Do you drive your vintage car to the store?

[Xander Wildeisen]

Just walked around the corner to the store. (Ran out of coffee) and this was in the parking lot when I left. If you hurry it might still be there.

[oldcarfudd]

Not me this time.  But I do drive my brass era cars to mundane destinations like picking up a prescription, recycling, yoga, the bank - - - .  Today I happened upon a mass of motorcyclists, followed by a mass of bicyclists, with several escort vehicles.  They were all cops, doing a four-day excursion down to D.C.  I got a lot of compliments as they passed.

[zepher]

I have driven my '26 Rickenbacker many times to the parts store and grocery store.

My Pierce has also been to many local establishments.

These old gals love to get out and about.

[brasscarguy]

I drive my '41 Cadillac convertible sedan as often as weather permits. Since I have owned the car the top has never been up. 

 

I drive my '29 Cadillac dual cowl phaeton again as weather permits, same story top has not been up since I have owned it.

 

My '30 model a touring is out and about again as weather permits. We enjoy taking it to an old fashion drive in for dinner. We get lots of comments.

 

My 40 year old Ferrari cabiolet gets used in warm weather often. My significant other drives the Ferrari quite often. She loves to go shopping at Walmart with it, gets lots of comments. She often tells those that ask, she shops at Walmart so she can afford to own a Ferrari. And yes, the top is always down.

 

These cars are not garage queens. They are designed to be taken out and exercised. Why have them if you don't use them. My biggest regret is I can only drive one at a time.

 

brasscarguy

 

 

[CChinn]

My 87 560 SL is my DD. Gets driven everywhere. Top is now down with the spring weather. 40 Chevy is also no stranger on the roads in my neighborhood or in town. Like others have said in this thread, they are meant to be driven 

[Studemax]

I used to drive my Studebakers to the grocery store, a doctor's appointment, even work. Never failed to elicit a smile or a positive comment.

[1937hd45]

I did years ago when they were running. 

[keithb7]

I drive mine a lot. Pretty much everywhere except my M-F job, from April 1 to Oct 31. Any excuse to drive my old cars, I do. Here we are on a beer run about a month ago. 
 

Edited May 10, 2023 by keithb7 (see edit history)

[Porsche 68]

I drive my 34 dodge coupe everyday Some people think I’m crazy driving a car that old I tell them what do you think they drove back then  Last picture was at a farm auction last week. John

[Littlestown Mike]

I am convinced you could leave a Model T with the keys in it at nearly any shopping center in the USA, and be certain that it would still be there when you returned.The car that put the world on wheels is a mystery to almost anyone driving today.

[cudaman]

I run errands in my 1924 Model T Ford quite often.  It does great as long as you're not in a hurry. 

 

 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by cudaman (see edit history)

[oldcarfudd]

2 minutes ago, Littlestown Mike said:

I am convinced you could leave a Model T with the keys in it at nearly any shopping center in the USA, and be certain that it would still be there when you returned.The car that put the world on wheels is a mystery to almost anyone driving today.

I do it all the time with my '14 T touring.  I went to a lecture at a museum once, and the security guy came rushing in to tell me I'd left the key in it.  I said: "Wanna steal it?  Be my guest. I'll bet you don't know how!"  He laughed. The many people who'd like to steal it, can't.  The few who can, wouldn't.  

[TAKerry]

Only person that knows is another model T owner, LOL. I had a buddy in the late 80's that had a older Ranchero. At the time it had little desirability. He would leave the windows open and the keys in all the time. Even when going to the mall. His response was that if someone wanted it that bad they were welcome to it.

I dont drive my 'old' car as much as I would like, but have found myself driving it more as time goes on. I have a fantasy of retiring somewhere quite and making a Model A my daily driver.

 

John, I dont blame you, if I had that 34 Dodge I would make up places to go to just to get it on the road!

[zdillinger]

I drive my Model T to the hardware store and farm supply store whenever possible. I'm more worried about parking lot knuckleheads with the '39 Packard so it sees more selective duty.

[avgwarhawk]

Depends on the store.  Walmart?  Heck no.  Beer run?  Sure. 

 

[PWN]

3 hours ago, Littlestown Mike said:

I am convinced you could leave a Model T with the keys in it at nearly any shopping center in the USA, and be certain that it would still be there when you returned.The car that put the world on wheels is a mystery to almost anyone driving today.

I concur, the last time I drove a T was 40 years ago and would need a refresher course.

 

That being said, I never lock my late 90s TDI VWs. They are 5-speeds. 🫠

[Pfeil]

Just depends on the parking situation, like is there an end space and is the spacing wide enough. Also do I have the ability to keep an eye on it.

[plymouthcranbrook]

Absolutely drive them. The 1980 more than the 52 but as much as possible.  My 2016 Traverse thinks I don’t love it anymore in Spring, summer, and early fall.

Edited May 12, 2023 by plymouthcranbrook (see edit history)

[tcslr]

A word of caution: According to the regulations for 'classic' and 'antique' plates - at least in PA - using those registered vehicles for errands, etc., is illegal.  It makes sense. Those type plates require no annual inspection then from a revenue perspective, that is the problem.  

Further, antique insurance MAY have exclusion riders about use, etc. - mine does. shows, tours, club events.

 

Would it likely happen? likely not.  If it did, the former cost isn't too bad... probably.  If there were an accident, the latter issue may be very costly.   Making one's life absolutely risk-free is not fun and fools errand.  Just understand, that sometimes - most times - you are the windscreen but sometimes, you are the bug.

 

And yes, I do drive them. 

[avgwarhawk]

8 minutes ago, tcslr said:

A word of caution: According to the regulations for 'classic' and 'antique' plates - at least in PA - using those registered vehicles for errands, etc., is illegal.  It makes sense. Those type plates require no annual inspection then from a revenue perspective, that is the problem.  

Further, antique insurance MAY have exclusion riders about use, etc. - mine does. shows, tours, club events.

 

Would it likely happen? likely not.  If it did, the former cost isn't too bad... probably.  If there were an accident, the latter issue may be very costly.   Making one's life absolutely risk-free is not fun and fools errand.  Just understand, that sometimes - most times - you are the windscreen but sometimes, you are the bug.

 

And yes, I do drive them. 

State of MD:

A vehicle registered as historic cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.

 

Occassional transportation to me means a run to the store.  

 

[JamesR]

My old '50's and '60's cars have antique plates, and I'll drive them to the store on occasion and to a restaurant with my wife on rare occasion. I typically drive each vehicle 200-500 miles a year, as that kind of mileage is the absolute minimum necessary to keep them from falling into a state of neglect or disrepair. I should probably review my state's stipulations on antique plates, but I haven't had a problem with the police in close to 20 years. However, it could be that if a person has antique plates and drives the car to work a third of the time (or greater) and starts exceeding maybe 4000 miles a year, some officers or the DMV might start paying attention, depending on where you live. That's my perception, anyway.

[TAKerry]

I live in a rural MD county, it seems that about a third of all the cars we see have historic plates. Way too much abuse of the system. They are much cheaper and require no emissions inspection. All of the yahoos are going to ruin it for us guys that try to abide a little. 

 

There was a case a couple of years ago that a car with historic plates was stopped wee hours of the morning. It had 4 or 5 people in it, drugs and the such were found. The reason the trooper stopped the car initially was that 'it was carrying passengers on a highway'.

[CChinn]

17 minutes ago, tcslr said:

A word of caution: According to the regulations for 'classic' and 'antique' plates - at least in PA - using those registered vehicles for errands, etc., is illegal.  It makes sense. Those type plates require no annual inspection then from a revenue perspective, that is the problem.  

Further, antique insurance MAY have exclusion riders about use, etc. - mine does. shows, tours, club events.

 

Would it likely happen? likely not.  If it did, the former cost isn't too bad... probably.  If there were an accident, the latter issue may be very costly.   Making one's life absolutely risk-free is not fun and fools errand.  Just understand, that sometimes - most times - you are the windscreen but sometimes, you are the bug.

 

And yes, I do drive them. 

Let me clarify my comments:  My DD, although a classic car by the 25 year rule, is licensed and insured as a regular vehicle, so I’m not breaking any laws when I drive it on a regular basis. My 40 Chevy is registered and insured as an antique vehicle and is only driven around my gated/country club community with no regular traffic or police patrols 1-2 times a week. It only goes outside the gates for cars and coffee, parades, local car shows or local AACA club events. I think I’m also following the rules for this car. Can’t speak for the others who have responded that they drive their classic cars regularly, but I am sure they are well aware of the insurance and license rules and regulations. It is quite obvious when you fill out the forms. I don’t think you have pointed out anything new to them. Many have been in this hobby for quite a long time. There are risks in life and each individual weighs and balances those risks when they make a decision to drive their car

[zepher]

37 minutes ago, tcslr said:

According to the regulations for 'classic' and 'antique' plates - at least in PA - using those registered vehicles for errands, etc., is illegal. 

Which is why I pay exponentially more for regular plates and do not run 'antique' plates on my cars.

And, driving to the store occasionally helps to keep the car sorted. Only driving it to shows would leave you with an unreliable car.

[zdillinger]

1 hour ago, zepher said:

Which is why I pay exponentially more for regular plates and do not run 'antique' plates on my cars.

And, driving to the store occasionally helps to keep the car sorted. Only driving it to shows would leave you with an unreliable car.

Same here, regular plates on my cars and my Hagerty policy limits annual mileage, not purpose.

Edited May 10, 2023 by zdillinger (see edit history)

[1932 plymouth pb sedan]

I live "out in the sticks" in New Hampshire and drive both of my antique registered vehicles whenever I can. Not sure what the rules are anymore and don't really care, most cops don't know the rules. We are supposed to be the Live Free or Die state and not much of that is true anymore.

[STEVE POLLARD]

I drive my vintage truck to the Home Center whenever I need to pick up something larger than the trunk of my wife's Honda 🙂  Here is a picture of my first C20 from a few years ago, loaded with a pallet of roof shingles...

Over 50 years old and still working, I'll bet you won't see a new 2023 Chevy truck 50 years from now !

 

Steve

 

 

[erichill]

Any excuse to get my Model A  speedster out for a putt works for me. Doesn't hold that much in groceries but that  just means more frequent trips. Look at as our civic duty to provide smiles and entertainment for our neighbors. 

[keiser31]

I used to drive one of my coupes everywhere. The architects I worked with loved it. It would usually draw a crowd. People would ask me what I would do if it got a ding in it. I would just say that I would keep driving it. Hopefully, it will be my daily driver again, soon.

Edited May 11, 2023 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[chistech]

3 hours ago, STEVE POLLARD said:

I drive my vintage truck to the Home Center whenever I need to pick up something larger than the trunk of my wife's Honda 🙂  Here is a picture of my first C20 from a few years ago, loaded with a pallet of roof shingles...

Over 50 years old and still working, I'll bet you won't see a new 2023 Chevy truck 50 years from now !

 

Steve

 

 

Steve, I’m jealous. 71-72 chevy trucks, including the Blazers are my favorite. I had a 72 K5 I wish I still had.

[chistech]

Every morning I have free I drive my 31 chevy to go for coffee. It ends up being quite a conversation piece at the coffee shop.

[STEVE POLLARD]

7 minutes ago, chistech said:

71-72 chevy trucks, including the Blazers are my favorite

Hey Ted... they really stand out compared to todays new trucks.... easy to work on and you can get just about any body part or mechanical part for them! I was off from work today and decided to drive over to the High School to get my son.... a group of teachers and kids all made comments on how they like the truck !

[gossp]

Every chance I get. It goes to the grocery store, it will go out to dinner, it will go out for a beer, it picks the daughter up from school and goes straight to the ice cream stand every day I get off work early enough to do it. I have a few maintenance things I really want to do to the car, but the thought of it being down a week or so saddens me too much to get around to it. 

[Pfeil]

Since we are here now, has anyone been stopped, cited or even warned by law enforcement while driving a car with antique or collectors plates?

 

NEVER!

[32buick67]

I was surprised to learn that MN Pioneer laws (1936 and earlier) are quite liberal, allowing use of the vehicles for any purpose, provided the vehicle maintains the original factory operating functions.

We are soon transitioning from snow plowing to bass boat hitches....the tractor snow blower came off this week, yea spring!

 

And yes, we do try to make mundane runs in our car for everyday needs such as grocery, DQ, band and soccer practice, etc.

 

Our neighborhood police officers wave at us when driving our car to the store, as do most of the folks around town.

We are glad to bring everyday smiles to most folks, and for those in a hurry behind us, we pray they are ok and are at peace for their particular situation...

 

 

[CChinn]

32 minutes ago, Pfeil said:

Since we are here now, has anyone been stopped, cited or even warned by law enforcement while driving a car with antique or collectors plates?

 

NEVER!

Me too!  Never!

[31Buick96S]

I primarily drive my 2009 Chevrolet truck, but I do drive my 3 older cars fairly regularly for errands. It gives me a chance to keep up with maintenance and to discover minor issues that need attention.  I enjoy driving them and they invariably bring a thumbs up and a smile from folks along the way. 

[gossp]

7 hours ago, Pfeil said:

Since we are here now, has anyone been stopped, cited or even warned by law enforcement while driving a car with antique or collectors plates?

 

NEVER!

Never gotten a ticket in an old car but been stopped many times. Usually they just want a closer look at the car… some police will accept a ride around the block… no matter how many times I offer “you can drive mine if I can follow in yours”… they won’t go for it. 
 

Year of manufacture plates get questioned a lot!
 

in my teens it was a fun thing for many of the local car club guys to have me drive their cars unsupervised…. Some of them fairly valuable… I got stopped all the time!  Police just wondered what a punk kid was doing with a 56 bird, full classic Packard, or Chrysler T&C convertible. 
 

Always friendly encounters. 

[jpage]

I used to drive my Model A PU on errands. One evening , I took to the local hardware store to get some concrete mix. Loaded it with about 10 eighty pound bags of cement and headed for home which was only about a 1/2 mile away. Good thing it was a short trip as the front wheels kept bouncing up off of the pavement, guess a little too much weight too far back! Interesting ride though!

[charlier]

18 hours ago, tcslr said:

A word of caution: According to the regulations for 'classic' and 'antique' plates - at least in PA - using those registered vehicles for errands, etc., is illegal.  It makes sense. Those type plates require no annual inspection then from a revenue perspective, that is the problem.  

Further, antique insurance MAY have exclusion riders about use, etc. - mine does. shows, tours, club events.

 

Would it likely happen? likely not.  If it did, the former cost isn't too bad... probably.  If there were an accident, the latter issue may be very costly.   Making one's life absolutely risk-free is not fun and fools errand.  Just understand, that sometimes - most times - you are the windscreen but sometimes, you are the bug.

 

And yes, I do drive them. 

 

Because of the drivers I have to share the roads with here in eastern PA, I usually "exercise" my old cars when or where the roads are not as crowded, I also do not run errands with them given how these people drive and park in parking lots. I'd rather not be the bug that gets nailed by a bigger vehicle which happens more than once per week at the traffic light near my house.

 

BTW, I used to have a 20 year old daily driver with regular tags on my regular auto policy. I would probably still be driving that car today except for the fact that an idiot who was not paying attention when driving rear ended me and totaled it. Thank God he hit me because he probably would have hit and severely injured the three little girls I had stopped for at that School Crossing. One other consolation was that he was driving and totaled his Father-In-Laws vehicle.