Took the Charger for its longest drive ever today

[bordin34]

So this morning I randomly decided to take my Charger for the 100 mile drive to the lake. The furthest I had ever driven it before this was about 15 miles. I packed it up, filled the tank and was on my way. The first half hour I was worried that it wouldn't make it. About forty-five minutes in three Datsun Z's, I think a 240,a 260,and a 280 came onto the highway and I cruised with them the rest of the way, they were headed to Nashville, I was in Northeast PA. I also played with an Audi RS4 which is a very fast car, over 400hp stock, he passed me like I wasn't moving and he wasn't even in it all the way. Anyway the car didn't skip a beat. I was able to average 15mpg cruising at around 75mph the whole way.

[Dans 68]

   That's what it's all about.

Dan

[71ChallengeHer]

See, you could have made it to the car show. 

[1969chargerrtse]

Aint nuttin better than seeing a classic Charger on the road.

[b5blue]

A day to remember! 

[bordin34]

Yup, it was lots of fun I'm hoping I can get 17mpg if I go about 65. Jackie, I actually didn't tell my mom until I got here.

[71ChallengeHer]

Dan,   

[tricky lugnuts]

 

Way to go!

See, you got to have faith in the old Charger - that it'll make it and that you can fix it if it doesn't!

I remember reading in my 1971 service manual that "most" malfunctions appear within 10 minutes of running or driving. If you can make it that long you can usually make it a lot longer!

I was scared as hell when I first started driving my Charger from Ohio down to Georgia and Florida and then out to California, but it held up great and made it in flying colors with a few minor delays.

But congratulations!!!

[NYCMille]

Dude, if you made it 100 miles you'll make it 1000 miles. The joy of these cars are driving them as much as you can so don't be afraid to do so. Also the more you drive it the more confidence you'll have it in the old boy and the farther you'll go. Next time plan a 500 mile round trip run... you'll be glad you did.

[bordin34]

The next long trip will either be College Park,MD or Carlisle. The car sounded great the whole time especially going up hills even though I have alot of exhaust leaks. Next time I'm gonna put the radio on I just scored and installed an Alpine head unit for $20.

[vancamp]

Road trips are fun  right now a heat index hovering around 110 the triple black 69 without air doesnt make it to far out of the shop.

[1970Moparmann]

That's what it's all about.  I just drove 1,600 miles (Hot Rod Power Tour) on my 68 with finishing up the mechanics the night before at 12:30.  It was a blast!  My friends thought I was crazy, I said hell it'll make it and it did!

[NHCharger]

Nice. When I tell people I drive my Charger to Carlisle (round trip about 1,200 miles) they look at me as if I lost my mind

[ChgrSteve67]

Yeah its really a lot of fun taking road trips.

First 100 then 500 then 1000 then 5000

A few parts will break here and there but that is also part of the fun.

I have a 6,000 mile trip planned for next year.
After that who knows.

I would love to do the Hot Rod Power tour, Carslie and the Woodward dream cruise some day.

I do know one thing I'll never be the road warrior NYCMille is unless I hit the lottery some day.

One thing for sure is keep that AAA card current.
Steve

[Highbanked Hauler]

Last year my son and I took his 74 Challenger from Raleigh NC. to Washington state and back in about 2 weeks and all that broke was the ignition coil,fuel filter and fuel pump which I would have changed before we left but he didn't give me time so it got done on the side of the road.
  I have driven the 500 from Mass. to Carlisle 3 times and to Roanoke Va. once and Englishtown NJ. twice, plus a total of 18K miles since I put it back together. I have burned an ignition box once and wrecked once coming home from Carlisle. Other than that I haven't had a problem with the car. With routine maintenance  and a new radiator I wouldn't have a problem going cross country.

[TexasStroker]

Yep, just getting a little confidence built up will result in longer trips.  These cars were meant to be driven and I believe give the greatest enjoyment when that is what you do with them 

[KWS]

Dude, if you made it 100 miles you'll make it 1000 miles. The joy of these cars are driving them as much as you can so don't be afraid to do so. Also the more you drive it the more confidence you'll have it in the old boy and the farther you'll go. Next time plan a 500 mile round trip run... you'll be glad you did.

Amen to that brother. I just did 6,000 miles in the Duster. The Xtreme Lee is almost done with it's minor make over and its gonna be my daily driver the whole month of August.

Drive that thing man, and enjoy every minute of it... Even if you have an issue, it's all part of the experience, and it'll gve you a good story to tell for the rest of your life!

[TeeWJay426]

Nice. When I tell people I drive my Charger to Carlisle (round trip about 1,200 miles) they look at me as if I lost my mind

Um, Brian, that has NOTHING to do with you driving your Charger..... 

[moparstuart]

Dude, if you made it 100 miles you'll make it 1000 miles. The joy of these cars are driving them as much as you can so don't be afraid to do so. Also the more you drive it the more confidence you'll have it in the old boy and the farther you'll go. Next time plan a 500 mile round trip run... you'll be glad you did.

Amen to that brother. I just did 6,000 miles in the Duster. The Xtreme Lee is almost done with it's minor make over and its gonna be my daily driver the whole month of August.

Drive that thing man, and enjoy every minute of it... Even if you have an issue, it's all part of the experience, and it'll gve you a good story to tell for the rest of your life!

I have enough stories already ,  too many in fact    ,  But amen you have to drive them 

[resq302]

Hell, when I drove the charger out to Carlisle this year, I brought a spare brake caliper, starter, and alternator.  The one thing I didn't bring, which was my master cyl, crapped out on me.  Luckily, some guy was nice enough at the hotel to give me his pint of brake fluild so I could drive it home the 3 1/2 hrs.  The car drove like a dream and even had a PA state trooper come flying up along side of me and pace me for a while.  Both of them inside gave me the thumbs up and took off.

Dan, I was like you driving my car that long trip.  Usually any real long distance, I used to trail the car but of course, I had the bias ply tires on then.  Driving out to Carlilse this year, I had the radials so I felt better that the car would handle better.  Now after the trip, I have a lot more confidence in my car!

[70charginglizard]

Cool, reminds me of the trip I took out to the ocean last year for a really cool car show out there. That is what it's all about. Congrads on you adventure.

[Wicked72]

hmm I can push mine for awhile I mean its a bit lighter atm since shes gutted! I did an entire drivetrain swap on my jeep in a little over a day and about 45 min after I finished firing it up for the first time I jumped in and drove it 8 hours the NC! I gots the faith!!! Ive been thinking once I get my charger done Ill drive her all the way to Playboy Mansion from the other side of the US! I live in MD so that will be a ride of faith for sure!!

[mopar73]

Drive, drive, drive, and drive some more!!

[Bob T]

Drive, drive, drive, and drive some more!!

Exactly. Get the Fun Miles in. There's plenty on here with projects in the garage that are keen to be doing what you are. I did a 450 mile trip a little while back, man , the old girl ran like a train 

[bordin34]

Yup, it was alot of fun after I got past the worrying part. I will be at Carlisle next year with it. Before the trip I already replaced everything rubber on the car, hoses, belts, power steering lines, soft brake lines, rebuilt the front end, new alt, flushed the rad, new ingition, new dizzy, new front brakes and master, all new fluids, new front tires, and some other things so anything that would probably break I replaced. I also have a spare engine and parts at home.

[BlueSS454]

I remember the first long trips I took in all my old cars.  I was on my way home to South Jersey from a Super Chevy show in New Hampshire when the tow vehicle broke down.  I had the truck/trailer towed off the highway, backed the 70 SS out of the trailer, threw all my crap in the trunk, filled the gas tank and drove it 6 hours home with 4.10 gears in it.  It never missed a tick.
I've driven my 69 Malibu to Niagara Falls (450 miles each way), Mid Coast Maine (525 miles each way), and getting ready to drive it out to Cleveland, OH this Thursday.
The first road trip I took the Charger on was to Maryland.  It ran good but the trans acted up on the way back.  It started spewing some fluid out on I-95.  The next time was on a return trip from Endless Summer Cruisin' Ocean City, MD last fall (3 hours each way)  I took the ferry down from Cape May because it shortened the drive by 60 miles, but missed it on the way back.  So instead of waiting another hour, I filled the tank and drove it 3 hours home.  Never missed a tick.  I drove it down and back to Ocean City, MD this past spring too.  Now I drive that car all over the place.  I've logged almost 5000 miles in the last 2 years with it and I have a few more long road trips planned with it still this year including another trip to Endless Summer Cruisin' Ocean City.

[ply72rr]

We took my Charger on vacation to the Poconos last summer,a little ove 1000 miles in 7 days. We had a blast cruising the back road and small towns and got compliments and questions about the car everywhere we went.It seems to hardly get noticed around home.I think we'll take one of the old cars on every trip from now on.Driving them is much more enjoyable than polishing and sitting at a show(to me anyway).

[Highbanked Hauler]

  Driving isn't a problem as long as you carry tools and obvious spare parts.