How far have you driven your Classic?

[Blk68Fstbk]

I am contemplating taking my 68 fastback on a road trip for the holidays, to visit the parents. It would be over a 600 mile round trip, and just wondering if my stang would be up for it? I have driven my fastback for a couple hours at a time, w/o any issues. Has a rebuilt 351C and 4speed Toploader, cleaned out the edelbrock carb, new radiator.

That being said, how far have you drove your classic, and are there any specific tools resources you would always have on the road with you? Also, anything that is known to go out on a mustang after many hours on the road?

[xcelr8]

1 mile. Then I cut the front end off lol

Seriously though, it doesn't hurt to check everything before the trip. Make sure all the castle nuts holding the steering together have their pins installed (learned this the hard way with my Charger once), driveshaft torqued properly, all fitting lubed, wiper work, etc etc. Take some extra parts like belts, radiator hoses, cap/rotor, fluids, tools etc just in case also.

[TTA89]

My Dad and I drove mine from Los Angeles to Boston in 1994. Lost a brake booster in New Mexico and had some bad gas in Indiana. Other than that, it was great.

[Snipe656]

My current one, not all that far, basically from Baytown to Humble and later round trip to/from Humble and Katy. Not that I lack any confidence in it, just not had a need or desire to drive far in it.

When I was younger I had a 1967 with a 351C in it and drove that all over the place. Had two break downs and both when beating on it. One time the Mallory unilite distributor I had broke in half under the cap, luckily I had basic tools and stock distributor in the trunk so had it fixed soon enough. The other time a lifter/pushrod got munched up, I forget if I limped it somewhere or towed it, I just remember a buddy pulling the parts out with a magnet and taking the car home and putting a new set of lifters/pushrods in there.

I say go for, cars were built to be driven after all. If really worried then maybe get a AAA membership or something along those lines that can help with a tow bill if in a bind.

[ripped]

You've hit on the cooling system, that's a big one.

Also don't overlook your tires.

This GT 390/4speed, blew a front tire on a long cruise, shredding up the front fender and chrome rocker trim. The owner has had the car for 43 years. Very bad luck.



He was not going too fast and able to get to the side of the road safely

The old vintage tires are sketchy on long highway trips.

Try a few shorter trips, jack up the car and do a full inspection after each one.

[datac]

Check your tires (DOT date code, not just tread), cooling system, etc.- aside from those, if you can drive it on the freeway without issue for an hour, you're likely fine. These cars were designed to be used as basic transportation, not garage queens. It's all in maintenance and condition.

I've driven mine from the Portland area up Vancouver Island to Comox and Powell River many, many times, down to San Francisco, LA, and San Diego, several trips to Denver and on to visit the wife's family in Kansas, etc., etc., etc., with minimal issues (one bad water pump, a broken e-brake handle).

[dzahm]

After awakening the vert from a 28 yr slumber, we drove it 5500 miles this yr. Granted, I put on new tires, rebuilt brakes, but nothing to the motor aside from valve job, and timing chain. I did trial runs starting with 5 miles to church and back, then increased every weekend, 25 miles, 100 miles, 250 etc.. We finished the season with a run of the entire blue ridge parkway including the virginia skyline, that was around 1000 miles round trip. This was also during summertime 95 degree weather. No real issues ( though wife and I were kinda warm- the stang did awesome) I carried a trunk full of tools, but needed none. I highly recommend every stanger do a road trip. You'll really enjoy the experience, and maybe trust your stang more (or not)

[JeffTepper]

I have participated in the Nor Cal caravan (up to a dozen or so cars) down to Knott's several times. Round trip for the weekend is about 1000 miles. A thorough inspection of everything before hand is prudent and a modest "tool kit" including a AAA card and cell phone are good for peace of mind. IIRC there have been 3 instances over the years where one or another of us had issues: fuel pump, power steering hose, water pump pulley. The only recurring "problem" is the insatiable thirst for gas!! We schedule two fuel stops along the route and arrive at Knott's close to empty once again.

[aslan]

1 month after finishing the FB, I drove it 1,800 miles. So far about 3,000. BTW, it'll never see a trailer! LOL
Stan

[chillininnh]

I managed to log 6500 miles on mine this season, many rides 100's of trouble free miles long. It quit on me one time, 100 feet from my driveway, I ran the damn thing out of gas lol. The car was fresh off a complete rebuild however. A rudimentary tool kit, AAA card and my cell phone was all I felt I ever needed.

[Tigerhawk]

I drive mine 150 miles to our lake house regularly. Never had an issue, but mine has been fully restored.

[zstang]

it's made to drive, just make sure you have: spare tire/jack,lug wrench, gallon of water or antifreeze, quart of oil, jumper cables, small tool kit, and most important a fire extinguisher. AAA not a bad idea. and enjoy

[Laurie_S]

I drove my 1968 coupe on bias tires cross-country three times from Arizona to Michigan in 1976-1979. Since then, the longest I have driven it was 113 miles in 2004 on a Pony Trail at the Utah National, and it still had bias tires on it.

[Smitten]

The most dangerous time for an airplane flight is right after major service. If you haven't done a major overhaul of any of your systems recently, I wouldn't worry about taking a trip of that length, so long as you have the basic tools and parts for any possible common breakdown failure. I finished my car in mid October and have 800 trouble free miles so far, even with the recent CT weather. A few remaining electrical tasks I want to get to would keep me from doing such a trip right now but come spring time, I WILL be doing so!

[Blk68Fstbk]

Thanks for the input, and stories everyone! I definitely bought this car to drive it, and hearing everyone's experiences/stories is building my excitement to hit the open road!

I am going to see if I can check out the castle nuts holding the steering, make sure tires are good, and have the battery tested. Appreciate the suggestion on fire extinguisher, not a bad idea.

One concern I have, not sure if it is valid or not, but on the highway running 70-75 mph I am usually running 3,500 - 4,000 RPM's and not sure if that puts alot of strain on the engine. I have a 9" rearend with 3:73 gears. Would anyone foresee this as a potential issue, other than having to make more gas stops?