'68 GT Fastback as Daily Driver

[Randy993]

Interested in thoughts on this topic. I am considering a relatively well maintained '68 to replace a 1995 Infiniti J30 as a daily driver.

 

[1320stang]

Maintaining an almost 40 year old car for daily driving still can be quite the chore compared to a late model car. I'd get the '68 and a beater late model to drive most of the time.

 

[thehueypilot]

You would be going from luxury to bare bones, spartin accommodations. Antique cars are not usually considered as daily drivers. I put all the modern conveniences into mine but I still drive it only about once a week and on weekends, but only in good weather. It would not be easy to replace if you encounter a stupid driver in which their are many.

 

[Pakrat]

That is all too true. I drive like a freakin grandma in my car most of the time, I barely do 1,000 mi a year (still under 50,000 original) and never ever in rush hour traffic yet a stupid ricer totalled my car last year so don't think it won't happen or that you can control every situation because you can't. The more it's on the road the greater chance for a catastrophy and a DD is not as cheap to insure as if it's a second car. Many folks do see daily duty, usually short commutes though and while I salute them it is not what is in yours or the cars best interest. Think long and hard about it, no more just turn the key and pull out every morning and many a weekend fixing stuff caused by gremlins just so you can get to work on Monday.

 

[limey66]

^^What he says^^

 

[Rapid]

I'm driving my 65 coupe most days. I also tinker on it daily but its part of the fun for me.

 

[usedtobe 67p51d]

I drove a garage queen '67 fastback for 100,000+ miles from '95-'98 it had a mild 302 motor, a c-4 and a/c
the ac didn't cool very well upgraded to a vintage air with a sanden compressor still didn't cool all that well in socal coastal air


yes you can do it just don't think of doing it in comfort. yes ther'ye fairly reliable, cheap to repair....I had an Isuzu trooper starter failure it cost $350 and three day wait for my truck, the 'stang starter failed and it cost me $125 and that included towing and was done after I had lunch

see my post under fastback or 911 thread


Jim

 

[redhotcomet]

The way I see it, these cars were meant to be driven. Drive em and love em.

 

[86T-Top]

My 68 used to be my daily driver. I used it as a DD for about 1 year, before the accident which took it off the road and motivated me to completly redo it. Anyway while it was my DD it saw about 10 road trips all of which were over 300 miles one way. I never had a problem with the car and it never left me stranded. The only thing I didn't like was the vinal seats in the summer time, with no a/c.

If you keep the car well maintained, and upgrade a few things like electronic ignition and a newer carb then the chances of it leaving you stranded are about the same as with a new car.

I do suggest that if you do make this your DD to upgrade your seat belts from a lap belt to a 3 point harness. (I learned that the hard way when my face ate the steering wheel in my 68, during my accident.) Also upgrade the brakes, to at least front disc if not 4 way disk, power assist.

As Pakrat said, the chances of your baby being in a accident are proportional to how much you dirve it.

So if you are OK with the chance that the car may get totaled, and the car is in good running order, then by all means use it as a DD.

Mario

 

[BBRacer]

Drive them!!

The way I see it, these cars were meant to be driven. Drive em and love em.

My father-in law has a beatuiful '67 coupe that rarely gets driven, I wouldn't want to own that car as it is too pristine (collector plates and all), unless I could park it in my house.

Mine is rough on the edges - but fun. I think of mine as my "high school hot rod". What I would have driven had I had one in high school - now 20 yrs later I am ready!! It has some cheap parts as I am still on the high-school budget, needs lots of regular maint., but it is not rare - just cool.

Burger's anyone?? Save the rare ones for the weekends - drive the rest.

I wonder how many 2007 Shelby's will be locked away for some future auction date with 6 miles on it?? I like seeing the late models on the road, and if I get a new stang it will be driven. Isn't that why we restore them (once/ twice?).