Oh it was a blast at the time.
The changing of the fuel filter routine got to be a PIA though. After we hit a larger town I spliced in a larger can style filter. The factory filter was the small brass job in the carb inlet. The large filter was clear plastic and it would get plugged solid in about 300 miles. So every fill-up also got a filter change.
Ron had a problem in one place because the only diesel pump in the area had an ag style nozzle on it that was about the size of the fuel cap on the VW!!! Took a short hunk of radiator hose and some careful nozzle use to get through that one. He still had that same car for a bunch of years after the trip. I think it finally rotted into a heap but the engine still ran fine.
The Pontiac lasted for a long while. Ended up needing a new rear frame clip due to the common rot on the rear section of the frame. Also made up new door bottoms, and rockers as well as a new paint job. Then Mom decided to sell it and buy a smaller car. Seem to recall the next one was a Buick of some type but I was out of the house before that.