[VAC] Re: 1950 speed in a 2000 world

["Weimers" <mweimer@xxxxxxxx>]

We did that this summer with a 1968 Dodge Polara and a 1963 Globe Trotter.
We found
secondary roads and fantastic scenery in the northern mountains of
Pennsylvania. There was hardly any traffic. I drove 40 to 50 MPH most of the
time, sometimes slower when the scenery was too good to fly by. At that
speed you can "stop and smell the roses" if you want to.
   Some might say I'm living in the past, or that I'm reliving the past, and
to some extent, that is true. ...But, the real joy of driving a retro rig is
the people you meet along the road. Wherever you stop you are sure to
receive positive comments about your rig. It's a great way to meet people
and since they see your old rig, they start to reminisce about old times,
and usually happy times they had in a car and/or trailer like yours! In the
campground, you get people walking up to your site all the time to look over
your rig. You get to meet lots of new people, including many with an
interest in old cars or trailers. You learn a lot of interesting history
that way too.
   The smiles you get from oncoming drivers is a welcome change from the
blank stares you usually get on the highway. You get a "thumbs up" or a few
approving toots on the horn from passing drivers, even if you are holding up
traffic a bit. A retro rig on the road is a welcome change from the boring
econo-gumdrop cars of the present and a welcome relief from the boredom of
the road.
   Sure, it involves extra effort to use an antique tow vehicle. I rescued
my car and my trailer from junkyards. I put a lot of work into them.  Boy,
am I proud when people say how nice they look now.  It's a great experience
and I would hate to trade it for a brand new car and trailer.
    In my experience, I often have some kind of minor problem with my old
cars (but NOT my Airstream!) while on a long trip ...something like a blown
fuse, or a transmission that wants to overheat, but I've NEVER had to have a
car towed away. The engine has never quit and the wheels have not fallen
off! I've always made it home. The worst repair bill I've had on the road
was $40. Once my alternator froze up. I repaired that myself in 20 minutes
for $40. Once my transmission fluid overheated. I had it changed (with new
filter) for $40. Best of all, I've NEVER had a car loan payment!!

By the way, I travel Interstate highways too ..but I dislike them more every
time I use one. Cars and trucks in more frequent numbers  are going 90 MPH
or more. That's too scary for me whether I'm towing something or not!!

MARC WEIMER
Punxsutawney, PA
#15767
1963 Globe Trotter
1971 Globe Trotter