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Jay, Gotta get the Chicago group together to share your T and my E!!!
I know that I am going to spend a couple of hours driving it around CT before we take off on the road. It'll give me a chance to listen to the sounds, get that seat of the pants feel, and allow me to raise any questions that I will want to ask Mike before we take off.
Brian: Don't think that I haven't thought about it. But, honestly, this car is not going to be a garage queen, only a garage princess. So, I do plan on driving it!!! To Indiana for our meet, to the Mississippi for weekends and fall runs down the river, up to Northern Wisconsin. There is no reason to spend the money to truck it to Chicago and then be afraid to take it on the highway. Honestly, I am a bit scared of parking lots, gravel on roads, bugs and birds, and hands of uncareful people that don't understand that rings can scratch paint. But if I don't drive it, how can I really enjoy it??
Look forward to showing it off to you in PERSON. November 5 isn't that far away.
larry
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Some answers to your wife's questions as you drive...
"Yes, the semi can definitely see us down here."
"No, the engine isn't too loud."
"Yes, an old radio sounds like that."
"Yes, you can make toast with the heater."
"No, I'm not going too fast."
And after parking...
"No, it always smells like that."
"Yes, that oil is from my car."
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I would make a serious effort to get that ride height corrected. You're not planning on four-wheeling with the thing, are you? It looks higher than US spec, and just about nobody keeps the car at US spec height. Have him measure from the ground to the fender lip front and rear to confirm it.
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It was Rozannadanna.
The car that was going to be done in April. I'm sorry that I had to say that it would take longer back then, but I've missed alomost every car project deadline I've set. I'm really happy for you, nevertheless. I'm sure you will get some time in the car before the weather back there turns completely. Best of luck to you on your ride (yes, I'm recommending you drive it home). :)
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Larry, I'm not sure if you surf Pelican or not. But I would recommend establishing a "support network" prior to leaving. Between this board, the R Gruppe and Pelican, there're many, many fellow enthusiasts out there ready and willing to help you out in a bind! Get some sort of route established and start a thread on Pelican. I think you'll be surprised to find other 911 owners along the way who will offer their help. Heck, Brian and I just helped a guy from Denmark buy and take delivery of a car last week! -- Curt
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Shall we start a poll? I'm voting for: "great trip...worst problem was waiting for a roadside rest stop to show." :D
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What a Crew!!!!
:) You guys give me miles and miles of smiles. Let's see:
Sandy: I have to read those to my wife. I can already hear her saying those things, and we haven't even picked Kermit up yet!!
Jack: Oh, No, no 4 wheeling, Oh Yes, I will get it lowered. That is going to be a project for next year. I expect that I can work through doing the lowering, kind of a nice project to learn the suspension, but I need to find a shop to do the corner balancing when I'm done. How far would you drive between the change in height and the corner balance?
Zeke: Yes, you did laugh and I think it was you that said "yes April . . . but of what YEAR?" Well, at least I know that the quality of the job is there. I don't have to wonder if he cut corners. I have seen most of the corners as he was doing it.
Curt: Yes, I do surf Pelican, and your suggestion is a good one. I will do just that. We should get the route locked in today, so putting that on Pelican is a good idea.
Paul: The way Judy drinks coffee and diet coke, the rest stop frequency is prolly going to be a factor of significance.
The excitement is growing. Your support and patience with my questions over the past year has been great. I look forward to being a part of this Registry, and getting together for many meets over the years.
larry
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I have not read through all of the responses so I may be repeating something here......
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher!
I nearly lost my car when a fuel line started leaking and covered the driver's side of the engine compartment in fuel. If there is any doubt as to the condition of the fuel lines in your new car I would suggest pulling over after a little while and making sure everything is in order.
No one wants to see any roasted frog legs!
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Larry, (Jay put out the call indicating you were nervous :) )
Drive it!
After the 100 mile shake down, most things that will need attention should be discovered. If Mike has driven an old 911 before, he'll know. Have him check the bearings if he's nervous about it. (Try to rock the car with the tires (push and pull on the wheel) If there is play, it could be suspension bushings, strut or bearing, but they can be isolated.
Bring: fan belt and tools to change it (24mm open end wrench and a wooden handle rubber mallot are the most basic to get the job done), 2 cans of fix-a-flat, ign. coil, spark plugs (not critical, but I carry them on trips and they are cheap and won't take up much space), oil, duct tape, gloves, coveralls and some basic metric tools (make sure you have 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm and and crescent).
The car has been sitting, so have Mike drain the tank and put a new filter on the car. Change the oil?
I wouldn't attempt to perform large repairs on the road, so the above should be good enough.
Mike's had the car apart, so he should have checked the heating..if the headers to flapper valve hoses are dried and ripped, put new ones on there! Make sure the wipers work, and he should have checked the headlights, markers and flashers when he reassembled the car.
Have Mike put new brake pads on it. Don't go to Deals Gap with unknown pads. It's a 1/2 hour job if the brakes are in good working condition.
Don't worry about the ride height and CW yet. Get the car home and we'll get you fixed up.
Send me an e-mail if you want a better list of things to bring.(I'm out east this week and may not always have internet connection)
Have fun on the trip!
Oh...hi guys! I see some familiar names. Although my car isn't exactly an early car, I am building a 73 RS replica...hope that helps :D
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Souk:
I never realized that you lurked around on this board. Thanks for the advice. I'm sending you an email.
larry
