Fresh Roadster+long trip to L.A. What would U do?

Here's the deal. I just Finished my 30 roadster a few weeks back. My father and I want to take it to the L.A. Roadster show in june. What should I do? Drive it there and back? Or trailer it their and drive it home? As I see it If I trailer it down there at least I'm guaranteed to get there and be able to use it when I get down there. But driving it the whole way and back would be Sick! Keep in mind it has a stock banger, mechanical brakes and a columbia 2 speed.

Thanks Brad

 

As much as, it's about driving them, that's a long trip in a banger powered car. Yes the Columbia 2-speed would make it easier than a stock rear, but you might enjoy the experience more, by starting the long drive, after the show with a trailer along for the drive home. Are you in Vancouver Wa. or BC? Great ride, by the way.

 

Oh yea I forgot to mention that I'm In Vancouver B.C.

 

I've always driven, but when we finished my Son's T bucket a few days before Turkey Run a few years ago he was going to trailer it. I gave him a hard time so he drove it and it swallowed a valve half way there. I felt terrible because if he would have trailered it as he wanted he could have at least cruised around Daytona and enjoyed it. I screwed up big time and regret pushing him to drive it.

So you know what my advice would be, especially on a fresh car on a VERY long trip. There is no sin in trailering a car to a faraway event, it isn't like your car is a trailer queen, it just makes you smart.

Don

 

Man O man. Either way you go, that is one badass roadster you got there.

 

Doing the Smart thing is good and I'm all for it. But there is something to be said for building the car from square one, doing every single piece your self and then you and your old man hopping in it and heading out on the open road with open pipes, wheels and no roof. Looking for an adventure. Talk about a devil on one shoulder and angel on the other. hahaha

 

Whats more important?
If you drive it and dont make it, is the value in the trip or making the show?

I would do the drive, something you can remember for the rest of your life and something your old man can brag about to his buddies, you know how important that shit is to them

Saying that though, I couldnt do a trip like that with my old man, I would push that fucker out the door on the highest pass hahahahhaahahaha just kidding......I would leave him at the first gas station.

 

I say drive it. If it breaks down that's part of the adventure.

 

Humanfly Brings up another legitimate point. Me and my Father may just kill each other along the way. Here I was worrying about the car breaking down. That sounds like the least of my problems now. hahaha

 

Fresh car? Better safe than sorry, I'd trailer it.

 

Drive it and have someone follow behind in the trailer. That way if there is a problem (car, passenger, weather, etc.) you are covered.

 

flatnasty,
I did exactly what you're thinking of doing. I finished my 29 in early March of 2010. In June I jumped into it and 3 other guys and myself left London On. for Deuce Days in Victoria BC. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Just remember to take it easy on the ol' girl and you'll be OK. You do know each piece of the car intimately Right?
The picture is somewhere on US 200 outside of Circle Town Montana

 

Huh!!! The picture didn't load..well maybe this time

 

Damn... your car kicks ass! Either way you go, it's gonna be an adventure!!

 

drive it. if you have a break down, it's all part of the trip.

as for the show, don't expect to get into the main show because you don't have shiny paint. i know it sucks, but it's their rules. you will be able to park in the preferred parking area near the swap meet. trust me, there are cooler cars out there than inside the show.

nice ride by the way.

-danny

 

Nice Roadster! Stay Home and give the car to me I'll drive it

 

consider the goal of your trip.... showing your car at the Roadster Show or enjoying the driving experience.

whatever is most important will guide your decision.

I have a hunch you will trailer it down and drive it home. I like that plan.

 

Why did you build it????----The obvious answer is to drive & enjoy your efforts!! Vancouver is only 2nd gear to L.A.!
Don't worry about a breakdown, thats part of the "game".

Once you get to Pomona, you'll be glad you DROVE!---Then you can be invited to picnic hill for a great BBQ with all the other roadster exhibitors, & on Sunday after the show, recieve the "coveted" engraved English pewter mug that you will cherish back home!!

Have a great trip---You'll always remember it.--------Don

 

Trailer it down and drive it back. That way you get to enjoy the show with your father on fathers day, and have a drive in the roadster on the way back, with the security of a trailer standing by if needed. Plus if you get back without a problem you will feel better about makeing the round trip in the roadster next year. Shake down runs are not meant for long trips in a car with basically 80 year old technology, as someone said, those cars weren't designed to make those kinds of trips. Hell even Boydd Coddington and the crew had a trailer backing them up when they did the build off deal several years back, and it's a good thing they did.

 

Drive it.

 

If you are confident in your build why not! I had my roadster running about a week and a half, when we left on a 6.5 hour trip to the back to the fifties in minnesota and the twin cities traffic. It was realy a great trip and have done similar trips in my next build, 40 pontiac with a very used 55 ponti v8. Go for it Gary

 

how long is the trip (miles wise)???

 

Trailer it to this show; just before either you or your dad decides to commit homicide, unload it and drive for a while so each of you can think about things. Choose a closer show for the drive-it adventure.

Cool ride, in any case.

Cheers -- Gary

Google Maps says it's a 21 hour trip. Trailer it on the freeway, drive it on the two lane roads. Bob's your uncle.

----------------------------

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.
 -- Sir Wilfred Grenfell

 

Don't look like a town car to me! Can't get many miles of smiles around town.
You have plenty of time to get to LARS so get in & drive there. Best part of the trip is the journey. If you did a good build it should make it no problem. More fun if you can find some buds to go along with their rides & BC has a bunch so hit the road Jack. Try it you'll like it & be glad you did.

 

If you can find someone with a "chase trailer", I'd trailer it down and back-roads it back up. My wife and I take a 4000+ mile V8-60 powered T-Bucket trip every summer from LA to southern OR, and always get caught by rain a couple of times. E-mail me and we can hook up when you get here and I'll show you how to get from Pomona to Astoria with less than 50 miles of Interstates.
Back in the early '50s my buddy and I used a stock model A as a cheep jeep to explore the Mojave Desert and Death Valley, because it was so reliable.

 

When we went to Northwest Deuce Days in 2010 it was approx. 3600 mi. round trip with a few "sceneic tours". As for your driving vs trailering question, if it was 1932 , what would you do ? I think that you'd drive your new roadster and enjoy the trip . Break the trip down to managable distance days , give yourselves some extra time , and have fun.

 

Brad,drive it. If you have a overdrive it should be ok. If it drives good and reliable around town and on the freeway do it.

 

Last year I had just finished my RPU, I left for a 4500 mile round trip to the LARS with less than 200 miles on the odometer. Finished reinstalling the trans at 9 PM the night before I left, (had tranny/clutch problems). My son and I, cell phone and a AAA card. Made it out and back. Granted it was a SBC, T5, and a Winters Quick Change, not what you have......anyway I vote to Drive It, as many have said, its part of the adventure. If you do it and make it, even with some trouble think of the adventure and the story. Take your time, 2 lanes and have fun. I will look for you there, I'm driving again. Dale PS....Great looking car!!

 

Since you're asking the question, you'll always regret not driving it if you trailer it.

It's about the journey, not the destination!

 

You have some serious hill's (Grants Pass, Wolf Creek Pass, Grapevine) to consider, going up & down.