In my opinion, we’re now in the middle of what may be referred to in the future as the “Golden Age of Vintage Cars”. This is due to several factors, including the aging of the baby boomers, whose appreciation for the car they lusted after in their youth has resulted in them finally purchasing the vehicle of their dreams. With the increasing popularity of vintage cars, many owners are looking for ways to actually get out and use their cars, since daily use is often impractical due to traffic, weather and the value of the cars.
In response, many car clubs and other organizations have organized “vintage rallies”. The definition of a vintage rally can range from a simple afternoon or weekend drive, up to a week-long tour through a scenic part of the country. Types of cars can be restricted to certain years, but not always. Sometimes this can even be a competitive event, requiring participants to maintain a specific average speed between checkpoints, with penalty points assessed for the number of seconds early or late. In addition, many of these events donate a large portion of the sometimes hefty entry fees to specific charities.
Examples of the specific types of rallies include events like the Tour Auto in France, where you’ll find vehicles like Porsche 906s, Ford GT 40s, Lotus Elites and others. This is an example of a competitive event, where there are special stages timed by stop-watch. Similar examples in Europe include the Historic Mille Miglia, and other which attempt to recall the spirit of the great races of the past, which were held on public roads, and banned due to the many casualties experienced by participants and spectators. The London to Brighton Run, held annually in England, is a contest of endurance for vehicles built before 1905!
In the US, many vintage rallies are held, including venues such as New England, the Arizona desert, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rockies. I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in two of the “Going to the Sun” Rallies, which start in Montana. These are noncompetitive events, spanning 5 days and about 1,200 miles. My wife and I, as well as another couple who are long time friends participated. We’ve driven on many scenic routes through Idaho, Washington state, Wyoming, and British Columbia. We’ve seen Little Big Horn, Yellowstone, and the Canadian wine country (did you know they had one?). We’ve been blessed with mostly good weather, though sometimes very hot. The routes on this rally can sometimes include snow, as it can run to higher elevations, and is held in early September. Another of our members, Steve Stitle, has been fortunate enough to run the Colorado Grand several times in a vintage Ferrari. This event is limited to cars built before 1960, and includes some fantastic roads.
The organizers will have hotel accommodations, dinners, and evening events pre-planned. We’ve had great dinners in some spots with a nice local flavor, picnic lunches, and a fantastic evening at a winery in British Columbia.
A vintage rally can be a great addition to your bucket list. If you have the interest, and the right vehicle, plan on entering early, as the number of entries accepted is usually strictly limited. These longer events usually have chase cars and tow vehicles with mechanics; but don’t depend on them. Riding in someone else’s non-vintage car is not why you came. Have your vehicle checked over and ready to go. And put some significant miles on it in the weeks before you actually take off on the rally. Please feel free to email or call me if you have any interest.
Check out: www.Vintagerallies.com and www.goingtothesunrally.org
