The CC Cohort is a great source for photographs of Curbside Classics, and also an insight into how fellow Curbivores observe Classics, and how they are used. Predominantly the Cohort is of modest cars, not the true top end brands and models, and that’s how we (normally) like it, but occasionally something comes in that isn’t, such as this Bentley Continental, Aston Martin DB6, Jaguar XK120 and Ferrari 330GT, all seen In Rochester, VT, by Monteverde3 (Gene Herman at CC.
These cars were seen when taking part in the recent Pan-American Friendship Rally 2016. This was a non-competitive event, for cars built before 1970, crossing the US from San Pedro, California to Boston, Massachusetts, going through 27 states in around 35 days and 10,300 miles. The route was selected to be constantly scenically spectacular, to be on tarmac and to cover two of the most outstanding roads in the US – Pike’s Peak, Colorado and the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee. Many of the cars were shipped over from Europe for the event
But what of the cars? There were 25 cars entered (and the number limited deliberately by the organisers), and Gene has chosen four of the highlights for these photos.
The Bentley Continental has been seen on CC before, not least in this wonderful piece by Don Andreina. 4.9 litres and 6 cylinders of traditional British elegance, and downright beautiful to boot, I can think of fewer cars I’d rather cross America in, or take to the Laundromat. Can you?
Or maybe you have Aston Martin lust? Certainly, doing a Sean Connery and Ursula Andress impression up and down Pike’s Peak in a DB6 sounds attractive, to say the least. This example in a 1970 car, so it is a late DB6, which was being superseded by the Aston Martin DBS, which became the V8 when the new V8 engine was fitted.
As it happens, these were not quite as fast or a good to drive as Sean Connery’s exploits might have suggested, but the craftsmanship was definitely there, and now so is the value.
The other car in the shots is a 1953 Jaguar XK120 fixed head, one of three XK sports cars on the rally, and a car with genuine long distance rally credentials, though 10,000 miles would have been a very long one back in the early 1950s
And the fourth choice, from a marque rarely seen on CC, the Ferrari 330GT, in this case a 1964 Series 1 2+2 version. This is (no surprise) a front engined V12 grand tourer, with a 4.0 litre engine, hence 330cc per cylinder giving the model name. The first series of cars were identified as the 330 America, which may have been clue to its intended market, but the Series 1 cars had a 2 inch longer wheelbase and heavily reworked Pininfarina styling.
Amongst the other cars not covered by these photographs were a 1972 Bristol 411, a 1965 Mercedes 300SE Cabriolet and a selection of Austin-Healey 3000 sports cars. If you can’t make friends in cars like these….
So, what would you take for this rally? Pre-1970, production standard?
God, it would be fun to do this in a D-series Citroen, or a ponton Mercedes 220.
Wow, I am impressed by the bravery of these people, who will take some very old, very expensive, very European cars and drive them 10,000 miles in a country that will not likely be very hospitable for replacement parts. Bravo!
That said, what a thrill it would be to see these cars at some point along the scenic route. Gene looks to have found a prime spot for spotting some beautiful and rare stuff.
Me? Tough choice. The thought of damaging something rare and expensive would take away from the enjoyment of the event for me. I would also want something reasonably comfortable as well as mechanically simple and robust. I’m thinking either a Fluid Drive Mopar from the late 40s or a Studebaker Hawk.
Stunning rides all. I love to converse withj the support crew that follows them. I’m sure they also have a few goods stories.
My choices would be either something Italian bodied with a Chrysler plant, a 67 LeSabre coupe or an XKE.
The Lancia Aurelia B20 I missed out on in 1964. Home in Evansville IN after discharge, saw it on the college campus. Drooled all over it. Back up to Anchorage, living on abt $40/wk in a basement room, splurged on latest R&T and there it was in the classifieds for $1500. My brother at least got to drive it and was as close to speechless as he’s ever been … That would be a very fine car for a trip such as this. Well made, reliable, comfortable, good performance and splendid handling.
All such wonderful choices.
If you press me, here’s what I’d say:
English: Jaguar XK-150 fixed head coupe
German: Any variety of Mercedes
American: 1960, 1961, 1963, or 1967 Ford Galaxie
There’s lots more I’ll think of, but these brave folks are to be applauded.
And cars do aid in making friends – I’ve met all sorts of great people (in person and virtually) through CC I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
While I am a rabid Nash/Hudson/AMC (until 1970) and Ford guy, I would drive either a 1963 Buick Riviera or a 1965 Corvair Corsa turbocharged flat-six convertible. Both are unusual for American vehicles, and worthy competition to the rarified European marques in the event. If I had had to choose a European marque, I’d go with an Alvis.
The Riv would be my first choice, too. It would cover this route without even breathing hard. Much respect to these guys for doing it in these rare and valuable cars, though.
Would be fun to participate with an MGB or MGB GT. A bit slow, but so much fun????????
+1. The B GT would be a perfect choice, as far as I’m concerned. I know it’s not as exotic or impressive as the featured cars, but for a vintage tourer it’s got just the right mix of comfort, efficiency, economy and (relative) reliability to make this trip interesting and fun.
Get an early to mid 70’s MGB-GT with the Rover V8 (I saw several in the UK in it’s day). If I’m not mistaken that V8 weighed less than the MG I4. That would take care of the slow part.
I see these road rallies advertised in Octane magazine and other British Classic Car magazines. Besides North America, there is Asia, Africa, South America, and all over Europe. Even Paris to Peking! These appear to be high dollar operations, but it is evident that these cars are well prepared and the drivers are enthusiastic, hardy drivers. The owners of these cars are not afraid to drive these cars hard. Try to get the average immaculate muscle car owner to take a long trip in their car! There’s nothing to stop us regular guys from staging our own low buck rallies: The great Beater Challenge for example. On a U.S. trip like this I would choose a 1949-53 Cadillac sedan.These earlier Cadillacs were great road cars without the extra length and bulk of the “Big Fin” era. Think Pan American Highway Race cars. Both Cadillac and Lincoln were very competitive in this race. One of my dreams is to take a trip to Canada up the coast of California, Oregon,and Washington in a model T. Dreaming first, planning, educating myself about these cars, then hopefully moving on to the actual trip in a year of two!
Agree entirely with your take on these grand tours, Jose. By definition they must be high dollar events, but that doesn’t detract from their sheer audacity or fun. BTW, my brief conversation with the owner of the Ferrari could not have been more enjoyable. Our mutual interest in interesting cars transcended any difference in our stations in life.
And while the event from last year described in the following link doesn’t exactly follow your Model “T” itinerary, you might remember it….
http://blog.caranddriver.com/road-trip-century-drivers-to-retrace-edsel-fords-1915-cross-country-journey-in-model-t/
If I were looking for a domestic car to drive in this rally it would be either a ’66-67 Toronado or Riviera or a ’67-68 Eldorado. Plenty of power, a comfortable ride and lots of creature comforts.
If I were looking for a European car to drive it would have to be either a ’69 MBZ 300SEL 6.3 or a Fiat Dino. With the Mercedes, you’ve again got loads of power and some nice creature comforts. But that Fiat Dino is sooooo good looking and surely it’s a kick to drive.
Man, that Bentley sure is beautiful.
Exclusive pre-1970 car would I take to cross the American continent:
American: Definitely an orphan. 1956 Packard Patrician or (let’s go nuts) a Tucker.
British: Bristol 409 or 410. Something that can be fixed easily if it breaks down.
French: Facel-Vega Facel II — see above for main reason.
Italian: Iso Rivolta IR300 — same reason yet again.
German: Mercedes-Benz 300S (W188) coupe. Or perhaps a Glas V8…
Japanese: Toyota Century VG20
Other: Monteverdi 375 S (no Eastern European car should attempt anything like this on the other side of the pond, so I’ll forsake my avatar…)
Sure is, innit? Absolutely my favorite postwar Bentley.
I’m thinking something exotic enough to hold its own in this crowd, reliable enough to do the trip in but different enough to stand out.
a 1930’s “senior’ Packard would fit that just nicely!
a once in a lifetime trip driving a once in a lifetime car
Thanx for pulling my photos out of the Cohort, Roger. What made this encounter even more enjoyable was the sheer serendipity of coming across these fine cars in this little Vermont village.
As an aside, these were the only participants in the rally that were at this location at the time I took these photos. And if you’re ever in Rochester, don’t miss breakfast or lunch at the Rochester Café. Homemade soups and great sandwiches served on homemade bread at real reasonable prices! 😀
http://rochestercafe.com/breakfast-menu/
http://rochestercafe.com/lunch-menu/
Gene, thanks for putting them up in the Cohort. Rochester looks like a neat place for some really cool cars
1968 Mercedes 280SE. Classy enough to hang with any crowd, comfortable and quick enough for driving to not be a chore, yet common and straightforward enough to probably not become a major nightmare somewhere in the middle of Arkansas.
A ’67 Cadillac Eldorado/Buick Riviera or Maserati Ghibli/Iso Grifo would be just the ticket.
1969 Jensen Interceptor
Lamborghini Miura
AC 428
Iso Grifo
Chrysler 300D
Ford GT40