Abels revelled in its prestigious role as Official Luggage Transfer/Logistics Partner for the world-famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
Over the weekend, directors Neil Pertoldi and John Watson soaked up the unique atmosphere at the world-famous motoring event. Some of the highlights were Bonham’s famed auction of 100-year-old cars and lunch at the Royal Automobile Club.
With Regent Street closed for Saturday’s International Concours spectacular, they strolled through a breathtaking collection of over 100 immaculately restored vehicles, including the famous four-wheeled film star Genevieve.
Sunday November 7 saw Genevieve and over 500 other cars – all made before 1905 and shipped in from all over the world for the occasion – cross the Hyde Park start line for the 60-mile run to the south coast.
“We were up at 3.30am to organise the vehicles and get them to the participants’ hotels for 5am,” said UK Services Managing Director John Watson, whose wife Amelia was among the passengers privileged to ride in cars made at the dawn of motoring.
A 20-strong Abels team, and a fleet of six pantechnicons, collected participants’ luggage from six London hotels and the Hyde Park start line and delivered it back to the owners either at the Brighton finish line or their chosen hotels.
And the team returned from the south coast with organisers and participants singing Abels’ praises for their efficiency and friendly service.
John said it all went like clockwork – and his 22-hour day ended with the Brighton dinner dance.
“All participants had mine and Neil’s telephone numbers in case of any problem – but we didn’t get a single call. And neither did the event organisers, which is very satisfying,” said John.
“Many people who took part in the run told us how nice it was to go down to the hotel lobby to find fully uniformed Abels staff waiting for them with a big smile, ready to
take care of their belongings.”
Most completed a glorious 60-mile parade to Brighton, watched by half-a-million spectators.
And there was a special personal delivery for all finishers from Abels. John and Neil were on Brighton’s seafront Madeira Drive to hand out embossed leather luggage label holders. Mementoes of the world’s most famous car event and the quality of service they received from the Abels’ meet-and-greet experts.