7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

**Mark P.** · November 30, 2009, 07:33 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

That's a lot of miles. There were a couple C1's that drove from the East Coast to San Jose for the Nationals. That would have been about 6,000 miles. My C1 has been down since February and I am really looking forward to getting it back on the road. Probably another year since I will probably get it painted.

**Stewart A.** · November 30, 2009, 07:44 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Mark once there sorted out these Chevs are pretty good ! I was concerned at one stage that these cars were meant to be looked at and not driven much but mine is a delight to drive. Heaps of power, stopping pedal effort is really good, driving in the wet is a disaster not recommended drum brakes are asking for a front ender ! But overall it's a a comfy car to get around in. Steering is a little heavy when stopped so I keep plenty of air in the fronts that makes it twice as light. Good luck with your lift and garage Mark send a happy snap when your done. Stewy

**Joe M.** · December 5, 2009, 04:37 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Out of curiosity, what was your average miles per gallon over 7,000 miles?

**Valeria H.** · December 5, 2009, 04:53 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Good question!! I still have not been able to get my fuel gauge to work even after the great article on the separate grounding wire needed.
I'm going to get a guesstimate on my mileage the next time I take her out as the tank is full and the odometer works.
Stewy, sounds like you either get really bad mileage or your fuel in Oz is outrageously priced.
Valeria

**Stewart A.** · December 5, 2009, 05:52 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Due to our low population in Australia ''which I love'' there is a problem. We have a country the size of the U.S. and nobody lives here. So to pay for the good roads it cost a fortune per capita. That means really high fuel prices !!! We pay for low Ron fuel $5.20 per gallon. In dollar conversion is arond $4.75 per gallon U.S.. Some days I drive with the foot mashed to the floor or some days I drive like Miss Daisy. I use the high oct fuel and it costs me around $1.40 -$1.50 per litre. That's up to $6.00 a gallon. Probably around $5.50 U.S. It's difficult to work out my miles per gallon as I never fill the car to the top. I find when I park my car with a full tank on the curb the camber on the side of the road lets my precious fuel escape out through the over flow pipe. I'd say my car gets what you call normal V8 miles pr gallon. Because I drive my car a lot I will do a proper estimation with the next few tanks and let you know. Stewy

**Michael A.** · December 5, 2009, 06:06 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Stewy,
Love to read your stories about driving your C1 down under. I had my C2 with me in Northern Ireland for 3 years from 98-01. It was a hoot driving on the "wrong" side of the road. While there I was driving ~3000 miles per year on the narrow winding sheep paths they call roads.

You'll recall that last year I drove the 66 the length of Route 66 and back with my 19 year old son. That trip alone was around 5200 miles. Although the odometer broke on that trip I would estimate I covered around 7000 miles in '08.

2009 hasn't had any real long trips but I'm probably pushing upwards of 2000 miles this year with occasional side trips and occasional commutes to work which is about 90 miles round trip. It's great to keep running them. And you are right, once they are sorted out, they do keep on running and running.

Keep driving, keep smiling

and keep waving!

Cheers,

**Jack P.** · December 5, 2009, 08:49 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Originally posted by Stewart Allison (48922)

Well it looks like I will have covered just on 7000 miles for the year in my 1960. I have driven it to work every time I go in which is not really that far (10 miles round trip). Most of the miles are going to car shows and just cruising around when the weather is half OK.
Most people are use to seeing the car around my neck of the woods and don't comment on it like they did at first, now they just stare.
I have had two police incidents and an out of control 720 spin on a wet road (Bias Ply) this year and have managed to keep her in one piece. I nearly hit a big Red Kangaroo which would of totaled the car if I had hit it. I have been caught in torrential rain with the roof off and have had to pull the bungs out to drain the floors !! I ran out of fuel on the side of the highway twice (before I replaced the earth wire).
I have had a great year with my driver C1 and kind of prefer to drive my Corvette to my every day car ?
I have filled the car 38 times this year at around $50 -$60 per tank = $2000 in fuel. My parts bin is growing by the day and soon will pull the girl apart for a full resto and will truly miss driving the Vette when this time arrises.
Has anyone else covered some miles in there dream car this year !! Or am I the only silly one that really uses their toy.

Stewy

Hi Stu,

My kind of guy, drive the car every day that you can. As I put my 66 L79 together for the 3r or 4 th time, (40 years and 250,000) miles, readying it for my 48 state trip next summer, I put 3,500 miles on the rebuilt engine (original to car) since installing it in August. Longest ride was 300 miles. I drove around the block so to speak, a lot. Averaged about 12 to 13 mpg. I have a 3.70 rear. I drive the car all year, as long as the roads are somewhat dry. In winter, put the top down, ski goggles , ski parka on , and off I go. These cars are too much fun to put away.

The pictures show the car on it's first drive in March, the police stopped me and said I could not drive the car without doors or hood.

Snow still on ground.

Jack

Attached Files

**Jack H.** · December 5, 2009, 10:37 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Well, let's see... Rob Musquetier flew in from Amsterdam and we took my '71 from Denver to the San Jose NCRS National via the 'scenic' route along Rte 66. That was right at 4K miles in one trip, Stewie.

Then, two years back, I flew to Sydney to run with Murray and the boys to Hobart, Tasmania and back. That was a PEACH of a crusing trip! So, I'll throw my hat in the ring with you on driving 'em (your continent and mine)...

**Stewart A.** · December 6, 2009, 12:58 AM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Both Jacks and michael you are legends ! 250k miles Wow. Not bad ah. Stewy

**Valeria H.** · December 8, 2009, 07:03 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Stewy, I calculated my best guesstimate on mileage last night and came up with between 11 - 12 miles per gallon! I thought it would be better than that. I filled the tank full and drove the car 76 miles. Upon refill I added about 6 1/2 to 7 gallons to refill the tank. I didn't seem to get any spillage of gas but was very careful during this experiment to stop pouring when I could see gas in the line with a flashlight.
Valeria

**Stewart A.** · December 8, 2009, 07:23 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

I recently went on a cruise with a mate in his 65 Mustang. Every time I filled my car I would use about one liter more than his car over about 100 miles. He runs 3.25's in his rear and I have 3.70's I have 6 liters and he has under 5 liters of motor. So I guess he gets the better mileage. I think my car would return similar figures to yours around town and I'm pretty sure I'm getting nearly 20 miles per gallon on a highway run. I am still checking mine I have 1/2 a tank left ? Stewy

**David V.** · December 8, 2009, 07:39 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Hey Stewy: I took my 57 to NW Ark for the Gateway Cobra Club's "Supercruise."

http://www.gatewaycobraclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1746&highlight=supercruise&page=3

We covered about 600 miles in 2 days of cruising including doing the "Pigs Tail" a twisty/curvy mountainous road in NW Ark. so named for all of the neat hairpins & funstuff. One of our members spun out his Cobra on a 10 mph hairpin & I barely missed him as I went right past him into the turn. It was a blast. A couple of my buddies drove my Cobra. I wanted to take my 58 but there were issues.

**Jack P.** · December 8, 2009, 07:42 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Originally posted by Stewart Allison (48922)

I recently went on a cruise with a mate in his 65 Mustang. Every time I filled my car I would use about one liter more than his car over about 100 miles. He runs 3.25's in his rear and I have 3.70's I have 6 liters and he has under 5 liters of motor. So I guess he gets the better mileage. I think my car would return similar figures to yours around town and I'm pretty sure I'm getting nearly 20 miles per gallon on a highway run. I am still checking mine I have 1/2 a tank left ? Stewy

You can get 20 mpg with a 3.70 rear and BB or SB ? I have 327/350 in its best day only got 15 mpg. maybe 16 on the highway. M-20 muncie.

Do you have an overdrive or 5 speed.

Jack

**Jack P.** · December 8, 2009, 07:46 PM

Re: 7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

Originally posted by Valeria Hutchinson (50643)

Stewy, I calculated my best guesstimate on mileage last night and came up with between 11 - 12 miles per gallon! I thought it would be better than that. I filled the tank full and drove the car 76 miles. Upon refill I added about 6 1/2 to 7 gallons to refill the tank. I didn't seem to get any spillage of gas but was very careful during this experiment to stop pouring when I could see gas in the line with a flashlight.
Valeria

We all think it is better that what it really is. 11 to 14, 15 mpg. Good thing we hide the gas receipts from other eyes. Same with parts receipts, etc.

It just a love affair. We just hide how much it costs.

Jack

7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

7000 miles in a C1 in Australia

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