Historic Route 66 in a Classic Mini...

[Lone Star Mini]

Had a friend visit from the UK who has always wanted to drive on the Historic Route 66 (Bucket List).  We decided to make it slightly better since he loves Minis.  We loaded the Mini on a trailer and headed North...  10 hours later after stopping at various Route 66 markers, we made it.  FYI.. the pictures of the Conoco Gas Station are not only part of the Historic Route, but also the inspiration of one of the buildings in the Disney movie "CARS"..  I had a little fun making a video for our friend..  notice the new BMW mini behind my friend in one of the clips..    see attached link:   https://vimeo.com/283500365

[BruceK]

That was a really well done video!  Great videography.  And I really liked the part where you blended the recorded song right into the live performance!   4.gif

[gr8kornholio]

Looked like fun. Great video. My two best friends and I always said we'd drive from Chicago to LA on 66.  Maybe once all our kids are grown.  Here's a pic of the sign in Chicago I took this summer.

[Lone Star Mini]

Thanks for the compliments.   My friend actually got emotional while driving 66 and seeing the American flags everywhere... and the Brits are not exactly patriotic

[Lone Star Mini]

I hope you do it ...holio.   You must know that the actual route goes all over the place within towns/cities

[ADRay]

my kids love Disney Cars, and have shown interest in doing Rt. 66.

Maybe in a few years... and definitely not in the Mini

[gr8kornholio]

Yea, I know.  I've been on bits and pieces of it.  Found this website with ridiculous amounts of info along with maps and on and on. 

https://www.theroute-66.com/home.html

[MPlayle]

I recall some years back a few folks from Europe brought their Minis over and tried to drive the whole Route 66.  Some parts were totally abandoned and almost nothing of the road left in nowhere-land.  They did manage to drive the entire length back then.  I'm not sure it could be done now.

[gr8kornholio]

If you dig through that link it explains all the different pieces.  Some are gone, some are paved over with interstate and some changed through the years.  It would be a pain to actually stay on all that's left of 66.  Lot of places it bounces back and forth across the interstate.  Guess the essence would be to go through all the out of the way towns and such.

[94touring]

My driveway downtown goes onto what route 66 was.  Now it's 11th street, but picks back up outside of town.

[tmsmini]

My wife and I plan to do this in one of the Travellers. We planned on doing it when the CanAm Mini Challenge was at Mid-Ohio, but the car was relatively new to us and started making a few introductory noises. The problem is the timing as my wife is a school teacher and doesn't finish till close to the end of June.

There are a number of websites, books and guides for the "mother road."

We survived the drive to MMW this year, so next year's plan is to recreate the national park to park tour with MMEW in the middle.

[Lone Star Mini]

Okay gents, has anybody done the Tail of the Dragon - 318 curves in an 11 mile stretch?  I'm planning to haul my Mini to TN come November and plan to do this run in the Mini.  Would love to hear if anyone has done this before.  The route just above the Dragon is suppose to be one of the top 10 most sceneic routes in the USA...   

Anyone in the TN area on this forum is welcome to join - Thanksgiving time frame..

[Willie_B]

Just try not to go on a weekend day. That time of the year will also be fall leaf viewing time for slow pokes taking in the views.

My car is away getting some attention. Not sure when I will get it back. That is only a few hours from home for me so I have been there several times, it's always fun.

[gr8kornholio]

Take a close look at my avatar. It might look a little familiar.  71.gif

I went there back in 08 with my 07 S.  It was the mini week/weekend.  The dragon is cool and all but unless you get up early and do it around sunrise it's going to be crowded or heavily patrolled, especially if there is a car group gathering.  Speed limit is 30. Also have to watch for bikers crossing the center line. I only did the dragon the morning we headed home. There are several amazing drives around the area. I'll dig through google maps and try and post some.

Over the 5 days I did so much spirited driving I wore a hole in my left shoe bracing myself around the bends.  The low down torque of the turbo mini and the short straights between the corners meant I spent most of the time in 3rd gear. 

[Lone Star Mini]

@Willie_B, would be awesome to meet you on the Dragon.. 
@...kornholio,   your avatar is a tad small for my poor eyes, but I see it.  While I'm planning to tow the mini, I still have to convince my wife.  The tailofthedragon.com website does not have any November meets listed, but I'm sure there will be some.  You make a good point and I thank you as early morning might prove best.  My brother-n-law tells me the driver does not get to see much because he/she is too busy driving so I'll put a go-pro on the bonnet or roof to capture it all.  Now that I think about it, perhaps the go-pro so go on the roof or side of the car just to capture the Mini front end in the video.  I've seen the a few mini meets there in the area over the years and would love to go to one one day.  Meanwhile, I'm heading that way already so I hope to make the most of it while there.  I won't speed for sure so the patrol cars should be of concern and I've read about the bikers.. approx. one death per year.  Would love to see some other classic mini folks in the area...