My family is going on a road trip to Iowa where my parents are from and abunch of our relatives live. We go every year and normally we drive, this year we are going next tuesday. I have a 65 coupe, rides great at highway speeds, AC, comfortable, and a blast to drive. But we are driving from Dallas Texas to Independance Iowa. We would be taking two cars, my dads truck for sure and either one of his cars or mine. Of course I'd rather take mine, but how reliable would it be driving 10 hours tuesday and then about 5 wednesday? All of this at 70+ mph. What do you guys think? If I break down on the highway on the way there it would be a big pain, should I risk it? It hasnt failed me yet (knock on wood). Would it be hard on the car or good exercise? Thanks.

 

drive it. It wont be hard. I am very hard on my car, and it hasn't failed me yet. Keep it at 70, take it easy on take-offs, dont run the A/C in the city to much. etc. Double check everything before you leave. Fluids, wires, etc.

 

If you rebuilt it yourself take faith in your work and get on the road. When i was young we drove these old cars everywhere and never worried about it.

 

Have you changed all the basics on it(Hoses, lines, ignition componets, belts,etc.)? 70+ is also going to run it pretty hard unless you have a 2 something rearend. 15 hours at that kind of speed might put some strains on it. Other than that though, go for it. Take with you a lot of tools, fluids, spare hoses and belts and things like that.

 

Make sure you and your dad both have cell phones, and if you feel you are going too hard, slow down, let you dad push ahead. If he has a truck, even if you do break down, you can phone and he will be able to tow you to where you need to if fixed.

 

As long as you did a good job with the engine I think you should be fine. Soaring says that he takes his on some pretty long trips.

 

I live 8 miles from Independence, Iowa. If your car breaks down, you can leave it at my house.

 

It's a car! If you have enough faith to go 70 around town, go for it. Like everyone else said, take the essentials and check your fluids at every gas stop. If it seems hard, take a break and get a samich!

 

+1

 

How are your tires? Are they wearing correctly? Is there air in the spare? Got your jack and lug wrench? I'd check ALL your fluids, Rear end, power steering, brakes, tranny (yep both auto or manual) radiator (a good 50/50 mix) even the windshield washer.
But the bottom line is this Most all of our cars didn't get the miles on them going 10 miles to work and back. It'll make it, just keep an eye on the gauges and be smart about 'feeling' what your car is trying to tell you. IMHO heat is your biggest enemy here! Keep track of your gas mileage we might be surprized how good it is out on a highway.
05SDI