Driving To Savannah

[MattWalker]

So the plan is to drive from Atlanta to Savannah in my p15 with three friends in a couple weeks.  What are the chances it will make it there and back?  It is 250 miles each way.  Besides the brakes which are now great, the car hasn't had many problems, although I've only driven it about 500 miles in the past year. 

 

Have you guys done that many miles on a trip in one of these cars? 

[Plymouthy Adams]

you going back  road of venturing out on the super slab...

[MattWalker]

Back roads, 55 the whole way.  Maybe go on the highway at night if the traffic light.

[Plymouthy Adams]

once you get south of Macon on 16 it is rather light traffic...I remember driving from Savannah to 14 miles west of Dublin on I-16 once and not see a car on the road other than myself...80 east of Macon to Savannah is usually a good road..but I will tell you lot of small towns if driving late evening...I would watch for tanked up drivers...lol  If you take 41/241 to 280 on the south  side of I-75 you pass a few miles from my crib..

[TodFitch]

My '33 has a similar drivetrain to your P15... The longest I've driven my '33 in a single one day in the last several years was just under 500 miles.

 

Will be leaving in the '33 for a trip of about 2000 miles in a few weeks (900 miles each way with some other mileage expected while there). Breaking the to/from into three days each with the longest day planned as about 400 miles. We will have several cars caravanning so we have some "safety in numbers". But when I moved to California and drove the '33 from Maryland to LA (via a non-direct route) I did it by myself. Well over 2000 miles on that trip. A bit younger then and did not have a schedule to keep which makes it easier, but even long distances alone will work.

 

So, I'd say yes, if your car is in reasonable mechanical condition it should make it. Take your time, enjoy the back roads. And if something happens along the way look at is as an opportunity to practice your roadside repair skills rather than as a problem.

[Young Ed]

My longest in the p15 is about 2000 miles back in 2008 to detroit and back. Your car should be capable of 500 miles.

[Joe Flanagan]

Somewhere on the forum there is a thread about what to bring on a long trip. You might want to check that out and see what type of tools and spare parts you should bring along. Also, there is a formula where you can plug in your tire size, rear end ratio, and speed and come up with the number of RPMs your engine will be turning. I recently took a 56 Chevy on a 1,000-mile round trip without incident. I did the entire trip on I-95 (DC to Massachusetts) and the thing I found challenging was going 60 on a highway where everyone is going 80 or faster. But I eventually got used to it. The engine also sounded very "busy" at that speed (it was a pickup truck) as I suspect yours will. But that is also something you get used to. Make sure all your lug nuts are tight. I believe there was a forum member who discovered his were loose during a trip, though I can't remember who. 

[greg g]

We have driven on several long trips in our P15. (Syracuse to VT, Syracuse to Concord, NC, Syracuse to Detroit, Mi, and so forth) Keep in mind that going from one place to another was basically what these cars were designed to do. 

 

The first trip can be cause for trepidation, and make for some sleepless nights heading up to the departure, but break it down to 125 mile segments, keep an eye on you gauges, and go.  If it makes the 1st 125, it should surely make the next and so on.  I have found my car even with the 4.11 rear end to be a very competent road car.  Comfortable, capable, and roadworthy.

[Don Coatney]

Loose nuts Coatney reporting in. Pictured below is what I found after returning home from a 700 mile trip.

 

I once drove from Tulsa, OK to home non stop in one day total 740 miles. I once drove from Dulles, VA to home non stop in one day total 760 miles. This makes for a very long day. I am planning a 2000 mile trip in May. First leg is 450 miles and I plan on doing that in one day. Next 700 miles will be split up over about 6 days. I have not made room reservations for the trip home but I will most likely split it up into 2-3 days.

 

 

[BobT-47P15]

Yep......be sure to check those lug nuts (or bolts) before starting, and somewhere along the way.  These cars don't do so good as a

three wheeler. 

 

I drove my car to Tulsa for the same event as Don did......but it's only about 100 miles each way for me,  Car did fine

on a two lane road (old Rt 66) at 50 to 55 mph.    As passing is sometimes difficult on a two lane.......I  would watch the rearview mirror =

and if too many vehicles were stacked up behind me, I'd pull off onto the shoulder to let 'em pass.  Took a selection of tools and spare

parts, but thankfully didn't need to use them.     

[fourleaf]

So the plan is to drive from Atlanta to Savannah in my p15 with three friends in a couple weeks.  What are the chances it will make it there and back?  It is 250 miles each way.  Besides the brakes which are now great, the car hasn't had many problems, although I've only driven it about 500 miles in the past year. 

 

Have you guys done that many miles on a trip in one of these cars? 

 

My buddy is always telling me to keep a tool box, extra spark plugs, distributer cap and wires in the car with me when i am driving. I know it is hard to keep all of that with you and everything cost money but, Just in case! Always good to have a back up plan and not worry so much if you know you have the correct tools with you. Have a good trip

[Plymouthy Adams]

limp in spares need not be a costly venture..as you do a tune up..clean up and save those parts for emergency use...an old dist cap still serviceable will get you  home should for some reason one got broke..debris flying up from the roadbed..few spare wires (squirrel or other varmits nesting) rotor, old points filed flat and put aside..even a drop in spare distributor is quick and easy roadside exchange..take up very little room..spare belt...rad hoses..just  a few of the first line items

[greg g]

I have an old picnic basket in it are a spare fan belt, (the only thing that's ever failed me) a set of plugs, a spare distributor, a couple spools of wire 12 gauge and 10 gauge, a tool box, a scissors jack, extra in line fuel filters, some disposable gloves, some shop rags, flash light, hand cleaner, and a 15 foot tow strap if all else fails.  This is in addition to the AAA card and the wife's cell phone.  I also have an empty 2 gallon gas can, and a couple quarts of oil.

[wayfarerstranger]

where are ya`ll going in Savannah ?

[40phil41]

Bring along a 'new' spare fuel pump!!! First long trip in my '40 Dodge I made it there but got flat-bedded back. I had a spare NOS fuel pump which was also no good. Spent 3 hr. on the side of the road changing out fuel pumps and waiting for the tow truck. Did I mention to bring along a spare 'new' fuel pump  . Of course it would make even more sense to install a new fuel pump now and use your old one as a spare because you won't need it!

 

Phil

[MarkAubuchon]

My 47 has been cross country and back, st Louis to Portland Oregon 5500 mile, st Louis to Vermont 2800.  I would make sure everything is up to par prior to leaving, get rid of all the old stuff.  Two most important tools a cell phone and a AAA card.  Then drive it like a rental car!!!!!!

[randroid]

Gents,

 

Growing older (but not necessarily up) in a USMC pilot's family we swapped sides of the map a minimum of once every 18 months, usually more often than that, and we did it in the cars of the day.  The first one I remember distinctly was in 1952 and we drove our '49 Chevy wagon from SoCal to Norfolk and the only modification made to it was a hole drilled in the floor in the rear of the car with a funnel attatched to it so my two brothers and I wouldn't be asking to stop every twenty minutes.  The point is, those steel-dashboard, no-seat belt, sans air bag vehicles made the numerous trips without a hitch even though we had no GPS and the AM radios took fifteen seconds to warm up.  I get the same feelings of trepidation today when I take an unproven car on the road the first time but unless you've taken the "that's good enough" approach to maintenance and repair you should expect no hassles.  I'm a great proponent of carrying spare parts and I'm thankful for the knowledge I've gained to feel confident being able to diagnose a problem, but I don't expect problems and rarely have them.

 

Relax and enjoy the ride.

 

-Randy

[Don Coatney]

Gents,

 the only modification made to it was a hole drilled in the floor in the rear of the car with a funnel attatched to it so my two brothers and I wouldn't be asking to stop every twenty minutes. 

Relax and enjoy the ride.

 

-Randy

 

This thread is going down the tubes. Now I am confused. After looking at Plymouthy claiming to wash his tire I must ask if you were washing the road or marking your territory? Gotta love good old Marine improvision

[1940plymouth]

Matt, follow the advice here and please don't forget your camera.  Take lots of photos and have a good time and safe trip.  Not to worry, these old MOPARs are a fantastic car

[MattWalker]

Thanks for all the input guys.  I will try to get all that stuff together.  The flexible fuel hose just went bad and I replaced that so there is one less thing to go wrong. 

 

Me and a couple friends are going down to hit the bars and fish hopefully.  we are staying at two old hotels, the 1790 house and the Marshall house.  Should be a good time.

 

I think all your input has changed my wife's mind about the trip, she asked me what moron would possibly attempt this?  Now she knows it's not just me. 

 

She has put up with my victrola, my 1940 philco radio, my touch tip lighters, my 1950 Magnavox tv and all my other old stuff so she deserves some credit.

 

Thanks again.
 

[1941Rick]

Took my 41 on a road trip last summer. 2000miles. There was 14 cars and the old girl was one of the few that did not have a problem. Only spare part I took was a fan belt. This year we are going down the west coast of Washington and Oregon, over to the big show in Bent then up the Okanogan vally back home. 2500 plus miles....The only worry I have is the other cars......Like a Timex watch these cars keep on tickin.

[greg g]

Mopars usually show their superior engineering on these reliability runs.

[MattWalker]

Well we made it within 100 miles, on the side of 16 right now. The headlights started to dim and then went dead. Battery or generator I guess. Battery is 1 year old so I'm guessing generator.

AAA is on the way and I have 100 miles free tow so we r getting there anyway!

[Plymouthy Adams]

100 miles puts you in Dublin on !-16 and in a members back door

[P15-D24]

2,300 Indy to LA driving alone in three days. No problems except a burned out headlight. 

Edited April 6, 2013 by P15-D24