Re: Chevy into Packard

Posted by Dave Kenney On 2011/1/7 11:39:04

I travel in the US and Canada in a 25 year old Class C motorhome powered by 350SBC. I can only comfortably cruise in the 50-55 mph range and even less in strong head winds and have had very few problems where being unable to exceed that speed is a problem. I stay almost exclusively on two lane highways. There are so many highways which are almost deserted especially in the west but where it is a real pleasure to settle along at 50mph for hours on end. I wouldn't hesitate to take it across the continent so why not in a '37 Packard Six which is capable of 55mph all day long should it not? I am sure that with planning routes across the continent where the limited speed of an antique car would not pose a traffic hazard could be found. I drove across most of Nebraska on Old US 30 at 50mph for example.
I own a cell phone on a pay as you go plan to stay in touch with home although I usually use a phone card at a pay phone when I can find one. I quite often travel in remote areas where there is no coverage so it in much of my travels it is of no use.
I do have a GPS also which I find very handy when in big cities and negotiating interchanges on Interstates or for finding restaurants and motels. On occasion it has taken me astray on dead end roads in mostly rural areas when it is trying to guide me along with the shortest route setting and that can be frustrating. I have spent most of my life travelling with road maps or topo maps and a compass and mostly use a Rand McNally when on the road.