Trip hoped to be a Triumph

Rob Marshall and Nicky Holmes will make their first foreign trip in the Triumph Toledo in June that Rob spent six months restoring to its original showroom condition.

Their route will take in visits to France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany before they return to their home in Areley Kings.

They are hoping to raise as much money as they can for BEN, the charity which supports motor trade employees and their families, many of whom have been affected by the recent cuts in the industry.

Motoring writer and classic car enthusiast Rob, aged 28, of Stourport, will spend the next few weeks fine-tuning the car for the longest drive of its life.

"Driving a classic car to Europe may evoke an image of idyllic open-top motoring on sun-drenched roads but this will be a lot less glamorous," he said.

"It will be a huge challenge for the Toledo and to be honest I'm not sure if the car will make it. It will have to cover its average annual mileage in just four days and we will be taking plenty of spare parts with us."

He was given the 1,300cc car, which was first registered in 1974, while he was studying for an MA in Automotive Journalism. The Toledo had covered only 45,000 miles and came with a full service history – but had been kept by the sea in Eastbourne and was riddled with rust.

Rob stripped it down, replaced many of the parts, and had it professionally resprayed in its original colour of Emerald Green.

"I managed to sell the restoration story to a classic car magazine and the resulting profit paid my tuition fees."

The restored Toledo will now hit 60mph in around 17 seconds and can return up to 40mpg on a run.

"It looks great now and is a real talking point wherever it goes," added Rob.

Rob and Nicky's journey will be part of the Guild Classic, an annual continental trip organised for members by the Guild of Motoring Writers.