Touring Europe in pre-war car.

[BURNSIE]

Before kids I had the pleasure of touring Europe many times and loved it. Driving the targa florio route in an intergrale in 93. As well as an annual trips to le mans. And various other trips to Greece Spain Portugal. Now kids are all grown up and would like to tour Europe again but this time in something pre war or late 40s. Now haven't got a car as yet but looking at several options. Obviously realise it wont be the fastest or even most comfortable way of touring Europe but love the sense of adventure. So opinions sought as to a good idea or being totally stupid.

Edited by BURNSIE on Monday 22 July 21:11

Edited by BURNSIE on Monday 22 July 21:16

[GadgeS3C]

Have friends that do it most years at least once. Obviously helps to be mechanically competent and know the car but they often do club events where some have little fettling ability.

My cars aren't that old (70s) but still have the odd niggle.

I find it more fun with a small group of friends. Easier if you do have trouble - as long as you all get along. Fixing the inevitable issues is part of the holiday fun.

Do it!

Edited by GadgeS3C on Monday 22 July 22:27

[Nerdherder]

Epic plan!

Choice of vehicle comes down to the individual state of the vehicle with such an old car, your preferences plus technical abilities. Tell us a bit more please. Oh and budget is also quite relevant.

[Nerdherder]

Not knowing preferences etc, I’d choose a Traction Avant unless you can get your hands on something large like a Sunbeam or Rolls.

[RSTurboPaul]

I'm not sure if there's a forum for the entrants to the Flying Scotsman rally, which has a lot of pre-war stuff driving from the south of England (ish) to Scotland over the course of three or so days, but if there is, there might be some recommendations or advice available

https://www.endurorally.com/events/the-12th-flying...

(The Past Events link will have details of the cars used.)

[BURNSIE]

Thanks for the replies so far gents. Fairly competent with the spanners. As for which car I will need more research required. Two trains of thought. A car with spares aplenty eg Morris 10 Austin 8/10. Or something more powerful say rover p2/p3 just ideas really.

[tapkaJohnD]

Burnsie,
Not Pre-War, but have you heard of the Ten Countries Run? Organised by Club Triumph, it sends a hundred or more Post War Triumphs on a aroute that visits ten European countries, all in a long weekend. It takes place bi-annually alternating with the Round Britain Reliability Run (Londonish - John O'Groats - Lands End - London, 2000 miles in 48 hours) a useful rehearsal, and won a National Car Club Award in 2018: https://club.triumph.org.uk/menu/7935/item/597662/...

John

[davepen]

The Frazer Nash lot are just back from their Alpine Raid...

https://goodandfaithful.typepad.co.uk/good_and_fai...

We took the (A7) chummy on the LCES run to Dieppe a few years ago - crossed to Le Harve and breakfast in Etretat. Basically the same as a weekend in the UK, but a lot less traffic.

[Riley Blue]

tapkaJohnD said:

Burnsie,
Not Pre-War, but have you heard of the Ten Countries Run? Organised by Club Triumph, it sends a hundred or more Post War Triumphs on a aroute that visits ten European countries, all in a long weekend. It takes place bi-annually alternating with the Round Britain Reliability Run (Londonish - John O'Groats - Lands End - London, 2000 miles in 48 hours) a useful rehearsal, and won a National Car Club Award in 2018: https://club.triumph.org.uk/menu/7935/item/597662/...

John

I really like the idea of those tours (I drove LeJoG in my '63 Riley in May) but they seem very rushed e.g. 2000 miles in 48 hours is an average of over 40 mph - when do you eat, sleep etc?

[EW109]

I would unhesitatingly encourage it. Get something reasonably capable over long distances (and not, for example, an Austin 7).

Further thoughts:

1. Take spares. Lots of spares. Ditto tools.
2. Persuade someone else to drive a reliable modern to carry the spares, tools, etc.
3. Go with someone else with some idea about vintage cars so when it breaks down, you can at least squint at it thoughtfully in company.
4. If taking wife/ girlfriend, make sure to take picnic gear, tea making equipment, novels, etc. That way, when you break down they can picnic, read, and make tea while you try to fix it.
5. Be fearless. The fact it is now 11 pm, you have been parked up in the square of a French market town 100 miles from the ferry you are supposed to be catching at 6 am since lunchtime, the back axle is still in bits, and you have drunk all the tea should not discourage you.

[Nerdherder]

EW109 said:

I would unhesitatingly encourage it. Get something reasonably capable over long distances (and not, for example, an Austin 7).

Which ones would you rank as competent?

[BURNSIE]

Excellent positive replies gents thank you. I've been thinking about it a while and just needed convincing. So really is what cars to start looking at. And will set the target of two runs to le mans next year for the 24 hour and the classic. On the ferry back from le mans this year got talking to a man who had a vw type 2 camper he said it had a top speed of around 60 mph and he took it all over Europe and only on the motorway in the UK which he said can at times be a bit hairy but like me being based in the south east means every ferry port involves the m25 where it's fairly difficult to average 50mph let alone 60.

[RichB]

BURNSIE said:

... will set the target of two runs to le mans next year for the 24 hour and the classic..

I own a pre-war car and I really wouldn't entertain taking it to Le Mans. The queues are massive and boiling over is a certainty. If you really mean pre-war then I would suggest a few more gentle tours rather than hitting it with 2 hour traffic jams in June heat!

[Funky Squirrel]

I was watching a Jay Leno vid on you tube a while back where he was talking about old Bentley's and how they were designed for crossing continents before air travel.

No idea how much one costs so you might need deep pockets.

[Nerdherder]

RichB said:

I own a pre-war car and I really wouldn't entertain taking it to Le Mans. The queues are massive and boiling over is a certainty. If you really mean pre-war then I would suggest a few more gentle tours rather than hitting it with 2 hour traffic jams in June heat!

I’d not take one on a big(-ish) tour without cooling modifications in any case..

Edited by Nerdherder on Tuesday 23 July 16:49

[EW109]

I am deeply biased, so ignore everything I say.

My own preference would be for something neither too small (Austin 7), too large (Rolls Royce 20 hp – which probably comes into the “too expensive” class as well), too expensive (any pre-Derby Bentley, Vauxhall 30-98), nor too dull, but with reasonable performance and parts availability/ support.

Examples might include a Riley 9, an Alvis 12/50, 12/60, or 14.75, or (maybe) a Vauxhall 14-40.

[Riley Blue]

RichB said:

BURNSIE said:

... will set the target of two runs to le mans next year for the 24 hour and the classic..

I own a pre-war car and I really wouldn't entertain taking it to Le Mans. The queues are massive and boiling over is a certainty. If you really mean pre-war then I would suggest a few more gentle tours rather than hitting it with 2 hour traffic jams in June heat!

I took my '54 Riley RME to Le Mans, my friends took their pre-war Rileys. Following a largely a back road route we rarely encountered any jams - we rarely encountered much traffic at all; it was a wonderful way to discover and enjoy the French countryside.

The only problem any of the cars had was with the petrol which dissolved the gunk one of the car's petrol tank had been coated inside with.

[tapkaJohnD]

Riley Blue said:

I really like the idea of those tours (I drove LeJoG in my '63 Riley in May) but they seem very rushed e.g. 2000 miles in 48 hours is an average of over 40 mph - when do you eat, sleep etc?

You don't! At least, on the RBRR you don't stop to do so. IMHO, cars with a back seat and three person crews are best and safest, with four hour stints at the wheel, in the navigating seat and in the back, asleep. Many two seater Triumphs have done the RBRR successfully and safely, but I would suggest to arrange a way of getting some solid sleep, _before_ setting off home!

The 10CR allows more time and at least one overnight stop, and often follows some dramatic routes.

Burnsie,
I only do the Classic LM, and I think it's the direction you approach Le Sarthe that determines the queues. Yes, the route along the coast from the Channel ports can get very congested. My favourite is to do a very large circle around Paris, stopping at Rheims for a lap of the Gueux circuit and a worship at the old pits. Much further, but you then approach Le Mans from the east, and congestion only strikes in the last few miles, having driven the rest of the way on near deserted roads through lovely French countryside!
John

Edited by tapkaJohnD on Tuesday 23 July 16:58

Edited by tapkaJohnD on Tuesday 23 July 16:59

[BURNSIE]

Traffic Jams at Le Mans I think are very dependent on where you are parking/camping this year was my 27th and can honestly say never been in a jam longer than 10mins. That said I would be changing what would be necessary for European touring anyway..

[RONV]

we have been doing classic runs with our cars for over 25 years with lots of cars but now we do 2 runs in May and September on our own no motorways and driving through to villages and towns at 40 to 45 MPH stopping off for a comfort break and coffee and croissant , its OK with a group but stops can last up to an hour with re-fuels and toilets but on your own you can fill up and be off in 10 mins. Although are car is modern 1966 we just want to see France not just blast through we have just been on a 2 week run with 4 days with our French motor club in Reims in September we are going to the D Day beaches again for 2 weeks staying at 10 different hotels each time we use booking.com for most of the hotels making sure they have safe and secure parking just to put my mind at rest.

Edited by RONV on Tuesday 23 July 19:42