VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Chicago to Los Angeles

I just arrived home yesterday from a 2,321 mile trouble free trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. I had my 1940 Special Deluxe 2 Door Town Sedan transported to Chicago on May 1, 2010, Picked it up on May 9th and started driving on the Old Road (66) home to Los angeles on the 11th of May. It was an exciting trip and 100% trouble free. Took a lot of pictures and had a great time meeting a lot of wonerful people on the road, My wife was a real trooper living in the 40 for about 7 hours a day. Drove right at 215 miles a day. Averaged 17 miles to the gallon. It was so great I'd do it again tomorrow.

Would recommend it to anyone.....

Great times and Green Lights,

Wes Marquis

Begging for photos.

Sounds like fun. If I was to put that many hours at a time in my coupe someone would have to drag me out of it at the end of the day. It wasn't made for folks my size.

I'm sure you and your wife had a great time and congratulations to you for making the trip. As far as I'm concerned, that's what the hobby is all about, not "mine is better than yours" trailer queen competition, but hitting the road and driving them like they were designed for is the best way to enjoy them, IMO.

My wife & I drove our '37 Sports Coupe from Rochester, NY to Rapid City, S.D. and back about 3 years ago. We went approx 3500 miles and had one of the best trips we've ever had. We've been talking about doing one to California and back next.

Wow,
That sounds like my dream come true but I'm afraid my DW would never go for it. She even worries when I talk about putting one on a trailer behind the motor home so that we will have a car to tour in when we go to Texas in the winter! She worries about a break down. Thing is I can fix most of what would go wrong on my old cars but not much on the newer stuff. Glad that you guys got to do it, I think it would be a blast.

Wes, Thanks for sharing your accomplishment with us.

I made a long trip back in 1975. It was from NC to WY and back. The 41 had a 54 235 in it, so I cheated a little. I was alone then and, if I drive the 41, on any long trip now (like to MI), I reckon I'll be alone, again. Read on.

If I ever do get my "honey bunch" to go on a long trip, I'll have to have a contingency plan that covers a taxi, bus station and an airport. We probably wouldn't get far enough for the bus station or airport to be feasible. Taxi or call a neighbor would do the trick. But it won't happen anyway because I can't even get the her to go around the block in "that thing", as she calls it and she'll get cross at me for something before we even get out of the county. (Imagine that!) You know: upset over the radio station, not stopping at every Stockey's, not stopping two miles down the road from a gas station where you just filled up, (Didn't have to go then but does now), or grumbling about the wind and engine noise (both too loud), speed (too slow) or lack of air conditioning. (Hmmm, could get a "swamp cooler," I guess.) Oh, it'll be something to fall out and fight about.

Anyway, it was really nice that your wife gracefully went along with you. Tell her that I said you're a lucky man and that,"diamonds are a girls best friends."

Best wishes, Charlie

BRW: I second the motion that a story and pictures would be nice.

Charlie, Thanks for your comments, My wife really liked your kind words, I would never say that we didn't have some words on the trip and especially coming through Needles, Ca, it was 101 degrees outside around noon, the car inside was a hot box but the engine never went over 190 degrees.

Thanks again, Both the wife and the car were Troopers.....

Wes

Hi Wes,

That sounds like a GREAT trip!! I'm envious....

A thought --- I'm not asking the VCCA purists to understand; but maybe some of you guys can now understand why some of "us" modify our old Chevy's (or at least ONE of them) with a V-8, AT, PS, PB, A/C and so on. Wifey is much more willing to go; and is likely to be much better "behaved" on a long trip in a modified car.

I don't pretend for a minute that kind of car is a 'pure' VCCA car; but it sure can help keep peace in the family....

Just my 2,3, maybe 10 cents....

Bill.

If that is the case then why not purchase a '70 Impala or '85 Caprice or '78 Monte Carlo? Most of them have AC, AT and all those other creature comforts. Then you don't have to butcher a nice original car. Some of those cars are available in good road worthy condition for much less than the cost of adding a V-8, camaro clip, 350 turbo, after market air, disc brakes, etc. I know I have some more modern "road cars" that we drive to the tours and back. They will go coast to coast and repair parts are stocked at nearly every parts house in the USA.

I agree Chipper. I have a 65 with all the good things on it from the factory. All I did was purchase it and drive it.

Yes, that is a way to go. I get to drive my wife's car "Betsy ": she drives better and looks better with her new Goodyear radials than in this picture. a nice old original Arlington built and raised 68 Impala Sport Sedan with 400Ht & 275 HP 327, Factory air PB & Ps. Original engine with 108k miles and she does use a Qt. of oil every 500 miles or so.
But wifey doesn't like for me put the peddle to the metal and "blow away" those RAM pickups that their owners think are a truck version of a NASCAR.



Now for short scenic trips Klinkerbelle has my wife's nod for "Looking good"....


No one said that you can't have the best of both worlds...

Where is the adventure in taking a long trip in a car that is mentally and physically comfortable to its passengers? Cruising along in a 70s Chevy gets little appreciative notice, other than from a few old codgers like me. Others just think its all you can afford. Might as well take the Denali.

Anyway, I get the point. There has to be a trade-off, especially if you're taking the missus along. I sure don't know the best answer to that dilemma.

I envy all you guys whose wife loves your old car(s) just as much as you do and doesn't gripe about what you spend on it and will jump in and ask "where are we going" afterwards. You are lucky.

Best, Charlie

In deference to Jim and Mr. Chipper, I don't care to tour in a '65, as Jim
suggests; or any of the years Mr. Chipper mentioned. Actually that's
a "been there, done that" for me. I like the idea of touring in what
appears to be a post war 40's or early 50's car. I prefer that look.
And it's a real kick to buzz up and down the interstate at 75 mph, or
whatever speed, in a 1951 Deluxe station wagon.

Just another example of why there's more flavors than vanilla in the
ice cream section at the grocery store....


Bill.

Bill,
Guess I might not have been clear in my suggestion. If you want to tour in a Chevy that looks like late 40s or early 50s then why not in an original vehicle and not one with all those creature comforts added? Why partially destroy a vehicle just so you can drive it like a '70s or 80s or modern? Why not just drive and original one of them? That is what I do. I am preserving history, displaying it for others to see and enjoy and having a blast doing it. Make mine "Mint Chocolate Chip".

Charlie... all of these are '41 related problems. Upgrade your ride to a '51, and the wife will be thrilled to be seen with ya!!

Chipper,

Thanks for the clarification; but you were perfectly clear with your
first suggestion. At least to me.

I think what you are saying and what I am saying is essentially a
discussion about whether it’s “OK” to modify a car or not.

I don’t mean to sound critical or judgmental; but it’s clear you’re opposed
to modifying and it’s just as clear that I’m not opposed to it. I’m not
necessarily in favor of modifying a car; I’m just not opposed to it.

As noted previously, I want to tour in the “look” of a 40’s(actually late 30’s)
to early 50’s car; rather than a 60’s or 70’s car. But, the Mrs. (and me also)
both want / like creature comforts that basically weren’t available in those
years. So, clear to see, modify is what works for us. For the look I want
and what she and I both like, modify is the way that works for us.

Further, at the risk of pouring gasoline on a fire I will say if you were
referring to my ’51 wagon the other day when you used the word
“butcher,” you are completely mistaken.

My ’51 is definitely not butchered. Frankly wherever it goes it’s
one of the best-looking cars. That’s not just outward appearance; but
including how the modifications were engineered. That’s not my say-so;
but what interested parties say after looking over the car. (As noted
elsewhere, that’s no credit to me. I didn’t build the car. The guy
who did sure knows his stuff!)

I guess it’s possible you’ve only seen “butchered” modified cars; but this
one clearly isn’t! Probably best to reserve your “butchered” judgment until
you’ve actually seen a top-notch modified car like our ”˜51 wagon.

Like I said, it appears we’re having a discussion about whether to modify
or not. And I doubt you and I will find agreement on that subject. We do
however totally agree on “mint chocolate chip.”

Bill.