How far would you drive for a Reatta part?

[Guest Kitskaboodle]

I just got back last night from a little town called Chula Vista. I went there to pick up a windshield for my 90 Coupe. Where is Chula Vista? Practically a stones throw from Mexico!

And I live in the San Francisco/San Jose Bay Area. Just short of a 1000 mile trip in one day!

How far did/would you drive for a Reatta part?

Kit / 90 Reatta Coupe

[Guest CL_Reatta]

I usually travel to my "write mail" icon and send Jim Finn an e-mail. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[DeeBee]

Hey, next time you are making a midnight express run, let me know. I make LA in right at 6 hours including 3 stops for coffee. Always up for a fast drive.

My position is that I will drive anywhere and while there usually find something to buy, even if it's just another doodaad.

[padgett]

Is the way I buy whole cars.

Judge was in Joplin, MO. Left Orlando Friday morning, was loading up in Joplin early Saturday and back in Orlando at 10 am Sunday. This was during the double-nickel era.

The Reatta I found only about 100 miles away but once saw a 67 GP convertible at a show in Denver, continued to a meeting in Sunnyvale where I took out the cash, re-routed my return to Wichita, picked up the car & drove home to Florida.

For the Corvair, I flew to BWI, exchanged money for title and drove to the AutoTrain.

When I find the right Vixen, it is likely to be something similar.

[Guest tomt]

I found my Triumph Spitfire in Sarasota FL. I drove it home to Chicago just after it turned 100K on the clock. Sold it to my customer and then sold it again last month with 130 on the clock. Unfortunately for $4,000.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Padgett: I dunno about those Vixens. Wouldn't seem like you could lockup in overdrive ever, except maybe down hill. Did they have a high ratio differential or something?

It seemed like the BMW diesel version had more innovation, like the diesel powered heater and the heat exchanger for hot water when the engine's warm. Must have been slow as hell though

[comp142]

I don't know about parts, but I never can find just the right car locally. First Reatta for my daughter my dad found near Detroit (he lives in Michigan) and drove to Indy for me. Second one for me owner was a salesman and passed right through Indy on his way home to Wisconson so he picked me up and drove me to his place to collect the car. My Comp T/A I took a Greyhound bus to Rhode Island and drove the car back. Man, I will never go that route again! First and last bus trip of my life.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

The farthest I've gone is like Dewitt. Don't think it was over 25 miles.

Now, we did go to West Palm Beach, FL for the Select 60, but you said for a "part", so I guess that doesn't count. But wait...it came with parts, so that counts, right?

[padgett]

Keep in mind just how little effort it takes to move a car down the road. One I remember was the 73 Impala (barn door aerodynamics) only needed 15 hp to maintain 60 mph.

Recently I flat towed a 69 Pontiac Converible about 25 mostly Interstate miles with the 3800 powered TranSport and had no trouble keeping up with traffic and that was about 1,000 lbs more than a Vixen.

Never gave it more than about 1/2 throttle since I did not want to rip the "chromed styling panel" (bumper) off but was quite uneventful.

Do know the 0-60 of the turbo-diesel is more like "today" but most long distance travel nowadays is more a function of maintaining cruising speed than accelleration. They are said to be able to cruise comfortably well over 70 and top out around 100 mph.

I would really prefer the 3800 powered version but the TD has a much better form factor and interior layout. Oh well, I have a spare 3800 powertrain in the back garage but suspect if I were going to swap it would be a late Series II L-27.

However first I have to find the right Vixen.

Don't forget, my last RV was a 1970 VW "Westy" and had no trouble with the Rockies, Black Hills, or Cascades

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Hmmm, I guess you're right Padgett. Not much HP is needed for cruising, just accelerating.

Still, I wonder if the 4T60 would withstand moving a Vixen for very long. Maybe it would, since the LN3 isn't that mean to it. An L67 or a hybrid L67/LN3 would probably tear it up.

I did search and find mention of a Series II L67 and 4T65-HD in a Vixen, but I'm certain gas mileage would plummet. It does when I tow heavier things.

The BMW Vixen with a 3800 sounds cool. I like manual trannys, but in a motor home? That shifter is linked to a transmission about 20 feet away <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> The BMW with the roof retracted looks a little goofy though.

[Guest jcc3inc]

I bought my '91 in Rocky Mount NC and drove it back to Chi metro area.

About 850 miles. Flew out on a very tight cabin aircraft. The trip was

without trouble.

Jack C.

[padgett]

If I really were going to go that way I'd begin with a Series II L-27 and 3.33 ratio 4T65E both GM remaned and create a package more suited to the demand. Am more concerned with fuel cost than power so 87 PON would be a must.

I agree the pop-top is odd but all metal/lexan - no canvas and power operated. It allows it to fit through a conventional 7 foot high garage door (provided you have a 21 foot bay).

Shifter is like a Corvair: you just do not make any sudden changes of direction without a pulley. Major preference is for All-American rather than a German engine and French transmission and I understand/like 3800s.

For example the TranSport just lost a coil (son said was popping) - felt rough and no trouble codes so my first thought is secondary ignition. Quick check showed no fire from 2-5. Have a collection of coils so just grabbed one and two minute R&R had it running right again.

Trouble is the 3800 version has a fixed 94" roof and a different interior layout so will probably begin with a Turbo Diesel as is easier for me to install a new subframe & power module than to change the garage door.

[manikmekanik]

Greyhound bus to central IL - '91 drop-top, drove 200 miles home. The seller only drove it 300 miles in three years!

Fly, (8-hours+, thru Atlanta from Milwaukee), to Dallas, drove back to WI, via 3 days cruisin' Memphis. Lost track of miles/mileage, saw NO other Reattae the whole trip!

Drove the P/U, with car-hauler dolly, to Muncie, IN (6 hours each way), for a 250k mile '89 coupe. It actually had 281k miles, ran and drove, hauled it back anyway-to save gas.

Drove to Mad-town area, 2 hrs each way, to p/u a wrecked 89 coupe, ran & drove fine, but the hood blocked drivers' view. Dolly-ed it back, too.

For parts, I generally let my fingers do the walking, on my notebook computer.

When I need replacement parts, which is rare, I contact Jim Finn.

Otherwise, I use the phonebook to call parts stores, or I-net.

I prefer to buy parts cars, when convenient-and inexpensive.