I drove cross country years ago in a 1969 Shelby GT500. The car belonged to a friend and he put it up for sale. We live on LI and the guy who bought it lived in Oregon. Great trip. Car had a 428. Only wish it had a 4 speed.
If you could drive any car across USA...,
- Thread starter Camu Mahubah
- Start date
- Status
So you're whizzing past cars as if they're parked on the side of the road. You're cruising down the left lane at 110mph. And then, 25 feet ahead, the inattentive father in the Oregon plated Camry pulls out in front of you at 55mph, into the left lane, to pass someone going 52mph.
Nobody drives that slowly, even in a Camry.
One of the most amusing speeding busts I have ever seen involved an old woman (driver), an old man (pax) in the Japanese Buick (Avalon).
The old girl passed me (I was doing around 70) in a spot on I-71 where I knew it was inadvisible to speed. I passed her and the OSP car which had pulled her over several miles down the road.
One of the most amusing speeding busts I have ever seen involved an old woman (driver), an old man (pax) in the Japanese Buick (Avalon).
The old girl passed me (I was doing around 70) in a spot on I-71 where I knew it was inadvisible to speed. I passed her and the OSP car which had pulled her over several miles down the road.
Well here we go... if one is going to drive across the country in a 1million dollar automobile or any car for that matter one must drive smartly. I was talking about mountain roads in the Smokies where slower traffic must stay on the right however the dilemma you brought up could happpen to anyone... BE A SMART DRIVER! If you were driving a Veyron you would have super brakes on an incline so not a problem in this car. If you were a SMART DRIVER! If you are not than please do not attempt interstate driving at any speed in any car! Anyways today I was thinking about this post at work today and so far I would love to navigate a Viper, Corvette, Veyron and I want to add that I think if one had the cojones a Model T would make for a real journey!
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,591
I have driven cross country 4 times in a car and once with a U-Haul truck. I was on the road for ten weeks in my '85 Chevy wagon, which was a good choice for a cross country trip. I have also driven cross-country in my Buick wagon and my A4. The Buick offered the most adventures (breaking down in the Mohave etc). The A4 was great, but for more than two people it would have been to small. If you carry anything valuable, you'll be best off with a sedan with a trunk.
Cross-country driving for the sake of driving is boring and a fast car is pearls before swine, considering US speed limits -- at least to me. What you want it a roomy, comfortable car that can haul your gear, that won't get stuck on a dirt road, and most of all, you don't want a car that is super-low, because you will miss a lot of the scenery. Given a choice, I'd pick something like an M-Class, or an X-5. Sitting up high you get a much better view.
Only mentioned it because it happened to me when I was younger and stupider. I flatspotted a tire (thump thump thump) as I skidded towards him, but luckily didn't hit him.
That was my wakeup call and now I drive like a sane person.
Regarding your second post - that brings back memories of living in Ohio. The highway patrol has the populace by the balls.
That was my wakeup call and now I drive like a sane person.
Regarding your second post - that brings back memories of living in Ohio. The highway patrol has the populace by the balls.
Ohio.........
Waaaaaaay back. Winter of 1979. Back during the days of the "double nickle," the nation-wide 55 mph speed limit you younguns.
Hammering down the Interstate in the fast lane. CB on, alert for cops and pesky idiotic 4-wheelers as those 18 wheels rolled. Wheeeee!!!!
Ohio was very strict regarding the double nickle. I was going pert' near 20 mph over that.
Where that west-bound bear came from I don't know. It was a white unmarked car with instant on radar. With no warning from the CB radio my bird dog, the top-of-the-line radar detector at that time started chirping.
Whooops!!!!!
Looking in the rear view I see smokey bear slowing down to use the median cross-over to come and get me.
Kept the hammer down... what the heck. Might as well make him work to get me.
A comment on the CB made me look back. In the ever-growing distance, I can see smokey bear, stuck in the snow and ice covering the cross-over.
A flood of comments, jokes, laughter filled the CB. I knew if smokey had a CB and was listening he was gonna' be mighty mad at me.
Kept that hammer down and the CB reports told of snokey still rocking back and forth, trying to get traction.
Five miles ahead was a large truck stop... can I reach it before smokey breaks free.........
The CB told me of one mad bear, still stuck in the median, as I exited the super slab and roared into the truck stop. Parking amidst the other rigs I turned the engine off and jumped into the sleeper for a nap.
Slept good and woke up an hour or so later. Peeking out the curtains I don't see any bears!!!! Turning on the CB I don't hear a peep about angry bears nor bears of any type.
So, off the young Coot goes. At 55 mph.
Ohio it was... the winter of '79.
Waaaaaaay back. Winter of 1979. Back during the days of the "double nickle," the nation-wide 55 mph speed limit you younguns.
Hammering down the Interstate in the fast lane. CB on, alert for cops and pesky idiotic 4-wheelers as those 18 wheels rolled. Wheeeee!!!!
Ohio was very strict regarding the double nickle. I was going pert' near 20 mph over that.
Where that west-bound bear came from I don't know. It was a white unmarked car with instant on radar. With no warning from the CB radio my bird dog, the top-of-the-line radar detector at that time started chirping.
Whooops!!!!!
Looking in the rear view I see smokey bear slowing down to use the median cross-over to come and get me.
Kept the hammer down... what the heck. Might as well make him work to get me.
A comment on the CB made me look back. In the ever-growing distance, I can see smokey bear, stuck in the snow and ice covering the cross-over.
A flood of comments, jokes, laughter filled the CB. I knew if smokey had a CB and was listening he was gonna' be mighty mad at me.
Kept that hammer down and the CB reports told of snokey still rocking back and forth, trying to get traction.
Five miles ahead was a large truck stop... can I reach it before smokey breaks free.........
The CB told me of one mad bear, still stuck in the median, as I exited the super slab and roared into the truck stop. Parking amidst the other rigs I turned the engine off and jumped into the sleeper for a nap.
Slept good and woke up an hour or so later. Peeking out the curtains I don't see any bears!!!! Turning on the CB I don't hear a peep about angry bears nor bears of any type.
So, off the young Coot goes. At 55 mph.
Ohio it was... the winter of '79.
^^^Pretty good story. If I was making a cross-country trip I think I would choose the big Cadillac, I think it's called the DTS. BTW Ohio is still about the worst state for smokey bear stealing $$$ from a working man going a few MPH over the limit.
I was born in the Winter of '79... the first car I remember Interstate travel in was a '77 Cougar with 351M. That was one car from my youth that I wouldn't mind riding in again on the freeway. This time I want to drive.
As much as i hate VW the Touareg V10 TDI would be a blast.
'70 Chevelle LS6 454 with 4-speed posi and 3.23 gears.
Forest or hunter green, AC, under-the-dash Pioneer Powerplay 8-Track, slight rake, quiet exhaust. With my girlfriend as she was in that era.
Yeeee-Hawwww!
Rickey.
Forest or hunter green, AC, under-the-dash Pioneer Powerplay 8-Track, slight rake, quiet exhaust. With my girlfriend as she was in that era.
Yeeee-Hawwww!
Rickey.
Nostalgia is fine, and the SS is a wonderful choice. But come on -- an 8-track tape deck is going too far!
USA ? Summertime ? Cross country ? All expenses paid ?
A "car" ? Well , ok , I've read the rules ....... no exclusions .....hmmmmm .....
Its probably been long soldout ('The Canadian'/Silver&Blue/2person bedroom ) , but heres' another way to go .
1.) Take the 'Adirondack' from NYC to Montreal .
" - The New York-Toronto train is the 'Maple Leaf' with coach class & business class. The New York-Montreal train is the 'Adirondack', with coach class. Both trains have comfortable air-conditioned reclining seats and a café car, and are a day well spent. Both trains travel right along the Hudson River valley all the way from New York to Albany, with superb views of the river, including West Point Military Academy, Bannerman's Island and Storm King Mountain. Try to sit on the left-hand side of the train leaving New York. The Adirondack passes through more great scenery in the Adirondack mountains. A wonderful ride..! "
2.) Grab one of these for Montreal to Toronto .
Canadian inter-city trains:
Montréal - Ottawa - Toronto:
VIA Rail's fast modern inter-city trains link Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal. Montréal to Toronto takes about 4 hours 40 minutes city centre to city centre, - "
3.) Get on 'The Canadian' - Toronto to Vancouver .
"The Canadian"
Toronto - Winnipeg - Edmonton - Jasper - Vancouver
The greatest train in Canada, and one of the world's greatest train journeys, VIA Rail's "Canadian" runs 3 times a week all-year-round linking Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper & Vancouver. The journey takes 3 nights, and the train consists of the original 1955-built stainless-steel coaches from the Canadian Pacific Railway's "Canadian". You can travel economically in 'Comfort Class' in a reclining seat, or very comfortably in 'Silver and Blue' class with a sleeping-car room, meals included - "
4.) Drop down to Seattle .(Hook up with Amtrak to go further South .)
Seattle to Vancouver:
A daily articulated Spanish-designed 'Talgo' train links Seattle with Vancouver. .....
You can also travel between Vancouver and Seattle via Victoria, the British Columbia provincial capital, on Vancouver Island: There is a daily catamaran service between Seattle and Victoria .....
---------
Thats just the outline of the backbone - you can back it up/add at Montreal , ie Ottawa , Quebec , Halifax , Gaspe .
You can 'stop'(with correct planning and scheduling) along the way , and or add some other trains and destinations ;
Other trains in Canada:
Jasper - Prince Rupert: "The Skeena"
Runs 3 times a week, an amazingly scenic service. Dome observation car available.
Winnipeg - Churchill: "The Hudson Bay"
Runs 3 times a week, to the land where the polar bears live.
Montreal - Gaspé: "The Chaleur"
Runs 3 times a week.
Vancouver Island: Victoria-Nanaimo-Courtenay "The Malahat".
Railcar service. Runs daily, 225 km, leaving Victoria 08:00 Mon-Sat, 10:00 Sundays, returning in the afternoon.
Toronto - North Bay - Chochrane/Timmins: Run by Ontario Northland.
Calgary - Banff - Vancouver: The "Rocky Mountaineer"
The 'Canadian' from Toronto to Vancouver now takes the Canadian National Railways route via Edmonton and Jasper, and there is no passenger service over the more Southerly Canadian Pacific Railway route via Calgary and Banff. However, a special tourist train called the 'Rocky Mountaineer' runs regularly between Calgary, Banff and Vancouver. Tourist-orientated (in other words, very high...) fares are charged, usually as part of a package including meals and accommodation - the train does the full trip in daylight, passengers spend a night in a hotel on the way. The train also operates on other routes, including the Jasper route.
-------
Now , since the best of 'The Canadian' is usually soldout , there is still hope for those of you - who are at least 'young at heart' .
" - There are several different types of sleeper, all with hot showers at the end of the corridor:
'Sections' (see photo below) are the cheapest type of sleeper. They consist of open-plan seats arranged in pairs facing each other. At night, the seats pull together to form a lower berth, and an upper berth folds out from the wall. Curtains are fitted to each bunk for privacy. If you've seen Marilyn Monroe in 'Some Like it Hot', then you'll have seen 'sections' - the girl band travels from Chicago to Florida in a sleeping-car with sections. Bring your own Marilyn - "
I still think 'rock an' roll' had part of its roots in train travel .
http://www.seat61.com/Canada.htm
A "car" ? Well , ok , I've read the rules ....... no exclusions .....hmmmmm .....
Its probably been long soldout ('The Canadian'/Silver&Blue/2person bedroom ) , but heres' another way to go .
1.) Take the 'Adirondack' from NYC to Montreal .
" - The New York-Toronto train is the 'Maple Leaf' with coach class & business class. The New York-Montreal train is the 'Adirondack', with coach class. Both trains have comfortable air-conditioned reclining seats and a café car, and are a day well spent. Both trains travel right along the Hudson River valley all the way from New York to Albany, with superb views of the river, including West Point Military Academy, Bannerman's Island and Storm King Mountain. Try to sit on the left-hand side of the train leaving New York. The Adirondack passes through more great scenery in the Adirondack mountains. A wonderful ride..! "
2.) Grab one of these for Montreal to Toronto .
Canadian inter-city trains:
Montréal - Ottawa - Toronto:
VIA Rail's fast modern inter-city trains link Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal. Montréal to Toronto takes about 4 hours 40 minutes city centre to city centre, - "
3.) Get on 'The Canadian' - Toronto to Vancouver .
"The Canadian"
Toronto - Winnipeg - Edmonton - Jasper - Vancouver
The greatest train in Canada, and one of the world's greatest train journeys, VIA Rail's "Canadian" runs 3 times a week all-year-round linking Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper & Vancouver. The journey takes 3 nights, and the train consists of the original 1955-built stainless-steel coaches from the Canadian Pacific Railway's "Canadian". You can travel economically in 'Comfort Class' in a reclining seat, or very comfortably in 'Silver and Blue' class with a sleeping-car room, meals included - "
4.) Drop down to Seattle .(Hook up with Amtrak to go further South .)
Seattle to Vancouver:
A daily articulated Spanish-designed 'Talgo' train links Seattle with Vancouver. .....
You can also travel between Vancouver and Seattle via Victoria, the British Columbia provincial capital, on Vancouver Island: There is a daily catamaran service between Seattle and Victoria .....
---------
Thats just the outline of the backbone - you can back it up/add at Montreal , ie Ottawa , Quebec , Halifax , Gaspe .
You can 'stop'(with correct planning and scheduling) along the way , and or add some other trains and destinations ;
Other trains in Canada:
Jasper - Prince Rupert: "The Skeena"
Runs 3 times a week, an amazingly scenic service. Dome observation car available.
Winnipeg - Churchill: "The Hudson Bay"
Runs 3 times a week, to the land where the polar bears live.
Montreal - Gaspé: "The Chaleur"
Runs 3 times a week.
Vancouver Island: Victoria-Nanaimo-Courtenay "The Malahat".
Railcar service. Runs daily, 225 km, leaving Victoria 08:00 Mon-Sat, 10:00 Sundays, returning in the afternoon.
Toronto - North Bay - Chochrane/Timmins: Run by Ontario Northland.
Calgary - Banff - Vancouver: The "Rocky Mountaineer"
The 'Canadian' from Toronto to Vancouver now takes the Canadian National Railways route via Edmonton and Jasper, and there is no passenger service over the more Southerly Canadian Pacific Railway route via Calgary and Banff. However, a special tourist train called the 'Rocky Mountaineer' runs regularly between Calgary, Banff and Vancouver. Tourist-orientated (in other words, very high...) fares are charged, usually as part of a package including meals and accommodation - the train does the full trip in daylight, passengers spend a night in a hotel on the way. The train also operates on other routes, including the Jasper route.
-------
Now , since the best of 'The Canadian' is usually soldout , there is still hope for those of you - who are at least 'young at heart' .
" - There are several different types of sleeper, all with hot showers at the end of the corridor:
'Sections' (see photo below) are the cheapest type of sleeper. They consist of open-plan seats arranged in pairs facing each other. At night, the seats pull together to form a lower berth, and an upper berth folds out from the wall. Curtains are fitted to each bunk for privacy. If you've seen Marilyn Monroe in 'Some Like it Hot', then you'll have seen 'sections' - the girl band travels from Chicago to Florida in a sleeping-car with sections. Bring your own Marilyn - "
I still think 'rock an' roll' had part of its roots in train travel .
http://www.seat61.com/Canada.htm
Last edited:
I rode Amtrak from Winter Haven FL to Ft. Morgan CO in 02. Business class. I really enjoyed it. For anyone that gets on Amtrak BYOB.... trust me a can of soup and a Budweiser 12oz was like Eight bucks... and the guy splashed the soup on my shirt...
by the way I have another car I would like to add to my list of cars to drive across the USA... 1962 Chevy Biscayne
white with tan interior... I wonder what the biggest most powerful V8 was that year?
by the way I have another car I would like to add to my list of cars to drive across the USA... 1962 Chevy Biscayne
white with tan interior... I wonder what the biggest most powerful V8 was that year?
Canada , as a general rule has much better long distance passenger train service - the worst I've had happen has all been in the States .
On the other , for Chevrolet , 409CI - you know , like the song .
-------
" 409 " ( Title )
by " The Beach Boys "
The B-Side to the sucessful Surfin' Safari single, this song immortalized the Chevy 409 engine and is one of the most famous muscle car songs. The 409 engine became the hottest thing on the street, ( well , not really , but hey , its ok to think so ) and the rest is history.
She's real fine my 409
She's real fine my 409
My 409
Well I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
For I knew there would be a time
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
When I would buy a brand new 409
(409, 409)
Giddy up giddy up giddy up 409
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 409
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 409
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 40...
Nothing can catch her
Nothing can touch my 409
409 ooooo
(Giddy up giddy up oooo)
(Giddy up giddy up oooo)
(Giddy up giddy up oooo)
(Giddy up giddy up)
When I take her to the track she really shines
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
She always turns in the fastest times
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
My four speed dual quad posi-traction 409
(409, 409, 409, 409)
Giddy up giddy up giddy up 409
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 409
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 409
(Giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 40...
Nothing can catch her
Nothing can touch my 409
(409 409 409 409)
Giddy up 409
(409 409 409 409)
Giddy up 409
(409 409 409 409)
http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/general/musclecars-songs.shtml
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
