Knowledge Base

How can i buy Used Chevrolet Vehicles ?

2013-07-19T09:07:31Z

I want to buy good cars in Canada. But i am afraid because of cheating by various company.

How did Blacktop Candy’s choose the accommodations for the Route 66 road trip?

2012-12-20T16:27:36Z

The accommodations that we have chosen is one of the features that truly differentiate our driving tours from others.

1. We’ve personally vetted each hotel, motel or inn. Before we contract with providers, we carefully research each property and then make an on-site visit and spend a day or two.

2. Location is very important. All of our accommodations are located on Route 66 or within just a block and very convenient to local and Route 66 attractions.

3. Accommodations in larger cities like Chicago and St Louis, though part of larger national consortiums, were selected for their high quality, reputation and high customer ratings.

4. In as many locations as possible, accommodations were selected for their vintage and historic appeal. These properties were built in the 1930’s and ‘40’s, are meticulously maintained and have built a reputation over the years as first class establishments.

The result is a high quality list of accommodations that is convenient to the route, relaxing, and in many cases very authentic to the period that we wish to convey.

How well do the cars handle?

2012-12-20T16:05:38Z

Handling is a safety issue that we have taken very seriously. Therefore we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure each car in our fleet can safely navigate the various terrains, elevations and environments of a long-distance U.S. road trip.

Specifically, each car is equipped with power disc brakes, radial tires, new front bearings and bushings, front and rear sway bars, new shocks, new leaf springs, and new or rebuilt steering boxes. The 1967 Camaro is the newest car in the fleet and came equipped with disc brakes, radial tires and power steering. It has been restored to like new condition.

The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air was ahead of its time by automotive standards, but by modern standards was woefully lacking. So we added sway bars, front idle arm bearings (in place of rubber bushings),rebuilt the steering box and added performance shocks. Plus, a design flaw in the Bel Air was remedied. GM mounted the rear shocks directly to the floor pan of the trunk which transferred energy directly to the body and weakened the trunk floor pan. We modified the original design so the shocks could be mounted directly to the frame which greatly enhances the ride quality.

The sexy and high performance 1964 Corvette Stingray was also designed during an era when GM had to keep retail prices low to attract buyers, so the suspension system suffered. So, we added a completely new pro-touring suspension with front and rear power disc brakes, tubular top and bottom A-arms, coil-over shocks, and independent rear suspension. Now she handles like a dream.

How long is the Route 66 road trip?

2012-12-20T15:33:23Z

The Route 66 road trip is approximately 2451 miles plus side trips to Branson, MO and Las Vegas, NV.

We designed the Route 66 classic car road trip so that travelers can fly to their starting city (either L.A. or Chicago), drive the entire route, and be back home within a three week period. The tour is 19 days, 18 nights and includes 2 nights in L.A., 2 nights in Chicago, and 2 side trips; Branson, MO and Las Vegas, NV.

Here’s a sample itinerary for the westbound trip (view detailed itinerary):

Mon - Arrive Chicago
Wed - Springfield, IL
Thu - St Louis, MO
Fri - Branson, MO
Sun - Tulsa, OK
Mon - Elk City, OK
Tue - Tucumcari, NM
Wed - Santa Fe, NM
Thu - Gallup, NM
Fri - Flagstaff, AZ
Sat - Williams, AZ (via the Grand Canyon)
Sun - Las Vegas, NV
Tue - San Bernardino, CA
Wed - Santa Monica, CA
Fri - Depart L.A.

Route 66 - Back-tracking after Las Vegas

2012-12-20T15:03:51Z

I receive a lot of questions about taking the side trip to Las Vegas since Route 66 doesn’t actually go through Las Vegas.

There are a couple routes to take and I like to give travelers the options. But I do have a preferred route.

First, you can take US 93 North out of Kingman, AZ which is the the most direct route to Las Vegas. US 93 also takes you by the Hoover Dam, a “must see” attraction. From Las Vegas you can take Interstate 15 South which runs along the northern border of the Mohave National Preserve and into Barstow, CA where you can re-join Route 66. But this route by-passes one of the jewels of Route 66, the Oatman Rd drive and Oatman, AZ (video).

My preferred route is to stay on Route 66 from Kingman (which becomes Oatman Rd), past the Cool Springs Station, through Sitgreaves Pass, and into the old mining town of Oatman, AZ, where wild burros still roam the streets and gunfighters entertain passersby. Continue on Oatman Rd and take US 95 North into Las Vegas. When leaving Las Vegas you can either take Interstate 15 South to Barstow, or US 95 South to I-40 then continue on Route 66 (National Trails Hwy) through the California Mohave Dessert. Taking US 95 South adds about two hours to the drive to Barstow, but the National Trails Hwy drive is quite beautiful.

How much does the Route 66 Tour cost and what’s included?

2012-12-19T20:03:29Z

We’ve made every effort to keep the double occupancy cost of our Route 66 road trip less than other internationally offered driving tours for two adults while offering features that far surpass our competitors.

The total cost of the tour for two adults is $11,900 and includes the following (see “Included” for full details):

- Vintage automobile rental
- First class ground transportation to and from your arrival and departure airport
- Carefully selected top-notch accommodations
- In addtion to the stops along Route 66, two nights in L.A., two nights in Chicago, and side trips to Branson, MO (2 nights) and Las Vegas, NV (2 nights)
- Vehicle damage, liability and theft insurance (deposit is required)
- Free fuel. For 2013, an unprecedented fuel allowance
- GPS Navigation System with Route 66 Turn-by-Turn directions and attractions
- Tour adviser, mechanic and spare classic vehicle on each tour
- Daily car washing and fueling service
- Double occupancy. Tour cost covers two adults

Old cars were prone to over-heating. Will over-heating be an issue?

2012-12-19T17:05:46Z

No. This is an area where modern technology and materials make a big difference. All of the cars in our fleet have been fitted with aluminum radiators, electric fans and fan shrouds. The automatic transmission cars also have transmission cooling systems installed. So these upgrades, combined with modern coolant, the proper thermostats, electronic ignition and modern synthetic oils, keep the temperatures well within range. On a recent day-time drive through the Mohave Dessert in the 1955 Bel Air, the temperature never rose above 165 degrees.

Do the cars have air conditioning?

2012-12-19T16:55:10Z

Yes. Though most were not initially equipped with air conditioning, we have up fitted the entire fleet to include Vintage Air. The Vintage Air systems replace the heater core and fit neatly into the dash, unlike the gaudy under-dash add-on units popular in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. It allows for not only very efficient cooling, but also great window defrosting and heater capabilities.

How reliable are the classic cars in the Blacktop Candy’s fleet?

2012-12-19T16:44:48Z

Very reliable. All of the cars in our fleet have been restored to “better than new” condition. The exterior paint and trim are like new and interior has been restored to new colors and patterns. So the cars look great. But more importantly, each car has been upgraded with modern improvements that make them perform much better than they did when they were new. Let’s take the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, for example. In 1955, the V-8 engine was new to Chevrolet and the car came equipped with a 265 cubic inch eight cylinder engine and no oil filter - strangely enough it was an option. For authenticity’s sake we’ve maintained the small-block V-8, but we’ve upgraded to a more modern 350 cubic inch engine with greater horsepower, better fuel economy, and modern parts that can be found at any parts supply store.