Completion of the 1000 Mile Trial, London, 1900

Completion of the 1000 Mile Trial, London, 1900. Photograph taken from an album of images compiled by English motor car manufacturer and aviator Charles Stewart Rolls (1877-1910), showing C S Rolls on the way to winning the 1000 Mile Trial in his 12 hp Panhard. The 1000 Mile Trial, which lasted 14 days in April and May of 1900, was the first public demonstration in Britain of the potential of the motor car as a practical means of long distance travel. The route began in London and went across to Bristol and up to Edinburgh before returning to London. 65 cars entered the event, with 23 of them completing the course. Rolls went on to found Rolls-Royce Ltd with Frederick Henry Royce (1863-1933) in 1906, having previously sold imported French cars, including Panhards, from showrooms in London. Photographie. ©SSPL/Science Museum