Event Coverage How far do we drive our cars for an event?

Back in 2003 I drove 1,325 miles one way to the Bonneville salt flats, made 10 runs on the short course then drove back home.

 

First few trips the wife followed me. After a year of close enough to call a friend for help I got to where I'd drive it anywhere. Takes a while to become one with the car.

 

First trip to an event with the 48 after I got it together in 1973 was 410 miles from McGregor Tx to Tulsa and 376 back. I had two breakdowns on that trip but we got both fixed and made it.
We did 1950 from Toppenish to Waco in 1981 on a truck that had under 50 miles on the engine when we left.
Still I'd say that where you live and where the events you want to go to are has a lot to do with it. Guys in some metro areas might be able to hit events every week an not get more than 60 miles from the house. Guys out in west Texas might drive 150 miles to an event that their own club or group didn't put on.
Throw in one's attitude to begin with. I've met guys who won't drive to events simply because they don't want to put miles on the car in fear that it might reduce the resale value.

I'd have to say that I have ridden in and driven some rods that just flat don't lend themselves to long distance driving.
My Buddy's old 29 A roadster with the recessed firewall was a real pain to drive more than 50 miles. My T Bucket got real uncomfortable after about 50 miles even though I drove it to work and then school a lot on 20 mile each way trips for one summer. Those guys with Bomber seats have to be a lot tougher than I ever was . I can't see making a 1500 mile one way run sitting in one of those.
Back when I lived in Texas one of the clubs had a member with a T bucket with a six gallon gas tank that got maybe 10 mpg and a couple of them usually carried jugs of gas to refuel him on the side of the road as quite often he couldn't make it from one station to the next on their road trips.

 

My son and I drive to the annual TYRODS reunion in Mass. It's just over 1100 miles round trip. Yes...he is running mechanical Hilborn, not the EFI version...

 

The longest so far in our Deuce roadster to California and back first time 6000 miles second time7000 miles the ARDUN with blower performed perfectly each time. There's now over 100,000 miles on the car.
Ronnieroadster

 

You guys are animals! I'm scared to go over about 150 miles. The biggest thing that scares me at the moment is my water pump is made of unobtaineim! If it goes there's no replacing it on the side of the road. I'm on the lookout for a spare to carry with me and I may venture a couple hundred miles

 

heh...when we took the LaSalle on it's 5000 mile adventure, the water pump was leaking pretty well, we just kept greasing it and adding water.

 

Nags Head is a long way away from me. 300 miles for a cruise in? I won't be going. Sorry.

 

We of course drive to Bonneville from So Cal every year, sometimes driving hot rods. But our Big Drive was with our 1940 Ford truck and teardrop trailer... Three days of driving through pretty and pretty ugly places, but Austin is The Bomb for places to go. Another year we drove to Tracy for the Billet Proof show,, great small show. Then we drove the 1951 Chevy Ute to Crescent City and back and making sure to go across the Golden Gate Bride, where we tripped the no pay camera and got a bill later for like $4.50
More trips to come,,,,, I want to ship a roadster to Hawaii!!

 

Don that's cos you rich
ha ha Aussie joke

 

I’m in Hawaii (Kaua’i) now and haven’t seen a HAMB-friendly car yet. I’m not saying they’re not here though…

John

 

My longest road trip was 4000 miles, but I have many many trips 200 to 300 miles.I love Road trips.

 

2-3 hours either way is perfect. Hell I don't even like driving much more than 4 hours in anything unless I have too.

 

Going 3-4 hrs one way. Pix for 2-4hrs.-return home right at dark to avoid the deer & creatures of the night. No desire to camp or spend $ on a flea bag motel.

 

You need to get out more if you don`t them. They are from Iowa and they know every body. Ask them to remove their seat back. It has the date and mileage of major repairs made to the T-Bucket.

 

I've seen them around for years but never got to know them. Didn't know if they were well known by people on here or not.

Gary

 

He was in Albq NM last week at the route 66 NSRA meet.

 

2000 miles

 

Our longest was from Kansas City to Snowmass Village Colo. 813 miles one way. Our 35 Ford has 212,000 miles on it so far.

 

If you haven't done a cross country trip.....do it. Doesnt matter where you're going. Just do it!

 

I was parked across from him at the Albuquerque show last week. He could probably run that car by remote control with all the electronics he had hanging from the headliner. 600 Miles for us one way.

 

March '21..........3800 round trip from Amarillo to St Pete, Venice, and Naples Florida. in my avatar. Great roadtrip with almost no issues. I even visited with 3 '57 Ford forum menbers along the way.
I've put 53k miles on it in 5 years, only two bad roadtrips in the five years. The first was going to the 1st annual NSRA rt66 show in Alburquerque (2019) and the second was coming home from the second annual rt66 show last weekend!
BTW, the Conoco station in Shamrock you guys are posting pics of is on the same road as Owens Salvage an hour or so south.

 

In a off topic muscle car, 6000 miles round trip. In my 29 coupe I'm ready to get out after about 100 miles, but I'm a big guy 6-3 300#

 

62 Rambler station wagon 3447 mi roundtrip for the 2021 Hot Rod Power Tour. Finished the car 2 weeks before the event. Wipers died in a rain storm in Indy and the rear brake line failed on way home. Original rebuilt 6 cyl engine.

Nick

 

CT is a small State and I'm fortunate that there are shows within about a 35 mile radius from me every weekend, sometimes two or three April to mid-October.
Paul in CT

 

been to NSRA NATS East NAT South NATS North and LA roadster show in a roadster. I really like to drive my cars

 

I used to do a lot of long distance trips when I was younger when my cars were only 30 years old and I didn't have family responsibilities. These days trips are usually no more than 150 miles. I hope when I retire I have time for longer trips, but that's 20 years away still.

Devin

 

Two weeks ago from the Netherlands to Rømo motorfestival beach race in Denmark and back about 1250 miles.
I love to work on a hot rod but a long trip with friends is really great !



A little wrenching together to keep rolling.

 

When I lived in NY I did long trips all the time . Now that I live on the big island of Hawaii .After I go 120 miles I am coming back home again .