Route 66 Centennial Road Trip: A Century of Auto Innovation (Part II)

Route 66 at 100: A Journey Through Automotive History

When we last checked in, friends David Brancaccio and John Krafcik were marking the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with me by taking a commemorative journey along a significant stretch of America’s oldest—and arguably most famous—paved highway. In celebrating the centennial of a once bustling path made of Portland concrete, asphalt, and vitrified brick, we seized the chance to review the propulsion systems that have powered vehicles along this storied road, from its earliest days to today.

Mind you, gas turbines and steam- or jet-powered vehicles were deemed overly ambitious and dismissed from consideration at the outset. Dammit, Jim, I’m a history major, not a gas turbine mechanic!

Autonomous Beginnings: Waymo Jaguar I-Pace

Our journey began with an autonomous ride out of Santa Monica in a Waymo Jaguar I-Pace taxi. The vehicle’s seamless integration into traffic set the tone for a modern take on a classic American road.

Mid-Century Muscle: 1966 Olds 4-4-2

Next, we took a spirited drive in John’s pristine—and cherry-red—1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 hardtop coupe. A pinnacle of mid-century American V-8 tradition, the 4-4-2 delivered raw power with its iron-block, overhead-valve engine. Its prodigious appetite for gasoline would have made oil executives weep, while its thunderous exhaust echoed the unfiltered spirit of Route 66.

Remarkably, the 4-4-2’s automatic transmission offered just two forward speeds (reverse notwithstanding). Yet, its torque-laden V-8 made short work of the highway, proving that less could indeed be more.

Hybrid Innovation: 2016 Chevrolet Volt

We then switched gears to David’s beloved Chevrolet Volt, a second-generation example of Chevrolet’s first parallel hybrid. The 2016 model, a pioneer in electrified mobility, provided a smooth and efficient ride. Sadly, upon returning from our trip, the Volt was totaled in a collision caused by another driver. David’s wife Mary emerged unharmed, though the car did not share her fortune.

Electric Luxury: Rivian R1S

Our journey concluded with the most comfortable leg of the trip: John’s nearly new Rivian R1S, an electric SUV that epitomized modern luxury and capability. As Rivian’s corporate offices might say, only the best for our board members.

Beyond the Cars: Route 66’s Technological Legacy

In Part I of this series, we discussed the vehicles themselves. But while cars are integral to Route 66’s identity, the highway’s story extends far beyond them. Over its 100 years, Route 66 has been a stage for automotive innovation, reflecting the evolving needs of a mobile society.

How did automakers address those needs with the tools, knowledge, and capital at their disposal? Over three days, we explored this question, marveling at the technologies that have accompanied the automobile through its century and a quarter of widespread acceptance.

From the roar of a 4-4-2’s V-8 to the silent hum of an electric SUV, each vehicle told a story of progress, adaptation, and the enduring allure of the open road.