When we were very young a mate of mine who lived in Heidelberg (Melbourne) had a Standard Vanguard that did a rear wheel bearing while he was in Camberwell, about 6 miles from home. He found that, while he couldn't drive forward he could get it going in reverse. It being after midnight, he drove it all the way in reverse. The only problem was the lack of airflow over the radiator while groaning up the Burke Rd hill; it boiled and he had to wait for it to cool enough to keep going.

It only took him three hours to get home. No cops, however. Although the rule in Victoria then was you were allowed to reverse "a reasonable distance"; he regarded getting home to his own bed fitted that ctiterion.

Cheers, Rowan