TheSamba.com :: View topic - Atlantic Pacific Ocean Drive with 1969 Beetle 1300

Mon Apr 18, 2022 10:44 pm

Hi guys!

I am the proud owner of a completely stock Beetle 1300 from 1969. I've had her since 2013, so next year will be our 10 year anniversary.
A couple of weeks ago my friend and me participated in the Viking Rally; a 6000km road trip from Belgium, where I live, through parts of Scandinavia, mostly Denmark, Sweden and Norway. I put on a set of snow tires and put in some lighter oil, but other than that, I didn't chance a thing. She performed wonderfully, even in the morning when she was snowed in, she started like it was nothing.
My friend, who joined me on this Viking Rally was amazed.
We had, mostly jokingly, been talking about participating in the Atlantic Pacific Ocean Drive https://superlative-adventure.com/en/atlantic-pacific-ocean-drive.html in 2023. But after completing the Viking Rally we knew; we actually want to do this Atlantic Pacific Ocean Drive from Hamburg to Vladivostok.
Its supposed to be one of the toughest rides you can possibly do. Long daily drives of 500km's on bad roads, crossing 4 desserts, 6 of the highest mountain ranges in the world, ... All the good stuff.

My question is simple, however I suspect that the answer won't be as straightforward. What would you guys do to my stock '69 1300 to prepare for the epic adventure? Would you do this at all?

I'm curious for your input...

Kind Regards,
Vincent

Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:03 pm

Why would you not do it, if you could? That is my question to you. Once you get a family, that kind of time does not happen. It sounds like you have a surplus of it! If so, go live life!!!!

I would only take a few extra parts. Like a distributor and a fuel pump. Several valve cover gaskets and oil sump gaskets. Oil, paper towels and carburetor cleaner. You will need to adjust the valves a few times, so a .006 feeler gauge would be mandatory.

Beyond that, it is probably good to go!

Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:27 pm

Wow. When I saw Atlantic to Pacific, I assumed it was across the United States or Canada. That Atlantic to Pacific is much longer. That would be one heck of a journey.

Suspension upgrades, spare tires, gas cans would just be the start. Will you have support vehicles?

Reminds me of the series "Long Way Round" where they drove motorcycles around the world that direction. Awesome series.

If you see "roads" like they did, I can see breaking things along the way as a certainty.

Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:45 pm

Yes and as you drive through the Ukraine you can thank the Russian invaders for the war crimes before transiting into Mother Russia!

Tue Apr 19, 2022 1:06 am

@vw_jimbo

Actually it's not so much a question of whether I should do it or not, it's a question of whether I would do it with my dearly beloved Beetle :). I don't want to mess her up too bad...

@Pruneman99

Exactly, it should be one hell of a journey! I've thought about suspension upgrades, obviously, but in a way I want to keep my beetle as stock as possible. I know this little car is extremely capable and reliable in rough circumstances, she has already proven this to me several times, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how far I could and should take this concept.

I'll make sure to check out "Long Way Road", thanks for the tip! However, I'd like to break as few things as possible :p!

Tue Apr 19, 2022 1:20 am

It's:

Long Way Round

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0403778/

Some people might recognize Luke Skywalker:)

Tue Apr 19, 2022 5:32 am

DO IT!

The adventure & the memories there of are worth more than the risk of potential damage to the car.

That rallye sounds a lot like the Peking to Paris rallye which I would love to do, I might have to look into this myself.

If you are that attached to your current Beetle, perhaps you could find another to build for the event, if not, install some adjuster for the front & reindex the rear torsion bars, slap some beefy tires on there & make a go of it.

Paul Loofs went around the world 3 times in his stock ‘55

Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:16 am

I'm surprised this trip would still be happening given the final leg goes through Russia.

As a westerner, I definitely wouldn't be crossing the border into Russia right now. I'd be more worried about that then my beetle.

Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:33 am

I think I'd avoid Ukraine and Russia these days.....

Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:46 am

Sounds like fun...

Go over your Bug completely. Make sure every system is in top shape. Bring plenty of spare parts and tools including a way to loosen and re-torque the rear drums. Bring Bentley.

Check out gas availability. You may need to strap on a couple 5 gallon cans. Make sure you can burn low-grade/quality unleaded without detonation.

Tires. I'd bring an extra unmounted tire and have a way of breaking a bead and/or fixing a flat. Bring a tube should you find you can't re-seat the bead with a small compressor.

And take your time. No need for speed. Your stock Bug can take a lot of abuse if you don't push it too hard. It was designed in an era that had poor roads.

Take plenty of pics/vids and for god's sake, have fun.

Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:24 am

When passage through Teheran is lower risk than others, think twice.

BUT. My only addition is: Vincent, man, Go! Especially for those of us who never will.

Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:27 am

I have a lot of faith in my Bug, but no way would I take a trip like that in it.

Parts. This isn’t 1974, when getting parts for VW’s was relatively easy, even out in the wilds of wherever. But today? No. Your alternator or generator goes out, and you may be dead in the water for days and days. If you suck a valve (common, even decades ago), getting that motor fixed could take quite a while. Even today in the U.S., owners have a hard time—and long waits—for major engine repairs or rebuilding.

Yes, I have faith in my Bug for road trips, but not one so as long and rough as you have mentioned.

Tim

Thu Apr 21, 2022 1:23 pm

One item you should have is an altimeter. And several smaller jets for the carb.

Modern FI can compensate for the altitude change to provide the correct A/F ratio. Your carb can't, so you have to change the jets to smaller ones when you go up in altitude.