old car - long trip - bad idea?

[NutmegCT]

After reading the two-part story in The Star about the 1968 250SE driving through the "lower 48" last year, I'm more enthused than ever about doing something similar inn 2010.

I've posted here before about this, but want to ask this simple question of those who have experience with these cars:

If I'm lucky enough to find an early 1960s 220/230 in good mechanical condition, and if have an MB mechanic check it over and "do what's needed" to make it fully roadworthy ... is it foolish to attempt the long drive in an almost 50 year old MB?

Am I likely to find myself in the middle of nowhere with a broken axle, cracked suspension, blown rod, cracked block, fried gearbox, etc. because it's an old car?

Any car, regardless of age, can have a problem on a long trip. But is an older MB likely to have a failure which would cost a fortune to repair due to extremely high parts and labor?

Any comments or thoughts will be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks.
Tom