Keith's Blog: Looking for the Perfect Road Trip Car Under $10,000

Our Road to Reno trip in three 1974 MGBs last summer was a great success. In addition to the scenery and the camaraderie, we learned that for under $10,000 you can have a fun, reliable vintage sports car.

As we settle into winter, we’ve started thinking about next year — and the next road trip. We invite your suggestions for the next under $10,000 road trip — both for vehicles and destinations.

I’ve been kicking around driving C4 Corvettes from Portland, OR to Anchorage. 1992-1996 only, with the 6-speed gearbox (or auto) and the magnificent LT1 engine. I’ve actually done this once before in a 1992 coupe, and what a terrific drive. That time, I was lucky enough to have a friend fly up to Anchorage and drive the Corvette home — it’s a long enough road one way, it would be crazy to do it both ways.
I I am always asked about the condition of the road. The Alcan highway is always under construction, as the substrate suffers from frost heave and pavement buckling. However, the year I drove it, less than 10 miles were actually gravel, and on that stretch, you could get through without suffering anything more serious than a rock chip or two — if you drove reasonably.
Someone else has suggested “Corvairs to Chattanooga,” in this case letting a desire for alliteration trump reasonableness. I’ve never known much about these rear-engined wonders, but since my blog last week I’ve been inundated with information. It appears you can find decent Gen II cars (1965-69) for around $7,500, more for convertibles. While they will always be unloved orphans, their design is aging well, and I understand the non-turbocharged engines provide decent performance, and that they handle well enough.

If you have thoughts on Corvairs or other fun, affordable sports cars and routes, send them along.

We’re also considering just having an SCM “Free for All,” where we set a beginning place and time, hand out route instructions, and simply head out with whomever shows up on the day of event. Lodging, meals, etc. would be totally up to each team.

I’ve never been to Joseph, OR, and it seems like a twisting route might make for a great deal of fun. Late June is probably the best time. Interested? Again, let me know at keith.martin@sportscarmarket.com.