TheSamba.com :: View topic - What could possibly go wrong? Cali to Chicago.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:12 am

Sorry Schwing.

Small slight change in plans. I added an extra 650 miles to the epic journey :)

The date is March 8th. Im flying one way ticket from Chicago O'hare airport into Philadelphia International. A friend from Jersey is driving down to pick me up then we are driving down to Baltimore so I can pick up a 1963 standard. It comes with a extra 1776cc a 1200cc, flat 4 roof rack, also the rear rack, it is lowered two splines in the rear and has a 6'' narrowed keoki beam in the front with cb drop spindles. the wheels are 15'' gunmetal jge raders and an extra set of color matched smoothies and multiple boxes of spare parts, brand new master cylinder etc...

Then I am driving back up to my friends house in Jersey about 160miles and spending the night.

THEN I am driving down to meet some friends in Charlotte North Carolina about 650 miles. One friend will be flying in from Chicago and then riding back with me. From there Ill be heading straight through the mountains to Southern Illinois my old stomping grounds about another 650 miles.

THEN I will be heading straight back up here to Chicago a 300 mile trip Ive done more times than I can count.

I can't wait. Im hoping for the best but expecting all possibilities. I have AAA and I'm looking for contacts on my routes for possible help if needed. If all else fails I will just rent a truck and buy a tow bar and tow it the rest of the way home.

I have a Canon XTI DSLR and will be taking probably several thousand pictures I suppose. My friend im picking up in Charlotte is also a photographer so he will have photos. My friend from Jersey knows how to take pictures so there will be photos there. I will take pics during delivery of the vehicle, and the entire journey. Also im going to try and log a blog, and will be updating instantly on facebook.

my facebook is http://www.facebook.com/diernosaj

Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:08 am

Hey you Live once! You will never know unless you Buy it actually get in and point her home. There have been some great sugjestion's and some really interesting one's as well! If You are seriously considering it. Then Plan your route Carefully, and make sure ( as mentioned before) you don't get stuck out in the Boonie's. For some reason that Movie Deliverance come's to mind with that seen with Ed Begly Junior and=-----Well for those who can remember and have seen the picture you get the Picture! :shock:

Make sure you you bring the necessary replacement parts and tools, ( Never for get a good compact Floor Jack) for the unknown. I try to use the threepoint rule when flying out ,Buying and driving home, #1 Triple A+, #2 Triple A+, ( Don't forget the PLUS ON the triple A, WHY YOU ASK?? Paying 10 bucks every additional mile after a 7 mile tow isn't going to make your day that much more enjoyable! Get the Plus on your card for a 100 mile in any direction) #3 Enough cash depending on the miles I will have to travel to hit the local VW shop, wherever my new Ride has died to buy repair parts that I haven't pland for, or for the truly unforseen ( and yes it has happend to me in the past) Purchase a used beater longblock, while staying in the local Motel 6 and replace the complete motor swap in the parking lot in a day and a half. Many years ago ( I flew to Central Texas) I purchased a 1970 westy with what the previous owner told me was a recent rebuild! Oh yeah and since you are Mechanicly inclined =or so you State U are, Bring a compression gauge with you. It probably won't hurt and if things are not up to par with the motor in the Car, it would be a good haguling point on price as well. Remember You got to get HOME!!! Not the other guy!

Some, if not many would say it's alot or too much of a Hassle ,or F$#%#^##K IT!! why waist your time and money ship it! To those I say = each his own, but for me the thrill of the unknown has always been just that= a Thrill! And perhaps after a long haul, a very Long haul possibly---you will have the satifaction of the Drive in your new Vintage Ride, from such a long distance that makes your new purchase that Much More Sweeter. 8)

Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:35 pm

What a great topic. I've checked in on and off ( I suppose a little vicarious living!). Eric is right about AAA. The standard tow benefit is real low. In the past you had to be a member for 1 year in order to upgrade, but someone told me they've changed that and anyone can upgrade, but there is a short waiting period before you could use it - might check with AAA. I have a Premier membership that costs $ 100+ year and gets me up to a 200 mile tow PLUS one day car rental. Your pending trip sounds like my kind of fun! My last journey was nothing like yours, but still big fun, driving an old VW of unknown dependability back home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z1ymfoWh7I Lots of good advice here, have a blast.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:21 pm

Can't wait to see how this turns out. Sounds like a total blast, good luck!

Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:01 pm

Eric, Thank You! you have hit the nail right on the head. Its always good to have opinions that vary from your own but when somebody nails your plans and intentions and intuitions its reassuring to read it in black and white and still agree to whats going on.

I can't wait, im getting anxious now.

Ive bought an old vintage Schlitz cooler that matches the car. I bought an old vintage webbed aluminum lawn chair and an old gasoline can to strap to the roof. Looking for some luggage now, I bought one piece I might actually use, Ill have to sticker it up first, its vintage, but in mint condition, it needs to look used lol.

hey kmichael I watched that vid the other day from the "how long did you drive your beetle home" thread. Driving a newly acquired 61 ragtop across the golden gate bridge with no brakes is definitely a story you can tell your grand kids. WTG

Only a few other things I plan on getting for this bug. The bamboo parcel tray. Fog lights. I will build a nice sound quality stereo for it. Possibly build either the 1776 or 1200 as a project and I want to get the exterior sun visor from cip1.

Thanks everybody for the support and suggestions. Since the car is a 63, and as time gets closer to the trip I will be making an official thread in the Beetle forum. Ill post the link to it in here tho so don't worry.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:21 pm

Make sure you get home before you start getting al accessory happy. You will feel like a fool if you buy all this stuff and the bug burns down on the way home. Get the mechanical stuff rebuilt first then go for the "look".

Might want to rethink the cooler on the roof rack for actual driving. With cooler, luggage, chair etc. expect a 5-9 mpg loss at freeway speeds.

The new 63 sounds slammed. If it has a deep sump on the engine you better hope the roads are nice and flat with no potholes. If they are roads in the real world you better bring another sump, all hardware, drain plate, screen etc. so you can replace it all after it cracks right off the engine. Better hope it doesnt break the case, then your really screwed.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:24 pm

The guy is raising it up for me for the trip back.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:26 pm

derluftwagen wrote: Make sure you get home before you start getting al accessory happy.
I'd agree... before spending money on extra, make sure all the mechanicals are are working the way you want.

It would be a shame that you don't have the cash for a repair because you spent it on extras.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:30 pm

DIERNOSAJ wrote: Sorry Schwing.

Small slight change in plans. I added an extra 650 miles to the epic journey :)

The date is March 8th. Im flying one way ticket from Chicago O'hare airport into Philadelphia International. A friend from Jersey is driving down to pick me up then we are driving down to Baltimore so I can pick up a 1963 standard.

Congrats this sounds great! I'm on Kent Island about 45min from Baltimore. If you guys have any issues let me know I can help out. I have a tow bar and a truck.
I'll PM you a number just in case you guys hit a snag.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:32 pm

Get some clamps on the fuel line. Those cheap plastic filters are know to crack and... POOF, it burns. Also having the filter over the distributor is a bad idea.

These are things you need to address right away.

Safety first.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:35 pm

Schwing wrote: DIERNOSAJ wrote: Sorry Schwing.

Small slight change in plans. I added an extra 650 miles to the epic journey :)

The date is March 8th. Im flying one way ticket from Chicago O'hare airport into Philadelphia International. A friend from Jersey is driving down to pick me up then we are driving down to Baltimore so I can pick up a 1963 standard.

Congrats this sounds great! I'm on Kent Island about 45min from Baltimore. If you guys have any issues let me know I can help out. I have a tow bar and a truck.
I'll PM you a number just in case you guys hit a snag.

Thank you so much. Im starting to really think I might pick up a tow bar once I get out there and on the road.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:38 pm

Glenn wrote:
Get some clamps on the fuel line. Those cheap plastic filters are know to crack and... POOF, it burns. Also having the filter over the distributor is a bad idea.

These are things you need to address right away.

Safety first.

Thanks Glenn. That's why I have you guys right? ;)

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:45 pm

Looks good! Dont think it is a standard unless the PO put all the trim on. # spoke steering wheel? Are you keeping the lowered spindles?

Get yourself a rear tin as well.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:48 pm

derluftwagen wrote: Looks good! Dont think it is a standard unless the PO put all the trim on. # spoke steering wheel? Are you keeping the lowered spindles?

Get yourself a rear tin as well.

Yea im keeping the CB's, im going to drop it back as soon as I get it in my driveway lol.

heres a pic of it with the smoothies that come with it also.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:50 pm

It's a sweet car... enjoy the drive.

Just take it easy going over the mountains.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:53 pm

Glenn wrote: It's a sweet car... enjoy the drive.

Just take it easy going over the mountains.

Thanks.

Ive already started to discipline myself for the 60-65 tops lol. Thought about going around the mountains but then I thought nahhhhhhh. Where do you suggest I re route that fuel line?, and what is a good fuel filter rather than those cheap plastic ones?

Pretty soon a mod is going to have to move this to the beetle forum. Id almost rather that happen than me start another one.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:44 am

Thats a nice car .i like 63s and yours looks really solid.As for the journey the other thing i would recommend is to find the correct rear tinware .In the photo you can see the road so the heat from the exhaust can enter the engine bay .Ths might not seem a big issue but on the long journey you have planned it will make a big difference and may save your engine from overheating.Best of luck and have fun.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:52 am

Good point Sunroof53.

Jason you could pick this up while you are in Chicago?? Its not mine I just did a quick search for engine tin.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=838282

Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:36 am

Well I am excited for you!! I will do something like this before I croke!!
Years ago my dad drove his 68 bug from California to Pennsylvania. His set of points broke in half....so he taped them together an limped it to the nearest town an bought a new set. And a spare. That was it!!!! So you could take every tool you own an a trailer full of parts an something simple would break that you didnt have. Like everyone is saying get a clean bill of health when you buy it...take a bag of the things that are small an often break. An someone on the way will have what you need. Good luck an take lots of pics!!!!!!!

Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:15 am

Don't think a regular VW tow bar will work with the 6" narrowed beam.

I would adjust the valves, check the timing, change the oil and replace the missing pulley tin before leaving on that long of trip.

Oh, and have a blast!