as a means of transport. Organised by the Automobile Club, the trials were designed to see how each vehicle performed over the 130-mile route fully laden with passengers and keeping to the 8-mph limit through towns. Each car was allowed a maximum of 2 hours to prepare before they set off at 20-second intervals. Although there were some unfortunate incidents with horses along the way, most of the cars, including the vehicle driven by legendary English cricketer W. G. Grace, managed to complete the course.