When I say vintage, I mean vintage.
Five Austin Sevens, dating from 1929 to 1938, will be driven on the full length of Route 66 next month by members of the 750 Motor Club, based in Great Britain. These cars are similar to what Jack Rittenhouse drove when he was researching “A Guide Book to Route 66″ in 1946. Ken and Eileen Cooke are seen in a 1930 model above.
And it’s not even the longest trip this group has taken in those vehicles. Last year, they drove from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, and back — a distance of 3,500 miles. The photo below is from Chile during that trek.
Here’s their Route 66 itinerary:
- Sept. 3 — Chicago to Springfield, Ill. Stopping at Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center.
- Sept. 4 — Springfield, Ill., to Cuba, Mo. Stopping at Wagon Wheel Motel.
- Sept. 5 — Cuba, Mo., to Springfield, Mo. Stopping at Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven.
- Sept. 6 — Springfield, Mo., to Claremore, Okla. Stopping at Claremore Motor Inn.
- Sept. 7 — Rest day.
- Sept. 8 — Claremore, Okla., to Oklahoma City. Stopping at Carlyle Motel.
- Sept. 9 — Oklahoma City to Shamrock, Texas. Stopping at Irish Inn.
- Sept. 10 — Shamrock, Texas, to Tucumcari, N.M. Stopping at Blue Swallow Motel.
- Sept. 11 — Tucumcari, N.M., to Santa Fe. Stopping at Santa Fe Motel & Inn.
- Sept. 12 — Rest day.
- Sept. 13 — Santa Fe to Grants, N.M. Stopping at Days Inn.
- Sept. 14 — Grants, N.M., to Holbrook, Ariz. Stopping at Wigwam Motel.
- Sept. 15 — Holbrook, Ariz., to Williams, Ariz. Stopping at Route 66 Inn.
- Sept. 16 — Rest day includes train trip to Grand Canyon.
- Sept. 17 — Williams, Ariz., to Kingman, Ariz. Stopping at Hill Top Motel.
- Sept. 18 — Kingman, Ariz., to Las Vegas. Stopping at Circus Circus.
- Sept. 19 — Las Vegas to Needles, Calif. Stopping at River Valley Motor Lodge.
- Sept. 20 — Needles, Calif., to Barstow, Calif. Stopping at Route 66 Motel.
- Sept. 21 — Barstow, Calif., to Santa Monica.
That would be something to see. I just got back from a three week vacation in the UK, and they no doubt will love how much a pound will buy over here. By the time I would get through converting dollars to pounds over there, it was $2 to one pound. Plus, their gas was a pound a liter, so four pounds a gallon, $8 US.
Good luck on the trip.
I’ll be passing you on the 15th of September. I’ll be in a Red 1987 Chevy Blazer, CA plates. Look forward to seeing the Austin Sevens!
I’ll give you guys a beep as we pass. Enjoy the train ride (just don’t buy the package deal). There are plenty of nice hotels and resurants in town. Don’t forget to stop at the American Legion, lots of history there.
As an owner of a 1930 American Austin Coupe (CA 30 BABY) and a 1931 American Austin Roadster (CA 31 BABY), I will be glad to welcome any and all Austins on Route 66. I will be going to the 70th Infantry Division reunion (WW2 organization) in St. Louis during this period and hope to see you at the Wagon Wheel in Cuba MO. Bob Hall