Event Coverage Prepping for 5016 miles - 17 DAY ROAD TRIP: NorCal to Indy Goodguys in a '58 T-Bird

What's better than driving your ride? Driving it cross country! There are many guys on here who drive their shit, but only a few (who I know of) who DRIVE their shit - as in cross country. Bob K is at the top of that list since I have been in his car on the open road (EDIT: The King of The Road is BY FAR Dave Schaub who did the 49in9 tour TWICE! Also Roger Jetter and his brother Dan who have done cross country bombs for decades!). I hope to add my name to that list.

This September there is a 17-day cruise organized by the Rodfather himself, Andy Brizio, that is going from Goodguys in Pleasanton, CA to the Goodguys Speedway Nationals in Indy and back, with daily stops (both ways) to places like Bonneville, WyoTech, Pinkee's, the Speedway Motors museum, Darrell Starbird's museum -plus lots of other builders, private collections and more. It's called the Rodfather Road Tour and it should be spectacular! There are 98 vehicles guaranteed, plus the many others that will come and go along the way. It is an invite-only deal through Andy with Goodguys helping out with some of the logistics. Pretty much a non-commercial, unadvertised deal.

I'm stoked because I'm going to drive my new '58 T-Bird on the tour. Better yet, I get paid to go! Fuckin' A!

I'm going to be spending what little free time I have over the next few weeks prepping it for the 5016-mile trip. I'm a little nervous not spending a lot of time with this car yet, other than the trip from Portland, OR to home.

First stop was Macy Transmission in Benicia, CA. As of this morning they think they have my shift and kickdown linkage issues sorted.

The only other outsourced work will be a carb and distributer dial-in from the master at Ole's.

On the to-do list is:

-Cut front springs (one coil)
-Electric fuel pump and re-route lines (currently having vaporlock issues)
-New front sway bar
-Fix air leak in foot well (it blows hot air right on my gas foot)
-Fix lighter socket (So I can use my 12V fan, since I have no AC)
-Insulate floor and under console
-Double check some possible wiring issues
-Bleed, check and adjust the brakes
-All fluids flushed and replaced
-Mount a fire extinguisher
-Add fan shroud
-Make sure AAA membership is current!
-Whatever else I find as I dig around

So the idea is to give updates on the road each night. Hopefully you guys will dig it.








Just added!

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sweet! sounds like a good time! I bought my wagon up north and drove it all the way back to Texas. Drive it to work everyday. Have fun!

 

I did the Teton Cruise with Tex Smith & Ron Ceridono some years ago and then hooked up with the Americruise bunch in Rapid City (that 'incident' will be coming up in the Gazette soon) and it was a blast...would like to do another with a group...how does one get an invite...???

R-

 

sounds like an awesome trip and you get paid..!..nice T-Bird..

 

Digging the 'Bird KIRK! I didn't know you bought it.

Can we expect regular updates from the road?

JH

 

Andy did the inviting. It was supposed to be only 80 cars.

 

Thats the plan!

 

Excellent road car. Personal luxury all the way.

 

KIRK! Diggin' the Bird....great cars! Looks like I am hosting you at the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing HQ on Thursday, the 20th! Eric

 

Sounds like fun. Looking forward to the updates.

 

BIRD IS THE WORD Looking forward to the updates.

 

what are you going to use to insulate? don't forget to take your NSRA Fellow Pages if you get stuck

 

Awesome! when will you be in Lincoln at speedway? I think I'd possibly take off work and drive down to check it out

 

Hey I think I recognize that bird. Did a guy named Lanny use to own it up here in Portland?

 

Yep, 9/17.

 

Front brake hoses on 1958 T-birds are one year only. Some cars have 4 hoses on the front. If you can find a set, put them in the trunk, because you wont' find them at a roadside auto parts house.

 

already have work off! perfect. i'll have to keep an eye on this one

 

Danny? A guy named Danny had it done for his son by a shop in (D&V?) in Gresham.

 

I like those invite-only deals.
Makes the rest of us think "WGAF?"
Thank you.

 

Would you feel better if I invite you?

Just for you, I won't cover it.

BTW, invite only just applies to the group hotel reservations and the free food at some of the stops. You are more than welcome to jump in with the group. I know of at least 20 more cars (who went right past the whining stage) and decided to tag along. So the number is really around 120 cars.

 

Will we be seeing the Fonz at anytime during this road trip? HRP

 

I don't know if he has a car running. We don't talk much.

 

You suck.

Rich

 

+1 ! At first I was thinking "dickhead"!!! but you suck sounds better.

Hope all goes well. enjoy and update!!

 

Looking forward to the posts of the trip. Might have to drive to Lincoln just to observe. Cool T-Bird by the way. I thought you were after a Falcon wagon.
Later,
Dick

 

Shake down run to the 10th HAMB Drag Nationals this weekend?

 

ill be looking for the bird in indy maybe you'll be around it when i find it

 

I sure hope it's there!