THEY MADE IT!!! 
Wayne Scott, Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine Editor and Michael Ballard, JEC Classic XK Model Section Coordinator, left Hyde Park near the back at 08:15 in the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust’s 1904 Lanchester, with veteran cars coming at them from every angle. The crew headed down Horse Guards Parade and The Mall, past Buckingham Palace and the Trafalgar Square, where the traffic lightsnever seemed to stay green long enough to complete the process of getting underway!
After passing yet more of London’s famous landmarks, including Westminster Bridge, the traffic in Croydon brought its first breakdown: overheating and a loss of oil pressure. They were soon moving again, only to run out of fuel in Crawley! Tea and a bacon roll at the Gatwick halfway stop were very welcome.
Then came Hammer Hill, where many veterans need a tow. They called on everything the Lanchester’s four-cylinder engine could muster and chugged all the way to the top!
Faster, sweeping roads followed before another traffic hold-up forced a stop, fortunately in a country pub car park. There are worse places to break down!
Michael took over for the final stretch, but just metres from glory, they stopped again. Despite frantic attempts to restart, they had to push the Lanchester over the finish line to beat the 4pm curfew, with the crowds willing them on. What an emotional moment!
An epic, physical and unforgettable day that gave them a whole new appreciation of just how daring and tough those early motoring pioneers really were.
The pair send huge thanks to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, particularly James ‘Jock’ Howe and Lawrence, for their amazing support. They certainly needed them! Their thanks also go to everyone from the JEC who cheered them over the line.
Wayne, Michael and their passengers, John and Mirjana will never forget London to Brighton 2026. What a privilege, and what a way to finish!
The full story will appear soon in Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine, plus, watch this space for the YouTube video of the full experience coming soon via Spotlight as well!
