How much do you actually drive your trad rig

I drove my 53 Plymouth from August 1st 2006 to March 30th 2007 everyday to work. I bought a truck on march 30th 2007 and switched on and off between the two until December of 07. When i got the car it had 92100 miles on it. Today it has 107,000. it was taken off the road to do a frame off deal, but its getting put back on the road temporary because my 91 dodge took a **** and wont start. So until I fix that the plymouth will be my daily driver!

 

At present don't have a rod but am collecting the bits for a period correct traditional roadster that i intend driving the **** off. I have a Bradford based trials special that is 2 cylinder, 3 speed non synchro, mechanical brakes on bias ply tyres, no weather protection and it gets driven most days. You can see this unbelievably ugly beast at www.jowettnz.sytes.net/Vintage.html Its the last car on the page and do not allow children to view unsupervised as they may be emotionally scarred. Go to the Bradford page to see how it started out in life.
As I commented on another thread today our mothers and grandmothers drove these old cars just fine. Sure modern driving conditions have changed but drive allowing for that and like they did you'll get on fine.

 

I have had my 32 mordor on the road for 9 years now,,,flathead,ol' 3 speed ****** and bias-ply tires.

I have driven the car over 14,000 miles,,we have taken several road trips each year and encountered our share of minor problems but always got home without the use of a rollback or AAA.

I also have a roadster and I really don't know how many miles I have added to the odometer but it is safe to say that I'm in as much as possible,,,,

Now add my recently finished 32 Ford pickup that hit the road the first week in sept.2007,,,I has a sbc,auto,bias-plys tires and as of yesterday the odometer shows 3004 mile,,

When I get a new ride on the road the others take a back seat for a while but I still drive them often. HRP

 

Not nearly as much as I'd like. I'm to old to try and play "hard ***". There is nobody that I need to impress. That's what makes my new project exciting...a 56 Ford from the late 50s early 60s. You don't have to be a hard *** to drive a car with roll up windows, a heater and independent suspension. It won't feel like a modern car and for me that is the point.

If your street rod is as comfortable to drive as your Lexus, then you miss the escape that comes with driving an old car. If it's sunny and 22* I'll still be able to get my fix. I'm looking forward to that.

 

Yep, Climate definitly makes a difference, you can dress for the cold but keeping a clear winshield/windows is another thing. Also most states up Noth here, have gone to using liquid calcium to keep the roads melted. If you think regular salt is bad, try this stuff, it has the same effect as spraying your car liberally with muriatic acid. Once that starts to fly My A gets parked for the year. I did manage to do 5000 mi. in the non salt period last year though.
I'm with Tommy in that I'm pushing the big 60, and I don't feel that I have to prove anything to anyone, so I just drive it when it feels right, and in the good weather seasons around here, it feels right a lot! To me the quality of the ride is much more important than the quan***y. I have just begun gathering parts for a track modified project, this car will be down the line traditional, and very early 50's race car oriented (very few compromises), it may very well be somewhat of a torture chamber after about an hour or so, but what a rush for a half hour! and thats exactly what I m looking for.

 

Drove my truck daily for 13 years in snow, rain or shine, any roads and freeways.
Got the coupe since last year and alternate between both now.
Never owned anything else....
Both are pretty much stock with original brakes, stick shift trannies, 3.55 rears and last castings of the early straight 6s.

Don't belong to any club and don't parade at shows.
Just enjoy driving as much as possible.

 

built it to drive it, rain or shine 12k so far an still shinny, it gets relief when i ride my motor bike, cheers von Z

 

I'm really embaressed now...my 86 Silverado rides well and the CD player is nice,but it isn't dangerous,loud and exciting like the M-5 truck.I can throw it sideways,shred the rear gums and sweat it a bit on the front scrub height around the local constabulary.
Okay.You've shamed me enough! I promise;I'll drive my m-5 more!
Damn if you guys aren't a tough peer group?

 

I wish it did not rain so god dam much up here. But when it is not I try to drive the hotrod most sunny days. I will say there is a difference in driving true tradditional hot rods, than a car with a sbc, t10 4speed, and a 9in. We try to stay true. Flatty, toploader, and a banjo. It does bug me to see the t5's behind a flathead, but that is just me. I only tow the car if it is more then a day trip to get to where I am going. I run a large company and sometimes I can't afford to be fixing the car on the side of the road. I like to get to where I am going and have a good time. We run a nostalgia topfuel car with a good friend and when we run in Bakersfield at the reunion I like to have one of our cars down there. I will tow from Tacoma to Bakersfield but I drive the hotrod all weekend. I don't drive the hotrod down because I need to be there for qualifying and can't be stuck in Redding fixing the car if you know what I mean. Just my two cents.
Steve Glucoft
Amocat Speed Emp.

 

Most people here don't own traditional rigs...

I've driven my Hudson on bias plys in the snow, rain, sleet....but then again...it has a "modern" drive train and suspension. (77 motor, 1984 ch***is)....so by definition, it's not traditional.

 

I drive mine everyday that I bother to drive anywhere- I retired in May!

 

Same with mine Hudson. Traditional look,bias ply tires,but updated drivetrain(400 Ford smallblock,C6,9' rear).