No wrong answers to this one.

I just finished reading Peter Egan's "On the Road", a compilation of some of his road trip columns off the Interstate highways.
At every chapter ( almost), I found myself wanting to duplicate the trip I was reading. Imagine driving halfway across the country in a Lotus 7, or a Bug eye Sprite, or a Citroen 2CV, or a CJ5 , or a Model A Ford, or a Ferrari Dino...

So what is on your short list for a road trip? Both the car and the route.

I live on the east coast, so a Fall drive down skyline drive is a natural. But the car? I think I'd like an open car for this kind of a trip, and probably a fellow male car-nut to share the driving. I have a willing friend with a TR6 ( whose wife would undoubtedly not object to him being out of the house for a while), and that may happen, but a 2CV would also have certain charm. My 300SD is too "modern" for this kind of a road trip. I expect an SL would also be rather mundane. Then again, I've always loved the Ford Model A--the "T" being just a little too primitive.

Another thought--what makes the trip "special"? Is it encountering and then overcoming the obstacles? So do you need a car that "might" break down at any minute? Is it the people you meet? Or the destination? Egan surely contributes to the mix. I wonder if he is available.

So what car and what route appeals to you?

__________________
1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

My Fuso FG or a Mercedes 508d camper van (like is currently in the movie Hanna) completely around the Mediterranean.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Eeek! Yikes! No bueno! Oh, wait-I've actually done some stuff like that and it wasn't that bad. For example I drove my '77 240D back and forth between Carson City and San Diego many times. I also drove it all the way to Atlanta and back. I also did Al Asad to Fallujah and back every night for a week in a 1990 International Paystar.

After all those times spent climbing grades with the 240D floored, I think it would be a lot of fun to re-do that Carson to San Diego route in something with some power, as in 450 SEL 6.9, or maybe that Dino you mentioned. Since I'm dreaming, let's go ahead and make it a '61 GTO California, though I don't know how well the carburetors would handle the altitude changes. The route ranges from near sea level to over 8000 feet.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Family Truckster

I'm currently driving the 300D from NC to CO, I make similar trips about 15-20 times per year. If I was just traveling for fun, I would probably take a motorcycle.

With all that driving, if I were you, I'd have a small motorhome. Maybe a Vixen or a Sprinter Class B.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I'd want a big comfortable V12 powered GT car. Like an Aston Martin, CL600/65, Bentley Arnage, Ferrari 599 etc.

Something built to cover great bounds in a single leap, with enough power so it never feels stressed and can cruise over 100 when the situation permits.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

If I had to drive a motorhome, I would just fly instead. I made the mistake of renting one of those once, never again.

Both those models are essentially vans. The Vixen would fit in your garage.
http://stannerair.hypermart.net/Vixenhome.htm

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I hate driving any kind of truck, SUV, jeep, van, etc. If I didn't have to carry so much stuff I would probably just take my bike. I enjoy driving my car, but I'm not interested in owning anything bigger.

I can understand your sentiments Craig. When you are driving for work & have time constraints, a motorhome just doesnt cut it. I note you did have some positive comments about your train rides.

On a holiday your priorities are different.

It sounds like Kerry is for filling his sense of adventure.
We call them "grey nomads" here in Australia, that is a compliment Kerry!

Probably in your situation Craig, you find yourself planning & debriefing as you drive. That is a little different to say Kerry who may be chilling & having a holiday ~ for filling his sense of adventure.

The one common priority you probably both have is the need for reliability. No one needs the stress of worrying if the car will make it to the next town.
As for those who say they would like to do it on a bike or in an open top car. After a couple of hundred miles & a few rain showers you would probably change your mind. The glamor of the wind in your face is short lived.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I originally bought my bike to take a ride to alaska, but I never made the trip (long story). I just don't enjoy driving motorbikes/vans. I enjoy driving my W123, and I don't enjoy planes/retail cars. I have set up my schedule so I have plenty of time to drive, I don't think I would enjoy travel if I had to fly everywhere.

'61 GTO California, (Mixed models and years).

I like driving about anyplace but a meandering trip down old route 66 would be fun driving about anything that handles and sits well. Also highway one along the california coast. The mrs simply does not enjoy driving vacations any more though so we might have to do a hop skip and jump thing with me driving along the west coast and her flying from destination to destination.

Driving anywhere in europe too would be nice. Of the places there I have enjoyed Italy the best with France, Spain and MOrrocco being a lot of fun too. Switzerland, Germany are great too. Oh hell anywhere I have driven in Europe has been great.

Like I said driving anywhere and in about anything suits me.

I gotta get Egans new book.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Back in the early '70's I drove a Datsun 240Z through almost every one of the lower 49's.
In 1975 I drove the 240 from NJ to Vancouver Is, BC and back through Canada, 9,000 miles in 6 weeks. Slept in a tent every night but 2.

I would not enjoy that now but back when I was a youngster it would have been fun.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.