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Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:38 pm

Hey guys I finally bought a Bug. Its a 57 Oval all original but semi restored. Less than 90000 original miles. The trip!! I will be flying to Vermont and driving it back to Milwaukee, WI. Has anyone taken this route before? Also what tools do you think I should take,remembering that I will have to take them on the plane. Also next issue its a 6volt system how would I go about using my GPS unit. I dont think that it has a lighter outlet and even if it did could I plug it in. The only thing I could think of is to buy a 12 volt battery and hook up and outlet for the gps,would this work?? If any of you guys are in my route let me know if I can stop by if needed. If you would map quest WI to VT thats the route that im taking. Thanks a lot any info to help me in my travels would be appreciated.
Thanks again,
Tony

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Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:12 pm

Quote: Also what tools do you think I should take,remembering that I will have to take them on the plane.

Based on this criteria I would recommend you bring two items.

1) Cell phone

2) ATM card

Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:15 pm

I have those all set already. Im only going to have 2 days to get this back so I might need help along the way.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:07 pm

Hi,

Good for you!
You've got Moxie to pick up a 51 year old car sight unseen, hop in and drive on a long trip!
Pick up some basic tools ASAP after getting the car. You can't really fly with a bag of tools today like you could in the "old" days so you can't bring your own.
I'd stay off of the freeways for at least the early part of the trip until you get a feel for how the car is running and how much you can depend upon it continuing to do so.
I would increase your time frame. 2 days is just too short to do this trip in an old under powered antique.
You are making the trip, lengthen it and enjoy it at least. Don't overstress yourself or the car on this trip.
You ever driven a 36 hp car before? Speed isn't one of its attributes!
You have to respect the machine and what it can and cannot do. Push it beyond its limits and you will regret the move.

Good Luck, let us know how you make out.
Dave

Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:14 pm

Do the old fashioned thing, bring an atlas. Ditch the GPS. No one learns directions anymore.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:19 pm

Its so much easier!!!!

Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:26 pm

Hehe
Good luck with the trip, sounds fun. My wife and I want to fly out to California someday and drive a camper bus back.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:54 pm

bugbaron wrote: I have those all set already. Im only going to have 2 days to get this back so I might need help along the way.

Where in VT? I'm figuring your flying into Burlington- Google maps say take it thru Canadia- so bring all the ID you need to X the boarder.

From Burlington I'd stay in the US- In Vt the mountains run N/S, so going west can kinda suck with a 36 hp. Go south down Rt 7 to 22A, then Rt 4 West to NY. Rt 22 in NY south to Glens Falls, and then hit the Interstate. By that time you should know what the car can do

Can you get the seller to lay in some tune up bits? Points, belt, a set of wiper blades? Things that you wont find at autozone, pep boys.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:59 pm

He is taking the bug in for a full tune up, plugs, wires, ajust valves. He says it will have no problems making it. What will he care he will already have the cash!! Im not going into canada I was planning on taking 90 the whole way home.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:00 pm

bugbaron wrote: Its so much easier!!!!

If your looking for traveling ease, you sure are choosing the wrong car. :P

If your traveling the old fashioned way you might as well just get a map. They dont break or run out of batteries.

This aint no Honda. Its going to take you a few days more than 2. Generally when traveling in the bus I figure out how long it takes to get somewhere in a modern car, then double it.

Good luck! :D

Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:03 pm

I know its not going to be like driving a new car but I have my Bro going along and we can drive as long as the car will let us. We will make plenty of stops.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:05 pm

Man, I must say, it sure would be sweet to go on a road trip in a new oval bug! Post some pics of your journey! Its sure to be a memorable one.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:30 pm

As for the tools, just mail them Priority Large Flat Rate box, to the person you are buying the car from.
$13.00 gets a lot of tools and parts to VT, it 2 days. Then you don't have to worry about getting them through baggage at the airport.
Don't push a 50 year old car too hard. Take your time and stop often.

As for the GPS, you can get converters that will convert 6V to 12V. Not many amps, (mine does about 3 amps) but enough for a GPS.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:37 pm

bugbaron wrote: He is taking the bug in for a full tune up, plugs, wires, ajust valves. He says it will have no problems making it. What will he care he will already have the cash!! Im not going into canada I was planning on taking 90 the whole way home.

In a car like that I think I'd avoid the Interstate if I could, the old US highways are much more interesting anyway.

Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:48 pm

Get one of those portable jump start batteries. They usually have 12v dc outlets.

Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:31 am

Tony

Like the others said before, I would stay off the interstates. If the engine is bone stock, you will only get a top speed of about 65 mph and that is on flat ground. I would make sure you had an extra fan belt, points, condenser, plugs, etc.... And unless the car has a fuel gauge, keep an eye on the gas.
Good luck with your trip home.

Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:43 am

In case you haven't heard it yet though its been said a lot.
STAY OFF THE INTERSTATES as much as possible.

If you are young and haven't ever driven a 36hp bug, you are in for a rude awakening. This isn't the underpowered Honda or Toyota your buddies drive, this is an overpowered riding lawn mower!
DO NOT PUSH IT BEYOND ITS LIMITS! Recognize what it can do or you will pay the cost when the rods let loose or a valve goes "gulp" and the piston top smashes the valve head punching a hole in the piston and destroying the head among other components.

Stop frequently, check that oil, yes, check it again, again, again, again, again and yet again.

Expect to be passed up hills and allow them to pass you going downhills, don't over rev the sucker because gravity is with you.

Good Luck,
Drive Smart
Be Aware of your engine, turn the tunes down so you can actually hear your car as it warns you of impending problems.

BB

Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:22 am

djkeev wrote: Hi,

I would increase your time frame. 2 days is just too short to do this trip in an old under powered antique.

Yes, allow more days. My 4 day Colorado to California trip bringing home my 1967 Bus took about 7 days. Broke down and had an extended stay in Utah that stole the whole weekend from my travels since no one was open that holiday weekend (and this is Utah that seems to shutdown on certain services during the weekend) so I lost my Saturday and Sunday. Was back on road Monday and lugged my beast home mid week. So, expect issues, no matter how good the seller says the bug is. In Wyoming in very heavy winds and rain, I was going 25 mph for a bit. Most the way I played it easy anywhere from 45 to 55mph.

So, do not rush and plan more days just in case.

Have fun. It sure is an adventure doing what you are doing. I did this in July and not a seasoned mech on these old VWs, mostly a newbie/beginner on maintaining them so I have my share of things happen, but I made it home with a little help from a VW shop I found in Utah.

My pulley exploded and I had no spare, so that is a good part to have. I had the belt though! :lol:

Buy your basic tools when you get on the road. Mail in advance to seller some basics like belt, etc... I replaced the fuel hoses early in my trip and the fuel filter.

Now I have fun stories to tell the VW family. I am sure you will have some great ones too.

Enjoy!!

tj

Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:23 am

I would take the money that I’m spending on air fare, gas hotel etc and have it shipped.
I would hate to have it brake down on me in the middle of some isolated place, remember
this is a 51 year old car your buying, good luck.

Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:32 am

gwol wrote: I would take the money that I’m spending on air fare, gas hotel etc and have it shipped.
I would hate to have it brake down on me in the middle of some isolated place, remember
this is a 51 year old car your buying, good luck.

And also not a bad idea. I myself considered this and the only reason I flew and drove my bus home was the $$. Would have hated to send $$ and never get a bus. Unless you feel 100% confident this seller is legit, I would go pick up yourself before handing over the $$. Or have someone local go confirm this seller has the bug and is legit, etc... I was 90% confident on my bus purchase so decided to fly there and pay upon pickup. I did not have enough time to get someone local to go check things out so I did the adventure thing instead.

Pack AAA 100 mile card!
Credit cards for hotel stays and unknowns.

Be prepared for anything and everything but bottomline, enjoy and don't panic if something hits the fan.

tj