[sunrise7]

I am moving from the east coast to the west coast in August. I have a '71 Chevelle convertible with a 454 big block in it and am trying to decide whether to drive it or ship it. I've heard some really bad stories about the shippers and how many of them handle the cars in transit... like multiple loadings and unloadings on a long haul like this one... and the damage that can occur. The car is in great shape. It has a dual core radiator and new belts, hoses, tires, master cylinder. The body is also great with a new convertible top. There are 5 of us taking the trip with 2 other cars. Newer ones.... We are taking Route 80 to Chicago then following the old Route 66 corridor, all the way to Barstow, CA then heading north. We will stay mostly on the interstates, I55 - I44 - I40 and taking 8 days. Even at 15 mpg ( I think I can get better) gas will run about $700, shipping will be at least $2000 to $2300 on an enclosed 7 or 8 car trailer... I do have a good roadside assistance service ... What do you think,, am I crazy for thinking about driving the Chevelle across ???

 

[pnugene]

Chevelles were made to be driven, IMHO. A cross country drive in my muscle car is on my list of things to do when I get it streetable.

 

[sunrise7]

Thanks Randy..... I'm leaning that way. Even in the heat I think that old Chevy will make it !!!!! I agree, we need to keep these cars to drive them to show all the now believers out there that this country did and can produce some of the best cars in the world ..... Happy 4th !!!!

 

[Kaizen]

agree if you are driving anyway i'd drive it. just make sure you have some extra's. Worst case something horrible goes wrong and you have to ship it anyways. I guess my only question considering our recent weather is do you have AC?

 

[Tonys72SS]

Drive it. Nothing better than driving an old car and nothing better than driving it cross country being able to see all the sights! Stick some tools in the trunk and youll be fine. A/C would be nice considering the weather lately but even then as long as you arent sitting in traffic in the heat it shouldnt be too bad.

 

[blonby1970]

I have to say DRIVE it.........
A good friend of myne retired years ago and he had multiple ars to ship so we got in toch with the rail road and we loaded literly 3 box cars and still had a car left over so he was going to trailer it behind his dually and said seriousley his response what are you thinking YOU wana drive it??
I said you dog gone right I was going with him any way to help then he was going to fly me home. So with my luggage in the trunk my ice chest cooler in the front seat and 4500 songs on my smart phone plugged into the deck we took off the next morning and I had the biggest smile ever as I was driving a big block 5 speed 64 convertiable Chevelle from Salem Oregon to Jacksonville Florida best memories ever. Good Luck with your road trip:hurray::hurray:

 

[Hi-po SS 454]

One of the things I worry about on a cross country trip is running into a unexpected storm. One of those huge size hail storms, which just happen yesterday in New Mexico which did damage to cars and loaded the land with 2 feet of hail.. You may already know but like in Barstow where talking like easy 115 + degrees in summer and any of Calif. desert areas.. Just saying....
Than, I have seen some of the damage that has happen to a few members here when Cars are shipped.
Good Luck with your decision..

 

[sco1035]

Sounds like a great trip.
I say do it! :thumbsup:

 

[pink panther]

I say DRIVE IT sounds like an awesome ride

 

[FLASHED]

I would drive it ,we drive ours everywhere .

 

[BigOiBoy]

Dude, that's the dream drive for a lot of us. Its only 3000 miles. Do it.
The whole reason i'm building mine is so i can hitch an old airstream to it and go cross country.

 

[Slick71ss]

Got a truck? Buy a new car trailer for what the shipping cost would be. When you get there sell the trailer for close to what you bought it for.

 

[boyd66k20]

I know folks who carry bed quilts to cover in case of a hail storm. Must be a market out there for a hail type quick cover. Maybe astro type turf or outdoor carpeting and a couple pincher clamps. Then again trees offer allot of protection too. I say go for it and enjoy.:thumbsup:

 

[Stokerboats]

Arizona is going to kick your arse that time of the year. That Chevelle better be 100%.

 

[BlueSS454]

If the car is mechanically sound, drive it. Just keep some necessities in the trunk (oil, trans fluid, coolant, spare distributor, belts, etc) and it should be fine. Check things every fuel stop.

 

[slim]

^^^ what Tom said. Drop the top in the evenings, crank the tunes, life is good. Good luck, they were ment to be driven. new cars break down also. Jim

 

[depley]

I drove mine last year to and back to Minnesota 2300 miles round trip, enjoyed every minute of it! I did it solo, no other cars. I do have a/c but traveled through 105 temps without a problem

 

[AJS]

If you drive it, make sure you dis-able the ignition or something when your sleeping. Don't want that bad boy to get stolen.

 

[sunrise7]

Thanks to all of you.... I hope you had a great 4th of July .....
I am going to have the Chevelle checked out by my favorite mechanic, get anything he recommends done.... And then DRIVE IT !!! I know Arizona and the Mohave Desert might kick my ass, but I will have two other cars with me in our little convoy and by then I won't be too far from my new home.. Besides I plan on driving real early morning and late evenings then if it comes to that..... Hopefully I can have the top down most of the way.... And I will be prepared with tools, parts and fluids and some kind of cushioned cover if we do find ourselves in a hail storm... It is something you may only get to do once in a lifetime, so I will go for it.... Have always dreamt of taking one of the muscle cars I've had cross country... Looks like the Chevelle is THE RIDE for it.... I will post how if goes in late August ... Thanks again ...:thumbsup:

 

[YankeeRodder]

Go for it. When will you get the chance again? Take your time and make a drive of a lifetime out of it. Go alone too. Chance to charge you batteries for the next 20 years. Remember the old show route 66? Take your time and live along the way.