On the road...again!

[KYBlueOval]

Rich...........Under the covers there is a '63 Studebaker Avanti, that I've owned 49 years. Not stock.Not a restored car. The other is a '33 Ford 3 Window coupe. A real Henry Ford car. Chopped , channeled, BBC (Yes a Chebby Motor),Hi-Boy.
John

[mustang6984]

I've been looking for a plate to use at the auto-scan toll plazas... would you mind?


Sounds like a great trip, enjoy.

LOL!!! Yea...sure...go for it. Be quick though...Going in either Monday or Tuesday to replace it. Amazing how many cops never even noticed there wasn't one on the trailer...or just didn't care.

[mustang6984]

Didn't get to see much of the '33...it was up in the air. But the Avanti was below it. Looks like it was just rolled off the assembly line! Oh so sweet!

[mustang6984]

So...my trip was for the most part uneventful outside of the tire that also cost me the license plate. Was able to see two more members cars...Gary's is rolling art work! A little more to go and it will be getting plenty of road time! I need to go back after he is done so I can beg a ride from him!   
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John's car is still a long way from done, but the current state was a huge plus for me. Things he has done were answers to questions I had that I hadn't even asked yet. For instance the cowl drain system he put in eliminates the sure to rot out AGAIN rubber hose. His wiring harness ideas mirror what I was thinking of doing, so he basically verified that I was thinking straight (not something I am often accused of!) He also gave me ideas for preserving my never to be seen interiors of the rockers and he has a pretty snazzy left rear taillight that mimics the '56 Chev. Not sure if I will do same...but something to think about. His Ranchero will be a gorgeous piece of art as well when he is done...and is on my list of cars to see again when done. And of course beg the ride as well!
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Having ridden in Rich's car as well as having seen it...I sort of feel after seeing these three cars and Alvin's two that I am oh so inadequate!  I have no intention of being nearly as deep into the customizing as either of the first three...and I know I've not the patience to go down the road Alvin did.
So as I told John today, mine will be basically hot rods, (the white Courier was a race car before I got it) I will do my best to make them as fine as possible, but mods to the level of his and Rich's and Gary's won't be on the table. But it will be a nice car. I just won't EVER park it at a show near any of their cars! LOL!!!
Alvin's cars are unbelievable in the fine detail to originality...and a quick look over at either of them shows the amount of work that went into finding all the parts needed to make them museum worthy vehicles. I also told John today that after having ridden in Rich's car, seen John's future, Gary's car almost complete and Alvin's cars...I realize how much I have missed in my automotive education over the 40+ years I was away from the hobby. I feel pretty ignorant at this point.
Listening to Gary talk about his processes, about motors, suspensions...well, it was like being in a classroom or watching/listening to a tutorial on '57 assembly and modifications. Mind boggling, yet very understandable. Thanks Gary...expect phone calls or e-mails when I am able to start back into mine, as I need help clarifying some of the things you laid on me!
Likewise being able to crawl under and walk around John's car and listen to how, why and where mods were made was like being in yet another classroom. Little things that make so much sense, yet are not in some cases quickly apparent, or things that will never see the light of day, yet make the car so much easier to trouble shoot should the need arise. Like the sliding fuse panel...UNDER the passenger seat!  Another pathway of e-mails and phone calls as I move forward.

So...I not only picked up the parts I went in search of from both...but I receives some great ideas and mental assistance for my project. Thanks both of you! And anyone who finds themselves anywhere near Adrian MI or Louisville KY...take the time to stop by and see these guys! You will be glad you did!
One last bit of info...I drove through places I have never driven before. Illinois, Michigan (flown into both but no driving) Indiana and Kentucky. I tried to stay as much as possible off the big hiways until heading home time. The rural parts of these states are full of beauty...farm lands, some spectacular homes that have more than a few years behind them and really nice sunsets! Drive the back roads as much as you can find the time to do it. Well worth the effort!
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Next trip for me...heading west again...GULP...first stop will be 1930artdeco and see where he is on his project. That trip will commence around the 9th-10th of August.   

[mustang6984]

Okay...here we go!  Looks like departure date will  be Friday GULP the 13th of August! (WHY did I not see this coming...ugh!) I am going from Shell Knob MO to Walnut Grove to see 19030aredeco (Mike) and pick up some stuff.
From there I go to L.A. to see Abe and also pick up some stuff...plus I am going to try and do a drive-by of my grandparents old apartment bldg they owned over by Griffith Park. Also hope to see a friend I haven't see for 52 years.
Then from there off to San Diego to do the reunion thing and go to dinner with a couple of friends who were not from my school.
From there I go to Phoenix and have lunch with a buddy who is on the home stretch to retirement from Phoenix P.D. next May. (which will trigger another drive...all on Route 66...anyone wanna come along? It is an open invite to come! Just have to want to have fun...only requirement. It is his gig, he has it all planned out...we just follow him!  )
After that to Bisbee AZ to pick up my friend Bob who will then join me on the balance of the trip which will see us head to Las Cruces to pick up a bunch of parts for '57 & '58 Fords from a member there who doesn't post much, but reads everything we all say or post!  He has stuff he wants to get rid of, but not mess with selling. So to save it from the scrap yard, I am picking it up and bringing it with me...and will make it available to others for everyone's favorite price...shipping cost only! Thanks to Lannie Bryant in Las Cruces!    (see Rich's post under http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?board=17.0 and the heading "Free Parts".)
From Lannie's Bob and I head to Billings Montana and visit Alvin and shoot some pics of his newly finished
retractable before he puts it on the market.

Should be no problem...right? Easy trip? Taking the F-350 and Bob's small but hefty 10' utility trailer with me. Here we go!   

[alvin stadel]

Hugh I sure hope I have the retractable back from the transmission shop by then, as of today that dosen't look to good. I do have your 2 interior door window moldings here so won't be a total loss. If there is one thing I have learned from this retractable restoration is keep the tools handy and a 1/5 of Black Velvet on the workbench.

[mustang6984]

Make mine Southern Comfort! 

We won't be at your place until probably 23rd or 24th of August.

[djfordmanjack]

Have a safe trip Hugh !
Sounds like a lot of fun and a looong , looooooooooong drive......

[mustang6984]

Hoping it is all fun...and no drama! And yea...it will be a long one...about 5500 miles by the time I get back...maybe a touch more.

[RICH MUISE]

Be safe........I envy your trips. We're birds of a feather when it comes to that.........except for the lack of resources($) on my part, lol. I just saw your post from last month, don't know how I missed it until this morning. Thanks for the compliments on my car, and yes I'd love to see John's and Gary's cars/projects. I don't think it'll ever happen with Gary, but maybe John since his son lives in Texas and he comes this way occasionally. John and I did get to shake hands briefly 8 or so years ago.
and Hugh............speaking of pics, lol...........

[mustang6984]

So...if I am on the road...it must be story time right?

Yea...so...I was making excellent time having left Shell Knob MO around 6:20 after fueling up. Got as far as Shawnee OK and stopped for fuel around 11:40 p.m...planning on going as far as the west side of Amarillo maybe a bit further. Noticed one of the trailer tires was a bit low on air ( I have Bob's 10' utility trailer with me to haul back the load from my trip of various '57 parts).
So I fueled up...rolled over to the FREE air station (when was the last time any of us saw free air?!?!?!) and as I was taking off the cap...noticed the tire was missing a substantial amount of tread...yea...here we go again right? Nope...not gonna have another blowout on the highway at 70 mph.
So...decided to get a room. SHEESH! What a chore...one place had no vacancies...2 others were not going to allow Sasha.
Finally found one that would...and the gal was checking me in...her computer crashed! After about 30 minutes, and waking up her boss to come down and deal with it...I got a room.
Good news...there is a Discount Tire here...so I will head over tomorrow and probably replace both tires...since they are of unknown age. Both have ample tread...but I know they have been on that trailer for at least 7-8 years...maybe longer. Not interested in any more road drama...so...yea...both will be staying in Shawnee OK.

On another note...I think now I know why the guy that was riding my butt as I entered OK backed off suddenly....I bet that is where the slab of rubber came off the tire.
when he passed me...he did so pretty quickly...being dark out I have n0 idea if he was giving me any hand signals or not...

Off to bed I go...further updates tomorrow. Hopefully uneventful ones. Oh and Rich...never really thought about pics on these trips...but I do have the camera with me...so I'll see what I can come up with.

[djfordmanjack]

pics, pics pics ! we need pics Hugh. blurry pics, dark pics, any pics are good pics. you are driving cross country and god only knows the scenery and sights you come across. A lot of people would envy you for that, including me... ....so, any pic is a good pic !
Sasha in front of a car, Sasha in front of oil pumps, Sasha in front of desert, woods, mountains, seaside, you name it, old cars, old buildings, cheap restaurants? we take them all. 

[mustang6984]

Hungry for pics eh? Guess I'll have to try harder. I have shot some on previous trips...but none lately...seems lately I am always in a hurry, or have someone with me...which means stopping on the side of the road to shoot something is generally not gonna happen...since no one else ever likes to stop when I do.
But i will try...promise.

FYI...on my profile there is a link to my photo website that much of my stuff is posted on...if anyone is interested...

http://hugh-carino.pixels.com/  <<<click here

[mustang6984]

Greetings all from Flagstaff AZ. Left Shawnee OK around noon truck time (that is Central time and is what I am leaving the truck clock on.) Arrived here around 1:15 Pacific Coast time. No issues today other than ever present delays brought on by road work. Worst was in Albuquerque...took 40 minutes to crawl 5 miles.   
Should be in Walnut Grove tomorrow (Sunday) late afternoon.

[Rancher]

Please post video of matted pedal and the shift into overdrive as flashing red and blue lights fade away in mirror. lol