READER ADVENTURES
Five cars, five inspirational trips, ten horizon-busting pages
All you need is the inspiration and a few bravery pills, and you could be building some unforgettable life experiences for you and your classic.
Well, over the course of these ten pages, you’re certain to be inspired from reading about the astonishing, life-affirming adventures undertaken by your fellow PC readers.
That classic in your workshop or on your drive is your ticket, ready to whisk you to where you want to go. Summer’s here – so get planning. And remember, science has shown that any trip in a classic is 89 per cent more enjoyable than one taken in a modern car.* *We made this bit up, but it’s still true.
FROM NEW YORK TO LA IN A 1932 AUSTIN SEVEN
Between September and November 2023, my wife Karen and I drove Molly, our 1932 Austin Seven, from New York to Los Angeles via Niagara Falls, Chicago, and Route 66. The car was shipped to Newark, New Jersey and shipped home from Long Beach, California at the end of the trip. It was just the two of us – no support truck or assistance in tow. Our only breakdown was a puncture.
The car was well prepared: I’d previously rebuilt the engine from top to bottom with a Phoenix crankshaft and had already run it in for about 1000 miles. The gearbox was a three-speed, but with a higher-ratio ‘Andes’ second gear for long climbs over the mountains. I’d also fitted a modern HardySpicer propshaft instead of the original noisy, high maintenance ‘pot and peg’ design.
I rebuilt the rear axle with new crownwheel and pinion, halfshafts and hubs, and completely overhauled the brakes and suspension. New tyres and tubes were fitted after the wheels had been checked and rebuilt as necessary. The car was rewired with LED flashers, including four-way flashing hazards. I fitted a 6v/12v inverter with USB and accessory socket so that we could use a satnav and phone charger.
I packed spare parts and tools to cover most roadside eventualities. The most valuable piece of kit was the American Garmin GPS. This was worth its weight in gold, especially for finding petrol stations! The only spare I used was a new inner tube when we had a flat tyre in St Louis. The spares and some tools were stored in the recesses under the rear seat, which I’d removed to reduce weight. I replaced it with a panel secured by 5mm countersunk Allen screws. A lockable panel under the driver’s seat also held some tools.
Luggage for the two of us consisted of a small airline-size cabin bag, a soft-grip bag and a carrier bag containing various bits and pieces.
Despite some warnings to the contrary, driving a vintage car in th
