If only the roads were as clear during the week as they are on Sunday mornings, there would at least have been a reasonable chance of attaining an average speed approaching the 21.25mph of 1953. After an early start, a faultless run on the outbound journey meant that Cadillac #530 arrived early.  Being Sunday, Julian's two young sons, Olly and Tom, took turns at navigating - practice no doubt for the 2053 run!
    The civic reception with the Mayor, Cllr James & Mrs Melanie Doyle, combined with a representative gathering of Cadillacs & Veteran Cars, went off without a hitch. The return journey fared just as well but, on the last lap heading up the hill into Crystal Palace, sporadic backfires interspersed with an occasional misfire did not bode well for the remainder of the Run.
    Fortunately, having arrived back well within daylight, there was time to locate the problem and effect a cure. Over-oiling by the automatic drip-feeders had fouled the trembler coil electrodes as well as producing an excessive carbon build-up in the cylinder head. Many hands set to with 'de-carboning' implements followed by a re-adjustment of the oilers as instructed in Julian's cherished original handbook.