"Do you still Drive it?????"

[R W Burgess]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Anyway, I drove the car almost daily for 4 years and put about 20,000 miles on it before I "restored all the fun out of it." I sold it last January.

There's a topic we should discuss as well. What cars have you had a lot of fun using, then restored, and hardly ever DRIVE anymore? Which is more fun?: to drive a truck and trailer, or your antique car?

--------------------

West Peterson

Editor

Antique Automobile </span>

A great idea for a topic, West. The above was posted in the "Cheap Car" thread. I'm in a situation where my job is taking over my life at this point. But, I have a '65 fuelly Corvette coupe that warms my heart anytime I get a chance to drive it...last drive in September. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> It's not even restored, but I keep thinking about the restoration of a somewhat rare car like this, but then, like West said, the fun(for me anyway) would be gone. So, let's hear your stories, guys. Wayne

[DizzyDale]

Dear Wayne,My Dad and i bought a 37 Ford Phaeton 7 years ago and put a couple thousand miles on one Summer all the while fixing mechanical issues,GREAT fun me and Pop had that Summer.That Winter i decided to do a nut and bolt resto,3 years later it was done,drove it to a local show approx.10 miles there and back and drove it from the trailer to the showfield at Hershey and back probably another 5 miles.SO 15 miles TOTAL...won a Junior first and nominated for a National Award.A guy that saw it at Hershey bought it and that was that.You can check it out on the 20001 Hershey photo pics its the ONLY 37 Ford.diz

[Guest imported_Dwight V.]

I put several thousand miles on my 1970 Fiat in the 23 years I owned it. But, the constant worry about keeping it 'mint' was a detriment, and I used it less and less after it was done.

The '65 pickup is a nice driver, and my wife (wisely) fights any motions I make toward restoring it. I have a couple small rust issues I want to correct for the purposes of preservation, but no $5000 paint job for this one. I like driving it, and not worrying about hitting the occasional puddle or cowpie on the road and feeling I must rush it to a car wash.

Restored cars are beautiful, and I love to see them, but I no longer want to be a member of that particular club.

[Guest Hal Davis (MODEL A HAL)]

I managed to get mine drivable before I restored it, but it needed a lot of work and was not reliable at all. During the restoration, I didn't think I would EVER get it back together. I longed for one I could drive. When the club went on trips, we went in the modern iron. When I finally got it back together, you bet your sweet bippee I drive it!

[Ron Green]

"Which is more fun?: to drive a truck and trailer, or your antique car?"

Both. Take your fresh restoration and go get your awards as that clock has started ticking on its demise. Then plan some shows / events / tours that you always wanted to attend but were to far away. Once there unload and drive the tires off it.

Getting ready to do this next month with one. Big get together in Florida. 25 of our club members are hooking up for a few days to lay back, drive and have fun. Without the truck and trailer the vehicles would never make it. To long, to hard on them, top speed is slow at best and parts are all but impossible to find plus the cost. If broken once there they can be hauled back. This happened to me in Ohio last year. Brought one home with 3 wheels.

[Guest Skyking]

I drive my restored cars as much as I drove them unrestored. That's the fun of having them!

[Guest greg72monte]

When I purchased my 72 Monte Carlo in 1998, it had 30,800 miles, never a daily driver, and always garaged. The little old lady, who only drove it on errands to Church, shopping & the doctor, sold it to me. She was an aquaintance who contacted me to sell me the car. I didn't even know that she owned it. The car has been re-painted, but is otherwise unrestored. As you see by my signature, it now has 37,000 miles on it. I have no choice but to drive it, about 800 miles per year, because I have no tow vehicle and no trailer. The furthest I have driven it was to the Eastern Spring Meet in Hagerstown, MD last year, about 450 miles round trip. I received my Junior & Senior awards by driving it to Carlisle & Hershey in 2003. I was also nominated for a National Award at Carlisle, but did not receive it. It was an honor just to be nominated. I plan on attending the AGNM in Delaware next year. Competing with trailered cars is NOT easy, but I get great satisfaction from my success. Yes, I have to do major chassis detailing every year just to compete. I DO enjoy driving it, even thought I continue to have concerns with rock chips, etc. I think that if I am financially able to get a truck/trailer, I will probably buy another car instead, and continue driving.

Happy Motoring!!

[Twitch]

I'm "re-doing/renewing" the Z-28 which my youngest daughter uses to the tune of probably 10 Gs when it's all done. She plans to use it daily as before but I hope she doesn't.

I tried to pay the guy that painted it with these but he wouldn't take them.

[Ron Green]

Your fortunate to have a 70's vehicle that parts are easy to get, decent brakes and keeps up with todays speed. If you have a vehicle that doe 40 or 50 MHP wide open and the brakes are an afterthought you need a trailer. Unless you never want to venture to far from home and miss all the good times and meets that are many many miles away.

[R W Burgess]

What are you driving to Florida Ron? Do you know the year span of the other vehicles involved on your tour? Wayne

[Guest greg72monte]

Ron,

Yes I agree that since I have a relatively modern vehicle by comparison, driving it on the interstates is not a real issue. If someday I acquire that 40's Chevy I have always admired, a trailer would likely be in my future. Right now with a daughter soon to go to college, and the next immediately following, that may be in the far off future.

[Chris Bamford]

We completely restored my 1912 Kissel (had been turned into a bodyless tractor) over an eight year period. The mechanical work took the first five years, and body reconstuction the final three.

As soon as it was a runner, I bolted on a couple school bus seats and temporary lighting, and away we went. I drove it with no body, then bare fenderless body (did a National HCCA Tour that way), then unfinished with fenders, etc. The restoration work was done to a high standard, and would have certainly been award-worthy had it all been fresh at the same time. As it turns out, there were always some portions or other nice and fresh, but never the same ones for long. Oh well.

I've put over 10,000 miles on this baby in seven years and enjoyed every one of them. My plan is to wear the thing out by the time I'm too feeble to drive -- then let the next guy worry about scratches and grease.

[Guest Dave Mills]

I have recently started driving my cars, since my restorations are older now. I am going to use them all now and have some fun. The kids can restore them again after I am gone if they choose to.

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The kids can restore them again after I am gone if they choose to. </div></div>

I guess I'll be a perpetual kid! The only restoration I ever finished I began driving immediately, much to the consternation of some people in the Falcon Club of America. I later sold the car to help finance my by now endless TR6 restoration, which will likewise be a driven car.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Trailering a sports car is like reading about sex!</span>

[Mika Jaakkola]

OK, here's my FUN driver:

http://www.imperialclub.org/Yr/1957/Jaakkola/index.htm

So the car was bought from a "junkyard" last driven in '69/'70.

Got the engine(temporarily one), fixed the brakes. And wow. Got it registered.

It got much attention when I drove with it..

I haven't NEVER seen people wandering around and around a car again and again, what they did with this one.

It really was a fun thing to watch.. The looks on their faces-- :-)

The sound in that one was quiet, when the engine was idle. But when you pushed pedal to the floor.. The Sound was LOUD! I guess in scared the birds away from 2 miles radius! Yes, I didn't change the exhaust pipes at all.. In Finland, there's no dB limit on cars this old.

Cops stopped me only once

But they wished me good luck with the restoration process!!

I really regret selling the engine and getting the original.. which is still in parts in my garage floor..

I haven't had a change yet, but when I do, I will restore this one to original.

Maybe the FUN of driving it disappears.

[Buicks Rule]

Well--it depends.

I really like that phrase--RESTORED THE FUN OUT OF IT!

It's sad but it's true. Between cost of restoration, and possible damage to rare NOS parts used in a restoration, it's often stressful to drive a fully restored ( or even a freshly painted ) car.

One of my cars was purchased new as a Christmas present for my mom around 40 years ago. Because it was reliable, easy to drive, practical-large trunk and fun ( rather fast convertible ), she would never allow it to be traded in. It was also the first of that model to be delivered to Akron, Ohio that year.... She was also chased by used car dealers ( then collector car dealers ) for years but had ZERO interest in changing cars.

I learned to drive in it. I was driving it the first time it turned over 100,000 miles. My parents put most of the first 100,000 miles on it. I put most of the second 100,000 miles on it. I cosmetically restored it while in high school in the early 80's and received it as a surprise graduation present.

In the 1960's, what fun to leave the OH winters in March, arrive on the beach in FL and put the top down as soon as the car was unloaded. My parents were older than those of my friends, but they had the 'coolest' car. My dad created quite a furor when he deemed the convertible "too old" to make the trip reliably in 1970 and we were stuck with taking his NEW Ford ( and stuck was the operative work--along side the Indian River, in the middle of a pouring rainstorm, at night, halfway between no where and no place when the Ford had a bout of Lucas Electrical Disease).

After spending most of the 70's as a city only car, in the 80's due to moves across country and national car shows, it made quite a few cross country trips as a restored car. Over a decade after being deemed 'too old' to make the trip from OH to F, the same car made 4 or 5 cross country trips. Dad had to eat those words on almost every trip where we took the "new" car but the "too old " car never skipped a beat. It was also a fun hobby car that was driven a great deal.

During its entire life, the car once refused to start ONE time due to a dead battery and was only towed ONCE due to that same dead battery on a winter day in Ohio. The absolute reliability, even in max winter cold/snow in NE Ohio was one of the reasons the car survived numerous trade in talks the first 15 years of its life.

When they stopped making new convertibles at the end of 76, the trade it talks basically ended. While getting Mom into a newer conv might have been possible, she was just NOT listening to talk about having a solid topped car.

In the middle/late 90s, we did a full, frame off restoration on the car and began showing it in AACA. Unfortunately it doesn't get driven very much since the restoration. It received a junior, senior preservation and National Award and was trailered to most of those meets due to the 1000 mile or more each was travel distance. The car has been towed MORE since restoration than it ever was before hand.

It does get driven to local shows ( up to 100 miles each way ) but not as often as I would like. A few weeks ago, we had to move the other restored car ( a fancier Buick that is similar to one my parents once owned ) out to do some work in the garage. I asked my 85 year old mom if she wanted to go for a ride. She did but while exercising the 'fancier Buick,' she commented that she'd rather ride in "THE BUICK--her old convertible."

So, we got back, uncovered "THE BUICK," which started almost immediately despite the weak battery and she got her ride in "the best car Buick ever built--her words."

Is there a point to this well--getting there.

Best Buick ever built--now that'll bug some folks. Bet we won't agree on that one.

But, like my mom, of all the cars that I have ever, owned, driven or rented, "THE BUICK'S" road manners always stood out. Whatever was asked of it-running down the freeway maxed out in the late 60's with my dad at the wheel and mom either egging him on or reminding him not to hurt her baby ( the car ); hauling mom ( who was in her late 40's ), my aunt, the elderly neighbor, my cousin and me ( possibly the dog too ) to the grocery store when I was a kid ( top down if you please), ready willing and able to hold it's own at the local stoplight should someone challenge her ( how embarassing to be high school kid in the 60's and be out dragged by an "old lady" or three "old ladies," two kids and a dog), or most importantly, digging itself out of snowdrifts in hospital parking lots when my dad was in the hospital for surgeries ( an all too common occurrence ), "THE BUICK" did whatever was asked of it with no theatrics. It did it's job with style but with absolute reliability.

I have spent most of the years since high school looking for a twin to "THE BUICK" that would have similar road manners but that wouldn't have quite so many family memories tied up in it. When we restored "THE BUICK" we restored/rebuilt/reused absolutely every part that could be restored to factory new condition. So, while parts to replace road damage or wear aren't THAT hard to find, I do NOT want to risk major damage to the parts that have spent their whole lives on THAT CAR that cannot be replaced.

About two years ago, I was looking for a car to replace my daily driver and just couldn't find a modern car that I couldn't live without. The $42K Park Ultra came close but the $$ was a big stretch and the car just didn't say "buy me."

I test drove about 4 and each time brought it back and made the comment, I really wish I could find another "BUICK." Unknown to me, friends and relatives conspired to find almost a twin to "THE BUICK" which is a one owner CA car whose owner agreed to give a new home. Mom was not told because everyone figured she'd throw a fit about another old car.

The night the "little Buick" arrived, we took it over to show my mom. Everyone was waiting for the explosion when she saw another "old car." To everyone's surprise, she walked to the window, said "you finally found one" and then she got the keys to her car and seriously wanted to trade. If manual steering and manual brakes ( and NO AC ) were an option at her age, I have a feeling she'd be driving the "little Buick."

The "little Buick" has gotten a rebuilt engine at 230,000 miles and will be cosmetically freshened possibly becoming even more of a cosmetic "twin" to "THE BUICK". It is tuned to best case emissions and is driven frequently ( and insured properly for regular driving ).

I was using it for awhile as a daily driver prior to the engine rebuild but due to damage/harassment/vandalism ( by other adults on campus NOT by the students ), and the need to put it down while we rebuilt the engine, I have acquired a more recent Buick that is easier on gas and can defend itself a little better in parking lots thanks to ONSTAR.

Right about the time I was born, both parents had convertibles. And, we've had at least one in the family ever since--mostly the same one. My mom was unusual in that the top was down whenever the weather allowed-- which meant over 50 degrees and not raining. What a joy to come out of work, put the top down and drive away.....

However, the "little Buick" WILL NOT BE RESTORED. We're having wayyyy too much fun!

[DizzyDale]

RESTORED THE FUN OUT OF IT.......says it all.diz

[Ron Green]

Wayne,

We are meeting and touring with members of the Amphicar club. They do this every year but it will be our first. Need a break from the winter. I will be trailering it to Mount Dora in mid March then driving and boating however the car is not yet back together. Did some major work on this one over the winter.

I understand that they have a bar out in the water you can cruise to but you need to beware of the gators. They say they will leave you alone. I'll think I will wait to tell the wife these minor details. Since its winter here unfortunately I will need to water leak test it down there. No guts no glory!

[6219_Rules]

In a word or two - Heck YEAH! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I drive my cars as daily drivers. The Eldorado had 72000 miles on it when I bought it a year or so ago and now it is just to 96000. The '47 had 34000 miles on it when I bought it, and now it has about 37000 (although the odometer stopped working so Im guessing). The '81 pickup had 78000 miles on it in 2001, and now its new with only 608 miles on it. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

No matter what car I have, or restore, I will drive it because it beats sitting in the garage staring at it! LOL

[The Old Guy]

I have put over 100,000 miles on my 40 Buick Super, and I put 12,000 on my 69 Buick Sport Wagon last year. If you can't drive 'em, I don't want 'em.

[Stanley735]

As the Stanley was made operational last spring, I have been enjoying it. Everyone that has ridden in it says don't restore it but keep it original. Now this car came out of a barn 2 1/2 years ago, so you can imagine its condition. I am still working on mechanicals to make it reliable, but plan on driving it as much as work permits. The Packard will be the same way, although I plan on completely going over the brakes with new parts. Both cars will be drivers for a while, before cosmetic restoration begins.

Jim Showers

1921 Stanley 735B Touring

1953 Packard Series 2672 Cavalier

[novaman]

I drive my unrestored 4dr and plan on driving my wagon after I get it put back together. The 2drht? Not sure whatI'm going to do with that on yet...but I'd put my money on driving it when I get that on back together. By the way, they are all 1963 Chevrolet Chevy II. The 4dr & 2drht are both 400 series Nova (top end model)and the wagon is a 100 series (plain Janer).

I like the attitude of one guy I knew while I was growing up in AACA clubs in NY. He'd restore them, trailer queen it until it got all the awards at the different levels then DRIVE it.

[R W Burgess]

Great stories, guys! Are you checking this out West Peterson? There's some great "magazine" stories in this thread!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Amphicar BUYER]

Ron,

Since I have been waiting for my truck's trans (and other problems) to come back from the re-builder, the Amphi has been my daily driver for a over month now. A trip to Home Depot, Wal-Mart or the mall always draws a crowd!

Since the restoration (on the water July 2000), I have done 4600+ miles on the road and 198 hours on the water.

When I was in Florida at Tommy's place, we had an electrical problem with his "beater" Amphi. Yup alligators live in his lake! We paddled the car back to shore with a licence plate! He once ran out of gas at the same lake and had to get out swim the car back to shore. None of the 'gatos got him! He said they don't eat anything bigger than they are so you should be safe!

[Guest Moepar]

Yep, we drive every single one of our vehicles , from the '61 Newport to the '76 Olds, which is our newest car. Only trailer we have is occupied by our '72 Chrysler Sport Satellite Tri-hull 15' boat (cars won't fit on that trailer), so if you see our car on a trailer, it be broke.

As for '70's cars being easy to find parts for, try having an Olds between '73 & '77. More parts for '72's & earlier or '78's & later. I think most repro places think that Oldsmobile didn't make any cars during that time frame. But, I guess it's no different than earlier cars, & easier than than some to find parts for but sometimes I wonder....It just FEELS like you can't find nuttin'!

But I digress. My cars were meant for driving, & by gosh, that's what I'm gonna do with 'em! None of the cars I own will EVER be worth big money (restored or not) just because I own wierd ones that most people don't want to bother with. Therefore they are more affordable for the chump change I have to spend on buying them to begin with.

I can understand wanting to trailer some cars, especially ones that can't do highway speeds, & for long distances to some of the shows. Fortunately all of ours have good size V8s, can all do 70 (& better) & are all pretty darn big & comfy. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Ron Green]

John,

Looking forward to seeing Tommy and all. It will be a nice change of pace this time of year as I am generally thrashing on a vehicle trying to get it completed. Ahead of schedule this year, hopefully I just didn't doom myself by that statement. Good luck with your truck. As always looking forward to Celina.

Also just signed up for the Founders Tour with the Amphicar. Hard to resist since its 40 minutes from the front door. Will still use the trailer as its needed for all the tools and spare parts that will be required, plus the Amphicar won't hold my wife's luggage for a weeks trip.

[51bowtieman]

I have a 51 chev bus cpe my dad bought the car in 1987,about three hours after completeing the car,we drove it 3 hours to our first super chevy show,and that is how it still gets places today.To me personally there is nothing more enjoyable than cruising it down the road feels great driving,peoples reactions to it are a bonus to the fun. I have driven the chev to three or four different states,and get a lot of comments for doing it.The drive train is completely stock. Lew.

[Guest HeyPop]

I've got buddy who's a mopar nut that told me a story a while back about running into a fellow one time and getting into a conversation about cars. The more they talked the more he discovered this guy had a classis car, a Super B (I think) that he had purchased and had at the house in the garage. Did he want to see it? My buddy (without hesitation) answered "sure". He went the the guys house and, sure enough, there sat the car. Beautiful! Better than showroom he thought. "Can I hear it run", he ask. The guy about fainted. "Start it up!" "Oh my God no. We don't run it or drive it unless it's for a show!" My buddy left just shaking his head and wondering why the heck the guy ever even bought it. Now I understand not driving it a couple hundred miles to a show and risking nicks and scratches but this guy wouldn't even drive it down the street to a local show they had every year at the local mall! He trailered it! Closed trailer at that. The only time it ran was to take it off and put it on the trailer. I'm sorry but if you collect a car and don't at least drive it occaisionally to blow off the dust and circulate some oil. It belongs in a museum ... not your garage. If it weren't for the limitations the Pa.'antique tag' and my deteriorating spine puts on my Model A, I'd be driving it every day I could. Keep em' rolling I always say. Others would like to appreciate them too that don't have the luxury to participate in our hobby.

[51bowtieman]

Hey pop, I have run into the same thing,I asked them what do you do sit in it once in a while and go vroom-vroom, To each there own but It sure is fun showing it off daily.

Lew

[R W Burgess]

Ron, The Amplicar? I don't know why I thought you may have a brass era car of some sort.

The wife, I know you have seen those leather apparatuses that old farmers used to put over the horses head. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Ummmm, "Blinders", that's it. She'll never see the 'gators coming and she'll look stylish to boot! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<span style="font-weight: bold">Wayne--my wife hates me!!!!!</span> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[kuhner]

When we bought our '56 we drove the wheels off of it. Took it to Canada twice, St. Louis, Washington DC, on route 50 through the mountains, Niagra Falls,all over. We even used to take our camping gear with us. Five or six hundred miles one way in a 36Hp Beetle two adults, loaded to the gills. I was alot younger then and alot less dependant on the creature comforts of air-conditioning, and adequate lighting.

Now after what started as a project to freshen the old car up, and turned into a full blown restoration, we drive it no more than 100 miles one way. Its just a matter of comfort and speed with me now.

[Ron Green]

Wayne, I drove a 28 Caddy a few years back and I can't imagine driving that on the expressway on a thousand mile trip. And it was done right including the mechanicals.

As far as the gators and the wife, I figure on running at night so she won't see them. Hopefully there will be no lights so their eyes don't glow. Just keep your hands inside the vehicle and you might want to roll the windows up since there is only 14" of freeboard. All have a good weekend.

[R W Burgess]

You too, Ron. I see West hasn't said anything yet about all of this rambling, maybe you fellows need to stretch the truth a "little" further. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[West Peterson]

There's one good way around the stringent rules of "antique" license plates... Don't use 'em. Run regular plates. The extra cost is well worth admission onto the highways. And if you'd like to use a collector car as a daily driver, then insure it for that type of use.

[Al Smeraldo]

I drive all my cars everywhere. I put 60,000 miles on my 56 Ford Country Squire just doing shows and tours. My 67 Galaxie convertible has been on several 1200 mile tours and is a first junior winner at Hershey. I once took my 50 Austin A40 (50 mph, sometimes, lousy brakes etc.)on a 1000 mile tour. My 65 all origional T-bird is my current tour car. Actually every year the N.J. Region takes a 9 day tour and the only time I've ever seen a trailer in 24 years is if there was a serious breakdown that couldn't be fixed enroute. On this tour I've seen some very old cars. A 1919 Buick, model Ts and As several other cars from the 20s and 30s. Some of these cars are national winners. It can be done if you want to.

[Ron Green]

Sorry Al but I have to disagree with you. If traveling to a show or event for a week or so that may be 1,200 miles away (2,400 total) with a vehicle that just can't keep up on the expressways, parts are impossible to find and brakes are an afterthought it makes good sense to use a trailer, especially if you need the room for luggage, tools, spare parts, unforseen breakdowns, etc.

I am not against driving them just trying to do it safely without blowing something up. Taking a model T on I-95 from PA to Florida in my mind won't be any fun, just terrifying. I guess you could go the back roads if you had an extra week or two.

Beware that if you have antique vehicle insurance you must keep your vehicle inside under lock overnight. A trailer meets their requirements.

[Guest Moepar]

I guess it depends on the insurance you have. According to the fella I get my antique insurance, I don't have to keep it under lock & key if I've taken it on a overnight trip to a show. As matter of fact, with the '61 Newport we have, the wiring harnass fried two days after we got coverage, & therefore could not physically get the car back into the single car garage we have (couldn't push that extra heavy beast uphill, & garage too low clearance for the rollback to put it in there). We had to put it in the carport until we could get all necessary items to fix it. When the adjuster came out, they had no problem with it, & completely covered all costs. I guess you just have to get the one that's right for you. If mine wouldn't be covered while on a trip, then I wouldn't be going far from home being as I live about 50 miles beyond the boonies.

[Ron Green]

I can only speak for JC Tailor and Haggery Insurance since that's who I have used. Canceled Taylor after many years because they won't insure my Corvette that I have owned for 31 years.

When I questioned them on this I was lead to believe that its was pretty much across the board (inside overnight) with most companies that offer antique vehicle insurance. If you use a regular insurance carrier like State Farm and piggyback your antique there are no specific rules.

[Guest Moepar]

I have mine through Grundy for my 'non-daily' drivers (all of mine, for insurance purposes, are antiques). The only time I needed it I can honestly report it was a pleasure doing business with them. It's one of the few times I've EVER had any good words for an insurance company. But in all fairness, Grundy is the only one I have ever used for antique car insurance.

[Guest HeyPop]

"There's one good way around the stringent rules of "antique" license plates... Don't use 'em. Run regular plates. The extra cost is well worth admission onto the highways. And if you'd like to use a collector car as a daily driver, then insure it for that type of use."

I'm not sure what time period your vehicles come from but the pre-war cars all have a uniqueness that doesn't lend itself well to the mechanics of today. I have a hard enough time leaving my regulars cars with a 'mechanic' when it comes inspection time. I can't even imagine letting my Model A's with a garage to have an 'inspection' done (which is the drawback of having other than antique tags). About the time they pulled the wheels to inspect the mechanical brakes, I'd be getting a call asking "what the heck is this?" or "Did you know you have two sets of brake shoes on the rear of this thing? Now what do I do?" or "Where the devil am I supposed to get parts for this thing?" Naw... regular tags aren't an option as far as I'm concerned. Especially on anything pre-war. I've never really pushed my luck by driving it a couple days in a row unless I can fit in a run to a local parts store as an excuse (for stuff like oil, grease refills and general maintenance items). It does, how ever get out every Tuesday for breakfast with the other retirees I hang out with. If I get stopped ... it's my one personal day a week.

I do have to share a story about getting pulled over one Tuesday in front of the local Ford Dealership by a local officer. When he walked up to the door all he said was he had seen the truck around and just finally had to stop me to get abetter look at it. After he hit the siren it brough out almost every salesman on duty that day. I was late for breakfast that day. He made it to most of the shows I took it to last summer. He says it rekindled his interest in the older cars and now he was looking for one of his own.