When a shed isn’t just a shed — it’s a speed demon

Imagine pulling into your driveway and, instead of a humble garden shed filled with rakes and watering cans, you see a roaring V8-powered speed machine. That’s exactly what Brian Cade has built — and at 61 years old, he’s smashed a brand new world record with it.

On 11 October 2025 at Elvington Airfield in York, Brian pushed the limits of what a “garden shed” can do. His motorised shed, fondly nicknamed “Ed the Shed,” clocked an astonishing 123.43 mph (198.65 km/h), earning the title of the world’s fastest garden shed. (Guinness World Records)

From childhood dreams to full-on shedtacular reality

Brian’s inspiration was simple yet timeless: as a self-described “petrol head,” he grew up watching shows like Record Breakers — and always wondered what record he could chase.

Putting his builder’s skills and love of classic cars to work, he mounted a 4.5-litre V8 engine onto a sturdy chassis (from a TVR) and built a wooden shell around it to resemble a garden shed. The result? A wooden shed on wheels — complete with steering wheel, seat and controls — that’s less “DIY tool storage” and more “attack of the 123 mph shed monster.”

The day the shed roared

On test day, Brian’s family cheered him on from the sidelines — including his grandchildren, with one young voice faintly heard shouting “Go Grandad!” as Ed launched down the airfield runway.

The run was timed by motorsport experts from Straightliners — and once the speedometer stopped spinning, the record was clear. At 123.43 mph, Ed lept past the previous mark held by another British shed-pioneer, Kevin Nicks.

A bit of history: the old guard of speedy sheds

Former Shed of the year finalist Kevin Nicks had held the title since 2019, when his bespoke wheeled shed — creatively dubbed Fastest Shed — was clocked at 106 mph.

Nicks, a mechanic-turned-gardener from Oxfordshire, first built the shed using a steel frame and wooden shiplap bodywork. Over several years and upgrades — including a switch to a powerful Audi RS4 engine — he repeatedly pushed the boundaries of how fast a shed could go. (Wikipedia)

Before Nicks, the “fastest shed” title belonged to another quirky inventor, Edd China, who first registered a garden-shed-on-wheels record in 2011 at around 58.4 mph (94 km/h). (Wikipedia)

Not just for bragging rights — fun, family and charity too

Brian didn’t build Ed just to set a record. He wanted to craft something fun for his grandchildren. That whimsy extends beyond the racetrack — he’s also turned his story into a children’s book The Pig Escapade: And Ed, the World’s Fastest Shed. Part of the book’s proceeds goes to Reach Charity, which supports children and young people with upper limb differences. (Guinness World Records)

As for Ed itself — Brian isn’t done. He’s talked of making the shed even faster, and maybe even street-legal, so he can one day take his grandchildren for a spin. (Guinness World Records)

Why this story captures our imagination

• It’s absurd — and brilliant. The idea of a “garden shed” hitting motorway speeds is so ludicrous it demands attention.
• It’s DIY supercharged. Brian fused traditional craftsmanship (wood, metal) with serious automotive engineering.
• It’s about legacy. From childhood dreams, to family fun, to charity — this record has heart as well as horsepower.
• It’s proof anything can be re-imagined. A shed isn’t just a shed if you’re willing to dream big … and bolt in a V8.

So next time you glance at that dusty wooden shed in your garden — maybe think twice. Somewhere out there, Ed the Shed is out on the runway, proving that even the humblest of structures can surprise you when you push them to their limits.

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