Great thread guys! I may well steal some of the ideas listed here for our trip which should encompass some of the areas mentioned.
Great stuff!
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Great thread guys! I may well steal some of the ideas listed here for our trip which should encompass some of the areas mentioned.
Great stuff!
Should get around to booking our flights and rental car this weekend. Can't wait!
Thanks for the rethink, Livetodrive and the motor museum tips.
We're both petrol-heads, so we'll definitely pay them a visit.
And we're both booze-hounds, so we'll be avoiding the dry town!
What's everyone's concensus on accommodation for our trip in mid to late April? Should we just find motels and B&Bs along the way (any reason why there wouldn't be plenty of vacancies?), or would it be worth pre-booking some hotels (maybe in the bigger towns and cities).
We'll probably aim to complete a minimum daily mileage, and probably have some target towns and cities, but we quite like the idea of being flexible and simply staying over in places that take our fancy.
In Cave City, by Mammouth Cave, there is a great old Americon motel where you can sleep in a teepee. That is an experience. However, bring your own booze in as it is a dry county. As I found out too late.
Nearby, in Bowling Green is the National Corvette Museum.
I normally adopt a seat of the pants approach to booking lodging when I'm on the road and overall I've had pretty good luck. I like the spontaneous approach. If I were travelling with my wife I would probably be more concerned but with two guys travelling you don't mind compromising motel standards for convenience. I think you'll be fine. Question for you and anyone else who happens by this post I could use some input on. Over the last few years I've restored a few muscle cars that I really don't want to sell, but can't really justify keeping. If I were to work out the business logistics, would "roadtrippers" like yourselves be willing to pay a reasonable rental fee to use a 1973 Dodge Challenger, 1968 Charger or a 1970 Mustang Mach 1 to use for the experience. The cars are restored and dependable but they are not concourse correct show cars so I'm thinking of a basic daily rate with no mileage restrictions. This post is the best market research I've got so please be candid with your input. The business would base in Toronto, but delivery to major cities is not a big issue. What thinks you all??
Livetodrive - I think you may have stumbled upon a great business opportunity for classic car rental. I have been unable to find anything 'interesting' to rent for a one-way trip. Hertz do a range of Fun cars, like the Shelby Mustang, Hummer etc, but not for one-ways. And even then, I'm sure many of us would rather take to the road in something more distinct.
Get yourself a well SEO'd website to advertise your cars (and maybe others - you could act as a broker) worldwide to road trippers and I think you'd get good custom.
Of course there is the logistics of delivery and collection to consider (plus insurance, breakdown cover etc), but you'd be offering something special, so people will pay a premium.
Let me know how you get on.
We regularly have people pop in here who are looking for classic American cars to do roadtrips in. And we are unaware of anyplace like this to refer them to. Let us know the details when you get your business up-and-going so we can pass the information along.Quote:
Originally Posted by Livetodrive
That is such a good idea. I generally come over from England once a year and do a big road trip. An available classic car for rental would be cool. I always rent a Mustang convertible, which just makes any trip that much better :-)
I was fortunate at the time of my first trip (Route 66 Chicago to LA) in that Budget were offering a free one -way deal, which helped a lot. The one way charges can add a lot to the overall cost and I have subsequently only made round trips. I looked at the Auto Driveaway option, but the minimum daily mileage would seem to restrict the itinerary.
I am over on April 8th, routing Houston-New Orleans- Hwy61 to Memphis-Forth Worth-Midland-Big Bend-Austin-Houston.
Guys if you are starting in Chicago, breakfast at Lou Mitchell's is a must.
I generally pre-book my first night in the US, so at least you have something to put on the immigration form and then just find places as I go. Super 8 motels are good and reliable and are everywhere.
If I can help further, give me a call
Have a great trip
Best Regards
Roger
Judy,
Thanks so much for the offer, if you don't mind I'll hold you to it once I get the details worked out. As predicted, the insurance aspect of this venture is really the only challenge. Getting appropriate coverage is not an issue, getting coverage while keeping it financially viable is something different altogether. Regardless, I've got my insurance folks working on it. More than just the business aspect, when this comes together it will allow people to share in an experience that I personally treasure, roadtripping in a classic car is a truly unique experience as you tend to attract like minded people wherever you go. Lastly, after spening hundreds of hours restoreing the cars, they look so sad couped up in the garage!
Thanks again
Livetodrive
Roger,
Thanks for the vote of confidence, hopefully by the time you are ready to roll next year I'll be able to provide you with something worthy. The only reservation I have about this business venture is that the legend of classic American muscle cars may have exceeded their attributes. By that I mean the cars themselves are a handfull to drive, loud and have blind spots you can lose a tractor trailer in. Then again that may be the allure, anyone can drive a new car around right?