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Would you do a classic car journey?

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Lioncar

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I recently found a video in the internet about a vintage car tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2oAjoCd13w
Looks like a glamorous journey to me, but I have never done an organized tour of that kind, nor am I used to drive a different classic car than my own. Still, I wonder if it’s worth trying for the scenery and the places look so beautiful. More over my own "Froggy" (that's her new name)still has to be restored (that's why I'll send pictures of my Sprite later on) Has anybody here done a similar journey or can eventually tell a bit about his/her personal experience?
 
There is an organization called "Mustangs Across America" that is doing a tour from Las Vegas to Birmingham next month. We live in northern Alabama but instead of going all the way to Las Vegas for the start, we're going to join the tour in Jackson, MS. As of this writing, there are 631 cars signed up to go. It ends at the Skip Barber raceway for a couple of days of fun and festivities. Lookin' forward to it, we're taking our '64.5 Mustang conv.

Cheers - Dennis
 
I've done long trips in my MG (2000ish miles), no problem with that - but I prefer to do it on my own. The idea of having to pay someone so I can follow their schedule and do what's on their agenda doesn't appeal to me.
 
My father and I did the Circuit of Britain with the New England MG T Register in 1990. 89 or so T-series MGs (and a couple of Js and Magnettes) shipped from the U.S. to Britain. Roughly 3000 miles in a month or so. We didn't have a T-series at the time, so one of my dad's clients lent him a '52 TD for the trip. We had an absolute blast. There were only a couple of casualties. I recall that one TD threw a rod near the end of the trip, and one of the Js had its front end flattened when a piece of scrap metal bounced out of a passing lorry (nobody harmed, thankfully).

We covered the entire trip with no problems -- our tach drive started to split apart, so we wrapped it with mechanics wire. And the seal on our oil filter split on the very first day about a block from an auto parts store who had a replacement in stock.

One of the best trips I've ever been on, and I would repeat it in an instant.
 
aerog said:
I've done long trips in my MG (2000ish miles), no problem with that - but I prefer to do it on my own. The idea of having to pay someone so I can follow their schedule and do what's on their agenda doesn't appeal to me.
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I feel the same way. I've toured Italy by modern car, and had I been with a group I would have gone insane.
 
I recommend watching that video! If nothing else than for the sweet Triumphs! I'd do that tour any time! Let someone else deal with customs, reservations, logistics, etc. I'd do a tour like that from point A to point B and then drive back on my own.
 
I should note, without any intent of offending anyone who was on the Circuit of Britain, that my father and I tended to journey off on our own, or with a small group of friends, rather than in a large group. In other words, I share your inclination. The thought of 90 cars in a long line is off-putting! Our days off on our own are the ones we recall the fondest -- like the day we found the Bovington Tank Museum or the day we ambled off on our own little tour of Scotch distilleries, and ended up giving away clothing and shoes from our luggage to make room in the TD for whiskey. :laugh:
 
Glad to note your priorities are properly assigned, Bill!!! :thumbsup:
 
Thank you guys! I didn't expect to get so many immediate answers on one of my first posts! That was really helpful! Thanks again!
 
This place don't SLEEP much, Lioncar. Answers come in minutes, not days. :wink:
 
DNK said:
We got no lives
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No, we have lives -- they're just up on jack stands in the garage.
grin.gif
 
DNK said:
DrEntropy said:
This place don't SLEEP much, Lioncar. Answers come in minutes, not days. :wink:
Click to expand...

We got no lives
Click to expand...

I'm at least trying to have a life, I will be leaving for the evening in about one hour... And I will be busy the rest of the week at the Calgary Spoken Word Festival...

<span style="font-style: italic">back on topic though</span>

I don't have my own classic, but I know lots of people who tour in their classics, some quite long distances... Here in western Canada where we have lots of space to spare, classic car touring is quite common, I often see classics from all the western provinces here in Calgary during the summer months...
 
drooartz said:
DNK said:
We got no lives
Click to expand...
No, we have lives -- they're just up on jack stands in the garage.
grin.gif
Click to expand...
<wonders if he meant wives..>..either way they're both in the same place..... :jester:
 
One time when the wife and I went on a tour with a group, it totaled out to be a little over a week and 1200 miles. We had a great time. The only draw back was pit stops while on the road. If one stopped, we all stopped. If one stopped for gas, yup, we all did. But it was fun anyway and we wouldn't have traded it for anything. It's great meeting people of the same interest, there's never a dull moment.
happy0034-1.gif
 
DrEntropy said:
Glad to note your priorities are properly assigned, Bill!!! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks! We were very proud of our judgment in the matter! :cheers:
 
Pretty sure I'll be doing my "classic trip" in 2010, the year I become eligible for Social Security. Planning on spring through summer, starting here in Connecticut, then down the east coast to Florida, then crossing the South and on to California. Then up the pacific coast to Washington, turning back east through the midwest and on through New York and back to Connecticut.

A repeat performance of the trip I did back in 1973 in a Plymouth Duster. Just as in 1973, no plans to join a "group".

Not sure of what I'll drive - or what country produced it - but darn sure it'll be from the 1950s or 1960s.

Tom
 
aerog said:
I've done long trips in my MG (2000ish miles), no problem with that - but I prefer to do it on my own. The idea of having to pay someone so I can follow their schedule and do what's on their agenda doesn't appeal to me.
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x2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've driven from Illinois to the west coast a couple of times, to Sebring once, out east a couple of times, as well as Canada and Texas..I like to make my own pace and see what I want to see. I usually drive long days (12 hours is a short day) with minimal stops, especially on the trek home.
 
PAUL161 said:
One time when the wife and I went on a tour with a group, it totaled out to be a little over a week and 1200 miles. We had a great time. The only draw back was pit stops while on the road. If one stopped, we all stopped. If one stopped for gas, yup, we all did. <snip>
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It is best to keep caravans at a reasonable number of cars (3 or 4 max in my opinion)..and if you have more than that, divide them up into groups that travel alike...speedsters with speedsters, turtles with turtles, big bladders with big bladders, tiny bladders with tiny bladders. If something breaks, have one designated (knowledgeable) car pull over to assist instead of the complete caravan. And, agree to meeting points along the way to re-group when you get separated. Not all cars perform alike; not all enthusiasts drive alike.

And there is nothing more frustrating to have a car break down along route...only to have the owner exclaim, "Gee, I knew that was going bad. Maybe I should have fixed it before leaving!" DUH!!!!!!!!!! Fix 'em in advance!

I don't caravan anymore (other than with maybe one other car/two at the max) because of problems I've experienced over the years (not to mention the State Police really frown upon a a dozen cars stopped on the shoulder of the road...our cars (or any classic) create gapers' blocks...and we become a road hazard.

This season, I'll be driving to Raleigh, NC for the V8 meet (a one day trek), and to Breckenridge, CO for MG2009 (a two day trek, but I could do it in one if needed). The road trip provides just as much, and sometimes more, fun than the meet itself.

In 2011, I'll be driving to Reno/Lake Tahoe for MG2011. That will be a three day trek.

FWIW - YOMV
 
I agree with all the stories about groups.
Maybe I'm old, but always too many people to please.

Now my story, I bought a 64 Chevelle, sight unseen, in California (L.A.)
in 2005. Flew there and drove it, first to San Jose to visit a friend, and then across I80 to Chicago, up I94 to Port Huron across the border and home.
This is still, the best fun I've had. Take a road trip, without any encumbrances, and enjoy. If a car breaks down in America there are enough good people around to help. This forum is a perfect example of that!
I would be willing to bet a person could take a trip across America, (including Canada) and never be more than a phone call and an hour away from BCF help.

We should all be proud of this, and take long rides.
So let the trip begin!

Dave :driving:
P.S. Thanks BASIL you made this happen
 
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