I love that sort of book so I just found and ordered a really affordable copy of it. I think it’s going to be a really interesting read. Through my many years of motorcycle touring through many parts of North America I’ve found the trips I’ve enjoyed the most were ones that were restricted as much as possible to smaller secondary roads. No interstates unless there was no alternative.
Between my two '40 Fords, they racked up around 20,000 miles last year, mostly doing the mundane task of carting my keister back and forth to work, 45 miles from the house. It's always fun when folks catch me going down the road and snap photos and post them on FB. Here's a few that I recently got tagged in. From this evening, coming home from the office in Branson, fighting 45mph wind gusts. Spotted by my buddy Philip. A few weeks ago, heading to work in the '40 coupe, spotted by my friend Terrae. And probably one of my favorites...My friend, Jamie spotted me, but she couldn't get her phone out in time, so she drew me a quick sketch of what she saw. (This one made me laugh for a while)
I didn't post in that thread, but the coupe got new fronts (165/80r15s) for a fresh pair, due to wear, last summer. The rears got swapped 2 weekends ago, with noticeable tread wear and cracking between tread rows. They were installed in 2011, when I was driving the '37 sedan I used to own. The '40 stake truck is probably in need of some new kingpins and bushings, as the fronts are wearing on the insides, and will get swapped this summer. It's backs are Firestone Transforce HT 235/85r16 10 plys, and I will run them for as long as they don't show cracking between the treads. They are 2012 tires.
Put those same Firestones on the front of my “hot rod” short bus. Got about 17k on em in less than 2 years. So far so good.
In September we took the model T to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan from central Indiana. 4 days and 1500 miles. Great trip. No problems. Secondary roads along the lake shore all the way North. Interstates going South. That little T will run right along with that 75 MPH Michigan traffic. But it's like pushing a sheet of plywood down the road. Not good mileage.
Well,after 40 yrs. of owning multiple 55-57 chevys,1corvette,35 ford cpe.,37 Chevy cpe.,and never finishing them and in a lot of cases ,never starting them. It hit me, I want to drive the 57 Chevy I bought in November 2018. I plan on a traditional “60’s style build. I have followed the HAMB for years but just joined in Feb,2019. Inspiration from this site has rejuvenated the desire for this 71yr.old.to finish this one. So I intend to be who is driving.
From one 70 something to an other, good decision! Don't worry about all the details, there will be time for that after you get it running, and you drive it. After you drive it for a wile your list of details may change. I know some people finished a car to completion only to find that it was not fun to drive and 5 or 6 years later the completed car sits in their garage with less than 200 miles on it.
My 23 T bucket pretty much sits in the garage. It seems I'm always working on it, it's 95% work and 5% drive. That's ok though, I like twisting wrenches and that car is so easy to work on, it's like a mini bike. Coming up soon are replacing a broken rear shock, a new shifter, and manual shift kit. I don't mind that I don't drive it very often, because that means that when I do it's a special occasion, and I really enjoy it and don't take it for granted. I did drive it a short distance a couple of times last week.
I have been driving my mildly customized Avanti for 32 years now. I just love it. I get into the 55 which was inside out when I got it. I think to myself this thing drives great these cars put the fun back into driving. Unfortunately North Jersey has the worst roads for calcium chloride, salt, potholes so nothing goes out between November to March. I am now chomping at the bit to go for a ride
Had one like it myself, with a red wall rear slick. I still have red lines to this day for my 442, thanks to that bike.
Hi HAMB folks: I am the odd duck on here for sure...I really enjoy working on them...they keep me busy at night...as far as driving them goes...never been a fan...too slow...wont turn...rides like a hay wagon....you always have to let the traffic pass by on the way to where I am going...terrible on gas mileage too...I will continue to work on them but once they are done...we send them to their next caretaker... I think growing up riding around in (now vintage) Mercedes Benzs really spoiled me when it came to driving older vehicles... My Hero on here F&J who I got to meet last December...he drives a 32 Ford every day... MikeC
I've been drive the '50 Coupe and Brenda's wagon as often as possible this year but I am getting antsy wanting to get back behind the wheel of my old beater, I took the sedan to Dave's Shop for a interior December 31 and he's trash on his days off trying to get me back on the road by the Nat's South in Knoxville, Tenn the first of May. HRP
. Hi Mike. Before anyone thinks I went to upstate NY in the 32...I did not. My son bought a Buick powered 1948 Willys from Mike, and my son & I took his truck & trailer up to bring it back. I don't drive it every single day, but it's out a lot. A couple afternoons ago I went to the dam to get in a better mindset with old age issues and the crappy weather. Well, hamber Slim Tempo was coming back to his home across the river(in the Rambler wagon) , saw me and pulled in to chat, and then made a video. I thought I'd get to post it showing the 32 running but he must have had problems uplinking it to YouTube.
Kid, Dana, next door got a 20" banana bike... chrome frame, 5 speed, cheater slick... our yard was in the shade … snow lasted till June… he would come over and do "snowouts" up the back lawn... pretty cool... . my first parts purchase was a $5.95 banana seat from Western Auto in Damarascotta, ME... 1967
The Jalopy Journal
