Should ultra rare cars be driven in regular traffic?

[Ghoste]

And by ultra rare I am NOT talking about Hemi Cuda's or Superbirds or even Hemi four speed Daytona's.  I am talking about things like concept cars or other one offs.
I was just reading an article about Jay Leno and his recent acquisition of one of the surviving Turbine Ghia Chryslers.  The article inferred that Jay may drive the car in LA traffic.
Now I realize it's his to do with as he pleases and I realize there is hardly a bigger car fan than Leno around.  I also appreciate the fact that his cars do get driven and that they are more than static museum pieces and for the most part I happily agree with that.  But does he really take some of his rarities out in everyday traffic or are the ones sometimes seen on tv shows just carefully orchestrated stunt drives?  Surely he wouldn't cruise something like this down the freeway?  He does report in the magazine article on the cars driving characteristics at 70 mph.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a little irresponsible?

[Troy]

It's a street car so why not? He's got the staff to make sure everything is well maintained and in tip top shape - and can also repair any damage. I don't know that he's out in rush hour either. I'm not sure I could do it in my situation but if I were in his shoes I probably would. What good does it do to lock these cars in a sealed room where no one has a chance to see, experience, and enjoy them? I do know of some cars where the insurance won't allow them to be street driven (or even shown in public) and I just can't imagine owning something like that.

Troy

[Arthu®]

I can see where you are coming from, but I fail to see it as irresponsible. In the end it all boils down to the point that it is a car and cars (no matter how rare) were meant to be used to drive. Yes an accident might occur, but I have yet to meet a lot of people that actually totaled a car without being reckless in any way. And since these cars are so rare there has to be a real substantial damage for it to be a total loss. Most of these ultra rare cars have already been restored once upon a time (I would mind more if it were a true survivor kind of car) and that can be done again. So I applaud him for actually getting those cars out on the street and enjoy them, it's what they are meant for and other people can enjoy them as well this way and see them in their "natural" environment instead of sitting inside some museum or even locked warehouse.

Arthur

[Musicman]

And by ultra rare I am NOT talking about Hemi Cuda's or Superbirds or even Hemi four speed Daytona's.  I am talking about things like concept cars or other one offs.
I was just reading an article about Jay Leno and his recent acquisition of one of the surviving Turbine Ghia Chryslers.  The article inferred that Jay may drive the car in LA traffic.
Now I realize it's his to do with as he pleases and I realize there is hardly a bigger car fan than Leno around.  I also appreciate the fact that his cars do get driven and that they are more than static museum pieces and for the most part I happily agree with that.  But does he really take some of his rarities out in everyday traffic or are the ones sometimes seen on tv shows just carefully orchestrated stunt drives?  Surely he wouldn't cruise something like this down the freeway?  He does report in the magazine article on the cars driving characteristics at 70 mph.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a little irresponsible?

I'm sure that many would agree with your point of view, I'm just not one of them It's his car, and it's America... I'm gonna be really pissed off if he puts a dent in though.

[Ghoste]

But I didn't say sealed in a room, I said regular traffic.  If some moron were to t-bone the car, and let's say hard, really hard, and it was beyond repair, would you still feel it was okay?

[Arthu®]

But I didn't say sealed in a room, I said regular traffic.  If some moron were to t-bone the car, and let's say hard, really hard, and it was beyond repair, would you still feel it was okay?

Well like I said it will be real difficult to total an almost priceless car, but say it was than yes I would still feel it was okay. Especially if he wasn't at fault. Now if he were doing 120mph with only drum brakes going through a corner and wiped out than yes I would think he was a stupid sob, but if we are just talking about Leno here I think we can all agree that he appreciates these cars and really respects them. I think it's safe to say they are in good hands and should faith have it that it gets t-boned beyond repair than I guess we will have to live in a world without for example the Chrysler Turbine car and I think we will manage. It's a great legacy while it's still here and it's very cool to see, but the world won't stop turning without it.

Arthur

[Ghoste]

I'm pretty sure the world will continue to turn, yes.  Perhaps the sun will even come up again the next day but I guess I'm also alone in my opinion that the historical significance of the car merits a special respect.

What if he were to add a hoodscoop, manual sunroof, and alter the rear into an El Camino style pickup bed complete with Chevrolet taillights?  Afterall, it's his car to do with as he freely chooses, no?

[Troy]

I'm pretty sure the world will continue to turn, yes.  Perhaps the sun will even come up again the next day but I guess I'm also alone in my opinion that the historical significance of the car merits a special respect.

What if he were to add a hoodscoop, manual sunroof, and alter the rear into an El Camino style pickup bed complete with Chevrolet taillights?  Afterall, it's his car to do with as he freely chooses, no?

But he wouldn't. That's one of the great things about having someone like him own the cars that he does. He appreciates their originality and historical significance - but still understands that they are cars. I'm sure there are examples of owners who have "ruined" rare cars whether they drove them or not.

Troy

[Ghoste]

But you didn't answer the question.  Would it be alright if he purposely did those things?  If the answer is no, then where is the line drawn?  I do see your point but I can already see that my feelings on the topic, however much in the minority, are as polarized as yours.
I do not make the distinction between purposely altering the vehicle and purposely placing it in harms way whereby the alteration would be committed by another party.

[Arthu®]

I do not make the distinction between purposely altering the vehicle and purposely placing it in harms way whereby the alteration would be committed by another party.

But you agree that there is a big difference between those two things albeit that the result (ruined car (in our opinion)) is the same? As for the placing scoops on ultra rare cars. These ultra rare cars (if they have any historical significance) are rarely cheap and I don't think they are ever bought by people that do not recognize their heritage and value as is. So the actual chance of it occurring is very slim, but if it would happen than yes I would probably think it is the waste of the car (nor would I find it very smart because it will most likely dramatically affect the worth of the car).

Arthur

[tan top]

don't think any rare mopars should be driven in day to day traffic !! especially unrestored survivor cars  

[68X426]

It's got four wheels so it should be driven, anywhere he wants and as hard as he wants.

[Ghoste]

I'm not talking about the chances of it occurring so in my case, no, there is no difference at all between the two.  I see driving such a car in regular traffic as irresponsible so by my definition, increasing the odds of the car being damaged by someone else carries the same weight as purposely doing it.  No, I'm sorry I have to disagree and say that I don't see a big difference at all.
I'm not saying the car shouldn't be driven.  And I also asked if you think he is actually cruising around in everyday traffic or if the videoclips we see of him driving his various vehicles around LA were carefully staged "shows".  However much he may love cars, however much money he may have to repair any damage he might cause, this car (and others like it) are not regular everyday drivers and should not be treated as such in my opinion.

[Troy]

The difference would be that in one case the owner is intentionally changing the car where as in the other case there is only the possibility that something may happen to the car. In the latter case you fear that something bad will happen but it's guaranteed in the first case. Either way, the owner is the owner and can do whatever they please. I don't have to agree with it but I also will not tell them how they should live. I think driving our cars is the best way to get others interested in the hobby. I love cruising around and chatting with people at the gas station, grocery store, or restaurants who normally would not seek out an "old car" but will be drawn to one if they see it out. Can you imagine the number of people who never knew a turbine car existed until they saw one on the road? Hiding these cars away or only making them accessible in car museums is a quick way to pass them into obscurity.

Troy

[Mike DC]

  
Drive them on occasion?  Yes.


Cruise them 500 miles a year?  No.  

[Ghoste]

I still can't make the distinction.  Purposely causing the damage or purposely placing the car in a position to receive damage by others is the same to me.  I suppose in Leno's case, when he drives these things in public that is the only chance anyone gets to see his cars because unless I'm mistaken his collection is private and closed to the general populace?
I believe that if he needed to show it publicly (a good thing which I applaud) and if he needs to drive them (which I also applaud) there are MUCH better ways to do it than using it in regular traffic.

[Arthu®]

I'm not talking about the chances of it occurring so in my case, no, there is no difference at all between the two.  I see driving such a car in regular traffic as irresponsible so by my definition, increasing the odds of the car being damaged by someone else carries the same weight as purposely doing it.  No, I'm sorry I have to disagree and say that I don't see a big difference at all.
I'm not saying the car shouldn't be driven.  And I also asked if you think he is actually cruising around in everyday traffic or if the videoclips we see of him driving his various vehicles around LA were carefully staged "shows".  However much he may love cars, however much money he may have to repair any damage he might cause, this car (and others like it) are not regular everyday drivers and should not be treated as such in my opinion.

I think Troy explained the difference well and I agree with that. About the cruising video clips I honestly don't know if they are staged or not, I kind of hope they are not. I have a lot of respect for Leno and he is the type of collector that I would like to become some day. He really has some oddballs in his collection and he has a true passion for anything with wheels. There is also a big difference between driving them daily and taking them out for a drive every once in a while. I doubt the Turbine or any of the really rare cars that he has in his possession are his daily drivers. And the fact that they are not regular everyday drivers is exactly what makes them stand out, of course they don't need to be rare to stand out as any classic Charger also stands out, but like Troy said it's his way of showing the public his cars and in the mean time he enjoys it. I personally couldn't think of a better way to do it. I wouldn't want my collection to be turned into a museum so driving them and taking them to shows on occasion sounds like a good trade off.

Also where do you propose he drives them if you do not want them to be in regular traffic? Only on the track? Than it would still only be available to a limited amount of people, while like Troy said, it is so nice to share these cars with people that do not necessarily know a lot about them or are interested in classic cars.

Arthur

[Troy]

So stick it in a truck or on a trailer and that gets broadsided or a tire blows or a tie-down snaps. What's the difference? What if he never moves the thing and an earthquake comes along which caves the roof in on the entire collection. The "what ifs" are endless. What if he drives it 10,000 miles and it never gets a scratch? I still don't think he drives the cars in heavy traffic or during rush hour. I'm also wondering if he doesn't have a chase vehicle. I have been known to have someone follow me to my garage in heavy traffic so no one rear ends me when I have to make the sudden turn.

One other point: if you drive something regularly you are more familiar with the vehicle and will have a better reaction in case of emergency. How many people have caused more damage than they normally would because they were in an unfamiliar car?

Troy

[Ghoste]

In light of the trailering argument I probably lean more towards leaving it in a museum. 

[200MPH]

Tough call ,but i probably would if i had the maintenance/mechanical staff that he has. if i didn't then NO!

[Arthu®]

In light of the trailering argument I probably lean more towards leaving it in a museum. 

But if you had a private collection, would you want to turn it into a museum?

Arthur

[Ghoste]

If I the particular vehicle we are talking about, I wouldn't be taking it out in regular traffic.  And Troy makes a very good point about trailering it so I guess that yes, that one would be relegated to museum status at best and cloistered secret at worst.

[BIRD67]

As much as we all love museum pieces, for how long can we enjoy them without getting to use them?
My late friend Quint Stires, was the 1970 Pontiac GTO expert, he was the tech advisor for the GTOAA year 1970 and he restored a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air III car to concours in his garage, he told me that one year while attending a huge car show with the Judge, he heard some guy bashing the perfectly restored cars, saying that the owners were all too afraid of driving them and hammaring on them.. After Quint heard this he pulled his COncours Judge out into the parkinglot and did several burnouts, then he DROVE the car home to Texas from Ohio..

I think that no matter what the Make, Model, Year or anything, cars are meant to be driven, they are meant to be enjoyed, what purpose do they serve if the only movement they get is on and off a trailer? I'd drive the wheels off it, drive it wherever and whenever, after all, if man built it, he can rebuild it!

[bull]

Not only do I think Jay is right to drive this car anywhere he damn-well pleases, I would think of it as irresponsible if he didn't. It's got wheels, it's street legal, he's not abusing anything. Really, it's a car that was made to be driven. My problem is with people who hide rare cars and never allow them to move under their own power. IMO that's a crime, not driving them amongst a little traffic.

[Ghoste]

The you had all best hope I am never in a position to buy the Turbine Ghia or you won't get to see it on the street anymore.
You guys must hate Steven Juliano.