I think driving Ol' Rusty requires an immediate change in expectations. I've driven some old "sports cars" from the 60s and they drive like crap. But they can be kinda fun in a different sense.
When I moved from GA to NC, I borrowed a friend's "bread van", and old panel van, with a 4 speed transmission, which was OK except first gear was the granny gear and third gear had lost its synchros. I made it round trip with my gear until just outside Chapel Hill it threw the water pump. I stopped on the side of the road, it was over heating. I drove a short distance to a gas station, they had water back then. After it cooled some more, I added water to the radiator being careful in removing the cap.
I made it to my new apartment and unloaded and called him with the news. He said it was no big deal. He had a Triumph TR 6 that was fun to drive.
It's good that speed limits then were 55 on the freeways.