When the LeMay-America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, announced last December that it would be driving three classic American cars – a 1961 Chrysler 300G, a 1966 Mustang 289 Coupe, and a 1957 Chevy Nomad – 3,000 miles through winter weather to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, public reaction was fairly predictable.
Critics decried the perceived abuse of such fine vintage vehicles, and dismissed The Drive Home as a publicity stunt. Guilty: as a non-profit that relies on donations from private and corporate sponsors, this museum and others like it are always looking for ways to generate attention, goodwill and operating endowments to stay alive.
Still others thought, “What’s the big deal?” Didn’t we all rely on our now-classics at one time for year-round, daily transportation? Isn’t that how a family of four (or more) took their vacations to such far-flung destinations as Cypress Gardens and Disneyland? Was it really so strange that these machines, made for traversing American highways in speed and comfort, could actually be used again for their intended purpose?
The vintage cars received a thorough checkup before heading outAnd a silent group (which turned out to be a majority) reserved judgment, came along for the ride through various media, and escaped their daily office-cubicle reality as they basked in dubious memories of frosted windows, ice-cold 40-weight oil, and the call of the open road.
In full disclosure, I was asked by the museum to pilot one of the cars, and I was grateful for the experience.
In my opinion, the reason that this event became one of the 10 Best Classic Car Stories of 2016 is that, just like our classics, it reminds us of a fading chapter in the Great American Story. With autonomous vehicles on the horizon, nearly gone are the days of driving for driving’s sake. Homogenous interstate landscapes and cheap airfares make transcontinental drives such as this unappealing and uneconomical.
The environment that the three classics faced was harsh. And I’m not speaking of the weather or road conditions, in which they performed quite admirably. No, it seems our fellow motorists have already tuned out of the driving experience, more concerned with their phones or onboard entertainment systems than the actual act of driving.
The view from the open roadAt best, the three bright red cars were treated as a mild novelty. At worst, they faced disdain for their observance of safe following distance, speed limits and traction limitations. The Drive Home was more than a promotional trip; it struck a claim for a peaceful coexistence with classic cars on the road.
It has also redefined the way we will look at car museums. There has always been an irony in the static display of transportation machines which exist in kinetic form. Across the country, as display halls shutter their doors and institutions experience organizational upheaval, what is the best way to honor the heritage of the American automobile experience? In glass cases and dioramas, or in their use and interaction with the real world?
You’ll forgive me for waxing philosophical. Long hours spent behind the steering wheel, listening to only the thrum of an engine and viewing wide-open vistas promotes such deep thinking. Come to think of it…maybe we could all use a nice, long Drive Home.
The Drive Home II: The Heritage Run will again stake it’s claim on the American roadways, with the three classic cars departing Tuesday from Boston and driving through New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Allentown, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Traverse City, Lansing, Birmingham and ending at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Sunday, January 7th, 2017.
I love this story. I teach at a “Little Ivy” college, where a student–responding to some comments I’d made about the sameness of modern cars and the beauty of old(er) vehicles–once accused me of being of some lower class that cared about such things. Guilty! I come from the working class and remain happily there, though I no longer load and unload trucks for a living. And I do care about old cars–their preservation, their history, and their unique and often beautiful looks. I think it’s wonderful that you and others took some of them out for a spin. We who drove them on a regular basis had to pay attention to our driving and, thankfully, we did not have as many distractions as young drivers today. I will not condemn the driving habits of an entire generation, but I have seen some really mindless driving on our highways and byways.
I wish I could be one of the drivers or support team. What a trip!! They have guts to tackle all the bad weather that this
nation can throw at them. GODSPEED….
Love it!
I think its admirable. What a great way for all kinds of folks to be exposed to our automotive past. People who would never spend money to go see them in a car museum or at a car show (unlike car guys & gals like us) are forced to reckon with them (and their lack of traction control, seat belts and anti-lock brakes) on the snow-covered roads even. Come to think of it, maybe it was a crazy idea. But I’m glad they decided to do it. (I would have).
My father drove his bought-new 1966 427 Corvette for ten solid years as his only driver while living in the Northeast , in up to 18 inches of snow and more…had snow tires on 4 months of the year…put 285,000 miles on it in his ten years of ownership. Cars are made to be DRIVEN, period. The problem I have with my 2016 Corvette is that it only has 4″ of ground clearance and is a snow plow in 2″ of moving snow. But any car made before 1975 is and was designed to be driven the year round. I have seen Ferraris (back in the 60’s/70’s) driven in the snow. It isn’t impossible!