Appropriately an Aston Martin led the traffic the 60 miles from London to Birmingham. It was driven by David Brown, who had moved many of his workforce from Middlesex and used local craftsmen, to build his Aston Martin and Lagonda cars.

Some motorists were not as well prepared as David Brown for the new experience of motorway driving. One Newport Pagnell garage had to rescue six cars with engine failure on the first day.

The opening of the motorway meant that the workmen who had been staying in Newport Pagnell could now leave. The Contract General Manager for John Laing and Son, Mr J Michie, wrote to the 'Bucks Standard':

"We would like the inhabitants of Buckinghamshire and in particular of Newport Pagnell to know how much their hospitality and co-operation has been appreciated......................................................................................................By your kindness, toleranceand friendliness you have helped in no small way to the construction of a civil engineering feat of which we should all be proud"