Rothwell → the Riviera → Rothwell · 11–19 Sept 2026Furka Porsche

A 1968 Porsche 912 and a Tesla Model S set off from Rothwell for the Alps and the Med. Nine days later they came back. This is the photographic evidence.

'68 Porsche 912 · the one that drinks petrol Tesla Model S P100D · the one that sips electrons

Map & diary 9 days · 320 photos · 33 videos

2,081Miles, odometer-certified

9Days on the road

5Countries · UK FR CH IT MC

959Photos & clips taken

2Tunnels under sea & Alps

0Plans strictly followed

The trip diary

There was a plan a vague sense of direction.

There was a planning website. It had a route, a mileage table and a day-by-day itinerary. We ignored it with some enthusiasm. This site shows where we actually went, rebuilt from the GPS in 879 of our photos, with the other 80 placed from their neighbours in time.

Two cars built half a century apart: one air-cooled and orange, the other silent and silver and permanently looking for a Supercharger. Five countries, two tunnels, one Riviera, and a great deal of lunch.

Open the map

Odometer, or it didn't happen

Read straight off the Tesla's screen at the Old Fire Station in Rothwell, before and after.

Tesla screen: Model S P100D, 86,768 mi — Sat 19 Sept, 17:19 · back in Rothwell

−

Tesla screen: Model S P100D, 84,687 mi — Fri 11 Sept, 11:15 · leaving Rothwell

2,081 mi3,349 km, Rothwell to Rothwell

Pedants' corner: the Tesla had already done 34 miles that morning getting to Rothwell (84,653 at Lutterworth, 09:55), so door to door it was 2,115. The 912's odometer was not consulted. It is 58 years old and entitled to its privacy.

The crew

Andy, David, Gav and George, all four as far as Nice. Gav and George flew home from there, leaving Andy and David to drive the last three days solo. Crew biographies pending; the cars are easier to describe.

Car one · the classic

1968 Porsche 912

The 911's shape with a four-cylinder engine descended from the 356. Air-cooled and orange. Broke down one corner into the Furka Pass, refused to start facing uphill, and had to be shuffled round on its own starter motor. Started within five minutes facing downhill.

Fuel: Petrol, possibly contaminated
Worst moment: One corner above Göschenen
Horn: Not working (see: Andy)

The grey Tesla Model S at a Supercharger

Car two · the support vehicle

Tesla Model S P100D

One of the quickest-accelerating cars of its day, mostly used here to follow a 58-year-old Porsche at a respectful distance. Knows every Supercharger between Folkestone and Nice personally.

Fuel: Electrons
Trip: 2,081 mi
Worst moment: Reversing into the 912 in Metz (officially Andy's fault)

Nine days, nine signposts

Follow the yellow arrows. That's how it works in Switzerland.