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Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:40 pm

I was wondering about what i should think about tkaing with me on a full trip of Route 66 in my 1967 bug. if there are people who are planning a big trip together with just volkswagens or somethiung that would be awesome. im thinkin about doing it in two years from now and by then i will have had my motor rebuilt and a new transmission or just rebuild the one ive got. i want to start in Chicago and work my way to the west coast, so ill take I-40 to chicago from Fullerton, Ca and then work my way back along the Mother Road.

if anyone has any advice or is planning on taking a group trip please respond with your comments. Thanks a bunch in advace. 8) stay "air-cool"

Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:03 pm

Hi

The big three obvious items
1. Credit card
2. Cell phone
3. AAA card

Outside of that, are you mechanical?
Spare fan belt
Spark plugs
Spare points and condenser
Dist cap and rotor
Fuel filter
tool box of general wrenches and screw drivers
Idiot book (great instructions on how to fix alsmost anything when broken down and sitting in a mud puddle with only a screw driver and a piece of stiff wire)
Bentley book.
Six pack on ice?

Dave

Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:14 pm

If you're running 'stock-ish' tires, it would be a good idea to bring an spare spare as they're hard to find out in the hinterlands. Dave's list is a good start, and read through the John Muir book and pack along the Phase I & II tools & spares. You'll probably need a roof rack ;)

My folks livw right off 66 near Seligman, Az. It's a great cheesy little town. Go to The Snow Cap and you'll see the cars that inspired the look of Disney's Cars.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:09 pm

Make sure you have a good long brake-over bar to get the lug nuts off and a block of wood so the stock jack does not sink in the ground. The cell phone is a must!

Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:55 pm

Hey, I grew up in Fullerton! In '98 I bought a new Harley at Westminster HD and did a Route 66 ride back home to NYC. I did a little online research and found a guy that had documented the reverse route [Santa Monica to Chicago]. Although the road was decommissioned years ago, with a little work, you can find about 90-95% of the original road [the rest is gone].

It was a great trip, no need to go to Chicago and come back. There are a few great books out there that point out some of the attractions along the way. Also check out http://www.roadsideamerica.com/. It's another great resource for things to see and do along the Mother Road. Make sure you spend the night at the Wigwam motel in Holbrook AZ. There's also one in Riverside but that's to close. I took a couple weeks to do it, with side trips wandering around Winslow AZ [I stood on a corner], the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Red Rock Canyon, Colorado [Four Corners, Silverado, and Woolfcreek Pass] New Mexico a bit [Santa Fe, Taos, the Enchanted Circle, Area 51], Car Henge in TX, the Burma Shave signs in OK as well as the oldest gas station, and make sure you stop by Cozy Dog [home of the original Corn Dogs] in Springfield IL. After spending a few days in Chicago with some friends I wade my way back home to NYC.

There is a Route 66 organization where you can find out more info, as well as tons of guide books. Also, check out A.I.R.S. http://www.type2.com/~airswork/rescue/index.html and print out the contacts along your route in case the worst happens. If you do a search here on the Samba for long distance tool kits you can find out more tips on things to take. If you have a good running car don't worry to much. There are alot of gas stations along the way, and cell phone coverage is pretty good.

It's a great trip, take you time and it'll leave you with alot of great memories.

-jeffrey

Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:48 am

Oklahoma has more of original 66 road than any other state, thats our claim to fame ........ Be sure to visit the blue whale in Claremore, actually theres too much to list here as places of interest.....

Around here the road runs parallel to I-44 so you are never far away but outside of town the scenery is breathtaking... One word of caution some of the small burgs and villages have notorious speed traps.. One more source of info would be AAA as member just for the asking they will map it all out with up to date current locations of all fuel stops, lodging, meals , road construction and most importantly speed traps..

If you've never seen this pop into a AAA office somewhere and look at what they call a " Trip Tic"..... I don't know about you but I've got a good picture of a convertible Corvette with Martin Milner at the wheel being passed by you in your Volkswagen.... :D Enjoy

Jim -

Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:58 am

A must stop is on the corner in Winslow Arizona. It is just a fine site to see.
Just be prepared for the unexpected and enjoy. If you are coming through Holbrook AZ. see Earls shop on old 66.

Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:14 am

Join A.I.R.S. !

Aircooled Interstate Rescue Squad

Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:50 am

Thanks for the link I just did....

Jim-

Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:55 am

Yeah, let's see how many members ever used to watch "Route 66." And how many members even knew about that TV show. Is this a sign of old age???? :lol:

Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:53 pm

are you planning on goin in the winter? i live in southern california, drive a 67 bug, i was thinking taking a trip on the mother road would be a great graduation trip, i was goin to go in the summer of 09. if your going in the summer maybe we can meet up somewhere, i was going to hit chicago to say hi to my brother and his family but then i was goin to do the east coast, dc, boston. ny. maybe phili, so on. if you have any good complete lists of spare parts please let me know. i want to be prepared

Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:27 am

cm67btl wrote: if you have any good complete lists of spare parts please let me know. i want to be prepared

Do a search on spare parts for road trips and you'll find the subject has been well traveled.

-jeffrey

Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:10 am

gt1953 wrote: A must stop is on the corner in Winslow Arizona. It is just a fine site to see.
Just be prepared for the unexpected and enjoy.

You mean like a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford?

Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:47 am

I would love to get on board for a road trip on the Mother Road. Two years to plan and get everything in order would be just about right. I would really enjoy touring Route 66 with other Samba members. My Wife and I have talked about doing this for years, this would be the perfect opportunity! The only problem is I don't thing she is too keen on going during the summer in a 58 Bug with no A/C :agrue:

Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:57 am

As noted above, I did it on a M/C in June. It really wasn't that bad. Got a little warm in Texas around the Cadillac Ranch but other than that, it was nice.

-jeffrey

Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:07 pm

i have no a/c either, i just think it would be really fun, if anyone joins in im not only goin to chicago but i plan on goin all the way across the counrty, so they can jump on the band wagon, no dates set for sure but im thinking mid june of 09

Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:53 am

KTPhil wrote: gt1953 wrote: A must stop is on the corner in Winslow Arizona. It is just a fine site to see.
Just be prepared for the unexpected and enjoy.

You mean like a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford?

Man, they never tell you which corner!

Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:10 am

You'll know when you get there....
They's got a corner all painted up with the Ford and the girl... it's pretty hokey actually.

Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:07 pm

http://www.standinonthecorner.com/Maps.htm

Look and you shall find.

Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:50 pm

Nodnarb246, I encourage you to do this. Even if you only do it once, you'll have stories to tell for years.

As one of the organizers of several such road-trips (including four of the Gene Berg Memorial Cruises), I offer a few tips.

Planning: Stay conservative on the number of miles you expect to cover each day. We tried not to plan over 400. The more cars in the cruise, the more chances something will need to be fixed along the way. Also, every car carries at least one human bladder. :lol:

Car Prep: Make every effort to ensure that all cars are truly road-worthy.

This doesn't mean that you should just start throwing money at the local shop to fix everything. In fact, I advise that you do as much of the work on your car yourself as possible. That way, your mechanic (you) is right there should something need fixing.

Before the trip, drive your car as much as possible. Daily for a few months is good. If your trip includes hot-weather driving, make sure to do some similar driving to find out if your car will show problems on the freeway that don't show up around town.

This gives you the maximum chance of finding and fixing whatever needs fixing ... before you are a thousand miles from home.

The idea is to fix everything you can in the comfort of your own garage to avoid fixing them by the side of the road.

Bring a camera and have fun!

Max