A DUNTOCHER petrolhead did the unthinkable when he drove his classic car 1,500 miles throughout the UK and across the French Alps before parking up in Monte Carlo.

Scott Fanning was joined by co-pilot Hugh Little as they set off from Paisley Abbey in their 1968 Hillman Imp and took on the mammoth task – and they were delighted to complete the journey with no hiccups whatsoever.

Scott told the Post: “Everything went superb. We made it no problem, no breakdowns, so all the preparation was worth it.

“One of the highlights was going over a big mountain passage called Col de Turini. It’s like two and a half times the size of Ben Nevis.

“We had bags of crisps expanding because of the change in air pressure. That’s how high up we were.

“If you break down up there, nobody’s coming to get you.”

The pair entered the classic category of the Monte Carlo Rally and so weren’t placed, meaning they could take a longer route and enjoy the experience.

“Although we drove all the way to Monte Carlo, it wasn’t A to B,” Scott continued.

“It was over the Alps and down dirt tracks and things like that.

“You could probably do it in four hours but we took an eight to ten-hour route. We met loads of folk.

“There were boys from Dundee, guys from Fife and a couple guys from down south. We all got quite friendly over the period of it.”

Once they reached Monte Carlo, the guys were treated to a night in the Fairmont Hotel and a five-course meal.

He added: “On the final night, we got to Monte Carlo and parked our cars down the front. All the people went down to see them.

“It was surreal, it was like ‘we’re in Monte Carlo’. It was spectacular.

“We were all dressed up for dinner and we actually went to the Automobile Club of Monaco, which is very exclusive.

“There was a guy sitting in the corner playing piano. That was another world.

“The adrenalin was still going. We were still excited about having got there but in the back of our minds, the next day we were having to set off back home.

“We had a 400-mile drive the next day, just to start heading back.”

Looking back on the whole experience, which saw them take part with some 300 other cars, Scott said he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I only had nine weeks to prepare the car,” he said.

“The car was on the road and it was going fine but to do those sort of miles in that sort of times, that’s just ridiculous.

“Everything was all set up right. If I did it again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Scott and Hugh also thanked their sponsors, Imperial Commercials, Park’s Motor Group and the Hungry Bite, for their practical support.

West Dunbartonshire Council backed the Imp’s entry in the event after securing the backing of Imperial and Park’s, while Dalmuir Park was a checkpoint on January 31 for the Monte Heritage Run from Aberdeen.