An 80-year-old woman who crossed Africa in a Toyota

Toyota is synonymous with power, not least in Africa. In appreciation, an 80-year-old woman decided to drive all the way from Cape Town, South Africa to London, UK to visit her daughter.

The 80-year-old woman was Julia Albo of South Africa from Cape Town and the car was a Toyota Conquest – also sold as Corolla – which she bought new in 1997.

Toyota Conquest with nearly 40,000 miles on the odometer

When the journey began, the Toyota in question had nearly 40,000 miles on its odometer, but it had received a number of modifications to make the journey easier.

A mantel was installed on the ceiling, the suspension was lifted and the interior was reconfigured to make it more comfortable.

The route from Cape Town to London was across the east coast of Africa, a distance of about 2,000 miles, at least she was driving herself.

More specifically, she drove to Cairo from Cape Town for onward shipment to Greece.

Then I drove through Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and finally London.

Starting in winter

Julia started driving on June 13, 2017 – winter in Cape Town but summer in London – and everything about her is documented Articles. It took me 12 months to drive all the way to London.

She was driving during daylight hours only and the hardest part of the whole trip was getting all the required visas and documents for each country.

The Toyota Giulia’s foray—which Tracy named it—handled brilliantly. The reason she took the trip was to prove she could do it without any luxury car.

Also, her husband had just passed away and she felt like she didn’t have much left to live for.

A memory for life

At the location in London, Tracy (Julia Toyota) is briefed by a mechanic and Toyota UK records her ride.

Julia Albu passed away in August 2021 at the age of 84.