Featured Event Coverage Old Cars are Meant to be Driven!

I know we all have different ideas of what we enjoy about this hobby. But, whether we like the build, showing off what we built when we are done, or driving the wheels off of this old stuff, it seems that just the nature of the hobby is that these cars are meant to be driven in some sense? I guess I really struggle with the idea of building a car just to look at although I know that they are also a form of art and some are good with that. At the core of what a car is, it should at minimum be able to provide some sort of transportation at least for me. That can be transportation a 1/4 mile at a time, long road trips cross country, taking them out on the weekends, or as daily drivers. I know for me, I choose all those options every chance I get. There is just something about driving this old stuff that is good for the soul. Some of you know that my current daily driver is my 51 Ford. That has been a blast to be honest as long as you don't mind talking to folks everywhere you go and getting waves like crazy when you are driving. Anyway, because of all this, me and some buddies came up with some 100ish mile reliability runs that we have been putting on for several years now. Those tend to encourage people to get out of lawn chairs and enjoy the ride. Anyway, not sure I have ever posted a thread about just driving this old junk other than specific to my own cars. Curious if I am the only one that thinks this way? I suspect there are a few others that may agree?

 

I'm in 100%.

 

Yea, you did come to mind as I was writing this. I know you help encourage several of us by do***enting your trips as well. Very appreciated!

 

Jeff, I couldn't agree more. I am far from OCD though I appreciate those that are. I am all for well kept and well driven....I drive one as frequently as I can and have several long road trips planned in the future...see you on the road soon....hopefully, not by the side of it..

 

Dashboard time is good time

 

amen

 

You also came to mind Larry and that is even how we met…you posting about your trip to Bartlesville for the Gathering at the Roc. Not everyone will travel by themself across country in a hopped up banger powered A.

 

AGREE ! I have driven all of my cars, I'm not or ever been interested in a trailer queen big dollar show car, They do have their place in the hobby, I appreciate them. At that level, they are car art. I've only known 1 man that drives his high dollar cars, enjoys them, very high maintenance, trip to paint often to keep them fresh looking. Car art tends to be big buck cars, today a 100 K is nothing, most 200 K+ to infinity. I made my choices, I've had some nice 25-40 K type cars over lapping so I had options, that makes sense to me. A factor in this hobby and all things, how many numbers left of the decimal point IS a factor. IMO that's what is great about this hobby, same fun with Any car, everyone should/can participate at their level.

 

Honestly, that's all I'm interested in currently. I haven't built anything in a long time, so I only turn wrenches if it's broke, lol. Other than that, it's for driving...

 

I drive mine all the time, well apart from when they start putting that calcium slop on the roads to when ma nature washes it off. They’re built to be driven and I believe they run best when driven often and long distances. I generally put 200-300 miles on every weekend

 

Facts

 

I know guys in the hobby that love building, and when they finish one they sell it quickly and build the next. Myself, when I am building one I'm dreaming of driving it. I like the challenge and puzzle of building, but I love driving my cars.

 

I build my "beaters" for long distance driving.


Some times taking the long way there - Open pit mine on old Rt-666 in Morenci, AZ.


And old Rt-66 on my way to Lead Ain't Dead 2020


I got to run a bit of Rt-66 with @winduptoy and spend some time with @guthriesmith and his kids.


Last year, I got to return to Lead Ain't Dead. It was great to meet old friends and make new friends. Rt-66 feels a little different in a 2025 Toyota Tacoma pickup (the white truck at the top of the picture).

Russ

 

Totally agree. We've been having a particularly bad winter here in NJ so I haven't wanted to get the cars out but it looks like the weather could be turning. Looking forward to logging some miles real soon

 

Nothing better than a good road trip. Some friends and I do an annual Bonneville road trip where we end up doing just shy of 1900 miles over a few days. We take the back roads and camp along the way. I drive an old car every day, but long road trips are the most fun.

www.ironandsteele.com​

 

Yes sir, they are meant to be driven and you learn to take the good times with the bad.

I've heard it ask, "did you drive that car that far?" and the answer is always yes, "are you afraid something might happen?" That's why I have insurance, after more than 40 years something did happen, we didn't get hurt (With the exception of our feelings) and we are in the process of repairing the car to hit the road this summer.

Looking forward to smiles & miles this year in the Wagon & the old beater . HRP

 

While putting them together is fun, the real fun, for me, is in the driving.

 

I have even learned that they don’t melt in the rain. This was a few minutes ago.

 

Can't agree more...

 

I agree that cars shouldn't be trailer queens, but I also know how much time and sweat goes into my builds, and how nice and clean they are underneath when I'm done, so I don't drive mine in the winter, and only occasionally in the rain if I'm on a long drive and get caught. I don't mind cleaning the bugs off that ac***ulate on a very long trip, and even think it's sort of a badge to show I've driven them a long way. But I try to avoid ugly weather, and I do a thorough undercarriage cleanup each spring before starting the heavy driving season. I used to put about 3500-4000 miles a year on a car, but as you get up to 3 cars I find each gets less miles each year.

 

Nothing beats road trips in old cars with friends!

 

I'm pretty much a daily driver with all mine....the architect even designed my office for the cars to have their own parking place each day. I'm in the '34 today and drove the Pratt '58 Impala Monday and Tuesday. My '64 Pontiac (my first car in '84) was my only car and my daily until '94 when it was rear ended....again. Stuff happens when you drive them, but ya gotta have some stories to tell in the parking lot at the hotel. LOL

Here's a few shots over the years out and about....

 

No, they don't melt in the rain

 

I’m all in, early in the morning and late at night

 

I didn't really think about the down sides of driving this stuff. But, you can ask my kids what I tell them... They all know that "break downs in old cars makes for better stories." I have met some of the best folks in the world when broke down in an old car.

 

Agreed! Been to Tacoma , WA. Been to Concord, NC.
M'Lady's health is the only limiting factor.

Ben

 

Heck, you have even been to my house Ben! I know you drive yours.

 

I totally agree!!!
Too many cars just collecting dust, I wish more people would just daily drive the stuff once and a while, not only to car shows.
Driving old stuff makes me glad and sometimes you make someone else glad just by driving by.
Just wishes i lived on a place without snow and salt, then i wouldnt have a car newer than 72, ok we say 75 i do like them early squarebodys

 

I really enjoy driving my old cars especially since I built them myself. We put on 5000 miles on 2025 . Hope to do more this year . My goal is to attend one event every weekend that I haven't been to before. Hopefully April will be good weather to bring out the cars up here in Mn .