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Roughing It On An Epic Road Trip
While I was in Maryland in May, I happened upon this '66 Impala. It's a basic car, but it's in great shape and mechanically well sorted out. Drove it around for a day and fell in love with it. Just had to figure out a way to get it to AZ. Bruce had a great idea; ROAD TRIP. Sounded much more fun than arranging a trip in a box.
That idea snowballed since May, and on August 1, my son and I are flying out to Maryland to drive this Impala back to AZ. As we speak, it is in my buddy's shop for an inspection and some shake down miles. The 30 year old Goodyear Arrivas have been replaced and a noisy alternator has been replaced. The previous owners had some major mechanical repairs performed over the years. Once we reach MS and OK, we'll try a detour onto Rt 66 as long as we can. Once we are west of OKC, there isn't much of anything until Amarillo. I have 5 days to travel almost 2400 miles. This will be a nice lead in before my son has his wisdom teeth removed that Friday. https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2001-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2002-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2003-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2004-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2005-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2006-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2009-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2010-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2011-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2008-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2007-X3.jpg https://onewaystreet.smugmug.com/My-...la%2012-X3.jpg The AM radio still works, once it is warmed up. Everything works except the dash back lights, which will probably be addressed before I pick it up. I'll replace the heater core later in the year. Some additional extra parts will be put in the trunk in case I have issues. There appears to be 1 repaint and, except for the package tray, the original interior is in great shape! I'm sure this trip will cure me of any future thoughts of driving cross country in a 49 year old car with no AC during the summer. I'll post up pic when/where I can. |
Re: Roughing It On An Epic Road Trip
Guttsy move !!!!
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You'll be loving the vent windows! I'd get the windshield washers fixed, gonna be a lot of bug guts....I'm envious, enjoy the adventure!
BIG |
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Love the Impala Rick and sounds like a great adventure too! Good luck. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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New shocks may make the trip more enjoyable.
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He's gonna have a blast. Wish I could go along... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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a friend of mine,an older guy, flew into San Diego,and drove a 71 Datsun all the way back to St louis with his son...who was in High School, and would be going to college....he tells the stories he and his son had on that trip and his eyes get big...and you couldnt wipe the smile off his face with a sledge hammer....that was 15 years ago....all he needs is an excuse and he drags out the pics and tells the story again.
he siad it was the first time they ever really talked, and they talked about everything... remember, cherish it....its alife experience..notjust a trip |
Re: Roughing It On An Epic Road Trip
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69SUPERSPORT396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Once we reach MS and OK, we'll try a detour onto Rt 66 as long as we can. </div></div> I am guessing you mean "MO and OK" [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/blush.gif[/img] Nice car, Rick, I'm sure it will be an adventure. Take a cooler with plenty of ice water! |
Re: Roughing It On An Epic Road Trip
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Pritchard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I am guessing you mean "MO and OK" [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/blush.gif[/img] Nice car, Rick, I'm sure it will be an adventure. Take a cooler with plenty of ice water! </div></div> lol, I knew that. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] Thanks everyone. We're both looking forward to it. Once it is here, I'll detail it up and slap some mag style hub caps on the wheels. |
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Sounds like fun. I did something similar for my brother back in 1991. He purchased a beautiful 67 impala from Houston and needed it driven to Clevleand. I flew down to Houston, inspected the car and hopped in for the trip back to Ohio.
Two hours out of Houston, the oil light came on. It was full when I started the trip. Ended up 2 quarts low. As it turned out, It took 47 quarts of oil to get it home and the water pump crapped out in a small town in Mississippi. When the water pump went, It sounded like the engine had major damage, but luckily it was only the pump. It was actually a fun trip even with the frequent stops. I got 30 'miles per quart of oil. Odd thing was that it smoked very little. Before starting your trip, I'd have the following: spare water pump, spare voltage regulator, points, condenser, couple gallons of water, brake fluid, oil, trans fluid, tire inflator/stop leak and a decent tool kit. This stuff won't cost that much and if one of these components goes, it will be an easy fix. Have fun with your trip, let us know how it turns out. Phil Woj |
Re: Roughing It On An Epic Road Trip
Ok Rick!! Have fun! I was going to say to sort out that radiator but it looks like it's already taken care of. Definitely bring along some spare parts. One of my best friends bought a 1966 Caprice out here in California and drove it back to Detroit with his 2 boys. The radiator was hosed and we had to have it redone before he took the big drive. He did bring along some parts too and needed a belt at one point. He had a blast on the trip back and the car ran great! Save that old radiator, at least the tanks and tag if it's still there. Post the progress of the drive so we can follow along!
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Awesome! Enjoy the ride. You will be just fine. Bring some tools and have fun. I have done this many times and usually things go with little issues. Cars like to be driven.
Just have fun, Jason |
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That sounds like a wonderful way to bond with your son and will surely result in treasured memories for both of you. Congrats and best of luck.
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Great idea Rick! Keep us posted. Have fun. Be safe! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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bring a thick beach towel or two to sit on that vinyl seat
smaller towels to wet and wrap around your neck ... I've done this too many times to recall enjoy |
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I've taken many get it home cheap trips and road trips with old cars and trucks. here's my spare parts that I always have along; alternator and regulator, fan and accessory belts, water pump, fuel pump, multiple carb gas filters,small floor jack and 2 jack stands,basic tool kit and shop towels. Right now clean and repack the front wheel bearings and make sure they are adjusted properly before you drive it anywhere. It may sound like overkill but you can hope you don't have to use any of the parts and put them in your stock when you make back home. Good Luck and have a safe trip.
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Thanks everyone. I actually ordered some parts from Rock Auto and had them shipped to the shop.
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Greetings from Frankfort, KY! We completed our first leg, about 555 miles today. Except for using a quart of oil and an SS hub cap center coiming loose, the Impala has done well. More to follow. Having photo loading difficulties.
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https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9820-image.jpg
I won a door prize at the Wegman's Cruise Saturday night https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9821-image.jpg Just a shot when the cruise was winding down https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9822-image.jpg Driving down I95 to my buddy's house for some quick repairs and to clean the filthy windows. That is his '72 GMC Sprint SP in front of me. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9823-image.jpg Where we stayed Sunday night. The hub caps were not stolen. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9824-image.jpg We ate at the Bel Loc this morning. We rolled out shortly after breakfast. |
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I was about ready to help, I see you have it figured out now [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9825-image.jpg
At a rest stop past Frederick, MD https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9826-image.jpg At the rest stop |
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https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9827-image.jpg
I just missed taking a photo of a bunch of people checking out the Impala at a Cracker Barrel in Frankfort, KY https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9828-image.jpg Just another shot. Bryan ran from it when I tried to capture him in this pic. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9829-image.jpg At the cheap hotel. This is actually nice for the price! This is today's log entry; We ended up stopping in Frankfort, KY which is between Lexington and Louisville. So we drove a bit further today than I planned, but that is great. Impala did well averaging 17 MPG which is not bad for a big car. Used 1 Qt of oil, which I have refills in the trunk. Will check coolant tomorrow. Found two rattles I was hearing. One of the SS hub caps has a loose center cap and a tranny cooler line rattles on the frame under medium acceleration. Even dirty, the Impala is getting lots of thumbs up, smiles, pointing, and horn honking. And at every stop, someone had one "just like it" back in the day. I just missed taking a photo of the crowd round it at Cracker Barrel. Think I have to remove that stupid steering wheel wrap as my hands are getting greasy. I'll have to replace the two front brake hoses (not leaking) and I think the tranny mount needs replacement. Bryan is having a good time too. He added Ketucky to his list of states he's visited. We'll be able to sight-see more when we arrive in Missouri an Oklahoma. Not many on-the-road photos today. All we did was drive up up and down hills and mountains covered in trees or corn. No offense, but WV us kinda boring, KY is a little better. I have some photos on my point and shoot camera that I will load when I return home. |
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Awesome! Good to talk with you tonight. Get some good sleep and drive safe tomorrow [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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I bet everyone at the Cracker Barrel, after seeing the license plate, was saying "wow look how clean those Arizona cars are" [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img]
Safe travels, Rick & Bryan [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
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Thanks guys.
If it were an AZ car, the interior would probably be dry rotted. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] |
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Love the updates. WV is beautiful if you get off the highways and off the beaten paths, and KY is as well. Best of luck on your trip.
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Great story! That's the way to enjoy a car. Memories with your son also that you will never forget.
Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
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this is so heartwarming to see. Someday my Son and I are going to have to "un" trailer queen the 69 Z and do this very same thing.......starting from Flagstaff
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Thanks everyone!
We made it to Springfield, MO and are staying at the Lamplight Inn, cheap but nice place. I can keep an eye on the car here. We started out running from a nasty looking storm in Frankfort, KY today. To avoid rush hour in Louisville, we stopped and are at a Cracker Barrel. Afterwards, we knocked off serious mileage through Indiana and Illinois. The first attached photo is of a used car lot with a a needy Grand Prix for sale. The others are of St Louis, MO. Bryan took some more with my camera, which I will post when we return. Impala is still knocking down 17 MPG, and now I would like to find an air filter for it. Not clogged, but time for replacement. It's actually loosening up and running better. Rides so smooth too. Tomorrow we head to OKC driving on Rt66. This should be awesome! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9911-image.jpg Needy green Grand Prix for sale in Mt Vernon, IL https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9912-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9913-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9914-image.jpg At a rest stop somewhere in Indiana, Facebook said we were in the United States. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9915-image.jpg Removed that stupid steering wheel wrap, now my hands stay clean! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9916-image.jpg At the motel. |
Re: Roughing It On An Epic Road Trip
Springfield MO.....nice town.....Marilee's cousin owns a pharmacy there, right on old Rt. 66!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orcha...23134047744294 If you need anything from a pharmacy before you head out, stop in and say hello to Jeff. He has a 1940's vintage Chevy stake bed truck parked in the lot in front of the store to draw attention. |
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Thanks Bill. Trying to locate where I can jump on Historic RT 66 from the motel.
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.... You guys can sing along with Dinah Shore [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] See the USA in your Chevrolet [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
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Yup, that song has been a mind worm.
Made it to Mustang, OK and visited a friend. Had a great time driving on Rt. 66. Bryan took most of the photos which I will post when I return home. Impala was still doing great until I arrived here at the motel. A brake line from the master cylinder to the distribution block on the frame ruptured. NO BRAKES. This may have been a sign, as it DID happen on the parking lot instead of on the road and there is an O'Reilly next door and a NAPA across the street. I also have AAA. Anyway, got about 1/2 hour until these places open. I could repair this myself if I were home, but I didn't bring that many tools. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9952-image.jpg My navigator and photographer hard at work https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9953-image.jpg Most of the OK scenery https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9954-image.jpg Lunch/dinner at the Rock Cafe https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9955-image.jpg Stroud, OK https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9956-image.jpg More of I44. |
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Let us know what's up...and call Jacquie if you need to [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Wednesday was a long day, and the 5 hour delay did not help things. But we're here in New Mexico and the next stop is home. I'd like to thank the folks at Mustang Automotive in Mustang, OK for doing a thorough repair and fixing another brake problem I would have to deal with when I arrived home. The metal line from the master cylinder to the distribution block ruptured and the rear brake hose was collapsed. Stops much better now!
Because of the delay, we did not make any unnecessary stops, as there are several auto museums along this stretch and I, https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0030-image.jpg fueling up after the repair. Gas is cheap in OKC! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0031-image.jpg Navigator and photographer hard at work https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0032-image.jpg Such a hard life https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0033-image.jpg On the road again https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0034-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0035-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0036-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0037-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0038-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0039-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0040-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0041-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0043-image.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0044-image.jpg again, had to settle for driving by Cadillac Ranch. But I'm thankful the car stops when needed and it is no longer leaking brake fluid. |
Re: Roughing It On An Epic Road Trip
Cool pictures of a time you will always remember with your son - thanks for sharing!
Glad to see the Big Texan is still around, stopped there once with buddies while driving back to Chicago from ASU. |
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Having driven I-44 and I-40 westbound less than 3 months ago, that scenery is quite familiar [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] The proliferation of wind turbines is quite a sight.
Glad you have ample braking power now. You and Bryan missed out on a couple of toasty warm days here [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img] |
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Very cool.. Memories made for sure..
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Did you change hub caps part way?
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