DRIVERS of century-old cars taking part in next month’s blue ribbon London to Brighton Veteran Car Run will feel every bump in the road. But, thanks to the removal company owned by father-and-son Huntingdonshire businessmen, their luggage will travel in comparative luxury.

DRIVERS of century-old cars taking part in next month’s blue ribbon London to Brighton Veteran Car Run will feel every bump in the road.

But, thanks to the removal company owned by father-and-son Huntingdonshire businessmen, their luggage will travel in comparative luxury.

The London to Brighton run is the longest-running motoring event on earth, and each November draws hundreds of entrants from all around the world. Every car taking part is at least 106 years old.

This year, Abels, the Royal Warrant-holding moving firm owned by Philip and Neil Pertoldi, has secured a prestigious role in the event.

Group managing director Philip Pertoldi, who lives in Bury, and his son Neil, from Ramsey St Mary’s, are thrilled that Abels Moving Services has been chosen as official luggage transfer/logistics partner for the Royal Automobile Club-owned event.

“We are delighted to be part of such a famous and historic event,” said Mr Pertoldi Snr. “It is a prestigious occasion and is a perfect fit with Abels’ own traditional and cultural values.”

Abels Moving Services enjoy a rich heritage – still owning an 1896 horse-drawn pantechnicon – with operating centres in London and across the country. One of their main bases is on the St Peter’s Industrial Estate in Glebe Road, Huntingdon, from where they have operated since 1981 when Philip joined the company.

Participants in the LBVCR will brave the elements to make the 60-mile journey in cars whose rudimentary suspension hails from the horse-and-cart era of transport. But their personal belongings will get the smoothest ride money can buy.

Most of the 550 pre-1905 cars registered to take part in this year’s spectacular tribute to the infancy of the motor car are not equipped to carry luggage.

So a fleet of Abels’ modern pantechnicon vans, crewed partly by staff from Huntingdon, has been assigned to collect participants’ luggage from their London hotels – or the Hyde Park starting-line – and sort, store and deliver the belongings safely to the finishing line and hotels in Brighton.

Unlike the �60m-worth of cars taking part in the run, some of which have no suspension at all, Abels’ 21st century environmentally-friendly trucks boast the latest air ride suspension.

“Whatever the bumps and bruises they may have to endure, we can promise everyone that their luggage, at least, will get the best possible ride,” said Philip Pertoldi.

Abels are often asked to carry delicate, unusual or high value items, ranging from a Concorde engine that was export packed in Huntingdon and a complete Spitfire aircraft from Duxford to totem poles and ancient relics, antique furniture and fine porcelain to scientific equipment.

Helping Abels announce its partnership with the LBVCR was property developer Philip Oldman. He owns three cars which are London to Brighton veterans and has been taking part for 16 years. This year he will be driving a rare four-cylinder 1902 Mors 15hp.

He is pictured in the driving seat with, from left, Abels directors Neil Pertoldi, Philip Pertoldi and John Watson.