Driving Classic Cars - Road Tripping For Beginners
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- Опубликовано: 12 авг 2020
- Not all vintage cars are created equal. For the novice, the first step in planning a road trip with yours is to determine where in the evolutionary cycle of the automobile it fits and then using it accordingly.
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I am old and what I remember most about long road trips with these old girls was overheating. Cars without radiator shrouds were especially prone to overheating in hot weather. There were no electric fans as you know. A common road service call was a no start after stopping for a while. Without modern cooling systems, the temperatures under the hood would quickly rise high enough to cause a vapor lock or overheated battery. Usually, if you let it sit with the hood open for an hour or so, it would start normally. It was not uncommon for cars of this era to "boil over" when driving at highway speeds on really hot days. They did not even have "coolant reservoirs" to capture the coolant when it expanded. They just vented to the street and eventually ran low on coolant. Folks back then knew what to look, listen, feel and smell for when doing long trips. Not many of us do anymore. I am sure lots of people my age remember driving with the heater on in Summer to reach a spot where you could let the car rest, cool down and then refill with coolant. Also driving with the headlights on during the day to stop the generator from overcharging the battery. Good times!
Folks back then knew what to look, listen, feel and smell for when doing long trips. Not many of us do anymore. ---- By god I DO ! No music in my car on long trips, no sir , and I carry a spare EVERYTHING ! plus floor jack & stands. I will dive this old car for the rest of my life and I already know what broke BEFORE I even pull over 90% of the time ! and yeah, I am old to . :)
@@hydroy1 got map everybody to enjoy life so enjoy and keep going that's what I'm trying to do most people don't understand all this new stuff I do smell it I know it's going to cost a lot of money them anime because nothing is made right anymore it's all designed to make money off of ice and not saving it then so just keep going and keep doing it I'm going to do the same thing you're doing God bless you let's keep it going
I was ready to respond with driving with the heat cranked, but you mentioned that. Then I was going to mention driving with the lights on. Nope, you got that one too. 😊 How about dealing with the occasional bee or wasp that flew in ( because with no AC, all the windows were open) and was usually crawling around the back window right behind you.?
You have just jogged my memory. I used to live in Dease Lake BC (almost to the Yukon). Before you got to Dease Lake, you went over Gnat Pass the highest point of the Stewart-Cassiar Highway at 4,071 ft, Some vehicles had to adjust their timing to get over the pass. My old blue '69 F250 with a 360, nope. I passed many cars with no tools, stuck. I always helped them since I carried tools. Then, back down to Dease lake on the north side, 2677 ft. You would see them at the service station, getting it adjusted again. This was the early 80's. I guess that modern cars wouldn't have this trouble, but I am not going back to find out.
I remember stopping and removing thermostats, changing fuel filters etc. Stuff always worked fine til I went on a trip lol
I dove classic cars before they were classic. After long summer trips in cars with no A/C or overdrive, you were BEAT UP!! If you really want a nostalgic trip, don't bring a cell phone. That way you get to walk for miles when the car breaks down!!!
Yeah but there aren't even any pay phones anymore! LOL
@@pookatim Its true!! I drove thru a small town in South Dakota that had an old time phone booth. It's such a novelty now that people would stop to take a picture of it.
I do this, but the non-smart phone stays in the bed mounted toolbox. Because shit definitely happens.
@@AustinRBa A prepaid burner phone in a faraday case. Dont want to get quarantined in the wrong state by the Covid-1984 police.
@@jwelchon2416 I forget where we went with my kids and they were asking what the glass box was. I told them it was a phone booth and they literally thought it was a place where you stopped to make a phone call with your cell phone. When I turned around to go back and show them better I was even more surprised to find out it was a rotary dial Payphone. Although when I picked up the receiver the line was dead
For those young 'uns who want a classic car that can handle the interstate:
Uncle Tony is right, IN GENERAL it wasn't until the late '60s the average car was built for the interstate. However, there are many older cars that are right at home cruising at 75 in a two-lane.
Look for a FULL-SIZE car with a V8. Galaxie, Bonneville, New Yorker, etc. A heavy car with V8 power will GENERALLY be fine for the interstate. Steer clear of aggressive rears. 3.00 to 1 is a good baseline.
My '59 Olds with the 394 is a joy to drive on the freeway.
Got a buddy with a '61 Galaxie with a 390. That thing eats the freeway like nothing.
The first car I owned was a '64 Galaxie sedan with a 352. Paid $2750 for it. That thing loved the freeway.
Not that UT is wrong, but there are pre-70 classics out there that can handle freeway driving, and some can be had for cheap.
Overdrive is the answer , I switched over to a 700R4 behind my little 307 Small block in the Chevelle . Gets 20mpg on highway at 80mph all day no sweat with 355s in the rear .On your 394 Olds you could buy a gear vendors O/D unit that bolts right on the tail housing of your current trans and what a difference in cruising speed & mileage ! , the tach will be sitting under 3,000 rpm at 75mph. For me I would be more worried about having a car new enough that it came with or could easily be changed over to disk brakes as there is a ton of stop & go traffic in big city's and folks tend not to drive very well in them so drum brakes are a flat out no no .
I have a gear vendors attached to a th400 with 410 gears, makes a world of difference ,still not the right gear for cross country road trip , but 150 -200 miles no problem I usually keep it 65 -70 mph , 2800 to 3000 rpm at that speed
@@jodypierson3137 Gear vendors recommend a 355 or 323 with a bunch of converter for a matched set up but some aftermarket trans company's offer a ultra low fist gear package ( ATI for one ) that would allow for a little less stall converter, but I got spoiled on them ATI 4,500 stall Treemasters . The only bad part of a high stall converter is you can't haul a heavy trailer with one as they over heat big time .
@IBC Basketball That's a big 10-4 on that note. My early '60s Imperials & Cads tore it up. LOVED '60s *Full-Size* Buicks & Cadillacs I had. But by 1993 I got more heavily turned onto ChryCos. By '62 ChryCo. came out with it's 1st. B body platform. The Mid-Size Dodge Polara (Dart) & Plym. Fury/Belvedere w/318 big block Polys w/tall 2.71 gears; I have one of each, and they both gladly chow down any hi-way in glorious fashion! The Torque Flight 727 coupled w/the 318's torque curve, they are a total dream to drive. Plus they're still very serviceable. Really, they're almost THE perfect US car in many ways.....that being said, I've always been a Full-Size guy and prefer my '71 Imperial coupe and 2 '68 Furys. One w/a 440. I've had about every kinda car out there, and the '65-'68 Fury 318 & '62-'71 Mid-Size B body 318s have given me the most care-free motoring. Those, and my '68-'73 Saabs were all fucken bullet proof my friend!!!
My 91 Jetta diesel is not vintage , or fast(52hp maybe 60 turned up) , or geared correctly for the highway.
In fact the tires I put on (which are really sticky) are about 3" shorter than the stock ones.
47mph at 3000rpm in top gear and a redline of about 5400.
It's no biggie turning 4000 rpm at 60, just wear earplugs from the woosh of the traffic flying by 😆
"Know your car" at its worst. On my way from Niagara Falls to the Pacific Northwest, my 1966 Valiant Signet's ammeter started flailing between full Discharge and mid Charge, in Minnesota in mid-January. Every bump affected the ammeter, so I guessed it was the fat wire that went from the Alternator (voltage regulator, actually) output thru the firewall to the full-current ammeter and back out the firewall to do business with the battery (because that's how they chose to make it, not the best way to make it).
I had the tools to take apart the firewall connector on the engine bay side (I had just restored the dashboard and trusted that side), cleaned the corroded firewall spade connector, and got it back together before freezing to the pavement. I even knew which color wire the bad boy was! All true (if I was lying I'd have added something about doing it with the 340 still running).
On to sunny North Dakota (where I learned what snow-blind feels like).
And it never overheated once on that trip.
Man, I had 66 Signet coupe too. 273 ho, terrible brakes, geared all wrong for the highway and yet...I miss it a lot. Sold it to my neighbor who immediately crashed it into his own truck drag racing down the alley. Ballast resistor. Always keep a spare in the glove box.
You had a 340 in your Signet!?!
Nice sleeper man!
@@Riverdeepnwide The 340 came from somebody's totalled 1973 Demon (with 727 tranny & 8.75 inch rear). It went in my 66 Barracuda but the rusty underpinnings couldn't handle the extra twist. There was nothing I could do but move it all again into the 66 Signet. Of course that soon went rusty the same way. Lesson learned after repeating a year. Without any reinforcement they would last forever with a 225, not so with a 340.
My cars voltage regulator went bad on the drive home after I bought it. Basically lost headlights on a twisty two lane road at night. Good thing the Prius in front of me had good lights haha
@Harry. B. Renner. jr. what also knocks out electrics are everything that happened before we got the car. hungry mice, water, and head-shaking attempts at repair. I passed on a good deal once when i noticed the seller had redone the electronics with the one wire they had on a spool...positive, negative, it was all one gauge, one color.
Ah many road trips from school in Oklahoma to Chicago in my firstie, a '66 Mustang 289 auto, 2.90 highway gears, manual steering, manual front discs. Always had a gallon of coolant and at least a quart of 10W40 in the trunk, along with misc hose clamps, vise grips and most of my tools. I changed out an alternator in -10F one drive home for Xmas, and one trip down for fall, used the vice grips to keep the top tank on the radiator from blowing out (cap unlatched) One thing I did get was a variable pitch fan, didn't have a clutch, but at low RPMs the blades sprung out to pull more air. The first drive home sucked, the front suspension was so worn out, it wandered all over the road. Once I rebuilt everything, including the upper control arm bushings, you could drive it with a fingertip, no play in a manual steer with wide bias ply tires :) Got pretty good milage too, not so for my roomie who had a '57 BelAire with 4.72 gears and a small block 400 who drove with me one trip. Then there was the time I drove back in winter without a heater core, it'd blown out and I bypassed it, who needs heat in OK? I was wrapped in a blanket and had to constantly wipe the inside of the windshield which was frosting over from my breath, many adventures with the '66 :)
Charles Kuralt once said the Interstate was the best way to get from one place to another, without seeing anything. As a truck driver I agree!
This is such a hard question to answer. Back in 1985 i had my first car, a 1970 Olds 442 then freshly "restored" with new paint and all new bushings, ball joints, steering gear, alignment, etc etc etc (you get the picture...dad helped me take care of all the mechanicals then i painted it at 15 years old with lacquer paint in the driveway..and it looked Good.
Another story about my 16th birthday but to fast forward, got my license on a monday and went 500 miles south to kentucky to see my mother on that friday. Dad cut me loose and let me go in my own "restored" muscle car alone at 16 and 5 days old. Ill save the drama and that trip went perfect.
Later trips in 455 oldsmobiles in cutlasses and 442's built in the backyard didnt always go as well. Thing is you took a craftsman tool box with the full basic hand tools and you had to have guages...and watch them. When they overheated you shut em down and figured out why and fixed it. We didnt have credit cards. Id carry like $500 borrowed from dad and hidden. Id return it when i got back. If i had to spend some then id work it off.
One time dad and me drove together, him in 2nd hippie van and me in my 442. We went to Car Craft street machine nationals in springfield illinois. I think the year was 1986. That was back when they had 5000 participants and was the year of the rick dobbertin J-2000. The event was on the state fairgrounds and on a lake. Anyway wasnt happy with the performance of my big block 442. It had a stock cast iron intake at the time. For a bithday present dad bought me a brand new quadrajet carb that was pretty much correct for the olds, in the swap meet. This carb had a rochester carb box and carb was on a plastic tray sealed in plastic. I put it on. Then dad followed me about 200 miles then i broke and went south to my grandparents house near paducha ky while dad headed east to the mountains where he is from. Wayyy before cell phones i called him and said its "running hot". He said it must be lean.
At grandparents house my grandfather could not figure out why id tear into a brand new carburetor and mess with it. I tried to explain...i put the tune from the old q jet into the new one. It started. It idled and sounded bad ass. It ran great. It then run cool. And all was good. Car ran 13.33 in that form at 102.5 i believe. 3.42 gears out back.
Ahhhh the old days..
Make some of your own young people. Dont be afraid.
Its harder for today's kids to own a classic let alone maintain it, $$$$. I'm with you though in 1974 i had a 67 cutlass supreme. I drove it on the highway before i officially had my license with my family on a great road trip in Michigan. I was really fortunate and was trusted to make long trips from that point on. In 1977 i took my w31 that i put a big block chevy 396 in and drove from lower mi. to daytona beach florida . Man that was 43 years ago wow. Can't ever forget i woke up to hearing Elvis had died. Was a classic trip. Different era completely . This kinda cool stuff would make it better for todays kids, but we had to work for it. That made all the difference.
preaching to the choir--my 4-4-2 is a 1968 but with a 455 and before the pandemic, i snatched a 455 with that cast iron intake you mentioned (plus an engle cam and headers, just missing a crank and heads but i have a pair of 67 4-4-2's around someplace) for $150 from some kid who wants to go LS.
3:1 rear gears and 15mpg on 93 octane. Sorting out cooling problems with air in the system, but she'd go down the highway even then. Not fast, but the only time anyone yells, its to say, "nice car!". The pandemic has kept it off the road, no real reason to to replace the tires from 1999 if I'm not going to drive it anyplace and then park it for winter. Next year it'll be back to regular hour long hauls to car shows, and driving home on a weeknight with little traffic....you don't need to go 70 mph when you're in a car like that, just floats like a waveless waterbed over the frost heaves and always seems to find the right radio stations...
@@albertgaspar627 what cylinder heads are you looking for? Ive got many...along with good crank cores...all 455 stuff. Even have 8 455 blocks stored away.
Finances are not great right now and if i have something you want im willing to sell...
@@albertgaspar627 ...also wanted to reply on the cooling...if you are confident with your radiator and system overall (pressure test ok, closed system, etc..) then look into pulleys to slow down the flow. "Non a/c" pulleys with a larger top and smaller bottom almost always work.
My '70 ran 11.20s with no shroud and a clutch fan and never ran past 190 while going rounds without cooling and on the street never past 180.
The right pulley setup gives more time for the water to stay in the radiator for heat transfer instead of speeding past. I dont think you have air in the system, you may be just moving coolant too fast past the heat exchanger.
@@williamstamper442 I appreciate the offer, and hope your finances do much better as we soon get out of this pandemic nonsense. I have a set of 1967 4-4-2 heads i picked up years ago for $125 to slap on a 425 short block i snagged for free, and my 4-4-2 has ported C heads, but since this spare 455 has no crank, that begs a 496 cid stroker and Edelbrock's aluminum pair.
Boy, 8 blocks, you have me beat! I only have a 283 short block, a pair of Pontiac 400's, a pair of 4 bolt 350 blocks and one 351W. FB marketplace keeps offering stuff too cheap to pass up, as the kids go for the LS nowadays...what I need is more cool cars to slap these into...and dry space, that i need too.
I absolutely love that Dart! So unpretentious and innocent looking but then sitting low over the slot-mags gives it a bit of unspoken menace, just right. I wish we could find stuff like that in the UK.
But UK had those awesome Falcon XBs .. oh wait that was Australia. What DID UK have?
@@modeljetjuggernaut4864 The Rover SD1 V8 was the nearest the UK ever came to having a home grown, mass produced muscle car. They have a version of the Olds/Buick 215 aluminium V8, the 190 hp Vitesse version was the best one.
@@jerrytee2688 As in Dennis.
The whistling wind noise noise sounds very familiar! The two lanes across our beautiful country are way, way better than the boring interstate system! Another great video my man!!
I agree, when I have to go to Omaha, I prefer to take hiway 6 instead of I-80. the only time I do get on 80 is when I'm going through Lincoln. the stretch between Waverly and Gretna is my favorite.
My truck whistles like that at 30 mph damn corner windows dont seal for shit
... I actually miss opening front quarter lights from my 1st car, a 1973 Austin 1100 (aka. Austin America in the US) ... then again mine didn't whistle or leak, maybe I got lucky!
I think Uncle Tony will address these in a future video, but for now.
1
If it's roughly pre-1972, only use premium gasoline. Premium gas will keep the valves/seats from destruction and you won't have to use a lead additive.
2
Pre-198? Be sure you use engine oil with Zinc or use a Zinc additive. The model years of cars/engines that need Zinc vary by engine and manufacturer. The 1980's were the change-over point so until we hear from Uncle Tony consider that it's up to you in learning if you car needs Zinc in the engine oil.
3
If your car takes a more rare type of automatic transmission fluid, such as Type A or Type F you may have to order these, so be certain to bring some along with you. And calculate-in even more if your car takes that same fluid for the power steering system. You won't want to be stuck somewhere waiting for trans fluid that's on order.
4
Know if your vintage car is Positive or Negative, Ground. You don't want to make a mistake if you needed a jump or were jumping somebody else.
I love the whistling from the smoker’s window. Reminds me of riding in my Dad’s old truck
I remember people would always put matchbooks and business cards in the latches of wing windows to close them tighter, but I've found that if you just let the floor rust out, they won't whistle at all.
I used to own a 1969 GTO that had 1968 Le Mans doors installed when the seller smoked regularly and wanted that vent window. Thankfully it had no headliner or carpet left. Headliners used to leave a telltale "Brown area" from smokers who cleaned the film off the glass.
Great video Tony.....Hit the nail on the head !!
I would love to take a long road trip in an older car on the older back roads. It's almost like returning to nature in a gearhead sort of way. My dad(who could've been Uncle Tony's twin) used to take me and my friends out and just cruise the back roads. We never had a map. Never had a destination in mind. When we got to an intersection he would point at somebody and ask which direction. Then we would take that road to the next one and do the same thing. It was great.
Dude my Dad used to do that with me too. It's great to hear someone else enjoyed it too. Now I just have memories, my kids don't enjoy that and my Dad passed so I go by myself and in my imagination my Dad is riding shotgun. Bittersweet
I take my boys out cruising back roads just for the fun of it. We do the same thing at intersections. They are not satisfied until they think we're lost. Sometimes we are... Good times!
if you like cars and driving, its great. I always take a new way home, and when we have storms come in and tear down the trees, or an agricultural fair or an accident has traffic at a stop, it comes in handy to have "townie" knowledge and cut down some side street knowing where its going to put me.
the other sweet thing is tag sales on the weekends...there's a lot of junk, but I picked up a Victor Jr intake for $10 a year ago. Most used car performance parts are stuff someone couldn't get to work, but there's deals still out there to find.
I live in a tiny state, I've driven nearly every road in it at least once. I go to a ton of car shows, and I always wonder "where does that road over there go to?" and within a year, there's another car show or reason to find myself on that road, and learn there's a neat old barn to take a photo of or a waterfall or something.
The old 'Sunday drive!' Just getting out of the house and airing out on the road was good times.
That sounds fun.
One of the best pieces of advice my father instilled in me was to KNOW your car. When he had an issue with the car he could tell just about where the problem was and he always had his tools.
What to carry on a road trip in a classic car. Maybe its easier to list things I have had break and put me on the side of the road. (Actually the list is fairly short). Belts and hoses. Carry one of each for coolant. Mechanical fuel pump. Antifreeze, engine oil, trans and power steering fluids. Less commonly points and condenser. I have even known people to carry a set of pre-gapped spark plugs. And dont forget all of the tools you will need in order to change any of the above. Before you leave for your trip inspect and lube ALL of your suspension parts, brakes and tires and fluid levels. If they are in good condition before you leave they will more than likely be good for the entire trip. Almost forgot, things like sealed beam headlights and 1156 and 1157 bulbs are becoming less common so its probably a good idea to carry a couple spares. A wiper blade. ( I actually had one fall off the car on the 401 in Toronto 12 lanes of traffic and raining hard)
And gasket paper (or silicone gasket in a pinch, but...not always a good idea.) Nothing worse than blowing the fuel pump or water pump, having a spare tucked away in the trunk, feeling all good that you got the repair done on the side of the road, and...having it leak like a sieve because the old gasket is buggered.
I always say, let me peek in your trunk, and I will know every problem you've ever had...because you have the solution in the trunk. If you can look up the original video that inspired this one, there's a lot of good suggestions about what to bring.
For me, I'd go thru the cooling, charging, brakes, fuel and suspension. Replace suspect parts with brand name stuff, not cheap crap off evil bay or crockauto. the money you spend, is money invested, and the parts should last as long as they normally would (in the case of pressurized systems like brakes and cooling, however, you might just put in a new strong part that over taxes the next weakest part down the line). Hit a forum to find out what parts aren't easily bought at a NAPA, i'm always surprised what they have in stock for my 455 Olds (and they always want to know what year, an issue if you have modified things). Carry a small gas can. Shlepping a metal 15 gallon one isn't fun, 2.5 gallons will get you to the gas station you just walked to.
Even the old owner's manual will tell you what needs replacing when on the odometer, but rubber parts like hoses, belts, and wiring has its own shelf life. Flush out cooling and fuel systems. Test out wipers and how well the jack works, this is the time to find they fail. Use Rain X for the wipers, go to the junkyard for a truck jack for the other issue. An air pump for a bicycle tire is cheap, takes little space, and works wonders. Pack tools in smaller boxes, that's easier to tuck into trunk corners and tote around than a big box.
The whistling of the wind thru windows is classic lol.
I am looking forward to this series. I am no stranger to older cars and road trips, but I am positive I will learn something new.
I still remember my old tool roll... pliers, adjustable wrench, a few sockets/ratchet, several screwdrivers (very small ones for ignition, too) duct tape, electrical tape, a jug of 50/50 coolant, and about twenty-five quarts of oil 😁)
Depending on the length of the trip , I carry 2 to 3 spare tires . I also pack my luggage in duffel bags . So I can mold it around spares , tools, ect . Your not going to do that with a suitcase.
@@johnr.4853 Extra spare tyres is a good idea. It's hard to find tall-sidewall tyres for 13" and 14" rims these days...especially when you're stuck in a little flyspeck town near East Bumfuck. But that's what most cars from the '60s came with.
We used to say back in the day, gotta stop for oil and check the gas!! lol
That's the M.O. I followed when I took long trips in my '72 Nova. (Especially about the oil!)
When I met my wife, I drove a 1977 Datsun King Cab. I loved that truck, but, it was the type of truck where you filled the oil and checked the gas. My Mom asked us to go to my Grandparents reunion, 1900 miles away. I stopped in Prince George and saw my Brother-in-law, who ran an auto wreckers. He filled a small barrel (about 10 gallons Canadian, 12.5 US) with oil from old vehicles. We smoked up the highway all the way to the reunion without any trouble, other than repeatedly filling the oil. I started it up at my Uncles house and you couldn't see the car for smoke. The truck ran fine all the way there and back. I wouldn't dare try that now with a motor that sick. To old and wise (chicken?).
0:34
Seems so weird to have to cover this as being 51 and growing up with these cars and growing up with regular road trips.
It makes sense somebody younger Would even ask this question and its very valid.
In 1976 dad and me took the hippie chev van with a warmed over sbc and a single plane holley street dominator and a double pump 750 carb and 3.73 gears out back and a bang shift th350 to Alaska and back from Detroit.
We packed spare parts galore under the bed out back and took the whole tool kit. Only problems we had were these...
Somewhere in nowhere Canada, at least 100 miles from nearest gas, cruising along and all the sudden she just cut off clean. Dad looked at me with that "ut-oh" look. We get out and check. Hippie van had 3in exhaust both sides exiting in front of rear tires. Both pipes clogged up solid with mud. Took a screwdriver and dug them out and vroom on our way!
After almost 5000 miles round trip headed back home to Detroit we had a left rear Blow Out in rush hour left hand lane downtown Chicago. Had to dig spare out and change on the LEFT hand side of I-94 in freaking Chicago.
Those were the two things that happened mechanically on a 145k mile 1971 chev hippie van back in 1976.
What a trip. We had a VW bus all thru the 70's.
I'm 53 and barely remember anything from 1976. I was in the rocky mountains of Colorado remember the top-40 music
Took a 2 hour road trip to a different beach in the 65 mustang I'm building yesterday. Cruised at 74ish (289 4 speed) and all was groovy.
The trip home took 3.5 hours due to multiple accidents on I-95. Pouring down rain and not moving, suddenly I realized I should have fixed the blower motor so I had defrost. Glad I had a beach towel.
You rock Tony!
To Me Boss, it's all about knowing the Car, clocking real miles on your Choice first, how she stops, steers, general Road manners, does she over heat, what she leaks, and then serious Freeway test at speed, here in Southern California I've had my Dart up to 110Mph, I'm not asking folks to do that, that's me, but at least cruising speed with traffic..
Daily driver everyday and Everywhere 68 Dart.. Oi oi oi..
Hee, I only got my Duster up to that speed like once, declared it utter madness, at least on the tires I had, never tried it again. :) (I was on pretty extra- tall bias plies so probably I wouldn't have that much 'gearing' with what I put on for Dunlops, anyway. :) ) Which is kind of OK, cause I just never got fascinated by top speed, really, I like maneuvering, braking, and accelerating. And hearing my tunes. :)
@@OllamhDrab 185/70R14 & 205/70R14 at the time I did it last.. empty freeway 6:30am on Mothers Day.. new tires got her up to 105mph No worries.. 215/70R14 on the rear tall enough.. I like moving at speed.. my cars like 85mph and will just move.. hahaha plus my car is lower then stock, enough to make water come off the windshield from half way up, so at speed the car gets pushed down a bit.. thank you Jesus Chrysler and Holy Mother Mopar.. amen..
@@AtZero138 My err, 'speed run' with the Duster was on like 75R14 bias plies, never again factor much involved that. I did reduce tire profile to, ....(I think I was running 235/60s maybe 245/60s on some wider-than stock rims in back when I got those GT Qualifiers. Filled the wheel wells better and really worked. All other things being equal, it would have shaved some off that *top* speed, but I never intended to bury the needle like that again, curiosity there satisfied. Fine at good highway tilt, though. Especially after the 4-speed. :)
@@OllamhDrab Awesome..
@@AtZero138 It's not something Uncle Tony cares about, which is OK, but one very satisfying thing about the A-bodies is how much meat there is on the bone there for handling improvements. Back in the 80's the local dealership basically wouldn't sell lots of Direct Connection parts over the counter, so when I was having em put the tuned gas shocks in my beige Duster, one of the young dudes there looked at like the sway bars and poly bushings and new leaf springs and was like, 'Damn, girl, what are you planning?" :)
This brought back memories of my parents taking us three kids from Chicago to LA and back in a 1960 Ford Starliner in the summer of '61 on old Route 66. It was mostly two lane all the way. Going through the mountains and desert was quite the adventure. No problems with the car. No A/C, no seat belts, Polyglass tires, drum brakes and dad smoking cigars with all the windows down and the vent windows open. Those were the days! Thanks Tony, really enjoyed this video.
You're a champion for it LOL. That needs to be on a tee shirt.
Champion what?
😂😂😂😂
Fucking this. All the dickweeds always talking about how WILD they do things. Like brother, it's cool that you "totally outran the cops bro!!" on your crotch rocket, and I'm certain that you're not absolutely bullshitting me right now in a half-assed attempt to sound cool. But either way the number of fucks I give decreases with every second that you continue telling this story in the midst of me explaining why I don't do 30 second long burnouts in residential areas on Saturday nights. I would buy the SHIT out of a T-shirt that expresses this succinctly.
@@AustinRBa they already make them and my son has one it says "cool story tell it again bro".
when we all reach a certain age, we grow up, and we aren't trying to impress anymore. That's when we look at all the bullshit fish stories and shake our heads.
of course, there's also that saying, "the older i get, the faster i was" :)
best T shirt slogan? "Everyone's a tough guy, until they meet one." anyone old enough to see the inside of a bar legally, knows what this means.
Yep, it's funny when all the new Chargers, Camaros n Challengers scream by my 70 Lesabre on the left lane then slow down so as to challenge me for a race. I just keep going 60. Then they dart down the road and turn into a dot. Couple minutes later into town I'm meeting them at the traffic lights.
I HATE when people are so dumb they speed TO a red light.
Like, really, that is why we need to destroy the environment with fossil fuels, because you wanna be an ass hat for 30seconds until you realize you are one, then need to speed off to run from the bad feelings.
I notice that ya didn't mention the Mustang's...better include alla the asshats drivin' those because they do that same shit too!🙄😒
@@paulallison6689 Yep, and guaranteed most of um have that ultra modified exhaust system that sounds like herd of West Nile mosquitoes.
Love the old RC Cola cooler! Rock on UTG!
Really dig the information on 60s/ 70s survivor daily drivers!
Out of nowhere I hear "OLDS Dynamic 88"! How did you know I was working on mine today?
@silverbird58 I see a square bird and think of the old TV show Dante.
I’m into old tractors, especially garden tractors. Seems like everyone and their sister wants an old Cub, Wheel Horse, or Case to take care of their yards but no one understands the level of maintenance required to keep them. “Reliable” had a different meaning then. It referred to something that was durable and easy to repair. Whereas today it means “problem free”
Can confirm - I have 2 ‘72 pickups and a ‘66 Galaxie. Every one has left me on the side of the road at one point or another. And another thing. Modern shops won’t touch these. My ‘72 broke down hours from home. Firestone said “pick it up, won’t touch it”. And if it’s modified, then they REALLY won’t touch it.
As a general rule, my old cars don’t go more than 30-40 minutes from my house.
When I bought my 70 Charger 4 years ago, I flew from PA to Vancouver, and proceeded to drive the car home approx 3000 miles.
I took a basic tool kit, replacement electrical components (voltage reg, ballast resistor, fuses, etc...), hose clamps, and extra of all the fluids.
I think the most important thing is to make sure all the gauges work properly. My car performed perfectly until half way thru the trip the amp gauge went to zero. Pulled into an Oriellys, changed the alternator and we were back on the road.
Best road trip ever.
Interesting story: Back in the late '80's I had a 1977 Monte Carlo 305 2bbl (stock). I had been a transmission builder since the '70's. I took the TH350 out and put a TH700 in it's place when most shops were still doing just the opposite. Anyhow, the Overdrive gear and lock up converter were lost on it. Why? The engine was not designed to power a car at 1000 RPM in 4th gear! It was used to a 3 speed with no lock up so it didn't really begin to "make" power until @2000 RPM. Now if I stuck a "towing" or "RV" cam in it, it probably would have come to life. The lesson for people is things don't always work out the way you think they will.
I have a Shell station map of the United States pre-Eisenhower.
Sweet I have a box somewhere of state maps from rest areas plus a bunch of city maps I bought before I started buying truckers atlas'. No antiques though.
@TheVet4id You are so lucky. I wish I could've experienced cars before interstates. It might be a grass is greener thing, but hearing the stories my parents told..... I was screwed over by passage of time and "progress". Two lanes were way more fun, and now that cars are handling better than ever before all of my old two-lane blacktops are getting straightened. I'm seriously jealous.
Lmao! Pre eisenhower
Every time I think of things like your old map, I remember something about those days and roads back then that people today probably haven't even thought of: Does anyone remember how, on just about any highway you drove on in the 50s-60s, the middle of each lane had a distinct black 'smudge' down the center, as far as your eye could see? Younger (under 45 or so) missed out on seeing that black smudge from all the leaked engine oil in the center of every highway, a testament to the old torn cork oil pan and valve cover gaskets, 2 piece rear main cord seals, and some of the odd timing chain cover/oil pan joint leaks of the good old days. Halcyon times.
@@TA_Plus_Hemi interesting, i live on the east coast, there's no room to straighten out roads first laid for horses. And the highways, at certain times, are crowded enough its worth taking the back roads...which around here are twisty, if you enjoy that :) Out in the midwest, it seemed like you ran straight for an hour, then doglegged around the corner of Farmer Brown's 40 acres (the mule is dead) and went on your way.
The other awesome thing about back roads? Tag sales on the weekends! last summer I scored a Chevy small block chrome kit (timing cover, valve cover, alt) for $10 at the closing end of a tag sale, and another one landed me a $10 Victor Jr intake needing cleaning. Every other time its glassware and women's maternity clothing :) But hey, its always good to test the brakes and check the steering for noises and U turn to go back to check out a tag sale.
My brother and I drove his car form Queens NY to Houston TX in the summer of 1968. The roads at that time were a patchwork, bits and pieces of old and new roads. The interstate parts were mostly still under construction. The farther from major cities you got the more local roads you traveled. We saw everything from tar paper shacks on the back roads to the then new Astro-Dome when we arrived in Houston. The car made the trip trouble free, it was dead a stock 283, powerglide, PS, PB and AC. A nice car for its time. But a sustained 70 mph with a 3600 lb car riding on 750-14 bias ply tires, with a frame, suspension, steering and brakes designed in the mid 50's made for some interesting driving at times. The car was in good shape, well maintained and only four years old. I would not attempt such a trip on the interstates with that or any stock 66 yr old car today, but I wold drive two lane roads with one all day long and enjoy the hell out it.
I am currently preparing a 1973 International Harvester 1210 for an extended tour of the United states towing small camper. I watch all of your videos with relevant nostalgia and enthusiasm. I am in my '60's and have used this and other IH pu trucks as daily drivers all of my adult life. I do all of my own work on them and know them and the period mechanics involved intimately. I would like to offer some photos if you are interested. I am a huge fan of vintage dodge and Plymouth autos of that era and gain a lot of knowledge from your videos. I particularly enjoyed your video on vacuum gauge uses. I use them diagnostically as a primary part of my tool kit. I install one permanently under the hood for tuning and diagnostics. Also one on the dash for dynamic info as I use the vehicle. Vacuum and rpm info are my 2 main gauges to drive by. Scotty Kilmer introduced me to your channel. You have a great channel . Thank you for all the help and education you offer.
Whatever you don’t take will break. Similar for tools.
The trick is to put the shittiest chinesium tools you will never use in the car and GUARANTEED nothing will ever break. Works for me.
@silverbird58 coolant? Or at least water.
@@wjanis1 that's why you bring beer--just filter it thru the kidneys first to get out the air :)
Seriously, flush the fluid systems (Cooling, brakes, fuel), replace rubber hoses, keep track of leaks every time you pull over, and make sure the cooling system works (put on a fan shroud, ditch the 4 blader for a real clutch fan, or if you go electric, make certain to also grab the alternator from the junkyard so the fan isn't draining your battery).
The little Rubbermaid dishpan of parts I carry with me on the highway has all the usual suspects... A spare ignition box, resistor, voltage regulator, coil (the original one, I run the big yellow Accel), a spark plug and spare wire, pickup coil, distributor rotor, reluctor wheel, headlight dimmer foot switch, 1156 and 1157 bulbs, spare Holley electric fuel pump, oil filter, spare U-joint, tire plugs, spare RCA cable for the stereo, etc... You know, all the important stuff. :)
Ma' Mopar has never failed to get me where I needed to go and back home again safely.
Since I was a kid I've always wanted to make a cross country road trip on Highway 40. I live in Kansas, born in a town the original highway went right through, lived in a house 1 1/2 blocks off of it. As a teenager I planned the trip, to go to the east coast first, then back home, and then to the west coast and back home again. Unfortunately, by the time I grew up, got a job, made some money and was finally able to take such a trip... Interstate 70 took over large chunks of the old Highway 40, and now, sadly, my dream trip can never happen... but I still have the old truck that I was going to use!
I know a lot of people watching this grew up in these eras and know a lot of this already. But as some one who is 17 it's all super helpful and mostly new information that I don't have much experience with.
Back in the mid 70s I had my grandfather's 1970 Buick Electra to drive when I turned 16. The best advice I can give you is to wear a seat belt. A lap belt is better than no belt or as in my Electra a lap belt and a separate shoulder belt. If your car only has a lap belt I would look into adding a shoulder belt or a 3 point seat belt. I was that rare teenager back then that buckled up both the lap and shoulder belts. In addition to the obvious safety aspect of wearing a seat belt, you will get a better feeling of how the car drives and handles. One night a drunk driver hit me head on. Because of the size of the car and the fact that I was wearing both belts, I walked away with only bruises from the belts which was far better than the unbelted other driver.
Interstates are so boring. But at the same time mile after mile of traffic lights is no fun either. Driving during the lockdown was like a dream felt like a trip back to the early 80’s.
Did a road trip from NJ to Ohio 1972 chevelle. Front wheel bearing went out. Destroyed the spindle. Breeze Way exit on Pa turnpike! Stuck for 2days waiting for parts! (1985). Ohio to NJ 1966 Chevelle , no heat, 10” of snow. Front right brake line rust thru. Kink it with visegrips. 100 miles later , back left brake line rust thru!! Kink up with visegrips! Drive home thru the Pa turnpike to NJ with half the brakes! (1986)
I built a 1965 Barracuda with a slightly modified 225 slant six. I hand built a dual collector header into single exhaust. I got the materials from Headers by Ed in Minneapolis. He flame-cut the flange and provided the U-bent tubes, collectors and advice on the length. Onto this I added an Offenhauser dual 1 barrel manifold and a custom ground cam from Barry Cam. I have no idea what the specs were. I used two of the original super 225 air cleaners so it kinda looked stock. I installed front disk brakes and an 8 3/4 rear end with 3.23 gears. I found the widest 14" small bolt pattern rims and the widest tires that would fit without rubbing. My intention was to make it a road trip car. I was pleasantly surprised that it all work very well.
Because of this experience, I agree that this vintage car wasn't designed for freeway speeds unless some modifications were made. The worst parts about the early A bodies are the small bolt pattern and limited clearances in the wheel wells. The four piston disk brakes were fairly expensive to rebuild as well. Wider radial tires helped a lot, but I had steering problems initially.
The steering issue was with the old style idler arm mount. Its basically a tapered socket like a ball joint. the socket will wear out and installing a new idler arm won't fix it. I cut off the old mount and welded on the newer version (with the through bolt) to the K frame and used the newer idler arm. This tightened the steering considerably and made the car fun to drive even without power steering.
As I have heard many people say and I hate to say it myself......I never should have sold that car!
I love your channel, keep it up.
Tony, that Pep Boys flaccid rubber antenna needs to go!
Hehe thought that was an after market spray nozzle for the wipers
@@modeljetjuggernaut4864
Screw letting it wash the window.
Jamb it in the carb for a cheap water injection setup.
At the minimum you'll have a carbon free engine 😄
Our '62 Rambler and '68 Ambassador handled Interstates just fine. It wasn't until the early 80s that the Interstate highway system was finished. The last section to open was a stretch of I-80 near Salt Lake City.
Just before Covid shut everything down I was doing a Route 66 trip in my 60,000 original mile '67 Falcon. With factory 289, AC, and PS, its is a mid '60's compact that is comfortable on the interstate. First day I went about 700 miles to where I wanted to start on 66. Car used a little bit of coolant and little bit of oil but otherwise ran like a champ. Only things I really missed from modern cars were lumbar support and delay wipers. One thing that might be good to mention is how the car will behave at high altitude. Many people who have only known EFI may think there is something seriously wrong with the car the first time they climb up to 7000 ft on their road trip.
I took my 83 oldsmobile cutlass cross-country last year here in Canada and it was a blast. All stock, 307 olds v8, metric 200 with 2.14 gears. I got about 25 miles per gallon on the highways at about 55 mph and it was great even on the back roads and mountains.
I had to tweak the carb in the mountains abit to keep it running good at higher altitudes but other than that, zero isses.
Thinking about getting a 1985 Buick Riviera with the 307. I really really hope I can get similar mileage to this!
I took my 66 Wildcat Coupe for a 500 mile trip up north to get it's body fixed and painted. On the way up, the car drove like a dream at 55 mph to 60 mph. Like driving your couch. Halfway back on the trip home, in the rain, the wiper motor quit. Ahhhhhh, now what? Rain to continue for days. I drove home following my wife pulling the travel trailer. On a road trip, be prepared for anything. I had fuses, bulbs, blankets.... Never thought about wipers. New motor on the way. I guess you can't anticipate everything. ;-)
I remember vaguely back in the day, May/June 1968 my gran & her second husband were visiting, the family was on a day trip to Watkins Glen or somewhere similar in the family's '65 Plymouth Savoy (just a 3yr old car at the time) and, yes, wow! No wipers! They had broken in the midst of a terrific deluge. I can still hear my mother shouting at my dad 'pull over pull over, oh God!' What with the '4x4 air conditioning' and my gran chain smoking 'Rothman's King Size' (she made it to age 96) in the back seat it was all part of the experience, we thought nothing of it. Sheesh I better check the wiper motor on my '67.
I don't like the interstates either. So I typically use them at night which does limit visibility, but I like the light traffic and cooler temperatures that I get more.
AAA membership. Good headlights properly aimed. Clean glass for visibility. Decent radio to keep us awake while driving. Make sure u-joints are lubed.
We have a huge beautiful country. Take your time, stop at lots of little cafes and diners, and enjoy the ride !
I had a 65 valiant, it was a blast! 170 slant 6. 3 speed stick😊😋
I just completed a 1200 mile trip into eastern South Dakota, over to Mount Rushmore, down to Scott's Bluffs, and back to southwest Nebraska in the 93, 3 liter Dynasty. About 230 miles were on the interstate.
There may not be much traffic on most of the highways I took, but at 60, everyone will still pass you.
For any younger newbies, listen to Tony, he knows what he's talking about. Personally, my advice for any guy just starting out with an old classic who is considering taking it on a long road trip involving at least 2 states is this: Get some experience in basic mechanical repair & trouble shooting BEFORE you take that long road trip in your old girl. Also: Get to know YOUR specific make & model, it's weaknesses & good points. Is your make & model historically known for overheating at over 60 mph during long road trips? What's the history on the specific transmission in your car, and is it known to give trouble after so many miles on the odometer? Do you know if or when was the last time the timing chain was replaced!?!?!? Nothing worse than taking a long road trip as a beginner, when ya don't know much about the exact make & model of your car, and how to work on it. I've seen young guys get in a lot of trouble..........being stranded a long way from home, without enough funds to even buy the parts needed to replace........let alone the ability to fix it yourself. Are you capable of replacing a fuel pump or water pump, etc??? Like I said, try to become a decent gearhead/mechanic first & foremost. If you're not there yet with experience, then, at the very least, make damned sure your car has been thoroughly gone over by a trustworthy mechanic & ask him if HE would trust the car for a long road trip??? Not trying to discourage any young newbies.........but cover all the bases FIRST.
Absolutely correct! I had a '77 Camaro in my early 20's that I knew inside and out from working on it and being familiar with the mechanics of it. I live in Texas and got a job that required working out of state I had enough tools and spare parts in the trunk to cover any side of the road repair short of a total engine/ transmission/differential replacement.The first job was in New Jersey and I didn't hesitate to hop in the car and go knowing I could handle whatever could happen...anyway I made it there and back without any issues then another job came up in Utah and on the way there I pulled into a rest area to get some sleep, left the car idling to run the heater since it was very cold out and when I woke up it was still running and when I went to take off it died and then heard the dreaded click click click when I tried to start it, I figured the alternator wasn't putting out enough voltage at idle to sufficiently charge the battery enough for restart since the blower motor was drawing extra current... there was no one around but I pulled my jumper cables out of the trunk and lifted the hood and hung them up there watching people on the interstate just look over and keep driving by (this was in the middle of the desert in New Mexico) then I saw a primered out '67 mustang with Arizona plates drive by and they stopped and backed up the wrong way up the exit to get there...we sat there and B.S.'d about cars for a good while then we hooked up the cables and it fired right up...we said our goodbyes and well wishes and they went their way and I made it to Utah then back to Texas when the job was done and never had any other problems on that trip...I had the car for several more years after that but very regrettably ended up selling it...sorry for the long reply but just wanted to share my story on how gearheads come together and help each other out!👍👍😎😎
@@AreaThirteenThirteen I admit back when I was younger, I took some risky road trips, but I was lucky. However, I've had more than my fair share of having to travel great distances to rescue someone else. And that even cost ME a lot of money, lol. Back when I was 21 ( I'm 58 now ), I had one of the sweetest '66 Chevy fleetside, short wheelbase PU trucks ever seen, with factory air. ( to this day, I have yet to see another with factory air! ) I bought the truck totally restored & somewhat hot rodded. The original 283 had been swapped for a totally rebuilt 327, 2.02 heads, a fairly hot cam, Holly hi-rise intake & 750 single pumper 4 bbl, double-roller timing chain.....still had the factory posi-rear end with 3.73 gearing. Full custom cab with all the chrome & factory tinted windows. I can go on & on. The truck ran great, like a scalded dog. Didn't use any oil. It was my daily driver. But I was too afraid to drive it from north Alabama to Melbourne Florida ( SE of Orlando ), because it still had the 3-speed manual trans. I was afraid I might cook the tranny or the rear-end running 70+ mph on that trip. But I sure as hell wanted to........lol. Had I been 17 yrs old, I would've went for it. I wanted SO bad to give all my buddies in Florida a ride in that thing. But the little bit of wisdom I had by then prevailed. OK......you can say I was a chicken shit, lol. But I would've had a hard time keeping it under 60 mph the whole way, so....
I'm only 4 yrs younger than you but those were some fun times. I could kick myself in the @$$ for selling some of the old cars I used to have that were common and cheap back in the day.
Great series,this can go on forever!! There are so,so many variables!!!!!
Remember older cars drive/handle and even stop really good,but it's different than a modern car!
But once you are used to it,you can throw them around like any new car!!
I can throw my 1966&1968 Chrysler C bodies for example around the canyon roads here and out handle a lot of cars albeit lowered front suspension,235 series tires ,wider tires helps also lower the torsion bars,might not be the best for drag strip but handling it's tenfold better!
It's like driving a brand new vehicle say a new 1/2 ton truck it drives good but isn't a Viper that's different than a family sedan also thats different than a minivan etc..Get to know the car before you hammer it! Even new cars all handle,drive different than another new car!
I daily drove mid 60's early 70's Mopar's for 20 years.B&C&E bodies...stopped in the mid 2000's because of my business and well the 2005- L series Hemi cars,no fuss muscle..dont have to worry if some clown will try to steal my car when I am in a Motel or eating somewhere!(I still own/restore mainly B body mopars but have a love for C bodies as well,ultimate sleepers)
For the novice and to get a decent/near perfect car for $3000 to $10,000 on average that looks like new even!! Runs like new too(all depending) 1975-1979 Chrysler Cordoba,Dodge Magnum(more expensive and rare),Charger is the ultimate car for coast to coast travel car!!! Thing is lots of 1 owner versions of these are popping up as the time has come for the owner,sadly..But that makes a great classic B body Mopar for anyone really..
Even their smaller twins 1975-1978 Fury,Coronet,Charger Sport(yes Charger sport in 75 was different then a the cordoba version charger)& Monaco the B body style a little smaller than the Cordoba! Those drive very close to a modern car and usually have 2.45 rear axle ratio's and you can do any speed you want with no over revving!!! Some even had the firm feel steering box!! Ditch the lean burn if equipped and you will be fairly quick 14-16 sec 1/4 mile depending if 400,360,318 V8's(if power is what you desire a 451 stroker,408 stroker crate engines are everywhere direct swap)..Yes I hurled a stock 76 Cordoba 400 4bbl down the track at low 14's with 2.71 gearing (remember oddly the gears were changed these years..3.23's were now 3.21's etc..)..360's run easy 15's 318 can run upper 15's low 16's that enough to keep moving and not a dead slow death trap(merging power etc) I recommend a 4 barrel and duel exhaust to help performance and oddly fuel economy,it's true!
I still have my 68 Chrysler 300 2 door ,440..3.23 gear and it loves anything 75-85 mph,engine sounds great handles great,no hands on the wheel..I swapped 2.94's it ran like 85 -95 like a champ! It is the factory 440 TNT and power disc brake car..Yes have my Charger's and they run good but 65-72 C bodies are highway beasts!! Very quick too,and a trunk to die for!! Who needs a truck!
Remember cars with 4 wheel drum brakes so take that into account a couple high speed slam on the brakes the fade is there,until the brakes cool! But they slam you through the windshield when working great,they do stop if adjusted right!
There are just too many things to consider..Is the car clapped out?Clapped out with new paint and you think it runs/drives like they all do!
I have driven/owned hundreds of 60-70's Mopars and you would be surprised how many cars look great but drive like hell..Everything is worn,steering box,front end,engine runs on 6 cyl instead of 8..
This series can go on forever! I can talk forever!
*I hope I made this somewhat clear,I have 2 people talking to me and a phone call and still typing!! I need a new job! I didnt realize I wrote a damn novel and no-one will read it,oh well!
I read it. This subject seems odd to me, because these old cars are just cars to me. I have been driving them all my life and I don't see myself stopping any time soon. My daily is a 1974 Chrysler Dart sedan with a factory 318, automatic and a/c, which if you know anything about Mexican cars, that is very very rare. On the back of my car is has an emblem that says Automatico in cursive, which is odd since most people in Mexico can't read cursive. They wanted everybody to know it was automatic.
When I get a new project, I start from the ground up when repairing it. I get the brakes and rear end done then the front suspension. The cosmetics is always last.
Here is a link to a site here in Mexico where we can upload pictures of your cars.
www.autoclasico.com.mx/site/default.aspx?p=9&album=1889&albumsec=3489
This is a 1963 Plymouth Savoy. In Mexico the cars were made here so there are some differences. The car has Fury side trim and the Fury sail panel emblem. Also the famous tapered axles are still used, however the drum is a separate piece and you don't need to take off the axle to get it off. It currently has the original slant 6 225, which runs great, with a 3 on the tree, but I want a V8 with an automatic. I already have the engine and the auto steering column, I just need to get the time to change it all.
I know the car isn't really nice after all my work, but it is much better than it was.
Fun fact, Ford was the only car maker that was allowed to use V8 engines in the '60s. All Chrysler and GM products had inline 6 cylinder engines. Things changed a bit in the '70s.
Sorry, I wrote a novel too.
Im not trying to be another internet expert but, before my 3 hour trip to Wildwood every year I had a regimen. I checked the brakes at all 4 wheels, readjusted rear drums and checked for leaky wheel cylinders, checked the front end out including wheel bearings, changed my oil, checked all my fluid levels, checked belts and hoses, gave it a full tune up and adjusted the carb, checked tire pressure and I was pretty much done. Then I have a harbor freight socket set the kind with a case, set of screw drivers, a gallon jug of water, upper and lower radiator hoses, radiator cap, quart of oil, quart of trans fluid, and what ever V belt does my water pump and Alternator, and a roll of duct tape. Generally we never got stuck but those were enough to bail me out when I did. If I missed something chime in....
Love listening to Uncle Tony explaining things
Good summary! Although I’d put “interstate era” car design in full swing by 1965, at least down to midsize and full-size mid trim-level cars (not just the Imperials and Lincolns). The high speed long distance design started in the high end luxury cars in the late 50s and worked down the trim levels as the years passed. Case in point, I have a 66 Dodge Polara 4-door, low trim model that came with a 383 2-bbl and 2.76 gears. As I recall (it’s been in the family since 68) it had H-78-14 tires, so the equivalent of 2.9 to 3.0 gears with modern tires. I currently have 2.93 gears and 255-60-15 tires on it... as well as a 440 since it was cheaper to build in 2005 than a 383. It’s happiest at about 70 mph, the big, long wheelbase is more than enough to stabilize the buffeting of the bad aerodynamics to the point that it’s a 2-finger cruiser at those speeds. It will handle the 80mph sections of I-10 west and the 85 mph sections of Texas 130 fine, although as tony says it’s not it’s happiest there. You start having to constantly “think” about driving it as you approach 80. It gets a little light, a little twitchy, and loud.
But in total agreement with Tony... my 69 Coronet R/T is a 2-lane loving machine. Yes, it can run 80 too, but it’s a real joy on a gently curving and rolling 2-lane where the 440 can dig out of the corners and up the hills effortlessly, but you’re not shouting to talk and fighting the square body through the wind.
I drove my '74 Plymouth Valiant, 225 from Tacoma, WA to Kitty Hawk, NC in the early '90's. Mostly interstate not a single issue the entire trip. Great gas mileage between the Rocky and Blue Ridge Mountains.
Took a tool bag with basic tools, extra coolant and oil. A/C plug in compressor with some tire plugs. Don't forget to check your spare tire on your pre-trip. Extra fuses and light bulbs.
Did a similar trip in my 1981 rabbit pickup...
Several times actually.
Getting the itch for a big travel again..
But not sure where to go, to not end up back where I am.
I fly in to a town that is 2200 miles from home, don’t bring anything, and oh yeah, the car was purchased sight unseen. Stick the key in the ignition and drive...
I bet you’re familiar with towing fee’s . I did that with a Grand National and had to drive on dry rot tires . One tire had a plug in the sidewall . From Northern Minnesota to Milwaukee.
Michael Haulotte No. The car made it all the way home.
We did that once. Flew from Virginia to California for the car, stopped in Arizona to replace all four tires, and drove back without a problem..... well, the torque converter shuttered, but a fluid change fixed that once we got back.
Great!!!!! Your a champion for it..... I mean she's just screaming for her life.... made my night! I thank you. **Junior's Auto **
Really gave me food for thought, UT. When I bought my '63 Dart GT (w/225 slant), the cross-country road trip is exactly what I had in mind. But you giving the context of typical travel during that era made me realize what my car was REALLY designed for. I've just got to understand and love its "happy" limitations. Appreciate the astute insight, as usual.
I worked at a boat marina. I found a metal first aid box, roughly 8 x 8 inches, couple inches tall. It held all the tools I needed for various task. You don't need a large tool box.
I'm not too terribly old, but for years I drove 3/4 ton 65 Chevy truck with a 4 speed manual with granny gear, and I was lucky to hit 60. That damn thing is still going and I wish I never got rid of it. Had the straight six and purred like a sewing machine.
We all had a couple of milk crates in the trunk ( that always had some kind of writing on them that you were breaking the law if you had them in your private possession) with extra fluids, basic hand tools, a couple of belts and spare hose clamps, maybe even an extra plug wire or two and a thermostat. A ballast resistor was only a couple bucks....throw it in the glove box.
But the idea of mapping your trip, and adding a little extra time for the off the beaten path highways and biways.... priceless. Actually enjoy the trip.
Wow, you were fancy with your crates. I just threw the oil bottles in the trunk.
@@mexicanspec....cause you're a Rebel !
@@edwardsmith6609 Not a rebel, it just never occurred to me to do that. Most of my old cars had room between the outer rear fender and the trunk floor, so I put them there.
@@mexicanspec I had a 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix, last year of the big Dart. You could carry 3-4 up front comfortably, same in the back....but the trunk could hold 6. Great for the old drive-in theater days !
@@edwardsmith6609 You couldn't beat the styles back then, especially on the Chrysler products.
Those two lane roads are exactly where my motorcycle and I love to cruse along at fifty or fifty five and enjoy it. Not worrying about getting run over. I hate the interstates just as you.
i used to ride my 1973 Honda CB350 four lunger, getting "breezed" by big box trucks was no fun whatsoever so I kept it to back lanes. Go to work, get out, stop off at the local lake when it was hot, go home afterwards...
Albert Gaspar That’s exactly what I am talking about. Just a beautiful enjoying ride. Listening to that engine knowing by sound it was making it was happy.
exactly, and I had gotten my motorcycle for free, from helping out a friend. Inevitably I would hear from some Vietnam vet who spotted it and talked about the bike he had gotten as soon as he arrived home. 1973 was the gas crisis, so a few people looked at motorcycles and their 45 mpg compared to their car's 10 mpg. So between the stories and having a reliable bike that I didn't do much to, just charge the battery and kick it and go, made for a nice experience. I should point out the obvious, I live out in the sticks, so back roads and lakes in summer are easy to come by. Long before the motorcycle, it was my bicycle :) One was a lot less work.
Albert Gaspar Right on! I too was from the country. That is where the riding is. Interstates have been turned into race tracks. You do 60 mph. I’ll do 70mph and it just keeps going up and up.
oh boy, the interstates sure are racetracks now. Maybe the "cagers" are street racing on side roads for reality TV, but the two wheelers are taking to the highways. I remember when the videos of riders popping wheelies and "Biker Boyz" came out, every now and then you'd see a young rider trying something out on the highway, regardless of traffic.
I lived in the UK in the 1970s and I drove both a 1970 Sunbeam Imp (998cc) and a 1972 VW Karmann Ghia (1600cc) at 70mph for long distances. The Sunbeam Imp would do 80 comfortably. Both were 4-cylinder cars. I find it hard to believe an American car with a big 6 cylinder engine can only cruise at 60mph.
When you spoke about, and described your 64 Dart, I realized somebody at Chrysler Australia must have done their homework early in the piece. When we got our first Valiants in 1962 (CKD Plymouth Valiants with RHD components) we only got one option for the engine, the 225, along with 14" wheels and 3.23 rear end.
It wiped the floor over here, as it was introduced to compete with the Holden and Falcon of the day, with 138 and 144 Cu In engines respectively. A number of 'main interstate highways' even then, were unsealed for hundreds of miles, and the only road to do the trip on.
Streetmachinetv is doing a Valiant wagon.
Bring hoses, antifreeze, small tool bag and look at upgrading your radiator beforehand if running on the interstate in the summer. See how your car handles heat with a 2 hour drive close to home on a hot day.
My wife and i drive my 74 duster big block car with 3.73 gears across the state and like you said at 3,000 rpm forever! It reminds me of a boat engine just sustained rpms.
100% correct. The old babbit beater chevies were done at 55
And don't forget the cast iron pistons.
@@bobroberts2371 you are right
As a veteran of daily driving classics, know the cars habits, carry fluids and know how to change a tire haha.
Chances are you have worked on most of the components of your car so you should be able to trust your own work.
Amen... takes time to learn the Car.. I tell people, if you touched it.... your married to it.. check it again..
Yes travel and automobiles have really changed from the 60's and 70's. The last time we broke down or had an issue was around 1973. My parents 71 Chrysler Newport overheated going into Atlanta. A car built for the interstate highways.
Since then I have not had trouble even on long trips. In 2019 I drove my low mile 91 ZR1 to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Kentucky for a club event all the way from Pennsylvania. We did a HPDE on the NCM track and drove home. My car has received full engine porting and modding. General rule is a stock car would be more reliable than a highly tuned one. Still no problems on a long trip.
We have a club member who owns several ZR1'S and he takes trips to Alaska from Maryland the last one going up through Canada to Alaska and back through the southwest.
Even so he takes extra hoses , a serpentine belt, alternator , water pump, starter , coolant , tools. The reason for the hoses and parts is the Corvettes LT5 you may not readily find on a long trip. That and driving a car even from the 90's is still 30 years old now. On one of his trips he had to replace an alternator . Still pretty good for a 30 year old car and a trip over 9000 miles. He posted pictures and gave us a daily updating following his progress on the ZR1 net registry forum.
Love that Dart and the Keith Black shirt .
It's a hint he has a HEMI for the Dart so it wont be under powered on the highway! 750 hp hemi 2.45 gearing,highway cruiser! and run high 9's in the 1/4!
I went to the Indiana Kentucky line and bought a 1960 c20 Apache Chevy...with a cammed 235,split manifolds,4speed and 456 gears...ran her over 100 miles at 45mph crankin 4k rpm😂 she was screamin down 64 to i75 to the house here in Cartersville Kentucky 😎
Very informative. I never thought about the classic cars were built for the highways of their times.
My first major trip (5500 mile round trip) as a car owner was in 1965 in a 1956 4dr Bel-Air 6cylinder 3speed. Only small sections of the interstate were open on old 66. In 1967, I made the same trip in my new 67Camero 275hp 327 3speed. more interstate open but far from complete.
My Dad and I were experts at this. Many road trips to Bonneville and back in our 64 Sport Fury and 63 Dodge 330 station wagon.......
I also drove my 66 Barracuda from home in Western Montana to Washington DC and back. Drove a beater old 64 Fury 4 door from DC back to Montana....
Nice video as always Tony! Honestly even in a newer car I wouldn't take the interstates on my road trip it's too stressful.
In the early 60s I made cross country trips in old cars. 55 chevy, 55 pontiac, paid 135 bucks for the chevy and 200 for the pontiac. nothing broke on either of them. the old chevy used 32 gallons of oil and 7 cans of STP to make it 2200 miles. the pontiac was overheating in the mohave desert at 126 degrees in the shade. a service station let me back flush the radiator with air/water and it was fine. those old things were simple and tough. the 287 v8 hydromatic pontiac was made to travel FAST. the old chevy I pushed it at 85 when ever possible because It burned less oil going fast. slow it would suck the crankcase dry in 50 miles at 85mph it would go 80 on a fill. with STP 100miles on fill. used 2ea 5 gallon cans for oil and filled up with 40 bulk oil at fuel stops. when home I got the engine completely machine shop rebuilt for 180 bucks(Park machine, st. paul minnesota). the pontiac did not use much oil at all. good old cars.
Oh, so that’s why the air quality got so bad!!!!
32 gallons!?!?!
My engine from 1998 has gone 400,000 miles on about 45 gallons.
That is a terrible ratio you got.
Did you spend more on oil for your car to burn than food for your belly?
@@fastinradfordable in 1965 air quality was not a big thing. I got it home so at about a buck a gallon thats 32 bucks and STP was about a buck a can so there went 39 bucks for 2200 miles. not my choice. had to deal with it and fixed it as soon as I could. I was not made of money.
You're 100% right Tony, my 73 Coronet wagon will motor along all day long at 70 mph and 3200 rpm no problem. I would take that cross country in a heartbeat, no worries.
Hiways are like train tracks! Nodding off soon follows...the best part on old road trips are the ferries to cross lakes and rivers. With old cars, everyone is your friend no matter where you go.
Holy shit bro!!! I haven't been on here for a few months sorry to say, but damn,you're up to 159k subs already, that's fucking awesome!!!! I'm so happy for you guys!!!!! Yeeeehaaaa! You go like you're shot from a cannon!!!!!
Had a 64 dodge dart push button transmission. Drove that thing all over the place. I called him oscar lipschitz. Loved that car.
I do drive cross country in my 1970 Chevy Chevelle every time a Hurricane over a cad 2 rolled towards my home in Florida so I get the heck out of West Palm Beach because there will be no power or fuel for weeks afterwards. When I leave, here is what is in my car. I carry a spare water pump, alternator, full set of all belts, spare carb, plus a full set of gaskets and a new starter and both battery cables. I carry a pretty good & complete set of tools in a tool kit bag, a full sized aluminum floor jack and 2 stands, one front & rear U joint, a spool of bailing wire a roll of 200mph tape, both radiator hoses, 5 feet of 3/8" rubber fuel line & clamps, 3 QTs of my brand of oil and 2QTs of ATF with a trans funnel and and a set of front wheel bearings & tub of high temp grease, 3 gallons of water plus 50 gallons of gas in 5 gallon cans plus the gas tank of car is full ( as there is NO GAS ANYWHERE ! in a emergency Hurricane exit of the state.) plus 1 aired up spare tire. You got to remember all the auto parts stores are not going to stock much of nothing for a old car anymore ( NO NAPA DOES NOT CARRY PARTS IN STOCK ANYMORE not even for a CHEVELLE !!!! ) and you got to keep in mind a very powerful Hurricane is hot HOT on your BUTT ! so you got no time to waste waiting for parts to be delivered. So I carry the most pron parts to fail. Hurricanes are nothing to take lightly ! And if you can't repair a Old Chevy your in deep doo doo brother ! .
As a truck driver, I sometimes need to rely on interstates to make my living. When I'm home, whether on my motorcycle or driving one of my classics, I avoid them like the plague! The newest vehicle that I own is a 1994 Ford Ranger. Some people even consider that one a classic!
Do you know what helps those mopars alot! Add a front sway bar! Alot of those cars had NONE at all, they will drive so much better! I had many of those cars! Really fun😊😊
It can cause under- steer.
A lot of people actually take them out.
Now chassis bracing.....
that can make a difference.
@@fastinradfordable made mine drive perfectly!! Didn't wander all over the road anymore either
@@fastinradfordable putting a front one on would cause oversteer possibly but never had a problem at all. Made it handle the corners so much better. Chrysler corporation had a bad problem with non handling cars back then😊
Late 1990's early 2000's I drove all over Australia in a 1972 model Holden Kingswood (GM) 6 banger three on the tree. The one biggest problem I had was the after-market electronic ignition shit it self. Reverted back to points and no more issue. Things to carry are basic tools, radiator hoses, maybe a bit of heater hose, spare points and condenser, water, oil, some JB weld or equivalent, fan belt and a fuel filter is about it. Oh fuses.
Relatively unexplored subject matter. You're on your toes man. Informative.
This Is Fantastic Information Tony. You And Your Channel Are Evolving. This Series Will Be Epic. Flesh It Out And Bring All The Old School To The People. I'm An Old Mechanic As Well.
In 2005, I drove a 1987 Dodge Dakota from Bismarck, ND to the Twin Cities Metro MN...435 miles....when we bought the truck the national speed limit was 65 mph....in 2005 it was 70 to 75 mph. The Dakota does not have an overdrive transmission and 125 HP V6....through the 90s we did drive it on the highway.....I can say that it didn't like 75 mph....it's sweet spot was 65 mph. Any thing over 70, the temp gauge would rise slightly and it felt stressed. Conversely, the 2005 Dodge Ram my Dad purchased to replace the Dakota could loaf along at 75 mph all day long and not break a sweat.
The Dakota vapor locks and today's fuels don't help. It's a bit more organic...more analog versus a modern push a button and go car.
thanks, tony. i'm grateful that you take the time to share these videos with us. you and kathy, and lamchop and kiwi and all your other friends, help me get through the tyranny of our times with a smile. you're good people, and you're doing good work. god bless you all.
It’s funny you said Essex growing up my buddy’s dad had one hot rod car with a Buick engine and it had the seats in the back you flip over
Great series! My wife and I are planning a trip for the summer of 2021 in a '69 International Scout 800a, pulling a tiny teardrop camper from Bethel Alaska to Virginia (4000+miles). Retired and moving after 25 years on the tundra. We're planning for 45 days. I think I can make it in 30 comfortably but I'm sure there will be issues along the way plus we're going to do a little sightseeing. Lots of what you're saying I've thought about and am planning for, but it's good to hear it from someone else. We are definitely planning for two lane roads. I installed an overdrive but the brick shaped Scout with sure doesn't like anything over 60mph.
Thanks for bringing back all the great memories . Think I'll take a trip in my 71 Z-28. Just get in and drive where you end up you end up.
An assortment of wrenches, electrical tape, duct tape, zip ties, screwdrivers, pliers, universal rad hoses, extra fuel line, fuel filters, ballast resistors, fuses, air compressor, hose clamps, coolant, oil, and roadside assistance. The good one with lots of towing miles.
I ride a KLR650. Hate the freeway. Love the two lane twisties and going up the fire roads to camp and fish. Completely agree that back roads are the best.
The Chrysler ignition box is almost perfect! Constantly adjusting points are a pain in the ass for beginners!
Chrysler ignition boxes go out and most parts stores some times have them in stock or have to order them or it takes 3 - 5 days to get? Keep an extra box in the car or do like I did and convert to hei ingnition . I still use the factory distributor but use a chevy 4 prong ignition control module . low buget set up and all parts stores and some hardware stores and mom and pop gas stations carry these modules but I keep an extra in the glove box
@@MoparMan-ff8fb Yes. The ballast resistor seems to go before an ignition box. I carry both!
I have been driving muscle cars as daily drivers forever . I do have a 99 C5 but my most recent daily is a 68 GTO w/a 409 and turbo 400. All the road where I live are straight and long...Like I-5. I am planning on installing a 200R, in the near future It had 3.23' s in it and at 75 I was turning almost 3500 rpm and I was a road hazard here in Cali on the freeway, and even with a 4 core radiator, Kool Master water pump and a racing t-stat she would get pretty hot just driving to Fresno and back, NTM Pontiac V8 redline is 5500 and the heat in the summer is over 100 degrees for 3 months and that is about 45 miles each way
In the in the meantime it was much easier to change my ring and pinion and installed 2.56 gears and my problem is solved. I'm turning around 2200 at 75 mph and have a top end of around 145, limited by aerodynamic. No cooling issues either so I'm even putting the factory AC back in.
(I have an AC delete box for sale, Fits all A Body GM's from 67 to 71, maybe even earlier and later)
I do have front disks, and upgraded suspension too. She was too squirrelly after 115 or so, tube upper control arms, Poly bushings, beefyer trailing arms and heavy sway bars and Bilsteins. She will run with the best of them now. I hate it when cars are passing me. A front splitter really helps with speed over 80.
I like to go to road course tracks, but she will still run high 13's with the 2.56 gears and and if I can keep my foot out of the secondaries. I can get 14 to 15 mpg. I am planning on getting the Holley EFI and might go to coilovers when I install the 200r.
I might even get 20 mpg out of it, but what is important is that it will go on long trips in comfort and no worries. There are still a lot of Pontiac V8 parts around.
Personally, If I was looking for an old rig to drive across the country, I would get a 67 to 72 GM car with a small block 350 it in. You can find parts for them anywhere on the planet. I have heard you can even get parts in Siberia. The Slant 6 is the only Chrysler engine I like, but they are getting harder to find parts for. There will always gen 2 be small block chevy parts and you can use Gen 1 parts sometimes. A 327 crank in a 4BM 350 w/ solid lifters stage 2 cam is a great combo. You can get it to 8000 rpm, but you don't want to run it therg long unless you bluprint it and have good valve springs, forged rods and pistons and a dry sump.
I would not want to try to find 440 hemi parts in the middle of Kansas or Wyoming. Maybe 318's there were a lot of them and you see a lot of them in bone yards. They are typically pretty underpowered. IMHO.
Make sure you bring plenty of Zeppelin...
and Black Sabbath, Mountain, Deep Purple, James Gang...😄
@silverbird58 ...Hal n Oates when no one's around
Creedence
Great Job and great subject. Can’t wait for the rest of the series. Fun stuff!
Tony I have a '56 Imperial C70 and it will run all day happy as a lark doing 75-85. AS to break downs, just like any car today anything can break at any time. Had a u-joint bust years ago in Amarillo. Drive shaft place had to send it to Dallas to be fixed. Spent 4 days we did not plan on.
Any car nut that hasn't, needs to watch two lane black top. We actually used to be able to cruise like they do in that film. If someone wants to go on a long classic car cruise , don't think you have to have all the new stuff they have in todays car magazine's / or channel's. FIRST; find a reliable car from say 65 up. It's going to cost some $. You really have to go through the whole car. TWO; Another problem is fuel. We basically had racing fuel for our premium. Pick something that will run on regular gas. If its pre 73 you have to have a lead additive or preferably engine mods like hardened valve seats and max 9.5 to 1 compression. You can get away with higher compression with some electronics or e85 conversion. THREE; Get good tires ,they are better now than then, but thats always been important. FOUR; I always had a tool box and basic parts like spark plugs, fan belts , water jug, some oil, carb parts and fuel filter. FIVE; plan your trip around a memorable event. Vacation , part of a bigger cruise or car show or drag racing (at a track). We did some dumb things back then. You will never forget it. Memories forever. If you can't afford a classic, do it anyway in a newer car. Remember those cars we had in the day were newer cars. HAVE FUN. This could be uncle Tonys best stuff. Be motivated.
I believe that older cars with higher compression will generally handle modern premium fuel fine, more expensive but saves you the trouble of having to deal with lead additives.
Also, do you think a 65 Merc Sedan with a 390 and at most 3.00:1 rear gearing will handle cruising at 80 on the freeway fine?
@@eurekasevenwave2297 If its built well no problem . Anything under 3.55 i consider a good highway gear.
@@edwardchascsa4191 The car itself looks solid. I'm going to try to look at it in person next month or sooner, already found a place to put it and someone willing to tow it. I can shoot you the pictures sometimes if you have an email/facebook or just in the comment thread. Want some outsider opinions on it.
65 Chrysler 300 conv.Took a trip from Toronto to South Carolina in '86 we were 21yrs old(me and the car) and it was the only car I had. Car has been in the family since '77
still driving her today. 413 was swapped in 80. now has a 66 383 727 drive train out of a Newport
yrs old