In June 2017, 80-year-old Julia Albu from Cape Town in South Africa decided that she would drive to visit her daughter.
The remarkable thing about this was that the daughter lived over 2,000 miles away in London, UK.
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A spontaneous decision
Julia got the idea after she was upset by a radio program that mentioned the outrageous sums that a famous person spent on cars for his wives.
– In the heat of the moment, I called the station and told them that I was 80 years old and that my Toyota was 20 years old. We’re 100 years old together and we’re both 100 percent – so mild that I’m going to drive to London to visit my daughter.
The route went along the east coast of Africa – Photo: Julia Albu
After saying this on the radio show, which was heard by several of her acquaintances, she felt compelled to make the trip.
With her money tight and her partner recently gone, she felt she might as well go on an adventure.
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An old faithful servant
The car Julia chose for the adventure was the Toyota Conquest – sold as Corolla in other markets – which she had bought new in 1997.
The little car, which Julia had named Tracy, had by then already covered well over 30,000 miles, and received a number of modifications before the trip.
Among other things, the suspension was raised, a roof rack was installed, and the interior was modified to be more homely.
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Started in winter
Julia and Toyotan Tracy began their journey in Cape Town on 13 June 2017, when it was the middle of winter in South Africa but full summer in the UK.
The route from Cape Town to London ran along the African east coast and was approximately 2,000 miles long. To cross the Mediterranean, Julia and the car took a ferry from Egypt to Greece.
The little Toyota covered the distance with ease – Photo: Julia Albu
The little Toyota made the trip with ease and fulfilled Julia’s purpose for the trip, which was to prove that you didn’t need a fancy car to make the trip.
Julia only drove during daylight hours, and said the hardest part of the whole trip was getting all the documentation and visas required to drive through each country.
Got noticed by Toyota
On arrival in London, Toyota Tracy had reached 36,600 miles on the odometer, and was given a proper overhaul by a mechanic.
Julia was also recognized by Toyota for her journey.
Julia Albu died at the age of 84 in August 2021.
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