[Judge-1969]

Just curious to know how far others have driven their classic Pontiac? I am taking about a 2.5 hrs trip with my Lemans this weekend and it got me wondering. I have recently gone about 1.5 hr (70 miles) round trip so this weekend will be my furthest.

I know of a local WI guy who recently drove his '69 Judge out to Seattle for the GTO Nationals. I think he said he put on about 6000 miles!!!

[transam greg]

I take a ride to my brothers house about 1 hour away 65 miles. I'll hang out for 2 hours then head back home.

[David Jones]

About 2 weeks ago I did about 200 miles early Saturday morning. I was intending on driving to Meridian Ms but hit a sudden patch of incredibly heavy drizzle (nothing on radar) so I turned around. I will note that the windshield wipers did a great job after having been on about a 10 year siesta. 15 miles to the gallon on fuel.

I will add that my senses were on high alert the whole time, waiting to hear/feel/smell the 1st hint of the crankshaft snapping in half, the ring and pinion exploding, the oil turning to jelly or some other catastrophic event ending the fun and games. Nary a hiccup.......

[craigs69]

Originally Posted by David Jones

About 2 weeks ago I did about 200 miles early Saturday morning. I was intending on driving to Meridian Ms but hit a sudden patch of incredibly heavy drizzle (nothing on radar) so I turned around. I will note that the windshield wipers did a great job after having been on about a 10 year siesta. 15 miles to the gallon on fuel.

I will add that my senses were on high alert the whole time, waiting to hear/feel/smell the 1st hint of the crankshaft snapping in half, the ring and pinion exploding, the oil turning to jelly or some other catastrophic event ending the fun and games. Nary a hiccup.......

I thought I was the only one who did that!

I think about 125 miles is the most I've put on mine in one trip.

[6x400gmc]

Originally Posted by David Jones

About 2 weeks ago I did about 200 miles early Saturday morning. I was intending on driving to Meridian Ms but hit a sudden patch of incredibly heavy drizzle (nothing on radar) so I turned around. I will note that the windshield wipers did a great job after having been on about a 10 year siesta. 15 miles to the gallon on fuel.

I will add that my senses were on high alert the whole time, waiting to hear/feel/smell the 1st hint of the crankshaft snapping in half, the ring and pinion exploding, the oil turning to jelly or some other catastrophic event ending the fun and games. Nary a hiccup.......

Not sure if it counts, but the 82 GMC pickup truck that I had with the 1973, non rebuilt 400, made the 700 mile round trip to/from New Orleans and an additional 200 miles of in town driving during the month I was there. Made 15 MPG with a TH-400 and 3.23 gears.

The entire trip I was thinking about how fast the valves were opening/closing at 3 grand on the interstate.

Didn't have one issue.

Britt

[RFCOLEMAN]

2 years ago, 2,200 + miles in 1 week on the Hot Rod Power Tour.
But mostly local driving on the weekends.

[indymanjoe]

350 yesterday.was going to go to Milwaukee and see my brother today,then Sheboygan falls and back home thru the UP..but my daughters car broke down and im home fixing it now.

[Teej]

It's only a 50+ mile round trip, but I drive my '58 every day. I've put about 40,000 since I've owned it (~10K per year.) Longest one way was to the Turkey Rod Run, about 70 miles..

[indymanjoe]

Look up Keith Collier here,he drives some miles for sure. mechanickeith is his screen name

[mechanickeith]

Originally Posted by indymanjoe

Look up Keith Collier here,he drives some miles for sure. mechanickeith is his screen name

The 61 Tempest now has over 565,000 miles. I drove her to Albq. New Mexico a couple of times from Phoenix just in the last month. That's 1000 miles in a weekend. I put 48,000 miles on the 65 GP is 22 months before an accident sidelined her for a bit.

[AdamIsAdam]

Originally Posted by mechanickeith

... I put 48,000 miles on the 65 GP is 22 months before an accident sidelined her for a bit.

Which brings up the next point for discussion, how safe are they to drive so much. My 64 didn't even come with seat belts. And I'm sure many here have seen the you tube video of the 50s impala being crash tested into a modern impala. Yes, they were bigger, but they were NOT better in a crash for sure.

I fear any kind of accident mostly because of the lack of head rests.

But yes, I still enjoy driving them as much as possible! I just worry more now than when I was a kid. I guess today comes with age, mine and the car's.

[Ben M.]

I'm impressed that some people actually drive these cars regularly anymore other than me and a handful of others! While I do agree that "if you could drive these cars in the 60's and 70's without issue, why can't you do it now?" is a very valid point and one I prove regularly, the biggest hangup towards driving a 60's era or older car regularly is the parts and service availability on the road. It's one thing to be driving a '67 big car across the country in 1975 when Pontiac v8s were still made and dealers\service parts were readily available along with the knowledge of how to repair them, but in 2016 when the vast vast majority of working mechanics weren't even born when these engines were in production much less worked on or even seen one before and the average parts store takes 2-3 days to get simple things like a water pump or a carb kit, unless you travel with a full complement of tools and parts to service all but major failure, it's a very valid concern. When I got stranded in the middle of the California desert (Kettleman City!) due to a failed longshaft TH400 transmission, there wasn't a single shop in 100 miles that could rebuild it. All of them insisted they'd just go to a junkyard in LA and find another, then toss it in and I'd be good to go (on my dime, about $3500-4500 were the quotes). A transmission that hadn't been made since 1976, in a junkyard in 2013? No way. I had to be at work the next day and they were going to charge me $150/day to store the car at their shop.

I drive my old stuff everywhere, but it's constantly checked and re-checked and I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a small part of me that wonders and worries how much the tow truck bill would be if I broke down 300 miles from home and no shop would be willing to fix the car...

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

Which brings up the next point for discussion, how safe are they to drive so much. My 64 didn't even come with seat belts. And I'm sure many here have seen the you tube video of the 50s impala being crash tested into a modern impala. Yes, they were bigger, but they were NOT better in a crash for sure.

I'd say that adding 3 point seat belts is the smartest thing you can do on any car that didn't come with them. Maybe upgrading to slightly later seats with headrests ('69-72 A-body for earlier A-body) if you aren't into the modern seat transplant look. As far as taking a head-on with another car, if you're afraid of that you might as well just stay home because that can happen in any car. I accept that it's a risk as part of driving any car, not just my old ones.

[indymanjoe]

Hey i just noticed you are in Milwaukee.My brother works at what was Hals Harley Davidson.

[Judge-1969]

Originally Posted by indymanjoe

Hey i just noticed you are in Milwaukee.My brother works at what was Hals Harley Davidson.

Yes! Actually I'm in a suburb of Milwaukee (Oak Creek). I've been to Hal's a few times too out in New Berlin. Nice place! Sounds like when you come out this way you make a real nice trip out of it!

[firebirdcrazy1959]

everyday all year....200 miles one day round trip...

[TROYBOYONE]

A few years ago I bought a 1964 LeMans in Bend Oregon, and drove it to Dayton Ohio.

[moneypit]

2 weeks ago I drove my 37 from central TX to Maggie Valley NC. 2574 miles round trip. Earlier this year drove to the Kansan City area.

[69 Limelight]

69 GTO. 3 Hot Rod Power Tours (2010, 2013 & 2014) usually 3200-3500 miles each from when I back out of my garage until I drive back in. 2012 GTO Association of America Convention in Loveland, Colorado plus lot of sight-seeing driving in Colorado (3400 miles round trip). 2015 to and from "Cruisin' the Coast" on the Mississippi Gulf (3000 miles there and back and associated driving at event). Plus normal every year driving to shows, cruise-ins poker runs, etc. usually 2500-3000 miles each year

[Ben M.]

250 miles a week in any weather but salt. Longest trip with one has been 750 miles one way in the California desert on I5 (did the drive in a 400 Pontiac 6 times round trip). My cars are meant to be driven!

I really should put a 4L80E in my wagon to handle the 3.08 rear better.

[Dens71TA]

Farthest round trip was 300 miles. Back in 2009 I daily drove my '71 Trans Am from May to the first moderate snow fall in December. During the middle of the summer I was averaging 600 miles a week. Ended up putting about 12,500 miles on it.