Would you Do It? - road trip that is

Buckle and Me are planing on going to BlackTopBandit's shindig in Dayton over memorial weekend.
Originally we were planning on taking Buckle's non hamb freindly Monster Nova. Now I'm on the fence as to taking the Brookwood. I bought the car for this reason, to cruise, only it's needed some loving right from the start.
Road trip is 240 miles one way, down I-75, once your south of Bowling Green, OH there isn't much untill Dayton.
Here is what the wagon doesnt have
gas gauge,
speedo
weather stripping
windshield wipers
volt meter
leaky trans (not much but she does leave her mark)

I put a new radiator and disc brakes on it this winter. She runs good, doesn't burn oil, and the 700r4 shifts and feels good.
The rubber bits on the suspension are original and bad, but it doesnt' pull one way or the other, and tracks pretty straight. I've only taken it 30 or so miles at a time since I got it last August, which is one reason I'm on the fence. I don't have a lot of seat time with this car.

Anybody have and suggestions or tips on what to take, and what to check before I go? Anybody have any support on how much fun I'll have and to quit being such a ***** about taking the drive?

Thanks!

 

The only concern I would have is the wipers. If it gets that bad though you can always pull over and wait it out.

Before you go, you check everything. Get good collectors insurance which covers towing.

 

That's what they make RainX for! Come on, it will be fun! It will be the maiden voyage for the Chevy as well if all goes as planned.

 

Got a spare tire/wheel? Other than that, and patch-kit matls and tools, you're ready to go!
Keep the trans topped up and she'll be fine.

 

that sounds like fun! adventure awaits the brave!

 

Buckles and I...and rain-X. J/J
Fitysix

 

I drove my Olds a similar distance to the Cinematic last year after being off the road for 18 years and only doing minor maintenance and straightening out the brakes. Carry a 5gal jug of fuel and enough cash to get you there, back, and a tow. The first hour was kinda scary, but after that it was pretty much awesome...

 

tin of gas, a couple rags, some iced drinks, a few tools and a qt of trans fluid, plus a filler,your cell phone and some cash. you are good to go. you will talk about the road trip for yrs.

 

Your a *****. Look at a map. Bowling Green is exit 181 on I-75. Then you hit Findlay at about 165, Lima at 121, and then you are in the realm of Sidney and Piqua (82 is Piqua) and then immediately afterwards is Troy and Tipp City. You get off in Troy or Tipp to go to Brian's place anyway.

There are Hambers in ALL of these places.

Choke up and get a AAA membership just in case. You'll use it on the DD before you'll use it on the wagon.

Grab a floor jack, a spare tire, duct tape, some wire, and a pair of pliers and drive. Screw Rain-X, just wax the windshield before you go. It's cheaper.

Got a tach? How about a stop watch? You can guestimate your speed from there.

I won't be back to Detroit Metro until noon so I won't be making it again this year so you'd better just buck up and GO!

 

Drive the car around your place until you feel good about it and then just point it south.

 

No guts, no glory, Bro!! Ha Ha...I slid behind the wheel of my old Dart a couple months ago, g***ed it up and drove it to Florida for a couple weeks...then through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and into Texas for a few days, then up to Oklahoma and back through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and finally Michigan! All I took along wa sa couple spare tires, some water jugs, an extra quart of oil and a floor jack. All I used was some water and the quart of oil, though!

****, you could practically ride a bicycle to Dayton from here...what's your worry?!

 

dude whats the worst that can happen you have to get it towed home I used to be afraid too bring a bag of tools a jack can of oil and antifreeze duct tape and rain-x and a pair of gloves so if anything does come off in the road you can pick it up and put it back on **** we went to the hunnret car pile up for long island last year took us 13 1/2 hours one way in a 37 rat rod pick up truck it was awesome

 

240 miles isn't very far, and OH has a lot of people in it. so relax. You should drive the snot out of your car now to work out any bugs and to get comfortable behind the wheel. Drive it everywhere and take it for longer drives than 30 miles at highway speeds!

The $80 AAA tow package is worth every penny and then some! I know from experience

 

If you don't drive it, you won't work the bugs out of it. Had a broken panhard mount last summer 250 miles from home. Even non hot rodders will help you out of a jam cause they like your car. Long story short, met some cool oval track racers who took it off, welded it, painted it and put it back for fifty bucks........... See you on the road.

 

If you puke it, I'll come and get your ***!




Note: No TIME FRAME given on said picking up.

 

Let Buckle lead then you don't have to worry about a speedo. **** Dad drove out to CA and back in his '56 without a speedo or gas guage and only ran outta gas once. Hell, you could drive to Bryan's on just one tank of gas. Quit being a Nancyboy and buck up. I'll be leaving Livonia about 8am. See ya on the road or there.

 

Just do it man, at worst you will have a funny story to tell about the time you broke down on te ay to Dayton!

 

Thanks guys, that's what I needed. Already got a coat of rain x on the windshield. I have a spare, and a floor jack in the car. I guess it's put up or shut up, and I'm not one to shut up, just ask my wife! Looks like it's Wagons South!
And I'll check, I think I still have a AAA membership, doesn't Grundy cover tows as well, I'll have to check my policy.

I'll check with Buckle but maybe we can caravan with you Denise.

 

Drive it! Sometimes the best part of a trip is the things you don't expect. Don't set a hard schedule and just take it as it comes. You'll probably meet some good people and experience some things you wouldn't otherwise.

 

A potato is cheaper than RainX and wax... never tried it but I've heard it from numerous sources.

 

how is it there are no wipers?is it that gutted? or what, i drive a 60 belair daily

 

Oh, now you're going but you need to be in a caravan so if you break down everyone gets delayed by your misery? Come ON Aaron.

 

I've done lots of x-country trips in old cars, and the only two things
I'm really picky about are brake hoses and tires. Things can get nasty
very quickly if they go south. I'm on another site about old Porsches,
and this past weekend a guy had his '59 blow a tire at speed on a freeway in L.A., did a 360 and smacked the guardrail hard. No one was hurt, but the car is f**ked. Most everything else can be fixed
roadside with handtools. Go for it. Some of my best memories
have been driving with friends on these trips. On one trip from
Boston to Ca., someone in Iowa said " You drove from Boston in THAT?" Haha, priceless.

 

Search for the thread about ohioans on the hamb... tons of us.

 

I use Rain-X on everything, never use the wipers. The faster you go, the better you can see! You shouldn't worry about wipers in Ohio on Memorial Day weekend. It never rains then in Ohio. Check the brakes and the tires and come on down.

 

Nope, NEVER rains then but you might want to bring a parka for the snow!

 

Good point on the mph required for RainX to work. Denise and I learned the 'fun' way last summer in the middle of the Rocky Mtns outside of Durango You must have speed for water to bead!

Come one Aaron, where is your sense of adventure?!?

 

I'm at the 130 exit just North of Lima. If you can make it this far I can push you to Brian's. If your brakes go out we'll just get there quicker !

 

I usually carry a tow strap in Big Olds, I'll drag his **** there.

 

i always travel with a small tool box with all the ***entails- a extra belt, some extra hosing, a few quarts of everything... and a extra gas container... hahahaha