TTR
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Posts posted by TTR
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22 minutes ago, JACK M said:
Thank you for this info.
I was thinking Atlantic Coast hwy. or the likes, but would be Pacific Coast Highway (PCH}
I don't hang out in the LA area much other than changing planes on occasion.
I do drive near there on my way to Palm Springs once in awhile. But more often take the inland rt.
While Los Angeles and it's namesake/surrounding County has a few neat, scenic off-suburbia routes for driving pleasures, Orange County has very little to offer, but the "Inland Empire", i.e. Riverside & San Bernardino Counties have tons and with year round access to most of them I just find it sad that among SoCal's 30M+ population, not many local vintage car owners seem to take advantage of them more.
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3 hours ago, ply33 said:
Angeles Crest Highway. California Highway 2.
A favorite of motorcyclists, etc. as it is long and winding. As a hiker, both convenient and annoying. Convenient because it gets you to a number of trail heads. Annoying because many of the trails are on the ridge parallel to the highway and in most places you can hear the noise of the motorcycles winding out their engines, which carries for miles, regardless of how far you are from the trail head.
Also popular among bicyclists and spirited (car) driving enthusiasts, including yours truly, although I rarely see anything truly cool, 50+ years old vehicles up there.
As a hiker myself also, I’ve found some trails off ACH where one rarely, if ever hear the sounds of spirited driving/riding from the road, but occasionally encounter extremely annoying hikers blaring out their “iTunes”(?) or something through some portable loud speaker(s).
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Ben, I checked out some images from your neck of the woods and it looks like a quite tranquil with some scenic back roads for leisurely drives and next time I cruise through that part of the world, I’ll make sure to slow down, say hello in person and let you show me the best sights.
And I’m also extending an invitation for same if or WHEN you venture to these parts.
Oh, and bring a good appetite for variety of great cuisines.
Friends don’t let friends eat junk food or national chain garbage, at least not around here or when I'm hosting.Last nights dinner was a great sushi in our favorite local place for such.
Other than few takeouts during pandemic we hadn’t ate there for nearly year and half.
It was nice to see mostly same staff, which offered us a very warm welcome and still remembered all our favorite dishes and drinks.
The owner apparently was so happy to see us again that she insisted our dinner was on her.-
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On 6/25/2021 at 2:14 PM, Ben Bruce aka First Born said:
Me! Me! Wait for me.
I wish. Enjoy.
Ben
Thanks Ben, your ever present enthusiasm is always appreciated. 👍
Too bad you weren’t able to join me as this wonderful little outing included some characteristically unusual additions for me.
First of all, I decided to get an early(?) start by jumping into my trusted Roadster already Friday afternoon and take a 60+ mile ride with it on conveyor belts to Burbank, CA to check out the “World Famous” Cruise Night at Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant that I’ve heard of taking place there every Friday but never taken time to attend.I got to Burbank late afternoon (after +/-1.5 hr conveyor ride), checked into the room my wife had made reservations for me while I was already en route, took a quick shower and drove out to Bob’s only couple of blocks away.
I guess I got lucky, since once I pulled in to the parking lot, I noticed an (only one) open spot, which turned out to be about one of the best you could hope for at this venue and place was already quite busy (around 5 pm) but not quite “hopping” yet. That started after 6 or 6:30 and was still going on when I departed around 8:30.
While most of cars coming in & out during the evening were “modified” (i.e. customs, hot rods, muscle car “resto-mods”, etc.) there were quite few “stock” restoration examples.
One particular I found interesting due to its history was a ‘64(?) Buick STW that the lady owners parents had bought new. She and her husband had it sympathetically restored about 10 years ago, but one could easily see it had never been abused or neglected prior to that.Another interesting thing I hadn’t thought about was that perhaps due to its location, many, if not most of the participants/spectators I spoke with appeared to work for or be a part of the entertainment/media industries. There were several somewhat familiar faces I saw and few I spoke with appeared almost (pleasantly ?) surprised that I either didn’t recognize them or if I did, didn’t let that influence our exchanges.
Just car enthusiasts talking cars.
Then yesterday (Saturday) I woke up at 5 am and soon after headed out to nearby LaCanada-Flintridge area (15 or so minute conveyor belt ride from Burbank) to apparently quite popular “Cars and Coffee” gathering right next to the intersection of 2 & 210 Freeways and just couple of miles from the west end of ACH, which was the ultimate reason for this
Same thing, a lot of (maybe +/-100*) cars (& some were same as at Bob’s the night before) with fair amount of variety, though hot rods, muscle and sports cars being most popular types present.* Their pre-pandemic attendance supposedly used to regularly reach 200-300 cars.
Well, another 2-3 hours flew by before I realized I really need to get going before the nearby ACH get super crowded, hindering any changes of “spirited” driving or gets too warm for comfort, especially at the eastern end or drive home on 138 & I-15 later in the day.
The most exiting part of the trip (the ACH drive) was over before Noon and I reached my favorite Pakistani cuisine restaurant before 1 pm, had a great lunch, made it to home around 2 pm with almost 200 miles added to the odometer and that much closer to next set of tires.
P.S. Other than you Ben, no one else apparently expressed interest, including any number of the participants at aforementioned events I invited to join me for an exiting drive, even if just for an hour or two and part of the way.I would've though at least one of those numerous guys with Shelby Cobras (both fakes and real ones) had expressed some interest, but alas... 🙄
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With weather still being relatively cool and mild, I'm making preliminary plans for another (vintage car) day drive up on ACH this weekend and wondered if anyone else here might have interest in joining me and perhaps 1-2 other cars for few hours of motoring leisures and pleasures on a iconic and scenic route.
I don’t wish to publicize details openly, but any interested fellow driving enthusiast with flexible or open schedule for this weekend can send me a private message to discuss them.
I’d prefer to see participation with older (50+ year old) cars and extra points (+ breakfast or lunch on me) for a driver bringing something pre-war.No judging, no awards. Just camaraderie and (vintage) driving for the fun of it.
P.S. Should the unexpected happen, i.e. too many interested parties, it would also be nice to know if anyone might be interested/willing to postpone their participation to a later, yet to be determined, date, which will likely be in September or later, after the weather cools off again.
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3 hours ago, alsancle said:
Last car I painted the materials were 7500. It eye wateringly expensive.I've probably mentioned it before and others here with actual (hands-on) experiences can probably attest that to achieve full restoration, concours/show quality paint job will likely require minimum of several hundred hours labor (from metal finished shell to ready for reassembly), regardless of make or model of the car in question, i.e, not much difference between a '64 Falcon Sedan (valued at maybe $10K-$20K ?) or '64 250 GTO (valued at above $50M ?), but larger, more complex vehicles, be it a pre-war Duesenberg/P-A/R-R/etc Town Car, a '59 Imperial Ghia Limo or a '73 Oldsmobile STW will all obviously require more labor time + materials (= more $$$'s) than either of those smaller/simpler examples from '64.
Yet an owner of a 250 GTO probably won't bat an eye if the re-paint with color change for his car ends up costing high 5 figures (or more) while the '73 Olds owner wouldn't understand if he/she was quoted twice the price of that for Ferrari half its size or complexity for same quality outcome/workmanship.
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1 hour ago, alsancle said:
As I beat the same drum, that 20k paint job must have been on a very nice rust free car.
Or doesn’t take into account of getting it to that point…
… nor any of the countless hours and tasks, including reassembly, etc after the paint work was done.
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To paraphrase one of my all time favorite quotes (by Red Adair):
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until it's done by an amateur."
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While I usually don’t drive or use my vintage cars for mundane workday tasks, I had to run a 50+ mile errand this morning and decided to do it with the Roadster.
And even when majority of it was on conveyor belts, it was still fairly pleasant experience or should I say, much more so than with anything made within last 50 years.
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12 hours ago, mike6024 said:
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All valid points, but the problem could also be caused by numerous faulty or incorrect components outside the steering “box”.
3 hours ago, DavidAU said:I would say, get a power steering shop that knows this type of car and get them to do it. It may save you a lot of time and trouble.
Also a sage advise, but may not be as easy as it seems behind the keyboard.
I live/work within an area of 20+ million population and where personal cars are used for transportation perhaps more than anywhere in the world, but would say that while there are countless automotive repair shops, including many that mainly work on vintage cars, finding a competent one with ability to properly address issues like this can become challenge by itself.
For example, just within 10-20 mile radius of my location, there’s probably dozens upon dozens of shops accommodating or specializing in old/vintage car repairs or services, but based on what I’ve heard or seen of their workmanship, I’m not sure I’d let most of them work on a used wheelbarrow, let alone a car intended to be driven on public roads/streets.
On the other hand, some, perhaps even many of them could be capable for proper work, if it wasn’t for their customers desire or insistence to “do it as cheaply as possible” (which sadly plagues this hobby far more than most realize).
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OK, while I’m not claiming to be a “Buick P.S. expert”, I generally agree with b.d. above about the necessity/usefulness of the service manual, preferably one produced by the vehicle manufacturer, I’d like to add that before attempting ANY adjustments on the steering gear (“box”), it would be advisable to make sure ALL other steering related components between the rim of the steering wheel and the thread surfaces of (front) tires are correct and correctly installed as per application, fully serviced and functioning as intended.
There could be several causes/contributors for slack in steering, some possibly even compounding the problem, not to mention undermining the operational safety, if not addressed adequately and with full understanding of the entire system.-
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???
Since when has reality been equated with ignorance ?
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I would also research if any company that reproduces vintage driving/riding apparel to see if they’d have interest buying something like these for patterns.
I believe there are several in UK, maybe some here in States. -
3 hours ago, Buick35 said:
... couldn't believe the price that people are asking! Over $20,000 for a vw beetle?
I sold a '69 on behalf of the original owner last year for something like that and before I even got to advertising/marketing it.
I was just preparing/readying it for sale when some random guy just happened to see me test drive a clients '73 V12 4-cam F-car and to get a closer look of it, followed me to the shop (I told him people have probably got themselves hurt or perhaps even killed for less).
After a brief conversation, during which he mentioned something about working for VW, I invited him inside just to show him the '69 along with a one owner (same lady) 199? BMW.
Few days later that "surprise visitor" bought both for more than the lady and her husband had expected.
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On 4/27/2021 at 3:10 PM, Michaewh said:
Question: I understand that a "restomod" would not be following the true intent of this topic, but are there mods that are reasonable for things like safety? For example, if the color is right, is it acceptable to upgrade bulbs to led lights for reliability/safety? (Any leads/links on the best ways to do this with a 6V system?). My 1920 car did have tail/brake lights fitted in 1974 (removable), which I intend to keep in use. Also, what about seat belts? Are lap belts worth fitting? In todays modern standards, would I be unreasonably putting my 8-year old at risk by taking him on a longer trips with me? I generally know what I will be doing on these, but appreciate any of your input/perspectives... THANK YOU
"Safety" should always be top priority when driving/operating any car, modern or vintage, and that includes being very mindful of the driven vehicle's abilities/capabilities/characteristics on the road/street/traffic at given speeds, etc, especially in a case of (always present) potential "accident" or other road hazard and one should never forget that most other (modern) vehicle drivers/operators don't have a clue of these, even of their own vehicle, let alone some "old relic" inconveniencing their busy and so much more important activities of life .
As for seat belts or any other additional safety features in vintage cars that didn't come with such, it's a personal choice, but along with aforementioned mindfulness in driving, should also include some critical/practical thinking afforded to application/installation.
Just because there's seat belts, even if 3- or 4-point system, added to vehicle not originally designed with them in mind, they may not be mounted with optimal or even practical (read safe) manner or position.
For example, my Roadster does have lap belts (vintage aircraft style), but they're not going to provide much, if any, effective protection in any collision, but they do seem to offer some (false ?) comfort to me or anyone riding along.
Switching to modern 3- or 4-point system would probably help overall effectiveness (in minor collision), but not that much unless other structural improvements were also implemented.
And while I've made it pretty clear that I enjoy "spirited" driving, it's only with cars intended for it and I don't really like doing it if I have a passenger(s) and/or if I'm not on a road complementary for such activity.
I don't get off on doing burnouts, street racing or other show-off nonsense, which often seem to provide tendencies leading to premature component failures and/or hurting bystanders, etc.
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13 hours ago, PhilAndrews said:
Around here,... No hills to speak of...
Well, next time you wander to West Coast you're welcome to join me for any or many of the numerous scenic routes through hills and mountains around here, as we have plenty to keep you busy (full-time ?) for weeks or longer.
With population of tens of millions in this area, I just find it sad that not many vintage car enthusiasts(?) take advantage of them more often.
13 hours ago, PhilAndrews said:Nothing like crossplies on fresh blacktop!
Agreed.
While some of my (vintage) cars have or had few mechanical (and cosmetic) "upgrades", I don't really care to have Radials on postwar (American) cars of the '60s/'70s that didn't come with them, as they take away authentic, "period correct" driving sensations of that era.
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😢
I had hoped to meet him when in WA during our (still) pending/post-poned road-trip vacation to Olympic Nat'l Park.
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Thanks Phil, for sharing your experiences.
1800 miles in 6 months !?! And with a darn cool car too !
Wow, that's better than I've managed so far, although I couldn't get started until February due to previously mention tire "shortage".
Keep on making road adventures and share them here, please. (I checked out some of your website blogs a bit.... 👍)
Oh, and remember to take plenty of pictures (You know what they say, "Pictures or it didn't happen" 😉)
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6 minutes ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said:
Instead of fussing, post something constructive. Like , what YOU DID today, maybe?
Ben
Agreed.
Instead of spending (wasting?) this much time on interweb, we should be driving our cars or working on them to that end.-
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2 hours ago, Ronnie said:
Who would like to see the new "Achievements" feature turned off? I don't find them useful.
That would mean the badges, rankings and all that stuff would be gone. Only the number of posts you have made would remain like it use to be. I'm not sure if reputations would be gone or not.
While I greatly appreciate the hard work Peter G. along with all moderators dedicate to this forum, I wish to apologize to him/them for not supporting these latest changes as they make this forum seem something like a car event/gathering/show (or elementary school class) where everyone gets a participation award and especially when they don’t really have anything directly to do with (old) cars.
I participate (only) on couple of other car forums and on those member’s post count and location are displayed on their “avatar”(?), but all other information, including “achievements”, etc can be found on their personal profile page, should another member need or wish to research their “reputation”(?).
You know, sort of like it was here before these latest “upgrades(?)”
If anything, only new added feature I wouldn’t mind seeing available is something like “thumb down” which another member can use to dis-approve a post or commentary in it, just like the current “thumb up” features.
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Damn, those best laid plans apparently do not always work out.
Not only was our visit in Palm Springs cut short due to something unexpected, but I decided to make lemonade out of it and prepared to come home via same way as mentioned in my previous and headed southeast on Hwy 111 to Palm Desert only to find out that the 74 was closed due to some (wilderness ?) fire.
Had to turn around and take those dreadful conveyor belts instead. ☹️
Fortunately the traffic was moving along well enough.
200 miles all in between today & yesterday.
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Another great (vintage) drive this morning with my Roadster.
Left home little after 5 am, heading to Palm Springs and had I opted for the use of conveyor belts (= Freeways/Interstates), the drive (if it could even be called such) would’ve been less than 60 miles and taken about an hour.Instead, chose the scenic route (again) up and over the mountains, where I made couple of brief stops before arriving around 9 am and another 115 miles added to odometer.
Will probably return same way in a day or two.
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Just patiently waiting for my “Dunce” badge and if or when awarded with one, hopefully it comes with a cool driving hat (or helmet ?).
On 6/10/2021 at 8:53 PM, Grimy said:June 20-24 in Buellton, California. Put it on your calendar Bob! Fly into Oakland (OAK) and drive one of my cars down there, on tours, and back.
We’ll be in the area later next week for few days of some r’n’r, cruising from one wine tasting to another (see movie “Sideways”), visiting friends, great dining, etc.
I’’ll try to report on experiences in my thread “Long distance driving/travel… “.Tomorrows itinerary is scheduled to start around 4:30 am with a drive to Palm Springs area via Idyllwild, etc. and returning in couple of days.
I can almost feel the Roadsters excitement while she’s waiting to stretch her legs up in the mountains again.
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Well, technically speaking, Imperials of this era weren’t offered with “door” mirrors, but had optional RH outside mirror available and it mounted on the RH fron fender, similarly to the LH mirror shown in OP’s picture.
I can’t recall whether ‘62 still had two different designs available for their RH outside mirrors like some of the late-‘50s Chrysler Corp. cars did, One was aesthetically styled to match “Standard” LH mirrors, while the other was styled to match “Remote Adjustment” ones, although the RH mirrors didn’t actually have “Remote Adjustment” feature.
Having restored several Exner-era Imperials and other Chrysler Corp. cars, I would think something like this should be relatively easy to find.
GLWS
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Long distance driving/traveling with vintage cars
in General Discussion
Posted
Yes, my apologies to those further south.
There are some quite nice, leisure drive roads in San Diego County also, including 67, 76, 78, 79, Sunrise Hwy, etc, but for a day drive they are just little too far for me.
OTOH, I/we have done those by making the trips for overnight or two and even combined some with attendance of a performances at "The Old Globe".