Cross-county road trip in my 69?
04-12-2006, 08:29 AM
#41
Le Mans Master
When I took my 69 from Pittsburgh to Ft. Lauderdale, I had no problems at all. The car ran like a champ. When I took it to Oklahoma, I had put a new belt on it before I left and threw the old one in the car just in case. The new belt shredded just as I was pulling into OK City. Put the old one back on, and it lasted for years after that. Then on the way home a bolt for the sidepipe hangar broke, but other than that everything was fine.
I might be a little concerned about a dog that big since it might be hard for him to lay down on the seat. Not sure that he'll be comfortable sitting for that long. But maybe a 40 lb dog isn't as big as I think. I have a 130 lb Great Dane and wouldn't even think about taking her in the vette.
I might be a little concerned about a dog that big since it might be hard for him to lay down on the seat. Not sure that he'll be comfortable sitting for that long. But maybe a 40 lb dog isn't as big as I think. I have a 130 lb Great Dane and wouldn't even think about taking her in the vette.
04-12-2006, 09:28 AM
#42
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
He is 70 lbs. I have considered taking out the passenger seat and putting it with my belongings that are going to be shipped home. That would give him tons of room.
04-12-2006, 09:30 AM
#43
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
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Originally Posted by corvettecris
He is 70 lbs. I have considered taking out the passenger seat and putting it with my belongings that are going to be shipped home. That would give him tons of room.
That is actually a really good idea
04-12-2006, 10:15 AM
#44
Melting Slicks
First of all, I say GO FOR IT!
If I was in your shoes I'd start a new thread and post your route with approx. dates. Then ask for volunteers to chime in as a possible place for you to park, do maint, etc should you experience a problem. Depends on your route but I've got you covered across North Alabama, say from Corinth MS to Nashville to Chattanooga...hell, you're almost home then!
Also, set up a blog on the CF for us to follow...take a lap top and digital camera...easy to set up if you have the know how...use your cell phone as a modem for the laptop or find a Wi-Fi hot spot (route your trip via Starbucks) and upload posts/pictures daily…we'll live vicariously through your trip!
Last thing, like others posted, my only concern is with your rear-wheel bearings. No real way to tell how much slop is in them and they don't give much of a warning prior to letting go/seizing up. Do you have history of them being serviced? They are most likely the only "Corvette" specific thing that could go wrong and side-track your trip. So you trailer the car the rest of the way home!
Good luck and Semper Fi Mac!
If I was in your shoes I'd start a new thread and post your route with approx. dates. Then ask for volunteers to chime in as a possible place for you to park, do maint, etc should you experience a problem. Depends on your route but I've got you covered across North Alabama, say from Corinth MS to Nashville to Chattanooga...hell, you're almost home then!
Also, set up a blog on the CF for us to follow...take a lap top and digital camera...easy to set up if you have the know how...use your cell phone as a modem for the laptop or find a Wi-Fi hot spot (route your trip via Starbucks) and upload posts/pictures daily…we'll live vicariously through your trip!
Last thing, like others posted, my only concern is with your rear-wheel bearings. No real way to tell how much slop is in them and they don't give much of a warning prior to letting go/seizing up. Do you have history of them being serviced? They are most likely the only "Corvette" specific thing that could go wrong and side-track your trip. So you trailer the car the rest of the way home!
Good luck and Semper Fi Mac!
04-12-2006, 03:19 PM
#45
and if no one has mentioned it yet, with the amount of people on this list im sure if you got in to any trouble there would be plenty of people to the rescue along the way.
heck, if i was on your route i would even put you and the pup up for the night.
heck, if i was on your route i would even put you and the pup up for the night.
04-12-2006, 03:56 PM
#46
Safety Car
Definitely do it! When I drove to MI to pick up my 68, we took the scenic route through Yellowstone, MT Rushmore, Devils Tower, Mall of America, and Michigans UP to the Canadian border. Best vacation I ever went on! My wife could not believe how big this country is(she's from the Philippines) and how much there is to see!
Promised my relatives in MI I'd drive the car back so they can see it(they all remember what kind of shape it was in before), now after reading this thread, I think it's time to live up to that promise....
Have a safe trip!
Promised my relatives in MI I'd drive the car back so they can see it(they all remember what kind of shape it was in before), now after reading this thread, I think it's time to live up to that promise....
Have a safe trip!
04-13-2006, 01:19 AM
#47
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I've been toying with the idea of doing something similar. Check out this website for some good ideas including scenic drives through the western US: http://www.roadtripamerica.com/travelplanning/.
Good luck!
Good luck!
04-13-2006, 08:42 PM
#48
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Well, I fixed my radio, so that will be a plus for the trip. I think I have about decided to do it. This weekend I am going to do a full check on my car, just to make sure everything looks ok.
I am going to use rv.com and a few other sites to try and plan a basic route. I really want to stick to a semi-direct route from San D to Dalton, so I dont think I am going to make it too far north. I will post a preliminary route idea here in a bit. You all can help me edit it to hit some important sites along the way.
I am going to use rv.com and a few other sites to try and plan a basic route. I really want to stick to a semi-direct route from San D to Dalton, so I dont think I am going to make it too far north. I will post a preliminary route idea here in a bit. You all can help me edit it to hit some important sites along the way.
04-13-2006, 08:57 PM
#49
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
BTW, any other good websites on planning a route? I dont know how to even begin!
I just know I want to see the Crand Canyon and Rt 66. What else would be worth seeing that isn't a huge detour?
I just know I want to see the Crand Canyon and Rt 66. What else would be worth seeing that isn't a huge detour?
04-13-2006, 09:07 PM
#50
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Here are some more ideas. Any of these feasible to visit?
Yellowstone
River Dam
Yosemite
Painted Hills
Alamo
I am not planning on staying at any place too long, if that makes any difference.
Yellowstone
River Dam
Yosemite
Painted Hills
Alamo
I am not planning on staying at any place too long, if that makes any difference.
04-13-2006, 09:25 PM
#51
Drifting
Member Since: Jul 2005
Location: Mobile, Alabama/ 29 Palms, california
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Originally Posted by corvettecris
Here are some more ideas. Any of these feasible to visit?
Yellowstone
River Dam
Yosemite
Painted Hills
Alamo
I am not planning on staying at any place too long, if that makes any difference.
Yellowstone
River Dam
Yosemite
Painted Hills
Alamo
I am not planning on staying at any place too long, if that makes any difference.
The painted Hills are scenic, and if I remember correctly they're close to the Grand Canyon.
04-13-2006, 11:03 PM
#52
Racer
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I think it's a great idea! And, if you decide to come through Colorado, please know that you and Baxter have a place to stay in Boulder. You're both welcome at my house. Have a spare bedroom and I'd vacate one bay of the garage for your Vette. My two mutts like Goldens!
04-13-2006, 11:29 PM
#53
Burning Brakes
Hey Cris,
If you come thru Texas on I-10 you and Baxter have a room waiting. Didn't I send you a Ram-Air hood a year or two back??? I hope it worked. This will be a trip you will never forget...good or bad. No step for a Marine.
If you come thru Texas on I-10 you and Baxter have a room waiting. Didn't I send you a Ram-Air hood a year or two back??? I hope it worked. This will be a trip you will never forget...good or bad. No step for a Marine.
04-14-2006, 12:27 AM
#54
Melting Slicks
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What a grand idea!! The marine heads cross country in the old vette, stopping at various vette persons houses for overnights and updates to the corvette forum...........I'm sold..........
Do it man...........and if you are coming through Jackson, Ms (which you may be)........my house is open!!
Rock on!!
Oh......if you don't have a laptop computer, get one, with a wireless card. You can pull up into almost any subdivision and get online for free!!
Do it man...........and if you are coming through Jackson, Ms (which you may be)........my house is open!!
Rock on!!
Oh......if you don't have a laptop computer, get one, with a wireless card. You can pull up into almost any subdivision and get online for free!!
04-14-2006, 01:01 AM
#55
We drove the 78 from San Diego to Virginia and back just over 3 years ago...drove mainly two lanes after Albuquerque via US 50 thru Kansas/Missouri,etc...interstates are a complete bore..get the book "Road Trip USA"....cross country adventures on America's two-lane highways...you will have a blast..we did..
Rich
Rich
04-14-2006, 07:41 AM
#56
Safety Car
Originally Posted by corvettecris
I will be going to Dalton, GA, near Chattanooga TN, 2 hrs N. of ATL.
What kind of precautions should I take into account? I don't want it to turn into a 1500 mile tow bill. Also, I have never done a trip like this. Anyone have a good route to suggest? I'd like a casual senic drive that hits some nice areas, lie maybe route 66, etc.
Also, do you think it would be possible to save a few bucks and take a tent? I like to camp, am young enough to sleep on the ground and not have to visit the chiropracter. I figured I might be able to camp out at rest areas and camp grounds. By the way, I will have a 70 lbs golden retreiver named Baxter with me. Think he will be ok for the trip?
What kind of precautions should I take into account? I don't want it to turn into a 1500 mile tow bill. Also, I have never done a trip like this. Anyone have a good route to suggest? I'd like a casual senic drive that hits some nice areas, lie maybe route 66, etc.
Also, do you think it would be possible to save a few bucks and take a tent? I like to camp, am young enough to sleep on the ground and not have to visit the chiropracter. I figured I might be able to camp out at rest areas and camp grounds. By the way, I will have a 70 lbs golden retreiver named Baxter with me. Think he will be ok for the trip?
04-14-2006, 10:10 AM
#58
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
pef427, yes, you did sell me the hood. i just put it on last week...!
My tent is very compact, and being a guy, I wont need much clothes and accessories. I guess I will have to do a test pack and see what kind of room I'm looking at.
My tent is very compact, and being a guy, I wont need much clothes and accessories. I guess I will have to do a test pack and see what kind of room I'm looking at.
04-14-2006, 10:14 AM
#59
Originally Posted by corvettecris
I will be going to Dalton, GA, near Chattanooga TN, 2 hrs N. of ATL.
What kind of precautions should I take into account? I don't want it to turn into a 1500 mile tow bill. Also, I have never done a trip like this. Anyone have a good route to suggest? I'd like a casual senic drive that hits some nice areas, lie maybe route 66, etc.
Also, do you think it would be possible to save a few bucks and take a tent? I like to camp, am young enough to sleep on the ground and not have to visit the chiropracter. I figured I might be able to camp out at rest areas and camp grounds. By the way, I will have a 70 lbs golden retreiver named Baxter with me. Think he will be ok for the trip?
What kind of precautions should I take into account? I don't want it to turn into a 1500 mile tow bill. Also, I have never done a trip like this. Anyone have a good route to suggest? I'd like a casual senic drive that hits some nice areas, lie maybe route 66, etc.
Also, do you think it would be possible to save a few bucks and take a tent? I like to camp, am young enough to sleep on the ground and not have to visit the chiropracter. I figured I might be able to camp out at rest areas and camp grounds. By the way, I will have a 70 lbs golden retreiver named Baxter with me. Think he will be ok for the trip?
04-14-2006, 12:30 PM
#60
Instructor
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Drive It
I bought my 73 on the internet in Phoenix. I flew out there from Chicago. Looked it over?? It had at least 170k and needed one of everything. They wanted 1K to ship it. I am a good enough mechanic that any minor problem I could fix on the way, and every 250 miles was that much less to ship it. Changed all the fluids(trans, oil, radiator) and drove it home not exceeding 65 to 70. Filled the gas up at half tank As I did not even know if the guage was correct. Had a BLAST. lost the power steering valve and blew out both exaust manifold gaskets but was one of the best trips I ever took. Took my time, Great trip. just drive the darn thing.