I leave tomorrow for what should be approx. 4000 mile trip starting in the DFW area and as far as San Fran. Then down PCH to San Diego and back home. Planning on approx. 2 weeks, unless I get detoured.

I have changed anti-freeze, oil, serp. belt, greased the ball joints, and a few other misc. projects. New tires and only 89K miles on the car. The only thing I didn't have time to get done is the A/C, oh well my deodorant works well.

I have a camera and a laptop so I will post pics along the way. The ones I am looking forward to are the ones down PCH. In the car is a GPS and a Sirius sat radio.

Found a web site called Road America that specializes in weird attractions along the highway. I actually found a place that you can go see ...... wait for it ..... THE FORK IN THE ROAD. There is a fork approx. 10 ft tall outside a bar so I am going to stop by and take a pic.

 

On the way from San Fran, If it is Sat or Sun(not sure about weekdays)get to Santa Barbara and take the 101 east(Oxnard,Thousand oaks ect. ) to Kanan Rd(at Agoura Hills) Take it south to Mullhulland Highway East (5 miles or so) then have lunch at the Rock Store(enjoy the custom vehicles). Be carefull on the balljoints and watch for motorcycles as some turns are 180's, then proceed back to Kanan rd. and go south to PCH enjoy the scenery from then on.
Sorry I don't know how to spell some of the names. This is my test drive after working on the car.

 

Check the spare. You don't want something like this happening to you without a contingency plan.

Safe travels!

 

Don't leave home without your AAA card. Good luck

 

Lil Red, OUCH! Last week I dropped my spare and found a whooping 4lbs air pressure. Aired up to 50lbs (all the little compressor in my garage would do) and checked for 5 days. It held air like it is supposed to. Got out the real compressor and filled to 60. Yesterday it was still OK.

Called AAA right after the initial post and have the computer printed card in my billfold.

 

Had the blowout (left/rear) on my way to a funeral in Georgia doing 70+ on I-95 past midnight in subfreezing temperature and semis whizzing by. I've never changed a tire so fast in my life! Before the trip, a forum member recommended I check the spare before the trip. Excellent advice to say the least since it was low on pressure too. I believe the recommended psi is 60 lbs. Got a replacement the next day and was back on the road by 10 am.

Sad pic of "Vera" in Dillon, SC, with her donut tire:

 

Enjoy the trip, as long as you have done the basic's a service and checked the radiator hoses are good (firm feel when you squeeze them) they should never feel sloppy or soft at parts. Do not forget to check the heater hoses and oil cooler hoses if you have the oil cooler option.

How old is the battery? remember after 2 or more years i would not rely on a standard battery, even in brand new company cars they have not lasted me more than 2 years. I have had some battery's last 4 to 5 years in my vette, however i would not gamble it on a long trip maybe get a professional to check the battery and charging system before you go?

Always remember to keep the fuel tank topped up , the fuel pumps tend to die when the tank is almost empty. I have never had one go on a full to half full tank over the 17 or 18 years i have had my 85.
I have put over 100,000 miles on her in that time.

The heater hose has a tendency to crack at the water pump hose clamp, check that looks good. You mentioned you have changed the oil that is great, do not forget the rear end the diff fluid and look at the half shaft universal joints if they look rusty.

(the half shaft universal joints especially the ones near the brakes loose their grease over time and its pretty much a rusty metal powder left, listen for any squeaking noises that is a sure sign of bad universal joints)

Have you checked there is plenty brake pad material left? the hoses look dry.

As long as the car is regularly serviced and looked after well you should have a trouble free trip.
The C4's are very reliable, i know my 85 is in tip top shape and would do a 4,000 mile trip without a problem.

Enjoy and post plenty of pic's

 

What's your schedule?

If you can make it to SF by the 19th I'll run down PCH with you.

 

Sounds great, but I won't be to the bay area till mon/tues. Starting at the Hornet (I did a 2 week carrier qual in 65) then over to hippie town to get crabs and a hot fudge sunday. Then over the bridge to the place to take pics.

The beauty of this trip is that I have exactly the same amount of time that I have money. Run out of money and it is time to head home.

This will be the first time back to Cali in a Vette since 68 (had a 63 ragtop back then).