rich5962

I posted this over at the NCRS site and here's an exact copy of it here. I drive my '59 everywhere, and this is what I like to see. In '08 I drove mine 100 miles to Kissimmee for judging for the first time in 25 years, got a third flight, and was happy I did. I had the attitude to go and have fun and not get stressed about points. Luke is a testament to what to do with any car......Drive It !

Luke left Sunday morning at 6:30 to drive it home, trying to get about 1,000 miles a day.

copy below:
Congratulations to Luke Rizzuto and his good friend John Quam for their unbelievable journey across the United States to attend the Kissimmee Winter Regional. They did this in Luke's 1965 365hp(with C60)! Corvette convertible.

They clocked over 4000 miles, and Luke decided to take the "Long Way"! Instead of the direct highway route, they took the Spanish Trail along the lower borders of the US, partly to avoid inclement weather, but also to add a FEW more miles to help get Driven Points for his 406,000 mile '65 Corvette in Flight judging.

At the awards banquet last night, Luke not only received the Longest Driven award, but also received a 2nd Flight award. His Corvette wasn't as pretty as all of the restored Top Flight cars, but it was a highlight of the entire show field. Everyone that looked at it probably said "look at that.....what's that doing here?" But when they found out HOW it got there, they were shocked and elated that it came.



Congrats Luke!

History......
Luke put a ad in the Driveline about 5 years ago advertising he had original POP and paperwork. Chuck and Luke hooked up, and Luke decided some day to drive out to the Regionals to meet. It finally happened. Chuck, Luke , John and myself had a great week, attending the show, dinners, adult beverage sipping, and the Mecum Auction yesterday. We've now become lifelong friends, and we're planning a Key West Corvette trip next year when Luke and John drive out after Luke clocks 500,000 miles on his Corvette. He wants to go for Top Flight next time!

This would not have been possible if it were not for Jim Gessner's "1965 Fuelie Survey". Luke found it when Jim's list popped out the Vin#.
Luke formerly owned Chuck M's Black/Red '65 Fuelie. Thanks Jim! You not only found a car, but made new found friends.

Rich
p.s BTW, Luke is not afraid of long rides! He and John completed the Great Race in 2008 across the US. This year, they're planning another little ride.....a World Tour from Plymouth MA to Oregon, then Japan to Paris, then Scandinavia to Iceland.

=============
added info:

I got the route wrong in post1. Check it here....Wow!


http://larworldtour.com/

=============

MarkC

I saw the car Friday while it was being judged. It was running when I walked up. It sounded great with those side pipes. Luke was in the car while it was running. I asked several folks if he had driven from CA and no one knew for sure. I wish I had taken photos of the car. The car looked nice and sounded great. Good luck to them getting home.

427Hotrod

As it should be! Congratulations!!

JIM

rich5962

Update.........

Luke sent this via email last night. At 8:37PM he snapped a picture as he was driving. His car is amazing.

From: "Luke Rizzuto" <xxxxxx@earthlink.net>
To:
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 11:47:38 PM
Subject: FW:


Baton Rouge to El Paso in 15 hrs. 4K rpm

-----Original Message-----
From: Luke Rizzuto
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 8:37 PM
To:xxxxxx@earthlink.net
Subject:

62Jeff

Might want to delete his email address from your post so spam bots dont pick it up.

rich5962

mcb55-210

I can truly appreciate a trophy car, but there is nothing like a car that gets driven! Congratulations on a fun trip!

Mike

Mick71

The Corvette in your avatar is a really good-looking car. Black with Torque-Thrust wheels is my favorite combination.

groovyjay

SebringBill

Did the opposite in 2002 - FL to CA for NCRS Natls. Showed as Sportsman & shared the longest driven with another 57 (original owner, no less!)! Always great to see 'em DRIVEN!

rich5962

Bill, You should have followed Luke and done it again!

He & John are coming back next year in the '65, late 2015. They wanna do a Key West trip, meet us here near Vero Beach. Chuck & I are going, me in the '59, Chuck in his '61.....

You wanna come?

Rich
p.s. Seriously

rich5962

Update....Luke is in California!

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Where are you?
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 18:41:22 -0800
From: Luke Rizzuto <xxxxxx@earthlink.net>
To: <xxxxxx@comcast.net>


Hi Rich,
I'm in Modesto, Ca. I'll be home tomorrow.
Yes, 3:70
Tire size, 225-60R-15
Total trip; 7281 miles
Luke

SebringBill

That's a distinct possibility. Been to Islamorada but never made it to Key West. They could stop over here in Sarasota (for maintenance in the Garage Mahal) then we could meet you guys in Vero (what's a few miles outta da way when you're driving 7000?). Since I'm a CPA most anyyear after late April works. Keep me in mind sebringbill@comcast.net
I did speak with Luke briefly at the conclusion of the NCRS Old Town banquet; hopefully he'll remember me.

rich5962

I never got a follow up about Luke's return trip until yesterday. Chuck said he heard from him and made it back okay. But he had a slight mechanical issue close to home. A email I got yesterday from John, his CA to FL shotgunner.

Looks like Luke (Roadwalker) "had the force" with him.



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: forum link about your journey
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2014 11:04:48 -0800
From: John Q <>
To: RM <>


Hey Rich

Well, Luke made it back in about 4 or 5 days....can't remember. One days drive was from about an hour east of the Texas border
to El Paso.....running about 80-85 mph. He got about 2 hours from his house and pulled off the interstate to spend the night
with a friend. Just as he came to the exit stop sign and made a turn he heard a loud pop from the engine. He immediately
stopped the car and opened the hood....the air cleaner had vibrated loose and was laying next to the engine. The support
rod for the air cleaner was no where to be found, so assumed it went into the intake manifold!!

To make a long story short, he trailered the car to his shop, pulled the intake manifold and heads and found a broken valve
spring and no engine damage. Sure enough, he found the air cleaner support in the intake manifold!!

It's always an adventure ......

Anyway, hope all is well with you and Chuck....looking forward to a Florida Keys trip

Best

John

TexVette66

That's one spot I all ways use a drop of Lokite, Jerry

65hihp

This car, a twin to mine except for color and A/C, made my day at Old Town. For several reasons. He came from So. CAL same as me. Only I flew, and he drove. And in five years attending NCRS meets I have never seen a car driven that far for flight judging. And then parked on the judging field as if it was the hotel parking lot. Unwashed, as driven. It would have been a pleasure to judge it, though the judges got one heck of a workout. But I was not on 65s. And then he drove back home in three days. Unbelieveable. I drove 400 miles each way to Sacto CAL for a Regional meet a couple years ago; one way was in a driving rain all day. And I thought I was making news. Not like Luke! Bravo man! You showed us all how NCRS is supposed to work. Good job!

rich5962

Just a follow up on the World's Longest Race.....You think 4,000 miles in a Corvette is a long trip?

Got this from Luke. Confirmed. May 7th is the start. Check in to see how they're doing as it goes on.

From: Luke Rizzuto [xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2014 7:14 PM
To: xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Longest auto race



Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
Well, the race is on. The money is paid, the cars are shipped and the airline is booked.
We have John and I and a gentleman, Leo and a lady, Eileen that are joining us
Our car is a 1928 Plymouth Roadster and Leo’s 2011 Envoy.
We fly to Yokohama on May 7th and start the trip of a lifetime, around the world to home. 19,000 miles in 120 days.
Buddy Saupe and Jim Meader of Sotheby’s International Realty has sponsored our website, worldautotour.com.
A big thank you to Buddy and Jim for their support.
Join us daily for pictures and reports on our website.
Thanks for your interest and support.
Luke




http://www.larworldtour.com/