The John Muir Trust (JMT), which owns most of the upper reaches of the Ben, refused permission to land an original Model T on the top of the 4,406ft mountain by helicopter to celebrate the centenary of the extraordinary achievement.

The point-blank refusal in April upset organisers who had hoped the exercise would form the centrepiece of a week-long rally in May 2011 when they hope more than 100 enthusiasts and their families, from the UK and overseas, will descend on the town with their vintage vehicles.

But it recently emerged that an embarrassing loophole could be used to overcome the JMT ban, as Lochaber Mountaineering Club owns two small areas of land at the top of the Ben and was in favour of allowing the stunt to go ahead there.

This week, to the delight of the organisers, the trust indicated that the brakes may now be lifted and the refusal reversed.

John Hutchison, recently appointed chairman of the JMT, said: "This is something we have under review.

"Although we had concerns about the initial proposal to helicopter a Model T Ford to the summit of Ben Nevis, we recognise the significance to Fort William and Lochaber of celebrating this historic event and so we will be engaging in discussions with the event organisers on ways in which we can help make this event a success."

The trust's new line is in stark contrast to its response to organisers in April.

Then, head of land management Andrew Campbell said the helicoptering in of a vehicle to the summit did not fit in with the trust's aims and vision for the mountain.

And he added that allowing the stunt to go ahead would contravene the trust's principles and aims for the area and set a precedent for other similar activities it felt would be detrimental to the summit environment.

And, in a further twist, the trust's change of heart comes just weeks after members of the Lochaber Mountaineering Club (LMC) agreed to support the stunt.

The club has had the title deeds of ownership to two small sections of land at the top of the mountain for over half a century.

Henry Alexander with a Model T Ford on the Ben.

One is on the summit with a rescue shelter on it. The other section is near the top of Number 4 Gully where a shelter was removed, and the rally organisers had been told they could land the vehicle there.

LMC treasurer George Bruce said: "As a mountaineering club, we share some of the views of the John Muir Trust relating to mountains but agree that Ben Nevis is in a special category, being the highest mountain in the UK and as such is special to everyone.

"The majority of our members live and work locally and think this project will be of great benefit to the area with the influx of visitors and the Model T Ford owners and hope that common sense will prevail and the event will get the blessing of all parties involved."

Yesterday (Wednesday), Iain Blyth, local Model T Ford enthusiast and lead organiser of the proposed rally, told the Lochaber News: "I'm delighted that the trust now wants to sit down and talk with us soon and see how we can all work together to make the event a success.

"It looks like there has been a change of heart. Maybe it's because there's been a change of personnel at the JMT, maybe it's in light of the mountaineering club's decision, which was a tremendous boost to us.

"However, what's important is that there appears to be a breakthrough and hopefully we can all work together."

Mr Blyth, who runs Autocraft All Terrain Vehicles at Kinlocheil, near Fort William, added: "The week-long celebration, featuring music and other fun events, will bring people to the area and will put Fort William on the map, just like Henry Alexander did all those years ago."

Provost of Lochaber Allan Henderson, who has been lobbying the JMT throughout the year, said: "I've always been hopeful that common sense will prevail.

"I've only been a bit-part player in all this but I have been trying to impress on the JMT just what a big thing this could be for the area in terms of tourism, economic boost and publicity."

s.taylor@lochaber-news.co.uk

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