Midwest Drive-In

I'm in.

Out of town and will know for sure this Wednesday.

Bummer Marty, was looking forward to the cruise. 

Marty, you gotta' come. Rearrange the schedule. I've gotta' see this car.

I was taking the nice guy approach, come on Marty ya gotta work it out.

I'm in, as I said before. I'll be leaving Baltimore for the Columbus area on the 19th, immediately after I install my windshield. I will also be redefining 'emergency top,' since my top will be rolled up on the passenger's side floorboard in case of a for-real, no-kidding storm.

 

My luck, the latches won't line up or something, and I'll have to buy the daily paper to stay mostly wet (as opposed to entirely wet). Regardless, I'll have two full days to travel what's purported to be 13 hours. It shouldn't be a problem, and I'm looking forward to meeting all of you guys -- apart from the couple of you I've met at Carlisle or on the road.

 

Wherever we eat that night, I'm hoping to have enough time to put an eyeball on some of your cars. I think we can safely bet that none of Stan's neighbors have seen more than one of these things, let alone the ten or more that seem to be coming to this gathering. That should be fun, too -- watching people break their necks at all of them lined up somewhere.

 

It's only 11 days away. I'd better start calling my paint guy every day now, instead of once a week!

I'm still planning on coming.  Still debating on the lodging at this time.

Steve

 

Let's figure out a place to hook up on our drive down.

 

 

Rich was planning on swinging through Rockford on his way down which is where we would hook up.  At least I think that is still the plan.  Afterward, we can meet you along the way and continue our travels. 

 

If so, we can firm up the time and location as we get closer to the 21st.

Yes, me, Rich the Cheesehead, is still planning on making the drive to Rockford, hooking up with some guy named Steve and then heading south to Stan's place or wherever the final destination is. I've been electronically and internet challenged for the past 10 days or more, came home to the new site look and am trying to grasp the change...but, yes, I'm in!

Rich:

 

I was getting worried about you! Glad to hear you will make it.

 

Bob

Still trying to figure out this new format. First I replied to an e-mail I got, but then found out I can't reply in that fashion...

No need to worry, Bob, I was just out of electronic/internet range for 10 days , chilling out and busting butt on my neighbor’s cabin bathroom remodel in Door County.

In fact, I just checked the long range weather forecast (bad weather would be the only thing negating my attendance) and it looks great. I’m anxious to now hear some of the details of the evenings festivities...besides 10 old farts drooling over each others’ cars.

Rich in Wisconsin

Rich

 

Just let me know about what time you plan on leaving or hitting Rockford, then we can coordinate with Joe (and anyone else) as to where and when he can meet us along the way then we can proceed to the Peoria area.

Steve, Stan, Joe, or anyone else along I-39,

What time is this whole thing supposed to kick off on Thursday? It's a 4.5 hour drive down to Peoria for me (2 hours to Rockford). I can easily get to Rockford before noon, maybe have lunch somewhere (the meeting spot) and head south from there.

That would put us into Peoria sometime around 4-ish? Or, I can leave earlier. I guess I need to know more details at this point to know what's good for all. Please advise. I'm really flexible, but a little break about halfway would be nice...I've got Speedster seats.

^ from June 9. Still working on a solid plan, but figure on 1:00 PM or so in Peoria.
You are a bit skimpy on time, Rich. Give yourself 4 hours from Madison and 3 hours from Rockford.

Based on Stan's comments, it looks like Rich, the Cheesehead, leaves at the crack of dawn to get to Peoria for the 1:00pm lunch. Steve, can you be ready in the morning? Give me some options on a meeting spot, preferably south of Rockford somewhere, that way we can gauge the timetable better to get to Peoria by 1:00pm.

Anytime is fine with me, the earlier the better as I am driving back that evening.  If you want to meet south of Rockford, maybe we can all meet in Rochelle?  Just a thought. 

 

I don't know how Joe or anyone else coming from the Western Suburbs is on time.

 

Thoughts?

"The crack of dawn"?? If Rockford is 2 hours for you, you could leave at 8. Dawn cracks about 5 or so. Cummon' man, you're burning daylight.

 

We'll have a solid rendezvous point by this weekend. We've got the best minds working on it (a scary thought to be sure).

Rich I can meet you whenever, just let me know where. 

 

Marty it is Wednesday are you in? 

I cant see nada? My screen blanks out when I scroll down?  I got one girl out and another one leaving ealry so I am just trying to get things setteld at the office for the 21st.  But I would not miss a Corn Maze run for the life of me!

Marty loving you car hopefully I can keep up. If you want we can meet at my house Thursday morning.  I am 10 minutes east of 47. 

 

Spent the past two days doing what I thought was going to be the easy part of the "bumperette" project...mounting them. But I have succeeded albeit maybe a few more tweaks. Tomorrow should be a day of taking the mounted units off again, final polishing, maybe a position tweak or two, probably some wax and then the final mount. After I was through with that, I managed to get a few miles in tonight and noticed my trip odometer decided to take the proverbial hike. However, I should be ready to cruise on down to Peoria.

Steve, Joe and maybe Marty, I'll be in touch soon about our rendezvous on I-39 somewhere.

I'm definitely in...

P.S. Is Soltis still going to be in Mexico?

What's with the predicted thunder showers for 6/21 ?!?! Better go find some new wiper blades that I've never used, maybe try installing my side curtains and actually driving with them on (which I've never done before), buy one of those battery-operated mini-fans for a defroster...just a few days ago the weather looked perfect!

I have not even attemepted to put the top up. Need to put that on the list of to do's before Thursday.

 

Joe, the top goes up real easy and from what I hear, the rain comes in real easy as well.

I've never driven in anything more than a sprinkle.

The top could be quite difficult to get up the first time as you may need to stretch it out a bit to get the latches on.  That's not unusual.  Be careful raising and lowering it to avoid crinkling the rear window.

 

Leakage varies.  My side windows keep much of it out, but common other spots are at the top header, around the windshield wiper shafts, and along the bottom edge of the windscreen.  Over time I have resolved most of those on mine.  It's probably a good idea to put the top up and windows on the next time it rains pretty good and go for a drive to locate the leak spots.  When you do, repost about it and I'll offer whatever advice I have for any that are similar to mine.

 

I've had mine out in some pretty serious toad-stranglers, and it's to the point now where it's pretty dry inside for the most part.  It can be done.

Lane offers a glimmer of hope...

While on the subject of rain...I did notice that when I tried my wipers a few weeks back in that sprinkle I mentioned earlier that my blades were pretty dry. I just measured them and they appear to be 10-inchers. Last time I checked a local supplier of wipers, I seem to remember that 11-inchers were the smallest available there. I'm guessing 10-inchers are available somewhere? Anyone have a clue?

I just get mine from Carey Hines.  The wiper arms are a little different, and those that I've found locally don't fit.

I picked up the 10" Bosch blades from NAPA and they fit the Beck fine.  Carey suggested these blades.

Good to know.  I wonder if they've changed the wiper arms.

To all involved,

 

At the suggestion of Bob Garret, we have a rendezvous point:

 

5901 North Prospect Road # 5A

Peoria, IL

Cyd's is in a plaza called "Junction City". Junction City is just off Knoxville Ave in Peoria. For the out of town guys, take I74 into Peoria, take the Knoxville North exit (92A), and drive about 4 miles north (this should take about 10 minutes).

We'll meet there at 1 PM for lunch. We'll take off on a cruise afterwards (with several stops along the way), get some dinner, and end up in Stanistan for dessert. Figure on breaking up at 9- 10 PM or so.

Be there, or be square.

Holy crap, there's an Interstate that runs through Peoria! Paved roads and everything. This is a BIG city and it's getting scary for me.

Stan

 

Would it be easier to run 24 across versus I-39 South to I-74?  I used to run that way when going to Pekin; however, it's been awhile and I don't know if there is any road construction that should be considered.

 

Your thoughts?

If you are familiar with 24, and OK with going through Eureka, etc. I know of no construction. Once you get into Peoria over the McCluggage Bridge, stay on that road (War Memorial Drive), don't follow 24 down Adams St.

 

Like this: http://mapq.st/LTBdHI

I will probably be driving the Ghia now. Sean Dowdle is going to put it on a lift Tuesday morning and we're going to knock out a short punchlist. Either I spend a few hundred bucks on rental cars going back and forth, or I spend a couple hundred bucks I was going to spend anyway making the buggy safer for democracy.

 

F.I.D.O, I say. I will be leaving the Annapolis area around two pm or earlier on Tuesday. ETA Stanistan is likely to be sometime Wednesday afternoon.

I am sadly going to have to send regrets for this one.  My assistant let me know today that she we be out the rest of the week starting mid-day tomorrow instead of just two days as initially planed.  I was looking forward to the drive down and meeting some of the IL guys I never met.  Hopefully its a success and we can do it again.  This is my secretary:-)

Hey Marty, you can use my secretary for a few days....

I luv u man. Thanks!