The Best Classic Car State

[72doug2,2S]

What is the best classic car state?

No emission worries
Legislative friendly government
No pot holes
No rust belt
Interesting roads to drive on
No, or little registration fees
No taxes
Competent mechanics
Not too humid, not too dry
A good community of fellow enthusiasts

[EDIT Per Stephanie- Pure gas availability]

[9dreizig]

Nevada is pretty good...

[HardDrive]

PNW is an excellent environment. Lots of classic cars here.

Yes, it rains, but i very rarely freezes, so they don't use salt on the road unless its a dire emergency. Rain really isn't that bad for cars as long as the don't sit out.

Fantastic roads to drive on. Trips up into the mountains and coasts are easily done from the major cities. I'm 45 minutes from a 4000ft pass, and I live in the heart of Seattle.

[HardDrive]

One last note: PNW is great for getting cars that aren't 'cooked'. You find old cars here, and the seals, rubber trim, dash boards, etc...are in amazing shape. Way less UV exposure than the south.

[RANDY P]

West coast outskirts- no emissions, preferably CA.

rjp

[GH85Carrera]

South east Oklahoma. No emissions, no inspections, lots of curvy roads. Drive over to Arkansas and find endless fun roads. Tags cost 21 bucks for cars over 25 years.

The community of enthusiasts and mechanics are gonna be a bit of a drive.

[941MXVET]

Another vote for Nevada, in town street drags, numerous car shows, almost no rusting. Not to mention great driving roads around Tahoe, and a few road courses.

[aigel]

CA is it. The conditions may not be perfect, but there is no smog on anything classic (75 and older). Every house in some neighborhoods have a classic in the garage, I am not kidding. All the big builders, tuning companies etc. are here too ...

G

[mreid]

Texas

[KNS]

If your car is older than '75 then I'd agree with aigel if you live away from major city traffic.

Arizona is good but very few secondary or "back roads" considering the size of the state and topography.

I paid $85 to register my '84 for five years(!) under classic insurance so no emissions testing.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by aigel

CA is it. The conditions may not be perfect, but there is no smog on anything classic (75 and older). Every house in some neighborhoods have a classic in the garage, I am not kidding. All the big builders, tuning companies etc. are here too ...

G

You are from up north, right? When I was a old enough to drive, I use to look at the back of magazines and find many of the after market mfg, wholesale and retail facilities were here in Los Angeles and Orange County. Sadly now, they are have gone to another state. Edelbrock is still around.

I say socal's car culture is still very strong, more so then anywhere else in our nation. Just look at our Cars and Coffee down in Irvine. There isn't too many like it.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by KNS

If your car is older than '75 then I'd agree with aigel if you live away from major city traffic.



I paid $85 to register my '84 for five years(!) under classic insurance so no emissions testing.

I wish we can do that. I'd be happy to pay 5 times that just so I don't have to deal with smog and promise to not drive more then 2000 miles within a year.

Socal is not always that crowded. you jhust have to know where and when to go for that drive.

[Wilhelm]

So Cal. cant be beat.

[look 171]

Agree. Most visitors get bend because they don't know where to go but to sit on the 405 going out into the valley during rush hour. Are you in La county?

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by look 171

Agree. Most visitors get bend because they don't know where to go but to sit on the 405 going out into the valley during rush hour. Are you in La county?

I am near the LA/Ventura County line.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

I am near the LA/Ventura County line.

Decker needs to be closed once a month for valley to beach time trials.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by mreid

Texas

Kind of depends on where you are. San Antonio/Austin/hill country - absolutely for most of the criteria listed but the hot/humid weather is hard on the old cars.

Panhandle / N. Texas /West Texas: very dry, cars are baked if left out, for the most part interesting roads only if to see how fast you can go.

Anywhere near the coast: hot/humid bakes cars and helps rust. Roads are mostly flat and straight.

Competent P-car mechanics? In San Antonio / Austin / Houston / Dallas-FW but anywhere else? Will be few and far between.

[yetibone]

Don't come to NC. Everybody else already has, and none of them drive at the speed limit. Classic cars are usually the slowest on our roads.

Oh, and bicycles. Groups of many dozens, white line-to yellow line, riding the roads here just waiting for you to pass so they can get angry at you.

[PorscheGAL]

South Carolina is pretty good.

No inspection on any car.
No Taxes on cars over 20years old, only $20/year tag fee.
Great rural, curvy roads.
Not far from Tail of the Dragon
Lots of Car Clubs with track days.
We do have humidity from central SC to the coast in July and August but we can drive our cars all year. No snow
I can get non-ethanol gas easily

[Drdogface]

We have two or three car clubs here in Grass Valley and Auburn (29 miles apart). Some guys have multiple cars, one has 24 at last count. You will see them on the streets daily and several in any one day. It's eye candy central...well for cars anyway...can't say the same for split tails