An interesting driving day...

[TTR]

Had an opportunity to (test) drive 4 quite different vintage cars, back to back, same route (20+ miles with each). 

- '32 Plymouth PB Roadster (period correct Hot Rod with early '50s running gear and 50K+ miles since built 30+ years ago).

- '40 Mercury Sedan (mildly modified '80s period Street Rod with SBC and 1100 miles since built 35+ years ago).

- '72 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 (stock with 20K miles since new). 

- '76 Cadillac Eldorado convertible (stock with 40K miles since new). 

 

Edited August 9, 2021 by TTR (see edit history)

[RansomEli]

And...?

[TTR]

9 hours ago, RansomEli said:

And...?

... well, other than just reflecting how different from each other (older vintage) cars can be, not much else to comment right now.

 

Oh, I also drove 2 other, modern "appliances", though not the same distance or route, but find them both about as interesting as an empty cardboard box, so won't bother mentioning specifics of either.

 

[RansomEli]

So, which would be your choice to take on a 3-4 hour tour in the country? Back roads, stopping whenever you felt like it, having a nice lunch?

 

Not trying to cause any trouble, but with the wide variety of drives you've got to give us some personal opinions on each car's driving personality.

 

Can I take a few guesses?

• The hot rods were nice but had bumpy rides. Not quite sorted together enough for a long ride
• The Ferrari was great but hard to drive slowly. Heavy at low speeds and really wanted to cruise at 90mph.
• The Eldorado convertible with the top down was the perfect country cruiser

[TTR]

9 hours ago, RansomEli said:

So, which would be your choice to take on a 3-4 hour tour in the country? Back roads, stopping whenever you felt like it, having a nice lunch?

If you visit the discussion/thread titled “Long distance driving/traveling with vintage cars”, my preference should become clear. 😉

 

While I like the 365 GTB/4 and don’t think it’s hard to drive at speeds below 90 or even 45, it’s really designed/intended for highway cruising/touring well above 120, so not very practical/useful around here. 😳
 

The Eldorado is just too “floaty” for my taste, especially on high speed countryside drive.

It seems more appropriate for city suburbia cruising. 🤔

 

And for the Mercury… …well, it’s chassis and undercarriage is basically just prewar Ford … …and having an SBC engine is not going to add anything or change it. 😜
 

Actually I’m heading out for another few day, 1000+ mile road trip (2-4 hr jaunts, back roads, roadside breaks/lunches/stops whenever…) in my favorite ride, starting first thing tomorrow morning…

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2021 by TTR (see edit history)

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

17 hours ago, TTR said:

 

 

 

Actually I’m heading out for another few day, 1000+ mile road trip (2-4 hr jaunts, back roads, roadside breaks/lunches/stops whenever…) in my favorite ride, starting first thing tomorrow morning…

 

 

 

  There ya go!!  Bragging and rubbing it in!🤪.

 

  Enjoy.

 

  Ben

 

[TTR]

Sorry about that Ben, but life’s too short to travel in boring vehicles, especially whenever there’s a slightest opportunity to make the journey being as important or interesting  as (or more than) the destination. 😉

Edited August 11, 2021 by TTR (see edit history)