When Paul mentioned a CC Meetup in Nashville, Tennessee, Mrs. Jason was able to put my biggest uncertainty to rest. It was her recommendation I take the Galaxie.
After my last real road trip just over a year ago to Tupelo, Mississippi, and the resultant suicide of my water pump, I was a bit hesitant. But life is short and I should have more fun with my car. So I aired up the tires, grabbed my spare parts and tools, and got fresh gasoline. That was pretty much the extent of my preparation. Sometimes throwing caution to the wind is somewhat uplifting.
Well, I did also buff the paint on the horizontal surfaces. With the car having been repainted in 1990, I didn’t want to be hasty and opted to wait until the paint was good and dry. It still doesn’t look great, but it is smoother to the touch and water will now bead on the surface. You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.
The route from Jefferson City to Nashville is just over 440 miles. This is the route I took.
For those outside the United States, here’s a more macroscopic view of my 440 mile drive.
The weather had been nice and warm leading up to my departure on June 18 – it had only been 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 degrees C) the day before I left. Wanting to avoid the heat, I backed out of my garage at 5:55 am. It worked out beautifully for hitting rush hour in the St. Louis area.
The old Galaxie was generally at or just above her sweet spot on the interstate at 70 to 75 mph. An online calculator reveals that for its gearing and tire size my engine speed is right at 2,000 rpm at 70 mph, an engine speed quite atypical of many 1960s era cars traveling this velocity. Despite this low engine speed, she just seems happiest at around 65 to 70 mph – or maybe its just me noticing new rattles at speeds exceeding 70 mph, primarily the one that sounded life a muffled alarm clock.
Thankfully the weather was still a cool 70 F (21.1 C) when I left. Having only the floor vents and wing window open for several hours, there were a few times I was almost chilled from the temperature of the incoming air. Perhaps I’m warm natured, but if I was moving I never got hot. Of course, I did drink 96 ounces (2.84 liters) of fluids on the way down.
St. Louis traffic was the typical rush hour I’ve experienced in most cities, where speeds yo-yo for a while with the typical summertime construction throwing a spitball at consistent progress. Therein lies my most memorable time of all.
I was hanging out in the slow lane, keeping up with traffic, seeing no need to slug it out with the cars in the other lanes. As I’m percolating along, with four filled to capacity lanes to the left of me and a concrete jersey barrier to the right, the Impala in front of me is suddenly on its brakes so hard the front bumper is nearly touching the ground.
Have you ever had multiple thoughts, all perfectly formed, blast through your mind in about three microseconds? I did. And, as I stood on the brake pedal to activate the four drum brakes in my nearly two ton chariot, all I could think of is the old comedian’s line of “in a time like this, if you say it, you’re likely to do it.” While I did say it, that was all that happened.
I keep this poor man’s console in the seat next to me. It’s great for holding my drink, my camera, my insurance card, my phone, and other miscellaneous items, such as my mini-flashlights. I spent all of about $5 for the materials and it works like a charm.
Yet, as I’m standing on the brakes, its momentum propels it onto the floor. Of course it falls onto the driver’s side of the transmission hump. The floor is suddenly covered with everything my console contained and it’s all around my feet. Quickly grabbing first gear, I take off again.
I have very little throttle. Why?
As seen in this dramatic recreation, one of my flashlights has jammed itself under the accelerator pedal. As I’m slooooooowwwwllllyyyy taking off, feeling like I’m backing up St. Louis traffic the 230 miles to Kansas City, I calmly look for an interchange. This event happened on I-64 just west of I-270 – nearly two miles later Spoede Road appears, the first interchange I can access. A quick stop allows for removal of the mischievous flashlight.
The rest of the trip was uneventful in regards such as this. And my drum brakes worked fabulously for this panic stop.
As I had left early, and wasn’t picking up Paul at the Nashville airport until 3:45 Central Time, I figured I could make an occasional stop and still stay at or just below the speed limit. Thankfully I-57 in southern Illinois has a bit more varied scenery than it does in northern Illinois. I also grew up in this area, meaning there wasn’t anything new for me to see. But it’s always good to see old friends.
Such as Superman. The town of Metropolis, Illinois, has developed quite the cottage industry in having the same name as Superman’s city of residence.
While there is a slight difference in population (Metropolis, Illinois has a population of around 6,600 people) that hasn’t stopped this Superman from being placed on the lawn of the Massac County Courthouse.
It seemed appropro; Superman and a super car. Or that’s my opinion, anyway.
Leaving Metropolis, I crossed the Ohio River on I-24, heading for Paducah, Kentucky. While it was only about fifteen minutes away, I wanted to make another stop.
White Haven is the Welcome Center to the State of Kentucky. A old mansion in Paducah, it was converted into a rest area by the state in 1983. It’s quite an impressive house.
It’s also where my alter ego Louis Broderick incinerated a few bad apples in the parking lot.
The rest of my trip to Nashville was completely uneventful. Deciding to stop for fuel just west of Nashville, at the end of the exit ramp I found myself behind a Chevrolet pickup that had been purchased at the Chevrolet dealer here in Jefferson City. Since it was so far from home, I approached the passenger after they stopped at the same station, asking if they lived in Jefferson City. I learned they live a half-hour north of me, but the wife was unbelievably rude. Oh well.
A Previa, the official taxi of Eugene, found in Nashville
Paul’s plane was due to arrive at 3:45 and I arrived at the terminal around 3:35. Figuring I had arrived early, I aimed for a short term parking spot in the terminal. The pickup area was covered and quite dark with my eyes adjusted to the sunny outside. Thankfully, I quickly spotted Paul and his broad grin. Cutting in front of a Chrysler minivan, I pull up curbside for him. The timing was great – he had got off his plane and had been waiting all of three minutes. Quite a good sign of things to come.
That night we visited the Frist Center for Visual Arts where we got to see all kinds of good things, such as one of the few remaining Chrysler Turbine cars. This is the second one I’ve seen.
There was also this 1952 Lancia. It’s easy to see where GM got their inspiration of the rear of the 1970s era Cadillac Eldorado.
Saturday we attended the Lane Motor Museum. It defies simple description. Doing it justice is tough to do in only one article. Sensory overload was the theme for the day.
Discovering the joys of second gear overdrive
Sunday morning was like awakening with a hangover, such was the onslaught of overwhelmingly wonderful cars at the Lane. After breakfast and a spin in the Galaxie with Paul and JPC, I fired up the Galaxie for my trip back.
Taking Briley Parkway past the Grand Ole Opry, I continued toward I-24 West. Soon after JPC passed me, he veered toward I-65 while I exited for I-24. As soon as I exited I saw this blue Cadillac Eldorado convertible in the distance. With all the successful musicians coming from Nashville, seeing this Eldorado seemed natural for some reason, like seeing a time warp from forty years ago.
I followed this Cadillac to almost the Kentucky State Line.
With the interstate boring me to tears, and having decided to take a detour on the way back, I exited the interstate at Cadiz, Kentucky. I took US 68 west for some different scenery. It was a wise choice.
A few miles after getting on US 68, the old Galaxie just seemed to be happier. Being on a two-lane road is simply more her thing. She is a long-legged cruiser, but two-lane roads are her true love.
She loved the cruise along US 68 as its two lanes took us through the Land Between The Lakes National Recreational Area. Sitting between Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake, it was designated as a national recreation area by President Kennedy in 1963. Originally managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, an entity created in 1933 that has 29 hydroelectric dams in multiple states, Land Between The Lakes is now operated by the United States Forest Service.
This area was originally formed by the narrow gap between the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.
It’s a great drive with a new bridge being built on the east side.
The bridge on the west side has been recently completed.
Going this way proved to be highly scenic – and fruitful. How so?
This 1949 Plymouth was within eyeshot of…
This 1950 Chevrolet.
In Aurora, Kentucky, I spotted this 1963 Ford.
They make quite the pair, do they not? Both have manual transmissions.
My true intent in going this way was to visit my maternal grandparents. I realize I’m quite fortunate to be forty-three years old and still have three living grandparents. However, as I told Paul and JPC, things have worked in my favor as I’m the firstborn of two firstborns and there is longevity in my family. Knowing these opportunities won’t last forever, I aimed for just south of Scott City, Missouri to visit “Iris” and “Albert”.
For whatever reason, I wanted pictures of the Scott County Courthouse where Mrs. Jason and I obtained our marriage license many moons ago.
I’ve written about my maternal grandparents numerous times but it was only during my early days of being involved with CC. I’ve hesitated about writing more as I was concerned my presentations of them could be construed in a negative light which has never been the intent. Both are quite comfortable with who they are and are quite wise in the ways of the world, even with contemporary times being so vastly different than when they came of age in the Great Depression. They also tend to be outspoken, but not in an off-putting manner.
They are like two sides of the same coin, so alike yet so different, which could explain their seventy year marriage.
My grandfather, now 92, suffers only from high blood pressure and mild loss of eyesight. My grandmother, at 89, has a pacemaker and has become quite hard of hearing. Both are as mentally sharp as ever, do not have the shaky voices many elderly people acquire, and Grandpa has a record of accurately predicting the course of both family and political events. I suspect a good portion of their mental acuity can be attributed to their constant (and good natured) verbal jousting.
As I parked the Galaxie in the driveway, my grandmother stepped out the back door to greet me – which is exactly what she has done for as long as I can remember. I suddenly felt five years old again and rather enjoyed it.
Stepping into the house, Grandpa looked out the window. “Oh, I see you drove that car again. Isn’t it the one with the bad water pump? I just told your dad I wouldn’t trust that son of a bitch to go into town.” That’s his way of saying he was impressed with what I was doing.
We talked about a whole host of things, from family to politics to my genetically arthritic hands to nighttime urination. The last item was a source of contention between them during my last visit. It seems plastic coffee cans make wonderful chamber pots since metal ones rust quickly. Grandma is not fond of this repurposing of household items; I got this impression during my last visit upon Grandpa walking outside and Grandma muttering “him and his damn piss buckets. If he sees a coffee can all he wants to do is piss in it.”
Grandpa asked me how old I am. When I disclosed the magic number, his comment was pure him. “Damn, Jason, you’re getting old.” He then waxed philosophical.
“People talk about the ‘golden years’. That’s bullshit. There is nothing golden about them. Growing old isn’t easy and not for the faint of heart. I’m 92, but people seem to forget I’m a grown adult. I’ve had to get a little bullheaded lately.”
“Uh, Grandpa,” I said, “you’ve always been bullheaded.”
“Yeah, I know but I’ve had to step it up a notch since everyone keeps wanting to tell me what to do. Maybe I don’t want to do what they are telling me – it’s still my life. I’ve lived a long life and know what I do and don’t want. I get tired of being old equating to being stupid – most forget that maybe a person might be tired of living and I’ve seen that many times. I’ll make my own decisions. I’ve been supporting myself since I was thirteen years old, so I know what works best for me and I’ll know when I can no longer do things for myself. Growing old is full of indignity. Nobody should have the rest of their dignity taken away by constantly being told what to do.”
The next morning drove this point home. Grandma asked me how I wanted my eggs and what I wanted to drink. Keeping on task, she turned away as I was answering her. Grandpa was standing nearby and called my name. Shaking his head, he said “Jason, she can’t hear you.” Losing the ability to interact with others in the manner you’ve always done is but a single assault on one’s dignity.
I thought about this a lot for my drive home. It was another reminder to enjoy the moment as today is in the midst of the good old days.
This trip also allowed me to revisit the good old days from nearly two decades ago and enjoy the landscape. It changes considerably between Scott City and Jefferson City.
The segment of US 61 I drove toward Ste. Genevieve runs parallel to the Mississippi River and has nice rolling terrain.
Ste. Genevieve was founded in 1735 and is the oldest European settlement in Missouri (plus I suspect several other states). Sitting on the Mississippi River, the oldest buildings in town, such as the Jean-Baptiste Valle house, were built during Spanish rule in the late 1700’s and are built in what has been described as a French Creole Colonial style.
Robert Moore, a Ste. Genevieve native, founded the small town of Linn City, a now extinct town in Clackamas County, Oregon. The Pacific Northwest influence sure seems to permeate so many things at CC!
Continuing further west and north, there are the old lead mines near Farmington and Park Hills.
Continuing on two-lane highways, the scenery changed again as seen here between Steelville and Cuba. The red on the road is granite.
It changes again by the time one is between Linn and Jefferson City.
This was a great trip, with a number of key observations about life, other people, and traveling in an old car.
Observation One: People in pickups tend to be more appreciative of old cars. Be it the body builder in the tank top driving a Tahoe near St. Louis, the young guys just north of Nashville in the Dodge Ram from Massachusetts, or the guy in the backseat of the Toyota Tundra who hung his top half out the window, driving the Ford generated an abundance of thumbs-up signals from those in pickups.
Observation Two: Driving an old car like the Galaxie keeps one engaged. I had no radio, no air-conditioning, and only my thoughts to keep me company. I was mentally alert the entire time. Conversely, the day after I returned I made a 150 mile trip in the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado I am assigned at work. With air, a radio, and not having to think about what gear I’m in, it is literally a point-and-shoot experience. I was drowsy within fifty miles. This is not a good thing and it makes me wonder if driving while drowsy can be attributed to vehicles currently being produced having a rather uninvolved driving experience.
Observation Three: Concrete produces louder tire noise than does asphalt. Truck tires are really loud on concrete (especially when there are flat spots on the trailer tires) with compact cars being a close second. The “monster truck” pickups that so many people gripe about were some of the quietest. With the window down, and these tires just a few feet away, it is easy to discern patterns of tire noise.
Observation Four: Old cars don’t necessarily get crummy fuel mileage. When on the road, I consistently realized 18 to 19 miles per gallon, which is very good for what this car is. Overdrive helps, as does keeping my foot out of the throttle. Driving around town or jamming the accelerator, such as when I had to blast through a rough gore point at an interchange when Paul and JPC were aboard, does take a toll at the pumps.
Observation Five: Everybody needs to make a trip (or holiday) like this, even if it’s with a friend. It is an experience that I still don’t believe has been adequately described in just over 3,000 words.
Observation Six: This trip was 1,029.5 miles. While I’m in no hurry to make a similar trip, I will eagerly do so again.
This road trip happened without drama and without incident, prompting me to think about things ranging from tire noise to life itself. For that, I am quite thankful.
What a nice story to read! I had no idea how much I would have enjoyed such a trip until I started to read everything you and Paul have written about it. Maybe next time…
Plus that Lancia/Eldorado connection is very cool! And of course any manual transmission car is cool in my book, especially a column shift. Still on my list for the future!
Nice job, Jason, on your travelogue and your successful trip. When I was 18, I’d drive my Mustang 500 miles in a day, no problem. Now, I pack a crapload of tools and worry about it the whole time. Getting old, indeed. 🙂
Your Galaxie makes me want one of my own. Dad drove a powder blue ’63 convertible with a 352 when he was a kid, and I saw this one last week at Motor Muster.
I also saw a nice Galaxie at a car show last weekend — this one a ’62. I couldn’t make it to the Lane, but at least I was able to go to some sort of car event!
That convertible is even the right color, too!
Despite my lackadaisical attitude about preparation, I did still check the oil and coolant levels in a fanatical manner. I can only be so lax before being anal about things.
Thank you for this wonderful story of travels with an old Ford. Sounds like the perfect experience–no mechanical trouble and ample time to enjoy its charms and quirks. My initial thought was that I’d never want to drive that far without at least a radio for “auditory company” but it’s interesting that you mention you’re more engaged in the drive without it. Maybe the next time I’m feeling a bit drowsy behind the wheel I’ll turn the tunes off rather than up and see what happens…
And that ’52 Lancia *really* does resemble the tail treatment of the 70’s Eldorados; my first thought upon seeing that photo was that it looked like what you’d get if you cross-bred a 70’s Eldorado with a Karmann Ghia. Fitting that you encountered one later on! I think “yours” is a ’73 and the resemblance is quite close, even closer starting the next year when the fender tips gained full-height bladed chrome caps like the Lancia.
What a wonderful story, especially with you seeing the grandparents.
I went to school at UIUC, and that Chicago-Champaign trip on I-57 has to be one of all time worst drives ever. It’s 150 miles of absolutely nothing.
In talking about I-57 north of, say, Springfield, I did almost state it’s like driving on a treadmill. A painful drive.
Congrats on an excellent road trip, thanks for sharing!
Your Ford looks, and reads like a sweet old gal
Another great write up Jason, glad you and the Galaxie made it safely. Not that I had any doubts, I know who made that car 🙂
Another great story Jason, and as always I appreciate the family connections you weave in. You are lucky, my own Grandparents have all been gone more than 20 years.
I wonder what some folks think being passed by a sizeable 1963 Ford doing an effortless 75mph.
There were a few surprised faces; when I passed the blue Eldorado, he was the only person in a car to give me a thumbs-up.
Great travelog , love the bits of history .
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I just took a two day road trip with SWMBO and I also elected to take secondary roads much of the time .
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For those who are always saying ” some day ” , DO IT NOW ! . I’ve been on the open road as much as I could my entire life and these days I’m beginning to suffer serious pains that hinder the fun aspect of touring the back roads .
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-Nate
A nice easy read about a nice easy trip, thanks Jason. I must say I’m stunned by the rear end shot of that 1952 Lancia. I guessed it was some custom job with an 80s Caddy rear end grafted on to another car.
To me it looks more like a 80-92 Brougham than an Eldo. I thought it was just the natural morphing of forms starting with the ’67 Cadillac vertical lights, where through trial and error the designers finally arrived at perfection.
But I bet shots of that Lancia were there in the studio on the wall when they were forming the clays. It’s all there — the long flat upper line of the fender, the angle and shape of the fins, the straight-across bumper between the lights and shape of the deck lid.
It’s like they had been copying it for years and then said “hey this is going to be our last full-sized car let’s lift it completely no one will know.” Now we do 🙂
Like your Grandparents outlook on aging. Having to help my aging parents through their final years (Mom passed at 81 with Alzheimers and Dad at 90 from stroke) really changed my outlook on aging. I just turned 60. They needed assisted living the last few years, luckily I was able to manage their finances by renting out their paid for house which covered half the monthly fee along with VA benefits that covered the other half of the assisted living home fees.
Biggest complaint from elderly is being talked to and treated like a child. I’m an adult, dammit! Talk to me like one.
My old ’70 C10 had a floor hinged gas pedal. The bottom of it was attached to ball sockets. My original pedal cracked and would no longer stay attached to the sockets. I bought a new pedal, for years I just drove without pedal and used the hanging rod that it slid on.
Not long after I replaced the pedal and the 3 speed column shift transmission with a 4 on floor Saginaw conversion, I was leaving work and the battery died. I was heading into the shop to get the jumper battery, a co worker convinced me to just have him push and pop the clutch instead. I was between 2 cars, but had enough room to start it in reverse. He pushed it backwards, I popped the clutch and floored the pedal. It started and spun the tires and launched towards a VW Bus behind me. I only had time to knock the shifter out of gear without clutch and stood on the brakes. I missed the Bus by a few inches, and then turned off the ignition as the engine roared full throttle. One of the ball studs had snapped it’s head off, and the gas pedal twisted and jammed to the floor.
Removing the pedal and driving without it as I had for years before was how I drove it after that. I could of replaced the ball stud, but never trusted the pedal after that. The reverse gear shattered in the almost newly rebuilt transmission from this, It turned into another $400.00 rebuild (in 1986) for the transmission, but at least I avoided ramming the parked car. I noticed in ’71 the C10’s came with a top pivot hanging pedal, I understand why!
Nice write up, glad the old Ford ran flawlessly. The picture with the Galaxie parked next to it’s law enforcement twin is great, what a lucky find!
Here’s another shot of the twins for you…
Did you ever get to talk to the other Galaxie’s owner? The ’63 Galaxie just has the quintessential old cop car look to it.
Great write up, Jason. I enjoyed it a lot. That old bridge in one of your pictures looks like the same one your alter ego Louis Broderick went across in one of stories of “The Passenger” serial.
Oh, and of the CC affect… I live on a dead end cul-de-sac… I was outside on the weekend you all did this washing up the Mustang when I heard the burble of a 352 coming down my street, and turned to see a ’63 Ford going down to the end and up the shared driveway of the houses at the end and disappear. I walked down to get a closer look at the turquoise colored ’63 Ford. It had no badging, but appeared to be a custom, or some other lesser model than yours. And it had that patina you guys all love, the one of a daily driver, rather than a car show queen. I wished I’ve taken pictures, or got to talk to the owner. I’m in Maryland, and this car had PA tags. Perhaps he’ll visit again, and I’ll get some pics to share. When I saw the car, I thought immediately of your road trip and hoped it was going well. I’m glad it was a safe trip for you.
Sadly, the other Galaxie was an advertising prop for an ice cream shop alongside the road. The car looked great and had current plates, so with any luck the owner commutes in it. There were no signs of it having sat there for an extended period.
Since I had stopped, I opted to get a drink (only 54 ounces consumed in the 3.5 hours to get to my grandparents house). The waitress had noticed the twins and asked if I was going to paint mine the same. Uh, no, I’m not, thank you.
It sounds really bad and thinking inside the box, but if I ever get another old car, I’ve contemplated getting a ’63 Galaxie convertible. How bad is that?
Not bad at all, and I totally get it. My Mustang is a coupe, but I always look at the convertibles. In fact, although my very first car was a full size Ford 10 years newer than yours (a ’73 LTD 2 door hard top), if I were waxing nostalgically for a big old Ford like my first car, the ’72 LTD Convertible is the one for which I lusted back in my Brougham days… There was something about a road trip in a big comfy car like that. Although I am quite sure your 352 sounds way better than my anti-smog choked 351 ever did. ;o)
What a great write up and a fine car. Thanks!
Your second observation is what I really like about driving a vintage car – and the styling, if I’m being honest.
The twin ’63 Fords shot is a great one. I love parking next to other old Fords whenever I can. and I try to snap a pic when I do.
Nice looking ’65, Chuck!
Perhaps, my bad… Did you mean the Ford Pickup? Because if so, I am going to guess ’69 for the that one. Of course, I don’t know the trucks as good as I know my ‘stangs. ;o)
That’s my truck hitting on a gal whose a little out of his league.
It’s a ’68. Wanted a ’67, but this was too good to pass up so I’ll retrofit it with ’67 trim.
Nice truck Chuck. I have a 71 Camper Special myself.
Check out the Fixem Your Way 67-72 F100 facebook page sometime.
Jason, this really makes me want to climb in the car and take a trip. Now.
I’m so glad to hear that the trip went smoothly and enjoyably for you – I was thinking about your journey a lot last weekend, hoping it was going well. I loved reading this write-up.
I’ll restrict my comments to just one item: Your run-in with the rude Jeff City woman. The summer before my wife and I were married, we drove to visit her family in Missouri. I’d been to the Show-Me State twice before, but just briefly, and my future wife’s stories about her home state made it seem idyllic – less stressful than the East Coast, with nice people and a reasonable cost of living. Her stories made it seem like the Promised Land, especially with the nice people.
When we first reached Missouri, we stopped at the Welcome Center near St. Louis. I went inside, and the woman behind the counter snapped: “Whaddya WANT? We close in 5 minutes!” I said I was just looking around, and she quickly replied “OK, but hurry up!” Gee… with a reception like that, I’d swear I was back in my own home town of Philadelphia. My wife and I still laugh about that interaction: My first real welcome to Missouri.
But despite that, I’ve grown to like Missouri almost as much as she does.
Again, thanks for sharing your road trip stories here.
Sometimes, no matter how relaxed an area, rude still manages to bubble to the top much like a turd in a cesspool. It’s unfortunate.
Plus, Monroe City is a wee bit removed from St. Louis!
It’s good to remember that rude people are never happy and they’re simply jealous of your contentment .
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-Nate
I read this last night, and loved every word, even though I already heard some of it beforehand. Jason is a gifted story teller.
Yes, that Lancia was a revelation when I walked in that room and saw its tail. Pininfarina said that the inspiration came from a trip in the Alps, where he saw snow that had been carved by the wind. That’s where real original inspiration comes from: observation of nature.
Thank you.
Jason, A wonderful story in so many ways. You made me smile many times, but especially feeling 5 years old once you were in the home of your maternal grand parents. How wonderful to still have them here at ages 92 and 89.
I loved the left handed compliment that you described so well after hearing your grandfather say “I just told your dad I wouldn’t trust that son of a bitch to go into town.”
As you said, there are the good old days.
Fat fingered the last line above. It should say:
“As you said, these are the good old days.”
Jason great write up – you are spot on with the whole being more engaged in an old car – my ’70 F100 3 on the tree, no power anything keeps me totally engaged, along with the ever-present risk of mechanical breakdown.
What fun to have everyone in Nashville to discuss cars, culture, related interests!
Another enjoyable read.
I so much want to do a road trip south of the border. Sigh…
Lately I’ve been watching “The Andy Griffith Show” reruns and man…there are so many great old Fords in those episodes like those featured in this story. Simpler times and great memories.
Andy Griffith was apparently a Ford fan, later on in Matlock he drove 3 different generations of Crown Vic
I contribute the failure of Mayberry RFD to one simple phrase… “Automobiles furnished by Chrysler Corporation”. LOL
What a great opportunity, to take a solo drive through some picturesque countryside. I’m a bit jealous, actually. My own most recent road trip was from Daytona Beach, FL to Brooklyn, NY, and was completed in 4 days there and back. I-95 is not at all scenic, and the schedule allowed for absolutely no R&R. Upon returning home we vowed never to make that trip by car again. (Had we not needed to move several boxes of crap we’d have certainly flown, as it would have been cheaper and less stressful, ultimately.) Your recounting of this leisurely trip makes me pine for a nice slow scenic jaunt over a couple of days to someplace a bit more bucolic and serene than the destinations at either end of my last trip.
Visiting with the grandparents was a real bonus, obviously. I’m just 5 years older than you, and have only my maternal grandmother left. She recently moved into an assisted living facility at 92, and her faculties are fading fast. I visit at least monthly, but it’s never going to be like it was in years past. Reading about your grandmother coming out to greet you brought back vivid memories of frequent visits to my own grandparents’ house in NJ before my grandfather passed in 2004. There was an established protocol and order to those visits that I’m sad to realize is now gone forever. With him gone and her marginal remaining wits, the house sold a dozen years ago and the whole family now relocated out of the area those memories fade more each year. Surely having time alone with the open road after making that visit offered an opportunity for some great reflection. You’re very lucky to have the luxury of taking that time to savor all the inherent goodness of that trip and visit. Life does move far too quickly. There’s so much that I wish I’d been able to slow down and breathe in over the past 10 years or so, and it’s inspiring to read of someone who’s been able to do just that. That generation in particular is one that we’ll all be very much the poorer for losing. I’m quite sure that you’re very aware of how truly blessed you are. This was a wonderful read.
Awesome story. Your style of writing is entertaining and flows very nicely, with a warmth that makes the reader wish they could have been there. This story reminds me of the “On The Road With Charles Kuralt” segments that used to be on the CBS Evening News. Your grandparents sound like great people. Thanks for a great read.
Fascinating facts about Robert Moore, my hometown is West Linn, Oregon. West Linn is built on the site of Linn City, which washed away in a flood. Wasn’t expecting to see it mentioned here. This shot I took shows the old town site which is now a paper mill.
Outstanding story, pictures and illustrations! I laughed out loud at the flashlight under the accelerator – I was convinced that such things only happen to me. I’m happy that you and the Galaxie only suffered some stress.
I’m a sucker for a leisurely drive, state highways, and the kind of sights you took in. No wonder I look back fondly on the couple of summers I got to travel with my dad during his calls on customers – banks located in every small town in Nebraska. We took in our share of local culture ranging from museums, state parks to the local diners – man some of that food was good!
Those travels were around 1974, and his company cars were Olds Delta 88 Royales, a ’72 and a ’74. On a nice day, we probably looked like the opening sequence to the Newhart TV show when rolling into town.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOJaTmC4f7I&w=420&h=315%5D
You make me feel like a wimp for driving a car that is a mere 24 years old! Great story. As Paul said above, you’re a gifted storyteller, Mr. Shafer.
Jason, I loved the story and the photos, and I really loved your car. There’s just something about old Fords, isn’t there? Especially when you can shift the gears yourself.
Awesome write-up!! A memorable and thought-provoking read about a great trip! Thank you!
Always enjoy your stories Jason.
Sincere thanks for your time writing this up—a charming old car + road trip + museum + real life (relatives, aging, etc.). I’ve made a note to re-read it this evening.
I have a soft spot for the ’63 Ford, as my family had a one-off of sorts; Dad being in low-level FoMoCo management, he was eligible in ’64 to buy a ’63 Galaxie 500 “program car” for my Mom which had some “X”-prefix parts underhood ( = “experimental”). I suppose it was a mashup of 260 and 289 and maybe even Cali emissions stuff. The car was eventually passed down through the family in later years, and mechanics (even at dealerships) always seemed to report something not congruent with the shop manual.
Jason, I think of you as older than you are ’cause you write with a calm maturity that seems just-right to this member of the AARP-eligible set. If Paul ever convenes a gathering a little closer to me than Nashville (Twin Cities? Chicago? South Bend? Detroit? Chambana?), I’ll hope to get a chance to meet you.
[BTW, I enjoyed the “vintage” congested-traffic photo; perhaps 1976?]
I loved reading this story. My mother’s family was from the Paducah area and I have travelled on some of the roads you mentioned. Some many years ago and some more recently; just last summer my wife wanted to visit the quilt museum in Paducah and we made the side trip to “Metro” to see the Superman statue. There are times when taking the two lanes are necessary to maintain one’s sanity. My favorite photo was the one of you driving the Ford in second gear; seeing that dogleg shifter brought back some memories. I’m pretty sure that Ford used the same shift lever from the mid-fifties through the mid-sixties, at least.
Thank you.
Incidentally, that was Jim Cavanaugh driving. He had to experience the wonders of second overdrive.
mmmm Overdrive mmmm, me want and as luck would have it I found one actually two and my friend who owns them is having a clearout I just have to fix him on a price and the fun can begin, as usual the unit is from the wrong model car and will need to be altered to suit but I have the required parts so with a bit of luck low rpm cruising will be happening,
Drum brakes work fine dont they, for emergency stops they are fine its constant use like descending mountain passes where they dont shine hence why I went to discs on my old bomb I live in a flat area but leaving it is hilly in most directions other than south,
Great story and travelling in an old car is twice the fun of a new one and for me triple the noise and double the fuel costs but I love it.
I need to take a long trip in my old GMC, or better yet, in the ’64 Cutlass! I agree that one of the best ways to reflect on life is to take a solo cruise in your favorite ride, with the radio off of course!
Even though I had heard about some pieces of the first half of the trip, it was a delight to read about it. I will echo others that it is a great blessing to still have your grandparents with you, especially in such good health at their ages.
I have had a few cars that lacked radios, including my 59 Plymouth Fury that served as my daily driver in the late 70s. Truthfully, I never missed the radio. Even on trips, there was just something about the sound of the old-time 318 that was musical. And without cruise control, you were always watching your speed and working the gas pedal in response to the variations.
There was one view of your trip that you were not able to photograph, but I took care of that for you. ?
That is a terrific picture!
A story about the radio….
The Galaxie does have a radio but attempting to use it is rather futile. I did turn it on for a brief time soon after leaving my house Friday morning. Rolling past a very strong AM station yielded nothing but static, so I simply turned it off and continued on my merry way.
Getting that radio fixed might delight you in some ways.
When I owned my ’67 Galaxie for about a year in 1986, the original one speaker in the dash AM radio transported me back in time.
I had been driving cars with typical AM/FM stock stereos of ’70s and ’80s vintage for some time. Turning on the old Galaxie radio, there was a very distinct sound that I had not heard in more than 10 years. We had an AM oldies station at the time, so it really seemed like 1971 or so when driving that car.
Great shot. Makes it easier to”see” Jason tooling down the highway in his Galaxie, although his words paint a pretty clear picture.
I’m a big fan of your grandparents 🙂 . They simultaneously remind me of my parents and characters in a John Prine song.
Used to travel a lot but don’t so much anymore. The trips are harder but the biggest reason is the hassle getting someone to watch the animals while we are gone. We almost never use the radio as I am blessed to be married to someone I love passing time with. As I get older I find it is best to have another set of eyes in the car so thats an added benefit.
I can understand your grandparents frustration. My family recently helped me with some chores that would have been hard to accomplish by myself. I appreciated it but even 10 years ago I would have needed no help. It’s frustrating and humbling. Living past the age of physical competence has it’s drawbacks but it seems to beat the alternative.
I was born on the Ks/Mo border (Linn County, Ks) and that sure looks like some of my memories. We always liked the two lane blacktop experience best. Appreciate the opportunity to take the trip vicariously.
Thanks
What a great story!
We’ll be taking a long road trip in a few weeks. Mostly on 2 lane roads. Granted, it won’t be in a vintage car (unless an ’03 Buick LeSabre counts as “vintage”), but we’re both really looking forward to it. We’ll be driving from the Detroit area to the far western end of the upper peninsula of the state.
Sadly, since we’re both 60 now, it may be the last long trip we take by ourselves, camping.
You know Dan that 60 is the new 50!
Jason, thank you for this wonderful road trip account. Some pretty horrible things have been happening in the UK today, and this was exactly the escape that I needed.
Oh boy, when I see those pictures of Ste. Genevieve and you with your windows open in your old Galaxie I can only think of the Son Volt song:
“Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel. May the wind take your troubles away.”
“Switching it over to AM, searching for a purer sound”. One of my favorite songs, written by an under rated song writer, Jay Farrar.
Wonderful trip story… and yet another goad in my backside to make some time and get my VWs put back together before I’m too old to drive Route 66 with ’em.
I’m disappointed, however, that you didn’t stop at Country Classic Cars in Stauton! I keep meaning to plan one of my trips South so I get there during business hours, but it hasn’t worked out yet.
You also could have stopped off at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch.
You youngsters around here: this is how we *did* road trips back in the day (only usually on State routes, not interstate highways). Cruise control simply meant crossing your legs to use your left foot on the accelerator for a while so you could rest your right. I lamented often that my Vega had no vent windows (although it did have crotch vents that helped, a little).
Great story!
I’ve so been wanting to stop at Staunton, but it is on I-55. I wound up taking I-64 across to I-57 and never got that way. It’s on my “to do” list.
Thanks for sharing, I hope you are still driving the Galaxie when you are Albert’s age.
I couldn’t join you all at the Lane despite it only being 6 hours away from me because I was on a road trip with my teenage daughter. 1600 miles in 6 days from my home in upstate SC through the heartland to Michigan and back in my new ride (purchased with input from the soon to be driving teenage daughter, although I keep threatening to buy a Mercury Grand Marquis for her to learn in he he), a dark blue VW Golf.
Despite swearing off long drives last year when I finally got over my fear of flying that developed in my late 20’s, I needed a long road trip – it’s been a rough year and there is a certain healing effect that road trips bring. The Golf really is as much at home on the highway as it is in heavy city traffic. It just sits a bit too low for me after driving a right height Honda CRV for two years. We had a great time, saw some cool stuff, and are already planning for a trip to Niagara Falls next year.
Bravo! What a trip, and really well documented. Unlike yours, my Ford is only 26 years old, but it may well be 46 because every time I switch to it from a modern car… ANY modern car it’s like time travel. Your reflections on driving the old girl and then switching to a Chevy truck are spot on. Anything currently mass produced that I’ve piloted over the last few years – from a Sonata to an SS Camaro – has a numbing effortlessness to it that borders on boring either quickly or after a little while. There comes a point where you stop to catch yourself thinking that 80 mph just doesn’t feel fast or scary anymore, that a 0-60 in 5 seconds feels pretty mundane, etc. And then you just ask yourself: should it be that way? Have the cars become too controlled, too predictable, too isolated, too easy to use? Are they any different from a video game, except that it’s really you and the stakes are real lives, insurance, and expensive plastic? I think THAT, above everything, is the cost of progress made by the automotive industry over the last few decades. Nothing new with wheels feels really that engaging anymore, unless it’s a 600hp monster – but even that you can only properly unleash on a track, not in any kind of real life everyday driving scenario.
And then you switch to an old car, especially after not driving it for a few days or weeks, and it all makes sense. The speed is real. You feel it. If the chassis and the steering components are in good shape, 70 mph is fun. Heck, 65 mph is fun. Just cruising at 65 mph is suddenly fun again. It’s unthinkable today anymore, by modern standards. Plus, you can actually see through the A-pillars, you can stick your arm out the window without your shoulder contacting your earlobe, you have decent blind spot awareness without consulting cameras or having lane departure systems beep at you, etc. At some point the sucking out of the driving joy has to stop, but progress in automotive industry today clearly prioritizes safety over feeling good, turning humans into more and more technology dependent lemmings hopelessly out of touch with the essentially autonomous boxes they’re somehow still allowed to operate. For now, and within two lines, anyway. LOL, if that’s moving up…
Jason: Really enjoyed your travelogue write up and picture gallery. I concur with your statement about guys in pickup trucks giving you thumbs up! I also got a really loud shout out from a guy in a jeep! Just like you, I drove my Charger without a radio (the orignal AM only produces static), the A/C is currently non-functional, but I do have vent windows and a CROTCH vent!! Driving back I had all of the windows down. I’m SO glad that I opted to make this trip, although I only drove half as many miles as you did!! 🙂
Thank you; I’m also quite glad you made the trip. I’m jealous about the crotch vent. I may have one with the second vent, but there is so much debris inside I cannot move the lever.
I also saw the most amazing thing at the museum – this guy was either of a good height or the car was quite short.
“It is this high when the suspension pumps up!”
I always enjoy reading about your adventures with the Galaxie. My uncle had a ’64 Custom in a similar hue, but I’ve always preferred the ’63 Fords. Maybe it’s just a bias due to the fact that I was born in 1963. I don’t really have a bucket list, but I wouldn’t mind taking a road trip in a car that’s my age, and something like your Galaxie would be just the ticket. Here’s to many more miles and adventures in your fine machine.
Great read Jason. Encapsulates everything about long roadtrips in a classic. Used to do it annually myself – the sphincter would be tight for the first 100 or so kms then I would relax with whatever car I was driving performing on song. Only let down once in a 1972 Ford Fairmont – alternator problems that were soon fixed.
Best part for me, however, were the musings of your grandfather.
your alter ego “Louis Broderick” stories always give me a lift( b.t.w…aren’t we about due for another one? ) but I think I appreciate this one even more as it comes straight from the heart.
you also made me realize why I may enjoy driving my 97 grand Cherokee so much. it is a bit of an old school experience with the tire noise, point and hope steering etc. you do have to stay involved in the driving experience. this was also brought home recently when I borrowed a friends 2007 chevy equinox to do a 1000km run to take my son to his summer camp job as my jeep is dealing with a tempermental tranny. it was very pleasant and comfortable to drive but I did notice I zoned out a few times on the way which normally isn’t a problem with my silver buckboard express.
anyhow, thanks as always for your wonderful tales.
Love the story, and a nice car! Thumbs up!
Absolutely loved that story, Jason. I always look forward to your write-ups.
Fantastic journey – great photos, too!
I loved the picture of the old lead mines with the “new” version of your car – even looks like the same color! LOL
You made my day.
I wudda guestimated that, with the overdrive engaged, this car to be whisper quiet, calm & serene at 75 mph?
I wonder what final drive/rear axle ratio this OD equipped car has?
The 1962 Ford brochure says that the overdrive ratio with the 352 V8 is .72:1 and a 3.56:1 axle ratio. Transmission gear ratio’s are: 2.49, 1.59 and 1. to 1. The smaller engines (6 and 292 V8) are different (geared lower).
Without overdrive, other gear ratios are standard, but the axle ratios are the same. This is somewhat curious.
Chevrolet’s with overdrive in the early 60’s (1962) had a 3.70 axle ratio that replaced the 3.36:1 axle ratio.
The rear axle ratio is 3.50:1. At 75 the car is rather quiet; the noise is from, I suspect, a tire that is either slightly out of balance or a wheel that has mildly bent. At speeds below 75 you hear little other than the exhaust. However, its percentage of time at 75 is pretty small.
Thanks for the good read. I have a certain I Mother Earth song in my head right now and I’m wishing I was 20 something again with my longroof 510.
Oil change?
Check.
Air in the tires?
Check.
Money for gas?
Check.
Map of Canada?
Check.
We’re driving to Vancouver!
It’s just not as much fun in a modern car with a GPS talking at you.
While GPS is super convenient and far less likely to get you lost, there’s something I miss about traveling with a map.
And a navigator. Traveling by oneself with a map was always a PITA because trying to read the damn thing while driving was no fun! (Distracted driving, 80’s style…LOL)
Agreed ~
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I just got back from one road trip and am looking forward to the next one already…..
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I usually pore over a printed map before hitting the road then sometimes I use a GPS to keep an eye on where I’m at as I prefer those remote tiny back roads .
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-Nate
Thanks for the ride! That was fun seeing the Galaxie perform as intended.
Family wedding north of Perth WA, July 2017 – how far would that be from Melbourne, I wonder?
Internet says 3500km, about 2200 miles via Ballarat – Horsham – Nhill – Bordertown – Adelaide – Snowtown – Pt Pirie – Pt Augusta – Ceduna – Eucla – Norseman – Coolgardie – Perth. Do I dare?
Yes you do dare. 6.9 or 300. Decisions, decisions.
A friend did it years ago in a stang. Drove one way and put it on the train for the other.
“Internet says 3500km, about 2200 miles via Ballarat – Horsham – Nhill – Bordertown – Adelaide – Snowtown – Pt Pirie – Pt Augusta – Ceduna – Eucla – Norseman – Coolgardie – Perth. Do I dare?”.
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Of _course_ you dare ~ if not you need to consider selling it .
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-Nate
Remember,”Who dares, wins”; I’m pretty sure that’s the motto for the British SAS.
Or those of us who simply refuse to quit .
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Every so often I decide to cast off some vehicle I don’t enjoy driving , always at a dead loss .
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Why keep something you don’t enjoy using ? .
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-Nate
Yep. I did Adelaide-Perth solo in the Torana hatch in 2 and a bit days to relocate for work, loaded to the gunwales and no prep. Wouldn’t be nearly so brave now, but definitely one of those things that you just need to do. And probably take a leaf from Don’s mate, and only do it one way…the scenery is good, but not that good.
And my vote would be for the 6.9.
I love the pictures. No time to read this time, but your words are always insightful.
I enjoyed reading your ’63 Galaxie travel trip. I, too, am 43 and have an old Ford (it’s a ’64 Falcon). I have not been around old Chevys or Mopars. It’s not intentional, it’s just the way things have worked out to date. I know very little about them. I have, however, been around a number of 1960s Fords (mine included!). My observation of ’60s Fords: They want to work for you! They want to take you to the places you need to go. All they need is a willing driver! Your Galaxie looks pleased as punch going down the road. 🙂
I noticed your headliner was being held up with safety pins. I wish I’d have thought of that to keep mine together before it got so bad; it just hangs down . . . ack!
Finally had time to devote to reading the whole story properly Jason, and what a pleasure it was too. The car, the museum, the roads, the family…all beautifully and succinctly brought to life for us, thank you.
Love reading your Galaxie stories. I love the big Fords of the mid-60’s. Initially I thought the Galaxie would be my favorite part of your story, but your Grandparents stole the show.