5 Cruise-Worthy Cars We’d Take on a Road Trip Before Winter
If you follow this site, you won’t be surprised to learn that our staffers have their hands in many different automotive projects—some glamorous, some not, and certainly more than we have time to write about in a given week! We always keep each other up to date on Slack, and one of the most recent events we celebrated was the return of a rather magnificent Buick to the garage of our managing editor, Eddy Eckart. He recently inherited the car from a family member, has been working on it himself, and enlisted the help of a shop to help get it over the finish line. Stay tuned for a more detailed story on the Centurion, but here’s what makes the car special in his own words:
“I think the Centurion showed up at the right time—I’m not sure I’d have been ready for it earlier in my life. Until now, I liked the idea of personal luxury coupes and convertibles—for others. Maybe it’s the family ties, or that I’m more open to the fact that steering feel and a crisp chassis aren’t the be-all end-all. There’s no rush in this car, and that’s the joy—look out over that long hood, crank the tunes, and just be in the moment.”
It didn’t take long for the rest of us to start imagining the road trips we would take if we had something as magnificently comfortable as Eddy’s Buick, so we decided to make our musings the subject of this week’s staff list. Our discussion started with ’70s personal luxury and meandered into many different approaches to the general theme of luxurious motoring. Take a gander at our choices, and feel free to add your favorite personal luxury coupe (or convertible) in the comments below!
1970 Chevrolet Impala
There is something about the Impalas of the late 1960s and early 1970s that has always captured me and it’s forever been on the top of my list for a trip with three friends. Just start somewhere warm and go somewhere else warm and never put the top up. Cruise back roads, switch out drivers, and do our best to move at 55mph or slower whenever possible. If there was a car for the journey and not the destination, to me that’s a 1970 Impala convertible. — Kyle Smith
1955–59 Bentley Continental by Mulliner
I know the personal luxury car is often understood to be an American thing, but for this dream cruise, you’d find me luxuriating like a boss behind the wheel of a 1955–59 Bentley Continental with fastback coachwork by H.J. Mulliner. They are gorgeous cars from any angle, and equipped with a 4.9-liter six that purrs along at modern speeds, power windows, air conditioning, an adjustable suspension, gorgeous wood veneers, and some plush leather seating, they certainly make a strong case as the pinnacle of 1950s luxury. — Stefan Lombard
1993–98 Lincoln Mark VIII
As an owner of multiple personal luxury coupes (PLCs) and American land yachts in general, I hate to say it, but I need the models from the tail end of the era for a road trip.
Here’s my issue: older PLCs have lost their once-unassailable levels of comfort on modern roads at modern speeds. Time has passed them by. I could lament this handing of the torch all day, but the biggest concern for me is the need constant course correction at the speeds I drive in Texas (i.e. 70mph or more).
All that course correction is not relaxing, not to mention acceleration and braking isn’t terribly great in those conditions either. PLCs from the good old days weren’t designed for these parameters. But the second-to-last holdout of the genre nailed it: the 1993-98 Lincoln Mark VIII.
Everything that a PLC from their zenith could do is done better in a Mark VIII. Highway speeds are a snap with a long bullet nose and a 32-valve engine that accelerates with gusto and verve that can’t be touched by a big block with PLC-worthy gearing or an imported luxury coupe of the era (looking at you Lexus SC 400). Speed-sensitive steering means you set it and forget it, muscles can and will relax. Computer engineering of everything from the rear-wheel drive chassis to the braking system and the fully independent air suspension means its essentially impossible to get a better ride anywhere else. The Mark VIII has many of the technological benefits we appreciate in new vehicles but in a slick, not-CUV package that hugs the road like a true PLC.
An honorable mention must go to the V8 or Supercharged Thunderbird whence the Mark VIII came…but don’t take my word for it, as their marketing tagline said “Drive Everything Else First.” — Sajeev Mehta
1973 Plymouth Road Runner
I suspect I’m expected to pick one of the cars I’ve test-driven over the years, but I won’t. I’d like to have back my 1973 Plymouth Road Runner, 400-cubic-inch V-8 with a so-thirsty Thermoquad carb and a Hurst pistol-grip four-speed and DeeCee, the One Who Got Away, on the other side of the blue vinyl bench seat. Was it really as good a road-trip car as I remember, or am I influenced by the trip we took where she said she loved me? Don’t care, and that’s my answer. — Steven Cole Smith
Lexus SC 400
I’m a sucker for 1990s Japanese machinery, and although I haven’t ever given much thought to the idea of a personal luxury coupe, the Lexus SC 400 would be my pick, hands down.
I absolutely adore the 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V-8 that the SC came with. That motor is an engineering masterpiece. I had one in a 1997 Lexus LS 400, and to this day, it’s the only car that I’ve ever owned that I would take back in a heartbeat, and possibly at an upcharge.
I’d get the benefit of that dead-reliable engine and the competence of a young, hungry Lexus brand that was laser-focused on nailing every little detail of a luxury car. It would be stylish, swift, and uneventful for years at a time. What’s more luxurious than peace of mind? — Nate Petroelje
1977–90 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
I’m going to follow the lead of Stefan and go the European route for my luxurious cruise-mobile. My criteria of luxury are simple: A richly powerful V-8 complemented by oodles of luscious-smelling leather and wood. Unlike Nate, I will set practicality and reliability aside and choose with my heart: The first V-8-powered Vantage built by Aston Martin (1977–1990). I’ve always thought these cars are incredibly handsome, and I’d love the chance to answer the question: Would I love them as much as I do now after doing a road trip in one? — Grace Houghton
I was having trouble putting together the images of “comfortable, relaxing road trip” and Sajeev’s 70+ mph nerve-wracking dash along his Houston freeways. If you’re new here and missed his famous photo, I have adopted the name “the highway that nightmares take to get into my head” – so hopefully that gives you an idea.
At least as far as in my own experience, I’ve got to go with a trip nearly anywhere in the 1980 Fiat Spider 2000 I once had. Top down, stereo maybe on, maybe not, and hopefully no deadline to get anywhere or back (similar to Kyle’s route). I’m sure there are better sport cars out there to road trip in, but I’ve never owned one of them.
My second pick would be one of those big boat convertibles like Eddy’s. No make or model preferred, just one with cushy seats.
That’s a good name for Interstate 10!
To be fair, a traditional road trip worthy car away from cities and suburbs would be fine on roads an hour away from me. Getting to them would be the stress inducing challenge.
😁
I used to enjoy driving but these days there’s too much traffic. What used to be a peaceful drive on a rural FM (Farm to Market) road I take to my house is often now lines of cars with stoplights suddenly appearing like tallow or sweetgum trees. All during my adult life I’ve tried to live in the country and moved where I now live 30 years ago to get away from the masses but they followed me.
And Sajeev, I’ve had my Mark VIII for 29 years that I have always enjoyed driving on trips. It’s been a good car that has needed only routine repairs and maintenance and gets almost 29mpg on interstate drives at 70-75 mph.
Driving isn’t fun for me, either. Since I work from home, I am trying to pick and choose the time I get on the roads, and that really helps. You start to realize what causes the stress and you can force yourself to make it more peaceful. Still not as peaceful as when I first learned how to drive in this big city, but certainly better.
21 years and counting for me and my Mark VIII! It’s needed a lot of maintenance and a new transmission in 200,000 miles of hard urban commuting, but the effort is still worth every penny.
Maintenance or repairs?
Both!
I have also come to the conclusion driving is no longer as much fun as it used to be. The Covid cessation of traffic rule enforcement that continues has made driving a real gamble. The Bell Curve guarantees the number of speeding drivers greatly outnumbers their perceived driving skills. Add in the cellphone distraction of drivers and pedestrians and it is a miracle to survive a daily commute.
very well put.
When I was a much younger man, I was required to do considerable driving in most of our largest cities. Here I was, raised in rural Idaho, thrown to the big city traffic wolves (and sporting plates that told them which hick state I was from). I resolved to use due caution, but not be intimidated by their aggression and blood lust if I was to survive. Just drive like you belong here, I told myself, and don’t let them smell your fear.
Of course, the fact that I was driving an 80,000 pound semi truck didn’t hurt… 😉
If we are talking about cruising, and not touring, I don’t know that muscle, sport, and sport-luxury should be part of the conversation. The ultimate cruise vehicles in my opinion would be the full-size Cadillacs thru 79. Modest acceleration, pretty much zero in the handling department, but effortless luxurious riding under almost any road condition, including the highway. After 79, they just seemed more like upsized Caprices than proper Cadillacs.
Amen. The 1974 Convertible Eldorado I had was most enjoyed on the odd warm day in the late Autumn when I didn’t worry about being burned to a crisp by the sun.
My 1967 Cadillac Deville Convertible is a great cruising car.
E30 convertible with a manual transmission. Comfortable, room for luggage, good handling, and a smooth inline 6 by BMW. What could be better?
I have similarly fond memories of my ’73 Bavaria.
B
It’s a good thing that election season is over… last time I saw an election bumper sticker on a Centurion, the bumper fell off as it left New Deal Motors.
yeah and it took a rod & reel to lure in the buyer!
For a road trip, I’ll take my 2007 Shelby GT500 convertible, that I have now had for 18 years, over any other car I have ever owned. It is comfortable, roomy enough, handles well enough, has plenty of power and still attracts attention everywhere it goes. I’ve put more than 45,000 miles on it, have enjoyed every one of them and have taken it on a number of long trips. It has been completely reliable, reasonably economical (about 19 mpg) and a total blast.
I’d take my old 1953 Hemi Coronet Sierra wagon on a road trip again – did Waterloo Ontario to Murray River PEI in 18 hours back in ’73 and 24 hour return trip a month later. ( I would install AC if I had it today!!!) 3 speed with electric Overdrive – 241 Red Ram 0.30 over with a “semi-grind” cam.
I also enjoyed Waterloo Ontario to Street Rod Nationals in Tulsa (1976?) with my 1957 Fargo Custom Express (I DID install AC for that trip!!)
I know, I’m wierd but I’d do THAT again too
Currently, my favorite is my ’97 Mustang GT – somewhat modified – for longer trips, or my ’69 Road Runner for shorter ones, though that car should visit Monument Valley to recreate a brochure photo. I love my ’89 Dually too, if I have something to haul back; its first trip was cross-country to buy a race car, and it was epic.
Best trip ever, wistfully speaking, was in my new ’89 5.0 Mustang with a girl named Amy to run a vintage TransAm car. Total sensory immersion & pleasure, the kind that lingers for decades…
I think mine would have to be a 1964 (ideally) Cadillac De Ville (Coupe de Ville) convertible. a neighbour had one growing up and it really left a mark. the Lazy-boy seats, trunk big enough to swim in, and a hood that goes forever. Not to mention the taillights in the small fin.
Open road…top down…my Runnergrrl by my side….yup, Ridin’ with the King
A “drop top” is a must for autumn “leaf peeping” and to enjoy the smell of the fallen leaves. Top down heater cranked. The BEST
I’m thinking early 2000’s Mercedes V8 convertible, heated seats, cruises like a Barcalounger, but plenty of get up and go when that feeling comes over you, and affordable, mines pushing 300k kilometers and runs like a new car.
I enjoy the late summer-early fall drives in the mountains with the top down, I don’t have the V-8 but my CLK 320 is a wonderful way to enjoy the last of the season drives
We just completed a four day 500 mile road in our 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloue II too look at fall colors. A 200 mile day trip in our 1951 Bentley Mark VI the week before. This weekend a two road trip in our 1964 Lincoln Continental four door convertible. All trips at 65mph and smooth rides.
You were not the old Rolls Royce with trouble pulled over on Interstate 55 in Mississippi just south of Memphis about a month ago? When I could finally get turned around and get back to you, you had gone.
I had a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix back in the day. Powerful and very comfortable
The Mercedes E320 cabriolet with the very smooth M104 engine (DOHC and 4 valves/cylinder) is a rock solid top down cruiser still available for a reasonable price.
A good cruise is any long trip to anywhere in anything.
True
as long as the roads are dry I love taking my turbo V6 street rod out when its around zero, it feels like the engines horsepower doubles in that cold crisp air, a little senior citizen fun, the neighbors just stare, dam kids just don’t get it!
Canadian? Crazy? or both? 🙂
And those kids are not the only ones who don’t get it!
My old Mercedes (’65 220S) is my choice for road tripping. I’ve enjoyed 30 years of miles well traveled. However, we took something different for a leisurely cruise across the country on hi way 20 last month. We ambled our way from Newport Oregon to Boston and the fall colors of New England. The car, a Ford C-Max, is an unlikely cruiser but it was great. The car wasn’t our choice, we were taking it to Boston for my kid to use while he’s doing research at MIT. We added 5,000 miles to the clock and only hit one deer. Whether cruising under Wyoming skies or exploring the twisties it was great. The license plate frame says “I’d rather be driving a real car” but this unlikely little car did it all in comfort if not in style. I just might enjoy another cruise in it, perhaps back to California. Meanwhile, the first drive in the old Benz last week was incredible. It’s took awhile restoring it after my shop burned so that first drive was amazing.
My one that got away is my 74 Jensen Interceptor with sunroof. Great leaf peeping car for New England cruising through the mountains of NH and VT. Good news is selling that car enabled me to buy my ultimate cruiser, 1961 Chrysler 300G convertible. Just breathtaking to cruise at any speed and in comfort. Crossrams, fins, and the top goes down! Perfect
I’m somewhere between very jealous and highly envious! I have been enthralled by the Chrysler “Letter Cars” since I was a kid, but somehow ended up with BMW Ms instead.
The Interceptor has long been on my target of opportunity list