Must-do classic car experiences

by Sam Barer

Driving a Lamborghini Miura has to be considered one of the all-time best automotive experiences

There are so many wonderful collector car experiences, that it would take multiple lifetimes to enjoy them all. From driving cars to attending events, each experience rewards in a unique way.

In the course of my work, (I know, something this fun shouldn’t be referred to as work,) I’ve enjoyed certain superlative automotive experiences. So, any of the following opportunities present themselves, take my advice and jump at them.

Launch a big block powered muscle car down the drag strip – Unless your day-job is Ringling Brother’s human cannonball, a full-throttle ride in a high performance big block car is the ultimate in face-bending acceleration. Mopar Hemi, big block Chevy and Ford Cobra-Jet can all launch you down the quarter mile so fast it will leave you speechless.

With the green light, floor the go-fast pedal and hold on for dear life as sledgehammer g-forces shove your body through the seat springs. The last time I took my ’69 big block Corvette down the track, it wasn’t until 120MPH that I remembered to breathe. At the end of the track, as the blood returns to your body’s front half, you’ll be amazed how something so fun can be 100 percent legal.

Lounge in the back seat of a Rolls Royce -- Some cars must be driven to fully enjoy, but in a classic Rolls Royce, it’s all about riding in style. While the chauffer grapples with wallowing Buick-like driving dynamics, you can drown yourself in the luscious leather seats while your feet rest on the deep wool carpets. Lower the service tray, open the center bar and enjoy a glass of sparkling water from fine crystal. One time, and only once, lower the window at the stoplight and ask the people riding in the next car if you can borrow some Grey Poupon.

Go to the vintage races – Attend a vintage race and see millions of dollars worth of gorgeous old cars run door-to-door at breakneck speeds. Inspect these European, Japanese and American racers in the paddock – and don’t forget to chat with the drivers. Nothing beats the engine sounds (don’t miss the roar of the big-bore V8s,) or the smell of hot Castor Oil mixing with burning rubber.

See classics at a concours d’elegance – Luxury vehicles of the Classic Era, such as Duesenberg, Delahaye, Packard and Bugatti, had build quality so amazing, they make Lexus look like Yugo. Go to a regional or national concours to witness in person the painstaking attention to detail built into these automobiles. Standing next to the graceful giants, you can fully appreciate the craftsmanship and design, as well as the lengths to which their owners have sought to preserve them. First gaze at the perfect body contours, then focus on the details: ornate light bezels, exquisite interior gauges, and hand assembled engines.

Stand in awe at the sheer excess engineered into the Depression-era cars, and then realize despite their size, many were capable of top speeds exceeding 100MPH.

Drive a classic twelve-cylinder Ferrari and Lamborghini – Few classic sports car marques evoke more passion than Ferrari and Lamborghini. Priced out of most people’s economic reach, it is a lucky person (like me) who gets the opportunity to experience life from the driver’s seat of these classic 12-cylinder exotics.

Ferrari is all about class, style and responsive performance. Arms out and knees bent, piloting a classic Prancing Horse provides satisfaction on many levels. Ferraris demand precision, and nowhere is it more apparent than in moving the long metal shifter through the exposed aluminum gate. Drive it correctly, and the car responds with wonderful feedback and a symphonic sound from the engine. Ferrari inspires confidence, with triple-digit speeds seeming perfectly safe and natural.

Explosive power, jaw-dropping looks and unpredictability are Lamborghini hallmarks. Turn the key and the engine snarls just inches behind your head. The Bull’s reigns require technical, yet deliberate motions. Give it fuel, and the engine emits the best sound ever created. Acceleration is amazing, and handling is otherworldly. Unlike Ferrari, you can’t afford to get overconfident -- the beast will give no warning before violently breaking away. After driving a Lamborghini you feel a sense of accomplishment.

Cruise to the drive-in With your main-squeeze sitting shotgun, eat in your vintage American cruiser at a drive-in restaurant and then head to a drive-in theater. Nostalgia makes the burgers taste better and the movies more entertaining. Relive the magical good old days at least once before all the drive-ins disappear.

Sam Barer writes for Apex, an Olympia, WA based freelance writing company. To submit a car for a future “Sound Classics” story, email soundclassics@apexstrategy.com

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