What's your favorite long-distance classic?

A post about our Orange Blossom Tour got me thinking: What's the best classic for gobbling up the miles? My default is most likely a Porsche 911, but I admit that I'm biased. So, what says the hive?

I was away on a car meet in Nevada when I got a call that I had to get back to Vancouver BC ASAP.

I drove 1000 miles in just under 14 hours including brief stops and didn't fall down when I got out of the car! Not stiff and relaxed to boot. The car was ideal for doing high speeds (where you could do that, like long sections of Northern CA. A real grand touring car.

I've done long treks in an older Jensen, various MGs and others, but never in such comfort.

I'd say old Merc. When I think long distance I think long straight roads, when I think long straight roads, I don't think 911.

How classic? Any 6 Cylinder BMW should gobble up miles in sumptuous comfort. I like E23s and E24s, personally.

I did a successful run back from Denver to Oklahoma City in one shot in my Fiat 124 but I would not say it was particularly comfortable compared to a sedan with A/C. For cruising in comfort I would choose a 3rd generation Mercedes SL or a something like 1971 Volvo 144 or BMW 2002.

W123 fo sho!

If it's a long trip, any cruiser, whether it be 2-door, 4-door, or wagon. If I'm cruising the interstates or state roads, I want to be as comfortable as possible.

If it's a short trip, I don't mind the Corvair, it's pretty good for cruising for a couple hours.

Volvo 1800ES, although any 1800 will do. Pretty much perfect for 2 people and luggage.

There's a reason why Irv Gordon has driven his 1800S over 3 million miles. The cars just gobble up miles easily and comfortably. Especially later models with a bit more power and maybe A/C.

late corvair made the DC-to-Detroit run many times. 500 miles, stopping only for fuel and tolls, no prob. with all the powertrain heat behind the passenger compartment, just crack the windows and open the kick panel vents and let it roll.

Sounds like the answer will be 'what your favorite car is'.

shortly after an engine rebuild in our Alfa GTV, we drove to the convention in Kansas City, including a track even in Oklahoma. With tires, tools, and luggage. Turned out to be a great cruising car.

That being said, not sure if we would do that again. Age prevents you from doing things that you could have done young.

Agree with Alfadriver...you age will largely dictate your answer. Years ago it wouldn't matter. I would have done it in a TR3 without thinking twice. These days, I'd say probably an old Merc or BMW, but really probably a 240Z, as I like the seating position. Of course it would need a seat swap before I started!

Or an X1/9...oh wait...I'd need AC...man I'm old....

+1 on the Age thing. In my twenties I drove my Jensen Healey the 600 miles from Kansas City to Denver straight through after I got off work at 11 pm. Not the most comfortable ride. I did it at night partly because it was late summer and thus hot, but mostly so I would not have to see Kansas and the Eastern slope of Colorado. I could still smell the livestock though :). Made the return trip Sunday afternoon shortly after locking my keys in the trunk. Try finding a locksmith to make a house call in Denver while the Broncos are playing! The car did fine during the trip, but rusted into a small pile in the driveway shortly thereafter.

Ian F wrote: Volvo 1800ES, although any 1800 will do. Pretty much perfect for 2 people and luggage. There's a reason why Irv Gordon has driven his 1800S over 3 million miles. The cars just gobble up miles easily and comfortably. Especially later models with a bit more power and maybe A/C.

Good to know

When I was about 10 or 11, I rode from Philly to Santa Barbara in my brother's TR-3A in June. The top blew off on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and we sat in the sun the whole way, except for torrential thundershowers in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. That was Route 66 from St. Louis (I think) to Barstow, CA. We got up at 4 a.m. to cross the Mojave Desert before it got too hot. That was a lot of fun, but I don't think I'd be up for it now.

I second the Volvo 1800, very much intended to be a long-distance GT rather than a true sports car. No cabin ventilation to speak of in pre-'70 m0dels, but it's the only car I've owned where you can lower both windows completely and not get your hair mussed.

I've never owned a car with AC -- I'm so cool the heat can't touch me

AngryCorvair wrote: late corvair made the DC-to-Detroit run many times. 500 miles, stopping only for fuel and tolls, no prob. with all the powertrain heat behind the passenger compartment, just crack the windows and open the kick panel vents and let it roll.

I've made several long distance trips in the Corvair. Mainly convertibles. It's not bad, but being in a convertible for hours on end gets exhausting. I have yet to do a long run in a Coupe.

A long trip...nothing beats a station wagon. A "fun" long trip, a sports car. This last July I did 5400 miles and 15 states in my Consulier GTP. Had a great time!

When I lived in So. Cal. I was dating a woman in Ky., who I've been married to for 38 Years. My best two long distance rides from Orange County to Lexington were a '66 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 & a 240Z. 2 1/2 days each way was my driving average and almost no interstates back then. I haven't owned anything since that I thought traveled as well.

I drove Per's old GRM Project Volvo 122s from Daytona to Baltimore. TWICE. (Don't ask.) It did it, but it took a set of earplugs and a big chunk of high-density upholstry foam under my butt to make it tolerable. Also, I left FL at 4am to make sure I would be out of the South by the time it got too hot to stand.

As a kid, I rode from the East Coast to Oshkosh Wisconsin in a BMW Bavaria. That was a nice way to cover ground.

I made the trip from Austin to Las Vegas and back in my '68 Mustang back in April for the 50th anniv. The trip totaled about 3000 miles in 6 days. The car would cruise 70-75 straight down the road. I converted the steering to manual, which actually helps at that speed, and got a modern alignment on it. The 5 speed, 2.80 rear gears, and 195 tires helped me get about 20 mpg's overall too. A Procar Rally seat helped a ton too. Cruise control was simply using my left foot.

Depends on the road; for the interstate it would be hard to beat the 65 Ford Galaxie 500 XL we used to have as a tow vehicle.

For mixed road the Volvo 142e I had would be great. I bought the car long distance, the owner drove from Sacremento to Reno and I flew up to pick up the car. By the time I got 25 miles East of Reno I was amazed at how well the car rolled along in overdrive. The road back to Vegas becomes rather dull after Hawthorne Nevada but the Volvo made the miles fly past.

  Tom