Alan McKim is the proud owner of 'Genevieve', a vintage car. His enthusiasm is not shared by his wife, Wendy, but she is prepared to accompany him on the annual London to Brighton race. But as he tunes up his pride and joy, Ambrose Claverhouse, an old friend and his girlfriend Rosalind, arrives in his veteran car. He makes various jibes about Alan's car which ignites a row between Alan and Wendy. For the McKims and Genevieve, the race turns out to be one disaster after another.