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BugsyMalone Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2013 Posts: 46 Location: Vancouver
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:30 am Post subject: Vancouver Canada to Florida Keys-1973 Beetle:Florida or Bust |
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Hello, I am driving through from vancouver canada to the florida keys in a 73 beetle.
I want all the info I can possibly get my hands on: from suggestions on where to stay, what to see, do and to connect with felllow drivers/enthusiasts along the route. Any suggestions?
For example depending where you are from what are the best vw parts stores & mechanics in the area(although I spent the summer restoring my beast I would still love to have help on hand if needed)
If you have done any traveling please forward any intel over.
I am also dirtbagging along the way(I built a bug bed). If you have any info of any cheap or free campsites along the way.
Whatever you have is valued. And Yes I know I am crazy but I want an adventure!
Cheers,
Bugsy Malone
Ps. Route planned so far I_5 & PCH101 south and then not sure. Whatever you have recommend is appreciated.
Cities I plan to visit Portland-San Fran-LA-San Diego-PalmSprings-Phoenix-NewOrleans-Tampa-Miami-FloridaKeys(anything else is fair game). |
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pyrOman Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 12406 Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:00 am Post subject: |
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Good luck! _________________ Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17969 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:08 am Post subject: |
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Antoniette (BugsyMalone) emailed me on the 13th asking about VW places. I told her to stop and watch the Bus Movie with the Oregon Bus Club on the 22nd. She didn't mention dirtbagging to me, but she's welcome to spend the night with us 10 miles north of Eugene. I could also haul her Beetle to a Shop with my tow dolly if she breaks down near us. _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2011 Posts: 1593 Location: Louisville, ky
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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National Forest allow free camping. Might want to google your specific national forest but Hoosier (middle of indiana) and Red River Gorge (middle of Kentucky) offer the free camping.
Walmart parking lots have free camping. |
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mark tucker Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009 Posts: 23937 Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in northwest fl you can camp out in my yard...next to or in my camper!!good luck |
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djghia Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2006 Posts: 179 Location: Springfield, MO
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 6:03 am Post subject: |
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I am in Springfield, MO along I-44. Have a shop, tools and local VW parts store at the ready. If you need a place to crash and some work done PM me. There is also a '73 beetle in my shop! It keeps the '62 Ghia company. Dave J _________________ 1962 Ghia vert
1971 Beetle
GROOVE member |
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djghia Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2006 Posts: 179 Location: Springfield, MO
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 6:04 am Post subject: |
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I have just noticed you plan to be much farther south than me, offer still stands if your route changes! Dave J _________________ 1962 Ghia vert
1971 Beetle
GROOVE member |
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BugsyMalone Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2013 Posts: 46 Location: Vancouver
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:37 pm Post subject: Rolling the dice by dice I mean clutch |
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Thank you everyone who has posted or even viewed my post I greatly appreciate and hope to all meet you at some point in the trip.
I know my clutch needs to be replaced and I know as some point on my trip I will need to call a VW enthusiast for help.
I will bring all the tools and parts with me but I just wanted to post this just so everyone knows.
My trip has been postponed far too much and it is happening come hell or high water. I want the experience, the adventure, the opportunity to meet the amazing network of VWs, and the know how that comes with it.
I hope write one hell of a story.
Ant(aka Bugsy Malone) |
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Desertbusman Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2005 Posts: 14655 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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A cross country drive as compared to around town and the neighborhood "uses" a bug a lot different.
For instance you mentioned your clutch. Around town you use it probably 4 times for every stop sign. On the highway you might go for hours without using it once. Stopping for gas and food, yes, you use the clutch and the 4 gears but that's about the only time.
Same with the brakes. You might go for hours and never use your brakes even once until you stop.
But other things get much more of a workout and are so much more apt to fail. Wheel bearings (both front and rear) are one real biggie. Your engine will be continuosly running at a much higher RPM for a much longer period of time then when driving around town. (Same with your generator). _________________ 71 Superbug
71 Westy |
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Sidbus Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2011 Posts: 731 Location: Miami
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Desertbusman Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2005 Posts: 14655 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:10 am Post subject: |
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Oh' yea, forgot to mention, Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun here. Contacts, possible help, and info available on request.
When are you planning on your trip? Outstanding weather here right now just perfect for VW's. We'll be hit and miss in the 100's in April and then May is apt to have about anything and sometimes beyond 110, and by June it does get hot and stays hot for a few months. _________________ 71 Superbug
71 Westy |
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iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9829 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:31 am Post subject: |
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It sounds like the trip isn't going as good as it could:
BugsyMalone wrote: |
Hi my 73 beetle broke down in Portland and I am looking for some people who can recommend me to someone. I would regularly take it to a shop with a newer car but I spent the summer restoring the car and want to find someone who is willing to show me how they do it or at least let me watch(i want to learn). I know shops do not allow it(i am headed to tampa so any where before so hit san Fran Is highway recommended).
I need my clutch replaced(I have All The parts.& brakes adjusted).
Any help Or guidance Is encouraged.
Thank you,
BugsyMalone |
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johnnypan Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 7431 Location: sackamenna
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:35 am Post subject: Re: Vancouver Canada to Florida Keys-1973 Beetle:Florida or |
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BugsyMalone wrote: |
.
I am also dirtbagging along the way(anything else is fair game). |
that will get your clutch fixed,no doubt.. |
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tubdub Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2004 Posts: 2274
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:06 am Post subject: |
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get it down to Sacramento and johnnypan will help you change the clutch |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17969 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 5:20 am Post subject: |
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Ant' arrived here yesterday. A woman VW mechanic put in her new clutch for her in Portland! I noticed her clutch wasn't fully disengaging when she arrived, so we dug out our tools & floor jack to try to adjust it. We ended up wedging a 3" extension behind the clutch arm to give us slack to adjust the wingnut & her new clutch feels good now! She wants to try and make it to San Francisco today? Ant' & my wife are both Filipinas, so they had Lots to talk about! _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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BugsyMalone Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2013 Posts: 46 Location: Vancouver
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:11 pm Post subject: In San Francisco |
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I Made it to San Francisco.
If there Is anyone in The bay área, santa Mónica, Or los angelos Or any where on The coast That wants to meet up I would Love to meet more Air cooled enthusiasts and pick your brain. And if anyone can point me free camping spots i can Bring beer. |
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Malokin Martin Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007 Posts: 3099 Location: E-burg
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BugsyMalone Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2013 Posts: 46 Location: Vancouver
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:55 pm Post subject: Palm springs |
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Any One located close to Palm springs.
Thanks MM. I have sent emails on That as well. But i know people Check samba as well. |
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The Sage Samba Member
Joined: December 10, 2005 Posts: 2470 Location: Traverse City
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johnnypan Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 7431 Location: sackamenna
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 9:38 am Post subject: |
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Well,you adapt,improvise and overcome...bravo..keep posting,this looks good. |
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