Irrational want?

For some reason, I really want to drive something from the '30s or '40s. Just to see how different it is... This is a relatively recent thought that's wormed its way into my head, as I didn't have a whole lot of interest in cars of that era before.

The oldest things I've ever driven, if you don't count moving a '65 Mustang out of the garage into the driveway once, were a '77 Dodge motorhome, a '79 Firebird (borrowed at an autocross), and an '80 Celica that was my winter car one year. I consider those all fairly modern.

How do I get my hands on a proper antique for a day?

Good luck. I've been around the old car seen quite a bit.(23-70). They tend to not let just anyone play with their toys.

BTW, Model T's pedals and transmission are nothing like a modern car. And the fuel and advance are on the steering wheel.

Go to Yosemite and rent an A or a T

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/yosemite_modelt.htm

Wow. Automotive development from the early 30s to the late 40s are like dog years! Model Ts are spindly underpowered wooden things that ride like a buck board. Oh wait, they are. Compared to something like a '48 Merc or Ford's dual cowl phaeton in '39?

I owned a 1954 Chevy for a while, nice ride. 235 straight six, powerglide automatic, 4 doors. GREAT for drive in movies, a head turner and young women always wanted to talk about the color, but would you want to drive it everyday? They did back then. 6V electrics, vacuum wipers and a radio with tubes, tool almost the whole ride for the thing to warm up. I can imaging something older would be more challenging.

Here are some sites that will rent you a car that I googled. I have no experience or affiliation with any of these. Unlike you, when I want to do something silly, I just do it. The '54 was an impulse buy. Just buy one.

Dan

http://101classiccarrental.com/

http://www.ehow.com/how_5044968_vintage-car-rental.html

http://www.carsinamerica.com/vehiclesforrent.aspx

I agree a rental company sounds like your best bet.

I really want to go racing in something from the 20s-30s. Probably an Austin 7, as that seems like the most attainable on a GRM-esque budget.

Tally-ho!

My irrational want is to drive something with a column shift, manual transmission. I've driven a regular floor shifted manual, I like older cars, and a three-on-the-tree seems like a good match.

I know the linkages suck and they don't shift fast. I just want to try it.

Having driven cars from the '40s on up, when I drive todays cars, wow, what a difference. I have an old R&T magazine, 1957. It has road tests for several cars. Interesting. If you have never driven an older car, do so and you will be amazed.

Nitroracer wrote: My irrational want is to drive something with a column shift, manual transmission. I've driven a regular floor shifted manual, I like older cars, and a three-on-the-tree seems like a good match. I know the linkages suck and they don't shift fast. I just want to try it.

Find an early 70's Renault (R16). My stepdads had a 4spd column shift.

Everyone should drive an old car, if for no other reason other than to be able to appriciate how well today's cars drive..

My father collects old cars, and he currently has 2 series 60 Cadillacs. A 1940 and a 1949. The '49 is almost civilized, but the '40 is crazy weird to drive. Three on the tree, starts with a button, has a flathead V8, and looks like a Rolls Royce. I've used it to haul couples from weddings, and entered it in car shows. It turns heads wherever it goes.

But it's a bear to drive. Steering wheel is huge, and you really have to crank that thing to turm. The brakes are primitive, so you have to start stopping way before you even know you need to stop. It would be scary if it would actually get up to speed, but the power is just enough to get it down the road.

Driving old cars ain't easy, and a full time job, but well worth the effort. Do it if you can.

Helped a friends father restor a 29 or 30 Chevy. 4cyl. He let us take it around the block when it was finnished. Holy E36 M3! That thing took forever to slow down let alone stop. Cable rear only brakes and we were only going about 15mph. It was cool and scary at the same time. While I love to look at old cars I don't think I ever want to drive one again. I like four wheel power breaks.

Kia_racer wrote: It was cool and scary at the same time.

That pretty much sums it up.

I always wanted a car from the thirties, so I bought one!

-I failed at hotlinking an image of a jeep...-

Joey

Yeah, old cars don't drive all that well, at least older American cars. The ones from Europe were much better on average, although those too make new ones of any manufacturer seem pretty good.

i do remember once in the '90's though that I got out of my then new Grand Prix rental car and into my '61 Fiat 600 and it was like getting into a Ferrari it was so much better! It's all relative.

You do need to go drive some though to see how far technology has come. Brakes to me are the biggest difference.

I learned to drive in a 1950 Plymouth with three of the tree, manual brakes and steering. Wish I could find another.

Years ago I saw a very elderly gentleman driving an old two door Chrysler product station wagon in a federal campground. I do believe it was called named a Suburban. I would love to get my hands on one of those babies. Seem to recall it even had wood paneling, but likely faux.

Just do it.

I was the only one of my friends who regularly drove something from the '40s when I was 16-17 years old in ~2002. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about looking ahead while behind the wheel of that car, and I'm always on the lookout for another one.

For the guy recommending the Renault for a column-shift experience, I'd say that finding an old SAAB to drive would be a lot easier in the States. Hell, I'd probably let a GRMer drive one of mine if they asked really nicely (or bribed me or something. Whatever.)

Luke wrote: I agree a rental company sounds like your best bet. I really want to go racing in something from the 20s-30s. Probably an Austin 7, as that seems like the most attainable on a GRM-esque budget. Tally-ho!

Me too. I don't think I will ever be able to afford my dream race car.

But I have seen Austin 7 Specials for sale online for not a terrible amount of money.

Or make your Austin 7 with modern day parts...its called a locost!

Ever see those old movies, where the driver is sawing the wheel back and forth? That's not bull-e36 m3.

Powar wrote: For the guy recommending the Renault for a column-shift experience, I'd say that finding an old SAAB to drive would be a lot easier in the States.

he beat me to the post. The '73 95 I test drive a few years ago was the first column-shift car I'd ever driven. It was really fun and added to the coolness of the car.

I've driven the Model A a few times, including at night.

It's not what it's cracked up to be.

Nitroracer wrote: My irrational want is to drive something with a column shift, manual transmission. I've driven a regular floor shifted manual, I like older cars, and a three-on-the-tree seems like a good match. I know the linkages suck and they don't shift fast. I just want to try it.

Just drive a '40s-'60s truck. Around here they are easy to find, and almost anyone will let you try one out. Or buy one just 'cause they are cool parts chasers.

Appleseed wrote: Ever see those old cars, where the driver is sawing the wheel back and forth? That's not bull-e36 m3.

This is called NASCAR.

Powar wrote: For the guy recommending the Renault for a column-shift experience, I'd say that finding an old SAAB to drive would be a lot easier in the States. Hell, I'd probably let a GRMer drive one of mine if they asked really nicely (or bribed me or something. Whatever.)

I never had the joy of driving an older SAAB, so it didn't come to mind.

Search up Peter Egans story from R&T from maybe 15-20 years ago- Model A from Wisconsin to California. Actually, find his collection, and read about TC to runoffs, big Healy through the smokey mountains, 63 Cadillac to Memphis, MGB to Road Atlanta........

Edit: Peter Egan: At Large.

Edit 2- I just went to look for my "At Large", and found, instead, "On the Road", which is a later collection including all the stuff from the earlier book.

"The Corvette Racer, a Sprite Drivers View" is worth the price of the book.

All you GRM writers- if you don't already know it, this is a man to be admired and studied.

I still wish I bought that 46 Cadillac I had a chance at. I had the cash but it was too long to fit in my garage