A MK 2 Jaguar that recently completed the 12,000-mile Mediterranean Rally used only 5 litres of oil, averaged between 23 and 24 miles to the gallon, and didn't miss a beat.

"It was an amazing achievement," said nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of Classic Motor Cars Ltd based in Bridgnorth, who not only supplied the car to owner John Hunt, but also prepared it for its journey. "

For a car of this age and an XK engine to use so little oil and petrol is down to preparation and CMC in Bridgnorth did a first class job," said John. " This is the longest rally that we have ever competed in and my wife and I did it with some trepidation."

" We wanted to take part in the rally, which took us through Libya, Egypt, Croatia, and Italy, to name just a few of the countries, in a classic that would be reliable, CMC suggested the 3.8 litre MK 2,with an up rated engine John and his wife joined 15 other classic cars on the run, which took nine weeks

"To use so little oil and petrol was down to good preparation," said John, who not only got CMC to prepare the car but asked them to provide the spares that he would need for the journey, fuel pump, water pump, water pipes, brake pads, and even a spare leaf spring.

John Hunt wanted to distribute the weight evenly so instead of putting the spares into the boot had a special box made which fitted under the rear seat so that the weight was distributed evenly between the rear axles. He added: " It was a fantastic experience which was made all the more enjoyable by having a reliable car." John who lives in Guernsey, is now looking for his next challenge.