Featured Event Coverage Old Cars are Meant to be Driven!

When building the 41 the idea was to have a car that would go the distance. The longest trip I've made with it was 8,000 mi in 4 weeks. Most trips have been solo including California, Florida and Prince Edward Island. The car has been in all kinds of weather including, a rain storm so heavy the traffic was down to about 30 mph on the xway and an unexpected drive in early snow. The comments you get when a long way from home are great. I have two that stick in my mind, 1st coming back into the states from New Brunswick Canada the border guard could hardly believe I'd driven from Mi., 2nd was in Sacramento I was g***ing up and a young guy came running over exclaiming he never seen the car before and where was I from. When I told him Michigan he figured I'd trailered it out there. He was shocked when I told him no I'd driven it out there. The longest 1 day trip was Jacksonville Fl to home 1150 mi. I did that twice.

 

Very cool! I have always wanted to do a long distance trip in an old car. So far, I would guess that my 1500 mile trip was as long as I have done. Hoping that when I get my fresh motor in my 56 as well as some other needed work it will be up to some long trips.

 

I'm looking forward to your '56 back on the road and trip planning when it is done...it would be different traveling along with a modern car .....

 

No problem. Always a fun discussion!! As with any "How long is a string?" discussion - what is the best engine (354 hemi); who is the GOAT NBA player (Wilt); what is the best looking paint color (yellow)- fun to see the various views out there.

 

Haha...yea, kind of like riding on a couch with all kinds of fancy accommodations like independent suspension, hydraulic brakes, etc. Heck, this one even has power steering and power brakes. Much easier to drive than my 51 even. It almost drives itself.

 

When I was a kid we used to load all 6 of us in dads '59 Fleetwood and cruise to Detroit from Cape cod via Niagara falls it was cool.i drove weddings with it after I had gotten my license .it's all original 70k miles ,a tank but you feel safe in it

 

More driving...p***ing a couple of my kids driving my squarebird on Easter.

 

Geez I can't believe I missed this thread. I'm a firm believer in you gotta drive em! I enjoy the build but the thought floating around in my empty noggin all the while is I can't wait to drive this thing! The smiles, waves, thumbs up, phone pix when people drive by are the real trophies. Love road trips! It's not just a trip but an adventure. The event or show or whatever is just a destination, the fun is getting there. As Roy use to say, happy trails! Dan

 

Yep, you are another person that came to mind when I started this thread Dan. Not everyone will drive their caddy powered T coupe all the way to Oklahoma from Minnesota by themself to drive 100 miles with some guys.

 

Now I am going to have to watch Walk the Line again. I didn't realize that.

 

Jeff, this thread is one of the best in a long time, guys are really partisipating. HRP

 

Thanks Danny! You are the guy normally starting threads that get folks talking.

 

Old cars are not meant to be driven in this , early winter Black Hills , S.D ,

 

My wife just gave me my proof of insurance for my coupe!! Get out of my way!!

 

Good Hart MI

 

Cold November day in the Northeast last fall.

 

Nice 54 what are the specs on it? 52-54 Fords are bucket list cars for me especially Ht's I've had 3 Ht's and 3 sedans

 

We have always driven our cars all over the country. The 35 Ford coupe has a little over 237,000 miles on it so far. The longest one day drive was from Kansas City to Snowm*** Village Colorado for Americruise.

 

I've put 10,000 miles on this 1910 Stevens-Duryea in the time I've owned it.
This photo was taken on the coast at Coos Bay Oregon a few years back.

 

Montana backroads ….

 

Returning home from GoodGuys Del Mar run a few years ago. Had to stop under an overp*** to clear the interior of snow & slush from semi trucks p***ing us and throwing that **** inside the car. This was taken just after leaving Cedar City, Utah, when it was 12 degrees.

Mick

 

Damn right, sun, rain, or even snow....driven, not trailered....my daily is an OT '74 F100.

 

I've had too many daily drivers get eaten by road salt to drive old stuff in it, and I'm bummed that we got some snow today here in Minnesconsin. If they don't put salt down, I might get something out tomorrow. Once the salt is rinsed off the road, my Biscayne and Shoebox get driven a bunch. Symco is ~450 miles round trip from my driveway....does that count as a reliability run too?

 

2devilles very nice Merc. Too bad I wasn't aware of you sooner. I've been over Rogers P*** on my way from Missoula to Conrad with a stop in Lincoln. I've been through Missoula many times on my way up to my sons in Kila. One time I was there I bought a COE from a guy off Frenchtown Frontage Rd

 

I'm actually from Conrad, born and raised. Small world, what were you doing out there in the middle of nowhere?

 

That Is Why The Tires Are Round...

 

I was at the farm on the NE corner of Hwy 91 and Bullhead RD. I bought a Plymouth cpe, Dodge touring and part of a Model A cab that was a cutdown sedan. It seems like there was something else but I can't remember. This thread post 1893 https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...craigslist-cars.1256824/page-64#post-15594026

 

250k in 23 years of ownership…it’s just a car. Oh ya I live in California

 

A couple from a September 2025, 3400 miles in 6 days

 

I inherited a 1964 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. My wife videoed us crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. There is a Jalopy Showdown Camping sticker still on the windshield. Enjoy the ride