New York City, surroundings, classic cars

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Christian Tepfer

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Jan 12, 2011
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So I am planning to visit the states for the first time and I am looking for some suggestions.

My girlfriend definitely wants to visit NYC, so this is a must for this trip. She's also into classic cars, more specifically muscle and pony cars.

I try to merge these two things into one visit. I think we should fly into NYC, get a hotel, take some time for the city. Easy.

Now comes the hard part: Is there a place to rent a classic muscle for a week and not pay like 500$ a day for it with insurance? Are there routes we can drive out of NYC that are not jammed all the way? Would it be better to go elsewhere for that car experience? Would be buying/selling an option? The car doesn't have to be concours or in mint condition, it just has to be one of the usual suspects (Cuda, Mustang, Charger etc.) from the late 60s/early 70s powered by a V8.

Are there other things to think of? Cultural differences between middle Europe and the specific part of the USA? Cash vs. Maestro vs. Credit Card?
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Christian Tepfer said:
So I am planning to visit the states for the first time and I am looking for some suggestions.

My girlfriend definitely wants to visit NYC, so this is a must for this trip. She's also into classic cars, more specifically muscle and pony cars.

I try to merge these two things into one visit. I think we should fly into NYC, get a hotel, take some time for the city. Easy.

Now comes the hard part: Is there a place to rent a classic muscle for a week and not pay like 500$ a day for it with insurance? Are there routes we can drive out of NYC that are not jammed all the way? Would it be better to go elsewhere for that car experience? Would be buying/selling an option? The car doesn't have to be concours or in mint condition, it just has to be one of the usual suspects (Cuda, Mustang, Charger etc.) from the late 60s/early 70s powered by a V8.

Are there other things to think of? Cultural differences between middle Europe and the specific part of the USA? Cash vs. Maestro vs. Credit Card?
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It's easy to rent a modern version - say a Charger or maybe a Mustang - bring a healthy credit card. Google is your friend - find a muscle car club near where you want to be and try to find where they will be having a show.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Within the States, NYC is the number one or two worst places to drive and have a car. I'd say San Francisco is the other. There are lots of pot holes, horrible traffic and street lights everywhere in NYC. Plus NYC is only nice for 4-5 months a year in between the unpredictable Winter and increasingly unpleasant Summer.

Last year for my father's birthday we bought him exactly what you're looking for. Blacktop Candy rents classic muscle cars for self driven tours down Route 66 between LA and Chicago. He did the drive leisurely in a week and flew back. He really seemed to enjoy it so I recommend going through them. But please know that to get from NYC to Chicago or LA it's an entire day of travel by plane. The US is huge.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Cameron Stuckey said:
Within the States, NYC is the number one or two worst places to drive and have a car. I'd say San Francisco is the other. There are lots of pot holes, horrible traffic and street lights everywhere in NYC. Plus NYC is only nice for 4-5 months a year in between the unpredictable Winter and increasingly unpleasant Summer.

Last year for my father's birthday we bought him exactly what you're looking for. Blacktop Candy rents classic muscle cars for self driven tours down Route 66 between LA and Chicago. He did the drive leisurely in a week and flew back. He really seemed to enjoy it so I recommend going through them. But please know that to get from NYC to Chicago or LA it's an entire day of travel by plane. The US is huge.
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Well, I stumbled over Blacktop Candy right at the start of my search a week ago. I thought they only offer the whole Route 66 trips.
I could imagine flying to Chicago and driving around for a week or so. But not the whole way. The west coast is a bit of a stretch I think.
What about NYC/Philadelphia to Miami, it's not as far and maybe a nice route near the sea?
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Here's where to rent modern muscle cars. (The vintage 1960s ones in good condition are too valuable to be used as rentals, I would think.)

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/productservice/index.jsp?targetPage=adrenalinecollection.jsp

Beware, though, there's a catch, just like there is with a lot of things in the US: these machines are marketed enticingly, but if you actually use one in the manner in which they deserve to be used - getting down with some brutally fast acceleration and other automotive thrills - then you run the risk of being arrested by law enforcement, who use the speed laws as a revenue stream.


And Cameron's right - don't bother renting a car in NYC, no way. Just take the subway and taxi to get around there.
Ideally, you would fly to NYC, spend some time there, then fly to L.A., rent a car, and drive up California Highway 1 to San Francisco and fly back from there.

If you can't swing that trip, then rent the car outside NYC and head south towards FL. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are especially beautiful, as is Charleston SC, and Savannah, GA.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

As for expenses, be aware that both NYC and muscle car rentals are pricey. NYC hotels are very expensive, although there are some hostels and Euro-style WC-down-the-hall hotels if you're on a tight budget. And you can get decent rental prices on more the toned down convertible Mustangs, etc., as well. Bring $ to rent a true hot-rod, though.

Maestro (Euro Master Card debit) probably won't be accepted in many places, so bring a Visa/Master Card network credit card, as well.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

John Norris said:
Here's where to rent modern muscle cars. (The vintage 1960s ones in good condition are too valuable to be used as rentals, I would think.)

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/productservice/index.jsp?targetPage=adrenalinecollection.jsp

Beware, though, there's a catch, just like there is with a lot of things in the US: these machines are marketed enticingly, but if you actually use one in the manner in which they deserve to be used - getting down with some brutally fast acceleration and other automotive thrills - then you run the risk of being arrested by law enforcement, who use the speed laws as a revenue stream.


And Cameron's right - don't bother renting a car in NYC, no way. Just take the subway and taxi to get around there.
Ideally, you would fly to NYC, spend some time there, then fly to L.A., rent a car, and drive up California Highway 1 to San Francisco and fly back from there.

If you can't swing that trip, then rent the car outside NYC and head south towards FL. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are especially beautiful, as is Charleston SC, and Savannah, GA.
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Interesting. There seem to be some more classic muscle rentals available in Germany. We just had a '66 Mustang, that's why we're hooked on that classic thing at the moment. Well, the Mustangs of today are not really nice looking imho. And my lady thinks likewise. I mean, the Mustang should be a pony car, the new one is far from being small. And we want the engine to rev up in a nasty, dirty way.

I tend to go for the FL route, I think. Flying over to the west coast is almost as time consuming as flying in from Europe. By the way: One way rental is expensive, isn't it?

Speed laws as a revenue stream, that sounds familiar to me. Even in Germany, without a general speed limit, 40% of our Autobahn is already limited. We just don't get arrested for speeding, there's a ticket a few days or weeks later. Anyway, we definitely don't want to get too much in touch with law enforcement, so no pedal to the metal most of the time.

I already heard about NYC streets, public transportation or just walking will do the job just fine there, I think.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Christian Tepfer said:
What about NYC/Philadelphia to Miami, it's not as far and maybe a nice route near the sea?
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Driving, or flying? I've done both a few times. Driving you're looking at about 20 hours. Flying, about 3.5.

Driving is fairly scenic but repetitive as you'll spend most of your time on I-95. It's definitely not a bunch of winding roads through sleepy little villages. One thing about driving on the east coast, or the U.S. in general is you get some scenery here and there, but its really just about getting to your destination with a bunch of nothing in between. Just pick out some good fun destinations with about 2-3 hours in between them and spend a day or two at each. If you're thinking mid-Atlantic, I would start in NYC, then Philly, Baltimore, DC, and then maybe head out into the more scenic parks areas of Virginia. Plenty to do and see.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Christian Tepfer said:
I tend to go for the FL route, I think. Flying over to the west coast is almost as time consuming as flying in from Europe. By the way: One way rental is expensive, isn't it?
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One way rental is fairly common in the US. There's not a huge upcharge, if you are going between major hubs.

Flying coast-to-coast is around half the time of transatlantic, plus it's a lot more scenic than looking at the cloud blanket over the North Atlantic. What's cool about flying coast-to-coast is that if you fly during the day, then you can see the green expanse of the eastern US change to light browns and reds as you proceed west - a fast-forward way to see this vast country.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

If you want a true go-fast experience there are some driving schools that combine loaner race cars with instruction and track time included. These probably have to be arranged well in advance.

Driving around the country seems a massive waste of time unless you have nothing but time on your hands. I would separate the car driving experience from the general sight seeing.

Manhattan (NYC) this time of the year is special,,, but as others have offered that is best experienced on foot. (I grew up outside NYC and always took the train into the city on business). But the US is a vast country with too many sights worth seeing to list them all.

Try to hook up with some locals (maybe via a sound forum like here) to get a local experience with attention os sound reinforcement.

If you drive through Hickory MS I might let you drive my DOHC 4V 4.6L V8 97 mustang cobra around the block, nah no I won't Your girlfriend doesn't like them. :-( . FWIW the mustang was traditionally a rather poor sports car, lousy weight distribution for traction and handling. Good for burning rubber. The later mustangs are better cars IMO, after '93 the chassis is stiffer too.

You are on the right track to research this in advance...

Have a good visit.

JR
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

John Norris said:
NYC hotels are very expensive, although there are some hostels and Euro-style WC-down-the-hall hotels if you're on a tight budget.
Click to expand...

Most of the NYC hotels practice congestion pricing, so you can find some very reasonable rates if you go at a time that isn't peak tourist season. I've seen as much as a 5:1 variation in hotel rates over the course of a year at the same Manhattan hotel.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Christian,
John Norris said:
Maestro (Euro Master Card debit) probably won't be accepted in many places, so bring a Visa/Master Card network credit card, as well.
Click to expand...
correct, but Maestro is the best way (for europeans) to get cash with the least costs. besides this, use a vise/master/diner/amexco/whatever ;)
when I book a rental (as well as hotel rooms), i'll do it from here (Germany) with FULL insurance package for a FIXED price! in the US, they'll always try to sell you something else ;)
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Tom Manchester said:
Driving, or flying? I've done both a few times. Driving you're looking at about 20 hours. Flying, about 3.5.

Driving is fairly scenic but repetitive as you'll spend most of your time on I-95. It's definitely not a bunch of winding roads through sleepy little villages. One thing about driving on the east coast, or the U.S. in general is you get some scenery here and there, but its really just about getting to your destination with a bunch of nothing in between. Just pick out some good fun destinations with about 2-3 hours in between them and spend a day or two at each. If you're thinking mid-Atlantic, I would start in NYC, then Philly, Baltimore, DC, and then maybe head out into the more scenic parks areas of Virginia. Plenty to do and see.
Click to expand...
Driving. I would be looking at a week driving, stopping at nice places, one day at Miami and driving or flying back.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Christian Tepfer said:
Driving. I would be looking at a week driving, stopping at nice places, one day at Miami and driving or flying back.
Click to expand...

The Blue Ridge Parkway between Shenandoah National Park and Great Smokey Mountains National Park is considered one of the best drives in the US:

Blue Ridge Parkway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I haven't driven the whole thing but had a great time driving on part of it near the Smokey Mountains (even if I was in a Dodge minivan). It gets busy during the summer but in the spring and fall it's almost empty.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

John Roberts said:
If you want a true go-fast experience there are some driving schools that combine loaner race cars with instruction and track time included. These probably have to be arranged well in advance.

Driving around the country seems a massive waste of time unless you have nothing but time on your hands. I would separate the car driving experience from the general sight seeing.

Manhattan (NYC) this time of the year is special,,, but as others have offered that is best experienced on foot. (I grew up outside NYC and always took the train into the city on business). But the US is a vast country with too many sights worth seeing to list them all.

Try to hook up with some locals (maybe via a sound forum like here) to get a local experience with attention os sound reinforcement.

If you drive through Hickory MS I might let you drive my DOHC 4V 4.6L V8 97 mustang cobra around the block, nah no I won't Your girlfriend doesn't like them. :-( . FWIW the mustang was traditionally a rather poor sports car, lousy weight distribution for traction and handling. Good for burning rubber. The later mustangs are better cars IMO, after '93 the chassis is stiffer too.

You are on the right track to research this in advance...

Have a good visit.

JR
Click to expand...

Nice one, it's true, a 97 Cobra is nice, but not what we aim for here. It just looks like a "normal" car (sorry, I didn't mean to insult your car or yourself). It really about the classic feeling, the "no power steering, steel and rubber"-thing. This is definitely not rational ;-)

I thought of seperating things and just do NYC, maybe we will settle for that.
 
Re: New York City, surroundings, classic cars

Charlottesville - Sports Car Rentals & Sales - classic sports cars for touring the Virginia countryside

This guy seems to have slimmed his inventory way down, but might be worth a call to see if there's something not listed on his website. He and I had a few interesting chats about cars when I'd see him out...usually in something British. He was into renting to feed his hobby. He's located about 5 miles from milepost zero of the Blue Ridge parkway...not too far from CHO or SHD airports.
 
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