Best Route 66 road trip car?

[satans worm]

So in 2 years time I get an additional month off from work for doing 20 years, despite having a 2 year old and a wife, I have opted to be selfish and drive Route 66 by myself plus maybe a mate for part of the time (note I currently live in New York)

The thing is, what vehicle is the ultimate Route 66 tripper?

My current daily is a RAM1500 Limited which I love, and in someways would be awesome to use for the trip with heated/ vented leather seats, full size moon roof, 5.7 hemi engine loads of luggage space (I have a lot of camera equipment, don't ask why the wife does that enough for everyone) however, I feel I would like to do it in a car not a truck and as I'm looking to buy a second car for myself, this could fit in nicely.

However with this in mind I would also need it to be a car to be used after the trip as well, as such the vehicle in question will have to have some additional criteria

Not older than mid 60s as whilst I love the 50's/60's Bel Air/ Cadillac/ Impala fin type cars I would be too embarrassed to drive it around locally as a daily, just too noticeable and feels like id need to have a DA with brill cream and have a picture of Marilyn Monroe on my wallet (the interiors were really special though) same go for any land yachts, great of the trip, not so much as a shared (with the truck) daily.

Preferably a 4 seater or 2+2 so I can take the family out in it on occasions

Needs to be a classic, no love or interest in new cars what so ever.

Would need decent luggage space if only a 2 seater (this mean no Corvette C3's or C4's as much as I love them)

Price and condition (and why im asking 2 years in advance) .. well , difficult to answer, I guess 40k (USD) max by saving 20k a year saved for it, im also very much up for restoring/resto modding one, over the next 2 years using weekends.

My fav is a 67/68 mustang fastback but they are 60k plus for only half decent ones, so too expensive, am mulling over buying a coupe and converting it to a fastback but its a big job for a newbie to try.

Thought of Porsche 928 or Mercedes R107 but they are German and I feel I should be doing this in some thing Americana, or perhaps im wrong and a 560SEC would be cool

I also like the idea of renovating a 80's Bronco , only thing is I already have a truck and the Bronco is just the F150 at the time with a cap and rear seat, but it would be comfortable

Gas milage is irrelevant for this

What would think would make the best Route 66 driver?

Edited by satans worm on Saturday 25th January 00:25

[_Neal_]

That sort of money would get you into an 03/04 Mustang SVT Cobra wouldn't it? Always had a soft spot for them and think it'd fit the bill for a long road trip, sounding and looking highly appropriate

Also a 2+2 with luggage space, plenty of fettling possible.

PS - See also Fishy Dave's thread on here.

[Guyr]

Bentley Turbo R (and really good breakdown coverage).

[Dadof2]

Awesome plan, as a tourist I’d be happy to take the Ram but understand if it’s your normal car then something different would be preferable.
I’d be looking at something 60s/70s also.
I’d be happy with a notchback mustang than a coupe, I prefer them
But cant help thinking something more of a cruiser would be better
Molar, even a 4 door sedan, not as popular but cheaper as a result. Bench seat and column shift
A station wagon would give you the option of sleeping in it also
Happy hunting!

[Dadof2]

https://www.maplemotors.com/inventory/5348/info.ph...



$28000

60s Chevelle 2 doors in budget also

That place has a stock ish 4 door nova for $15000, so loads of budget for mods!

[Chucklehead]

I'd look for something finished and spend the next two years making sure it's totally reliable (and enjoyable) rather than rushing to finish something before a long trip.

Personally I'd want to do that trip in something like a 37 ford or a 50s truck, but if you need the space then maybe something more wafty like a 2 door Lincoln Continental?

[Voodoo Blue]

I realise you said nothing modern but e had this for 4 weeks last year and I gather they are no longer being built so perhaps it could fit



We did 5k miles in it from Washington to LA via Chicago, the NPs in Arizona and Utah and Route 66 and it was brilliant. Comfortable, well equipped and dare I say, it even handled quite well for a Yank Tank We had 2 full size suitcases in the boot along with a couple of soft bags and some pit stop provisions. The car was 2 years old and had more than 50k miles on it when we finished so asked if they we likely to be selling it when we dropped it off at LAX. There was a firm "no" followed by an explanation that they were thin on the ground so would likely be keeping it to 70k miles or another 2 years.

We enjoyed it so much we're going back this year to do the middle part of Route 66 between St Louis and Albuquerque again. Hopefully we'll get another Challenger.

Incidentally we've rented a few Mustangs and the boots are comparably much smaller and more difficult to load due to the intrusion of the light clusters.

Hopefully you'll update your progress on planning.

Edited by Voodoo Blue on Saturday 25th January 12:22

[shirt]

Chucklehead said:

I'd look for something finished and spend the next two years making sure it's totally reliable (and enjoyable) rather than rushing to finish something before a long trip.

this x10

project cars with a deadline are bad ideas. especially when money is gradually dripped in and you have a young family.

either you have the perfect car in mind already, or rent something newer. the challenger is a good shout. tons of room and luggage space, little to go wrong. not the last word in driving dynamics nor does it need to be.