1969 Small Block Driver for trips��..

[David K.]

Hello Gents;

Looking to get into a 69 small block (300 or 350 doesn't matter) for use on week-end rides which would be 300-400 miles round trip; in upstate New York and Vermont, starting next summer. Any caveats (issues to consider) when using such a car for long rides as planned ? A restored car is the goal, without taking a trailer queen on the road.

Thanks in advance.

[Bob W.]

[Gary R.]

[David K.]

[Bob W.]

[Mark E.]

[Ed H.]

[Terry M.]

Rather than start a new thread - this is close, but I'm thinking twice the suggested distance - 600 to 800 miles/day. Back when I was younger and dumber I did ~ 2700 miles in < 45 hours in this car, solo, top down all the way. I don't think I can do that any more, LOL. So, considered opinion, what's a realistic daily miles. My car will be nearly 'as new', but we, ahhh the rub, ain't. I'll have passed the big 70, my wife 65. The only road-trip creature comforts in the Corvette are 3.36 rear gears and Recaro-like seats.


Massachusetts to Montana, and back. Thank you!

ED
are you locked into an "older" Corvette, or would a C5 or C6 suit you. I have done 1K miles a day in my C6 (although the wife didn't like it) New Orleans to Chicago. There is a world of difference in the comfort level between the early C3 (yes, in my youth I did Chicago to Fort Collins in a day) and the C6.

[Mark E.]

[Tim G.]

[Terry M.]

I hear you Terry, but there's something about a road trip adventure in an older Corvette.

Ed, I follow two rules on road trips: No interstates and no reservations. Secondary highways offer less traffic, fewer trucks, better scenery, curves, and actually pass through towns so you can enjoy the local fare.

Ed,
I don't disagree with you. Each choice of vehicles and roads has its advantages and disadvantages. We each make those choices every time we fire up a vehicle.

BTW: I had a lot of fun on the Toll Road from San Antonio to Waco this last summer on the way home from the National Convention. Speed limit is/was 85. Probably not the best place for a 1969 small block though.

[Joe L.]

Hello Gents;

Looking to get into a 69 small block (300 or 350 doesn't matter) for use on week-end rides which would be 300-400 miles round trip; in upstate New York and Vermont, starting next summer. Any caveats (issues to consider) when using such a car for long rides as planned ? A restored car is the goal, without taking a trailer queen on the road.

Thanks in advance.

David------


The best 1969's for open road driving are either the base engine or L-46 with M-20 and 3.36:1 rear axle ratio.

The best big block for open road driving is an L-36 with M-20 or M-21 with 3.08:1 or 3.36:1 rear axle ratio. This will use a bit more fuel than the above, though.

If one wishes to go with auto transmission, the best would be base engine or L-36 with 3.08:1 rear axle ratio.

[Ed H.]

[Terry M.]

LOL, paraphrasing Patrick Henry, "I'm going in this or on Delta Airlines."

I'd rather do non-interstate, but need to cover a lot of ground to get from Mass to Montana, and then back, of course. Hopefully I'll have a chance to figure out the current gas requirements to see if this is even remotely realistic. I want to give our Daughter a chance to show her friends how irresponsible I am with the way I'm spending her inheritance . I do like the 'no reservations' suggestion, and will employ that, and no Interstates, on our other, longish road trip (Nova Scotia). Planned that over 30 years ago and haven't done it, yet. (Photo from 1976)

Thank you for your suggestions!

Don't give up on that Nova Scotia trip. That was our honeymoon trip in the 1970 LT1, and the daughter and I did it from a different direction with the Canadian Road Tour to the 2016 National in Rhode Island. It was fun both times, but 40 years apart.

[Ed D.]