Austin 1800: The car that should have won the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon

The result of some lunchtime brainstorming between Sir Max Aitken, Jocelyn Stevens and Tommy Sopwith of the Daily Express, hoping lift the mood and economy in England, the London to Sydney Marathon has only been run a handful of times in its forty three year history.

It’s an epic undertaking, and the first brave people to undertake it left Crystal Palace in London in 1968 for a 7,000-mile adventure across eleven countries.

As they progressed through the event, Evan Green, ‘Gelignite’ Jack Murray and George Shepheard were climbing through the ranking as quickly as were racking up the miles. Automotive journalist Mark Oastler thinks that they should have won, and in Austin 1800: The Car That Should Have Won the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, tells the tale of why they didn’t.

Thanks to the Shannons Club

Image via the Shannons Club