You Know You Are Old When

[MossRoad]

As of late, I have had the desire to find some "fun" roads to drive on. When I was a (dumb) kid there were some roads I used to really tear up around here. However, somewhere over the last 50 years, the conditions have changed (housing developments, more traffic, etc.) and my judgement for places that might be appropriate for "spirited driving" has improved dramatically. Those roads that were a blast at 16, now are places I wouldn't dream of driving that way.

For many years I just had my truck and commuter car and didn't have time or inclination to drive for fun, but always wanted to get another "fun" car.

So now, I'm old, finally have a fun car again, but no place to drive it.

You gotta remember that the population has almost doubled since we were young, there are more cars on the roads, and even more roads. So it's a lot harder to find long stretches of road with no driveways or side roads the further east you go.

Also, the roads, at least here, seem to be in much worse condition than they were when I was young. A curve that I used to take on my bike at 90-95mph back in the early 80's cannot be taken much more than 45-50 these days due to the cracks.

Also, my legs can't tuck up without cramping and I weigh about 100 pounds more than back then, but that has nothing to do with it!

One of the most fun times I had was when they built a bypass around our town. The last section of it was for the most part complete, but for some reason they did not open it for many months. Everyone knew you could go out there and run a several mile stretch with no chance of other traffic.

 

[MossRoad]

This is one big appeal of small Euro sports cars, especially when shopping classic cars. Similar thrills are achieved at lower speeds in tiny 200 hp British and German cars, versus big 500 hp American muscle cars. I had lots of fun in MG B's and Midgets, in high school.

Mazda brought that into modern times, at least somewhat, with the Miata. I wouldn't buy one for myself, but I can see why they have a loyal following.

If I had the time, I'd get a Miata and put the chevy LFX V6 in there. 300+hp in that little machine looks like a lot of fun.

I'd skip the V8 conversion, as the mechanic across the street from me has access to one and reports it's just a TAD TOO MUCH to handle. I saw him in one with a Ford 302. His head was sticking out the top and the rear end was flailing side-to-side while he shot down the street in about 2 seconds.

I think someone here on TBN has a V8 LS Miata. Can't remember who. Sounds like a fun machine.

 

[MossRoad]

I drove aircooled VWs in my youth. Every drive was flat-out full sped and acceleration, without breaking the speed limits! I sure learned how to navigate crowded freeway traffic to get around congestion, at moderate speeds.

A friend was moving, and had me drive his Miata to his new address. Along the way were some twisty roads. I found myself effortly drifting around corners in full control. A really fun car to drive!

I had a VW bus in the 70s. So did a friend of mine. We'd line up at the light and drag race...... no one could tell.

 

[MossRoad]

The miata cars are fun cars to drive in the twisties. They do handle great. Her is my 1990, that we converted into a Monster Miata, with a balanced Ford 347 stroker motor, and 5 speed T5Z tranny. It provides lots of fun in the twisties, and the straits.

Well there you go. I knew someone had one on here.

 

[MossRoad]

The miata cars are fun cars to drive in the twisties. They do handle great. Her is my 1990, that we converted into a Monster Miata, with a balanced Ford 347 stroker motor, and 5 speed T5Z tranny. It provides lots of fun in the twisties, and the straits.

That would make the Zoom Zoom kid say uh-oh!

Looks like fun!

 

[masseyrider]

Where there is a will there is a way.
I won't name the piece of highway. Pretty well maintained. Limited traffic.
My friend will run ahead of me to make sure the coast is clear.
I watch from my vantage point the traffic entering the highway behind him.
If we both deem the conditions right, off I go.
I give my GT the boots. Never gotten to the top end, 205MPH electronically limited but actually almost 215MPH, but have cleared 185+.
This is a fairly short highway stretch before joining onto the main highway.
I've usually "slowed" to 130 by this point and I'm pretty sure people are still taken a back as this Ferrari whooping FORD flies by.

 

[masseyrider]

I had a VW bus in the 70s. So did a friend of mine. We'd line up at the light and drag race...... no one could tell.

Friend of mine bought a Mazda Courier pickup in high school for his summer grass cutting business.
We timed it a few times. 0 to 60 was almost 40 seconds plus.
Enough time to say your prayers as you got on the highway going to the cottage.

 

[MossRoad]

Friend of mine bought a Mazda Courier pickup in high school for his summer grass cutting business.
We timed it a few times. 0 to 60 was almost 40 seconds plus.
Enough time to say your prayers as you got on the highway going to the cottage.

When I was a kid, we'd visit family near D.C. every summer. VW bus going uphill in WV was almost not possible! Us 5 kids would start rocking in our seats in unison as we slowed hoping to push the bus forward

When we eventually got to the top we'd all scream weeeeee as dad would fly down the hill hoping to get up the next one.

 

[MossRoad]

Where there is a will there is a way.
I won't name the piece of highway. Pretty well maintained. Limited traffic.
My friend will run ahead of me to make sure the coast is clear.
I watch from my vantage point the traffic entering the highway behind him.
If we both deem the conditions right, off I go.
I give my GT the boots. Never gotten to the top end, 205MPH electronically limited but actually almost 215MPH, but have cleared 185+.
This is a fairly short highway stretch before joining onto the main highway.
I've usually "slowed" to 130 by this point and I'm pretty sure people are still taken a back as this Ferrari whooping FORD flies by.

Not counting airplanes, fastest I've ever been on wheels is 154. I would like to experience the salt flats some day in something over 200. Probably won't happen, but boy that would be fun.

 

[masseyrider]

Not counting airplanes, fastest I've ever been on wheels is 154. I would like to experience the salt flats some day in something over 200. Probably won't happen, but boy that would be fun.

It's a weird sort of sensation. Closest thing I can compare it to is climbing into a hot bath. It's way too hot and then you acclimate and it doesn't feel too hot anymore.
The piece of highway I've had my runs on is only a little over 10 miles. It isn't enough time to really settle in. Acceleration stage is a great feeling then a short holding pattern and then you slow down to be able to "safely" merge with main highway speed.
What I worry aboot most is possibly hitting, well anything, but here is deer.
A great time was at Willow Springs. You won't hit flat out top speeds but the track is a great challenge that keeps you involved.
I had a great day of it until spinning out. Thank goodness for plenty of desert.

 

[Alan46]

Was Willow springs in Bakersfield? I used to race @ Famoso raceway for 25 seasons until we retired and moved to Oregon!

 

[masseyrider]

Was Willow springs in Bakersfield? I used to race @ Famoso raceway for 25 seasons until we retired and moved to Oregon!
View attachment 3563349

Rosamond CA.
Southeast of Bakersfield north of Lala land.

 

[bigtiller]

Willow Springs, Arizona is more funner. Way less people there.

willow springs az lake - Google Search

 

[BravoXray]

One of the most fun times I had was when they built a bypass around our town. The last section of it was for the most part complete, but for some reason they did not open it for many months. Everyone knew you could go out there and run a several mile stretch with no chance of other traffic.

You did that too?

One time when I was with dad, coming back from Chicago one night, we go on a finished, but not open section of I-94. Was kind of spooky out there all alone.

 

[WinterDeere]

Speaking of Miatas:

 

[ultrarunner]

Recreation is just that. Recreation. Like having a few drinks on Saturday night. Over use of anything will take its toll.

We've all heard stories of or even know centenarians that have a nip or two every night. That's recreational use in my mind. I know quite a few people that use gummies on the weekends. I doubt it will take a toll on their overall lifespan. Probably worse is the restaurants that they go to frequently... to much rich food.

Anyhow, a long-term case study would be needed, I'd guess.

Smokers are the ones I often notice appear older than chronological age…

 

[ultrarunner]

Not counting airplanes, fastest I've ever been on wheels is 154. I would like to experience the salt flats some day in something over 200. Probably won't happen, but boy that would be fun.

Autobahn in Mercedes rental 230 kmh… didn’t seem fast until over 200 but slowing down is when reality hit.

230kmh is about 143 mph.

 

[MossRoad]

It's a weird sort of sensation. Closest thing I can compare it to is climbing into a hot bath. It's way too hot and then you acclimate and it doesn't feel too hot anymore.
The piece of highway I've had my runs on is only a little over 10 miles. It isn't enough time to really settle in. Acceleration stage is a great feeling then a short holding pattern and then you slow down to be able to "safely" merge with main highway speed.
What I worry aboot most is possibly hitting, well anything, but here is deer.
A great time was at Willow Springs. You won't hit flat out top speeds but the track is a great challenge that keeps you involved.
I had a great day of it until spinning out. Thank goodness for plenty of desert.

One of the issues with open road around here is there isn't any!

In almost all of the northern half of Indiana there is a road every mile. Exact squares. 640 acres. So that leaves limited access highways, where it can be many miles between interchanges. However, they are rarely straight, and rarely no cars anymore. Not like it was 40 years ago where you could drive for 10 minutes and not see another car.

So, now I just go out for a Sunday drive and look at cows. 45-48 is a good speed to put along at out in the country.

 

[masseyrider]

One of the issues with open road around here is there isn't any!

In almost all of the northern half of Indiana there is a road every mile. Exact squares. 640 acres. So that leaves limited access highways, where it can be many miles between interchanges. However, they are rarely straight, and rarely no cars anymore. Not like it was 40 years ago where you could drive for 10 minutes and not see another car.

So, now I just go out for a Sunday drive and look at cows. 45-48 is a good speed to put along at our in the country.

I really liked the old car chase movies.
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry, Vanishing Point...
Sometimes driving around I imagine I'm in a car chase as I approach an intersection.
There is so much traffic around now that I would surely be wrecked by the 2nd or 3rd stop I blew.
My stretch of highway is aboot as straight as you're going to get. Limited gentle bends.
And rarely much traffic.
Even so it's always a risk.

 

[MossRoad]

You did that too?

One time when I was with dad, coming back from Chicago one night, we go on a finished, but not open section of I-94. Was kind of spooky out there all alone.

Remember when they built the bypass from US 31 south of SB to US 20 west of the airport just to bypass the SW side of town? It was open for years.

Then they finally started the next section north from US 20 north from Lincolnway up to the toll road and maybe US 12 in Michigan. That's the section that sat vacant for a long time. You had to take a little dirt construction road for about 100 yards, then you were on virgin concrete!

The little 70 Nova with the 230L6 would do 112! When I got ahold of it, it had over 100K on it. I took the block over to Shaker in Granger, and they bored it out to clean it up, checked everything in the block, the crank, and I had them do the head work, etc... I put it all back together myself, with some stupid big cam, a Clifford 4 barrel intake, some Holley 4 barrel and some modified pickup truck headers. I do not remember the specifics. It was the first engine I ever put together myself.

It would do stupid RPMs due to the short stroke, I'd guess, to the point it would pump all the oil out of the lifters and start clattering away. Surprisingly, I'd just drive normally for several minutes and they'd stop clattering. I abused the heck out of that engine. Put probably another 50k on it, then transplanted it into a 71 Toyota FJ40 when the Nova body rotted off. I still have it, although it hasn't ran since 1985.