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Planning on doing Route 66 next year with a few friends. As only two of us are bikers, we're looking to hire a big convertible instead. There's no way the four of us will fit comfortably into something like a mustang. We really could do with something more like a full size car version, or even better, a 1970's size. Are there any real options for this, or is it just wishful thinking on my part?
I think it is wishfull thinking, but wouldn't it be great to do Route 66 in a 70s convertable, sounds just perfect (as long as it didn't keep breaking down and of course those were real gas guzzlers)
You are right there Lyn, I think it was GPM in those days rather than MPG.
I doubt you will get anything much bigger than a sebring type convertible from the regular agencies. If you doing route 66 , i highly revommend foing it properly and not what most folks do, drive the 40 and dive off at certan points. Around 1900 miles of the otiginal route is still drivable. This web site is a very good source of info http://www.historic66.com/
Tonish - I know this isn't Route 66 specific, but I read quite a good book a while back that's along similar lines. Hang on a mo and I'll find it ... here it is: America Unchained Highly recommended.
Thanks Martin and Steve. I've just bought the book on kindle and checked out the website. It actually looks more difficult than I thought - everything I've been looking at says it's really hard to stay on the old route itself. Pity, but we'll try hard to make it authentic. Lots of planning to do, but two of our group are in semi-retirement and will have the time to research properly. If anyone else has done it, I'd quite like to hear any little tips.
America Unchained (along with Dave Gorman's other books) is an excellent read. I can't remember which TV channel it was, but there was a TV road-trip/documentary of it a while back as well. You may be able to find out about it on Dave Gorman's own website.
I watched the TV documentary, might have to buy the book as well. Excellant idea, really brings it home to you how things have changed when you see how far out of his way he had to travel of find a Mom & Pop business.
Tonish, Have a Google at: 'Classic Car Hire World' who do rent 'proper' cars....
They mention Route66 specifically but wouldn't hire for the whole length !!
Do read the book, there is so much more detail in it.Quote:
Originally Posted by bargainqueen
Having read this thread I decided to buy the book but have just noticed it's already on my bookshelf. Must have been a birthday/Christmas present I've forgotten about.Quote:
Originally Posted by MTP
Looking forward to reading it next week.
Read it twice!;)
Hey guys
Just do it , Go for it and enjoy.
We did it 10 years ago from LA down to San Diego and into Las Vegas but only got some of R66 done
We had a sebring but we will do the full route some day
Its on our Bucket List.................LOL
Enjoy and have a wonderful time
REGINA
Had lunch yesterday with a friend who knows someone who did the trip a couple of years ago. They rented a couple of Harleys. He said they hated the whole thing. Not being hugely experienced on motorbikes, they found the experience utterly exhausting. The amount of time they needed to spend riding each day meant that when they eventually stopped they were too knackered to do anything else than sleep. And all day, because they were on motorbikes, they couldn't talk to each other. They said it was just gruelling.
I'm not a biker so don't know anything about that experience but I do wonder whether the concept of the Route 66 trip is matched by the reality. What I've seen of what's left of the original route in various parts of the US is that it's just another highway going through miles and miles of relatively nondescript territory and industrial towns. Most of the trip seems to be on long straight dual carriageways.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonish
Where Route 66 is acknowledged and 'celebrated' it's all a bit tacky for my taste. Taking the towns from the song, I've been to Chicago, Oklahoma City, Flagstaff, Amarillo and L.A. along with most of the others. I can't say I have a burning desire to return to any of them and certainly not by driving thousands of miles for the experience. If it's something somebody wants to do before setting off on the longest journey of all then good luck to them but, for me, there are far better drives in the US and the rest of the world to experience.
I'd still like to read your trip report if you do it though Peter.
Tonish - One of the photographers I surf every so often, Ken Rockwell, does an occasional trip along Route 66, or a part of it. His photos all have a certain feel to them. Sadly I haven't yet had the time to join one of the photo schools he runs there ... hopefully one day.
Anyhows, I surfed across his site this morning while having a bit of a break with a cuppa and came across this. Enjoy ...
http://kenrockwell.com/trips/2012-02-rt-66/index.htm
I've never been to any of those places, my trips to USA, although numerous, have all been confined more or less to the east coast and Florida. That's one of the reasons I want to do it. I'm fairly sure the trip will happen, as the organising of it now seems to have taken on a life of its own and is pretty much out of my hands! We're going to look a bit ridiculous, 4 old f@rts trying to look cool, but at the minute, I'm looking forward to it. Should hopefully give me plenty to write about in a trip report.Quote:
Originally Posted by Katys Grandad
Those photos are excellent, it would be great to have that talent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snapper