Originally Posted by Joliet John
Huh? If the alternator couldn't power the car, the battery would die on a long trip.
I have definitely driven post 1962 cars with an alternator, and no battery at all. I did it for months in a 70's Maverick with a stick. No battery in the car at all. I'd push start it and go. Whenever possible, I'd park on a hill to make my life easier.
I used to check if my alternator was still working by disconnecting the negative while running on my 64 Dart. The engine continued to run so everything OK. Of course no electronics on the old Dart other than the transistor radio.