Would you do it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
I would do it. Think of it as an adventure. It can't be any more dangerous than rock climbing or skydiving. You can get a real good education out of the deal too. Take a wireless laptop or a smartphone along and give us updates throughout the day(s). We will be following along and many of the forum guys may be available along your route to help if needed. I went out of my way to meet up and shake hands with people from another forum (shown below). I still get to meet them now and then and have established good relationships with them for some time now. It will be a blast. When you get home you can tell everyone your story and listen to them tell you how crazy you are to do such a thing. You will know how much excitement it was.
My 1969 sat for 18 years or so and I got it running and drove it from so. California to South Dakota. Here is the link to the story.
http://www.stovebolt.com/features/sa...erg/index.html
I also did this with an old chevy pickup with the help of another forum. I got sponsors from vendors for parts, and put the whole thing on their web site. We ended up raising a couple of grand for care packages for our troops. Here is that story.
http://www.stovebolt.com/news/2007/february2007/#dare
When I got home some of my friends decided that if I didn't make it home with the car, I was an idiot to try something like that. And if I did make it home with the car I had a lot of *****.......Apparently, I have a lot of *****.
My 1969 sat for 18 years or so and I got it running and drove it from so. California to South Dakota. Here is the link to the story.
http://www.stovebolt.com/features/sa...erg/index.html
I also did this with an old chevy pickup with the help of another forum. I got sponsors from vendors for parts, and put the whole thing on their web site. We ended up raising a couple of grand for care packages for our troops. Here is that story.
http://www.stovebolt.com/news/2007/february2007/#dare
When I got home some of my friends decided that if I didn't make it home with the car, I was an idiot to try something like that. And if I did make it home with the car I had a lot of *****.......Apparently, I have a lot of *****.
Last edited by builder; Oct 20, 2011 at 04:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Yes, the more one knows cars & the more he can do, the easier it is. I carry tools. Several times that worked for me.
You also need to know how to adjust & carry spare points.
You also need to know how to adjust & carry spare points.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Newbie here!
So I tracked down a low mileage (35K miles) 1974 and 1 family owned (sister original owner and sold to brother, the current owner) C3 convertible with AC, PS, PB, L48 - 4-spd, blue exterior and silver interior, and matching hardtop. The problem is the car is 550 miles from me and I spoke to the owner and he assured me the car is in perfect running condition, brakes are good, and everything works. He mentioned that the tires are dried from the car being mostly parked in the garage, and the car is on its 2nd set of tires in its entire life. Owner told me to fly in, take the Greyhound, or drive with a friend to his location, look at the car and of course if I like it, buy it, take it to Big O Tires 4 blocks down the street for new tires and drive it home!!!
The thought of driving an unknown car 550 miles scared the hell out of me
. Of course if I am brave enough to drive it back, I will check the coolant level, oil, etc.,.
WOULD YOU DO (DRIVE IT HOME) IT???
So I tracked down a low mileage (35K miles) 1974 and 1 family owned (sister original owner and sold to brother, the current owner) C3 convertible with AC, PS, PB, L48 - 4-spd, blue exterior and silver interior, and matching hardtop. The problem is the car is 550 miles from me and I spoke to the owner and he assured me the car is in perfect running condition, brakes are good, and everything works. He mentioned that the tires are dried from the car being mostly parked in the garage, and the car is on its 2nd set of tires in its entire life. Owner told me to fly in, take the Greyhound, or drive with a friend to his location, look at the car and of course if I like it, buy it, take it to Big O Tires 4 blocks down the street for new tires and drive it home!!!
The thought of driving an unknown car 550 miles scared the hell out of me
. Of course if I am brave enough to drive it back, I will check the coolant level, oil, etc.,.WOULD YOU DO (DRIVE IT HOME) IT???
When I got to Chicago, I went over the car very well, and if it wasn't in the condition to make the drive I had planned, I wouldn't have bought it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Personally, I rent the car hauler from U-haul and trailer them home. (a 73 and 2 74's in my lifetime) 550 miles is not that horrible of a distance...you can do that in a day if you start early enough. I'd put the wear and tear on the suv/truck that you'd be hauling it with and save the stress on that 37 year old suspension. You can usually rent the car haulers one way and they aren't that expensive.
Make it a 2 day trip. Rent a U Haul car trailer for $55/day. There is no chance at damaging the car/motor/trans with a 500+ mile trip ahead of you if you trailer it. (can also buy insurance from UHaul as well ). What will you do if the car has trouble at 200 miles into the trip? It's gonna cost you hundreds of $$ to ship it after a tow truck hits you for the cost of the U Haul alone.
Rent a trailer, go get it, enjoy the trip and take a bunch of pics.
Just my 2 cents .
I DISAGREE with renting the trailer one way- you would be better off BUYING a trailer. UHaul gets $55/day with no mileage limits. Usually a one way trailer is AT LEAST $600....
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
Lot of variables here. Do you have mechanical experience if something breaks down? If you get stuck along the route, would you miss days of work or leave it at an unknown shop and then have the expense of going back for it?
If you own a vehicle with towing capability, my vote would be to trailer it home. You could look around for a friend, local gearhead, or car club member who has a car hauler to rent/borrow or you could rent one from a local rental company. Theny wouldn't have to worry aboput registration/ plates, etc until you get it home. Call prior to the trip to set something up with insurance Co. so you have comprehensive even when it's on the trailer.
I might also ask the owner if he would deliver it for a reasonable fee plus bus or plane fare to return home or hotel and gas money if he has someone in another vehicle follow him.
Best of luck for whichever way you get it home. It will be exciting for you and we will be waiting for pics.
Terry
If you own a vehicle with towing capability, my vote would be to trailer it home. You could look around for a friend, local gearhead, or car club member who has a car hauler to rent/borrow or you could rent one from a local rental company. Theny wouldn't have to worry aboput registration/ plates, etc until you get it home. Call prior to the trip to set something up with insurance Co. so you have comprehensive even when it's on the trailer.
I might also ask the owner if he would deliver it for a reasonable fee plus bus or plane fare to return home or hotel and gas money if he has someone in another vehicle follow him.
Best of luck for whichever way you get it home. It will be exciting for you and we will be waiting for pics.
Terry
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
If it runs well and you put the new tires on, go for it. A fly in and drive home is one of life's great experiences. I bought a 64 coupe in Key West, Fla. and drove home to Mass (about 1,500 miles) back in 2000 and had a blast. Also flew from Mass to Missouri and drove a C6 Z06 home 1,600 miles last September. Stopped at the Corvette Museum for a couple of days on the way home.
The worst thing that can happen is you break down and get it fixed. Line up some Corvette friends along the way to assist in the repairs should that occur. Life's too short to worry about the negatives. Go get it if you like it and drive it home
The worst thing that can happen is you break down and get it fixed. Line up some Corvette friends along the way to assist in the repairs should that occur. Life's too short to worry about the negatives. Go get it if you like it and drive it home
its a car , not a spaceship
get new tires , do an oil/filter ...check the fluids & drive during daylight hours
i drove the speed limit for the 1st half of my trip, then maxed the speedo at 85 for the last 3 or 4 hours
everytime ya stop for fuel do a recheck of the fluids...read the gauges while you are motoring
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest CA
No question about it. I would definatley drive it home since we are only talking about 550 miles. But before I hand over the full amount I would get it on a lift at a local shop, change fluids, and tires and if you don't feel anything suspicious during your initial test drive with the suspension drive that puppy home. You will learn alot about the car during your drive.
AAA is a must along with a basic toolkit.
AAA is a must along with a basic toolkit.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 810
Likes: 48
From: West Chester Pennsylvania
Newbie here!
So I tracked down a low mileage (35K miles) 1974 and 1 family owned (sister original owner and sold to brother, the current owner) C3 convertible with AC, PS, PB, L48 - 4-spd, blue exterior and silver interior, and matching hardtop. The problem is the car is 550 miles from me and I spoke to the owner and he assured me the car is in perfect running condition, brakes are good, and everything works. He mentioned that the tires are dried from the car being mostly parked in the garage, and the car is on its 2nd set of tires in its entire life. Owner told me to fly in, take the Greyhound, or drive with a friend to his location, look at the car and of course if I like it, buy it, take it to Big O Tires 4 blocks down the street for new tires and drive it home!!!
The thought of driving an unknown car 550 miles scared the hell out of me. Of course if I am brave enough to drive it back, I will check the coolant level, oil, etc.,.
WOULD YOU DO (DRIVE IT HOME) IT???
So I tracked down a low mileage (35K miles) 1974 and 1 family owned (sister original owner and sold to brother, the current owner) C3 convertible with AC, PS, PB, L48 - 4-spd, blue exterior and silver interior, and matching hardtop. The problem is the car is 550 miles from me and I spoke to the owner and he assured me the car is in perfect running condition, brakes are good, and everything works. He mentioned that the tires are dried from the car being mostly parked in the garage, and the car is on its 2nd set of tires in its entire life. Owner told me to fly in, take the Greyhound, or drive with a friend to his location, look at the car and of course if I like it, buy it, take it to Big O Tires 4 blocks down the street for new tires and drive it home!!!
The thought of driving an unknown car 550 miles scared the hell out of me
. Of course if I am brave enough to drive it back, I will check the coolant level, oil, etc.,.WOULD YOU DO (DRIVE IT HOME) IT???
Last summer, I flew to Cleveland with my 14 yo son and bought a 72 coupe that we drove back to Philly close to 450 miles. About 7 hours.
Here's the deal.. if the car won't go 550 miles, don't buy it. Seriously.
Little things may happen -- however, if the brakes work, has gas, spark, rubber and all the lights work, then be sure to properly register it; get a a AAA Membership with unlimited towing and bring lots of cash and a sense of humor.
Like I told another C3 member who did it too..... DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT !!!!!
You do this trip and YOU"LL NEVER BE AFRAID TO TAKE HER ANYWHERE!
80% of the guys I meet are afraid to take their car more than 5 minutes from home for fear of the unknown. Live a little, besides.. it's a CHEVY! Virtually Indestructible That's what makes America the Best!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 806
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Ship it. The current owner never drives it much and really has no idea if it will make the trip.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Cumana
Bought my 76 17 years ago in Waldorf, MD and drove it all the way to Miami where it was put in the container and shipped to Aruba.
Never had a problem with engine or trans.
It was my daily driver since than untill I did put the blown BBC in it 2 years ago.
Never had a problem with engine or trans.
It was my daily driver since than untill I did put the blown BBC in it 2 years ago.