New Purchase & Seeking Larry Jowdy

I put an IM out to Larry Jowdy, hopefully he'll respond.

Just sent you a pm with his info. Lemme know if you end up coming out. I can always find a good excuse to hit Santa Barbara for a day.

Colin. Coincidentally I sent you a humble PM begging for a ride. That would be awesome if we could work something out.

I don't think I can send mail through this board however, write me at lejowdy  at  yahoo dot com      Make sure you add your phone number

 

thanks

 

Larry

Rich!

Congrats. Looks like a really nice example.

It's all down hill from here, Rich....

This is true, David...I'm beginning to believe I will trade tracing much of your trip. It should be a little less pressing than taking the more northerly route through Colorado.

Good news!!! Had a nice chat with Larry Jowdy already this morning and it appears he'll be able to take a peek at the car on Tuesday. So far, everything is falling into place.

Plus, Larry gave me some DMV tips. With the plates staying with the car, this part should be no problem!

Rich-

 

I've done the I80 thing over the divide three times in the last couple of months. Don't do it. Take I10, and come up.

 

You are going to have a real adventure. Buy lots 'o beef jerky and almonds.

 

What's Mrs. Drewek think of the latest addition to the fleet?

Stan, you're right (as usual)...I think I'm taking the southern route now-40 etc. which should allow me to swing by you for the first engine tear down. See you towards the end of the week.

Stan, my wife has not blown a fuse yet...she's getting used to this drill.

What do you guys use to keep your concentration up for long solo drives? I find that shelling sunflower seeds keeps me from dozing off, and that way I'm not pumping caffeine into me all day...

Rich--you are amazing.  I admire your fortitude.  Please say hello to Larry from me---he is the best and a very generous contributor of knowledge to the SOC folks.  Hooking up with Larry was a really good idea! 

 

Willyou be able to post some progress reports as you make your way across?

 

ALB--I enjoy listening to my Ipod---I have all my music on there and last year on the way to Carlisle I listened to Bill O'Riely read his book, "Killing Lincoln".  I haven't ever gotten sleepy driving my Speedster---the excitement dodging huge trucks on I-40 and I-81 keeps me awake even without the Ipod!   Rich---consider taking an Ipod on your trip!

This is going to be A trip...haven't put on big miles in a Bug in many a moon (my first brand new car was a '69 Beetle). Last biggie was heading home from Virginia before deploying to Vietnam...man! Where's the time go? ALB and Jack. as for keeping awake etc. I just like to take in the views. I'll be traveling light.

Oh, and Jack, I think you've got me on that fortitude thing 

You'd be right to plan your trip along the Southern route, Rich. We got up into Durango, Co hoping to get up to Ouray and Silverton for a looksee and couldn't because of snow in early May. We did get up into the Mesa Verde Park at about 7,500 ft. though ....check this pic. You've got a perfect chance at 66 most of the way. Al...you crack me up with the sunflower seed thing. Hell, is the view not good enough to keep you awake ? :-)

I expect no less than 10 hrs/day behind the wheel ;-)

You're correct, David. Avoiding the weather will be my plan and so far it's looks promising. This route also will allow me to see a friend down in the Joplin area and if timing is right, The President of Stanistan, for our Corn Daze 2013 pre-event meeting. Haven't had this much fun since bringing home the 911 from Orlando back in '09 or the BMW IN '07. This one's going to be just a tad bit slower I think.

Rich: If you are coming to see Stan and I am in town, I'd love to get a peek at the car. If that is inconvenient, no problem.

 

Bob

Bob, I've got to start checking all the logistics and pit stops. Currently it all sounds so good. Reality might set in once I put a clock against the map. As the days go on here, I should be able to better figure out where I will be when. Seeing and you and Stan for the Corn Daze pre-event meeting will allow me to write the trip off as business, no?

Rich, if you connect from I-40 to I-44 on your journey, you will be rolling through my alma mater, Rolla, MO.

Tom, I would expect no other orders from you

Rich:

 

I believe that is a legitimate business expense. If we create a 501c3(I think that's it) and call it a charity for the aircooled obsessed, something like Aircooled Anonymous, we all can get a break!

 

"Hello, my name is Bob and I have a 2110 cc stroker T/1 'cause I can't help myself"

 

Just let me know as time rolls on what works for you!

 

Bob 

Those 1500 cc pistons (83 mm) turned out to be really good but sadly they're not available anymore. By the photo it looks like the car has been taken care of and maintained. I agree with you on your idea. Give it a nice service; oil change, valve adjustment, lube and tune-up before tackling that trip. Take it easy on her (in terms of speed, etc.; remember this is no modern car) and you'll be fine. Congrats on your purchase!

You're right on, Impala. Thanks. I had one of these '69's back in the day. Taking it slow and easy will be my mode of transport. As I recall, my original didn't have the pop out rear windows, I think that was one of the few options back then.

Congratulations - looks like a great opportunity to take Route 66!    

 

PS - I like your 2002.  Drove one over ten years ago around Milwaukee and thought it was a peppy little bugger. 

Ted? Milwaukee? Are you from Milwaukee? I live near Milwaukee! That BMW got me my Speedster (long story if you haven't heard it yet). Never done Route 66 yet. I don't like referring to bucket lists, I don't want to trip over one just yet.

I spent most of my first 30 years in Madison but lived with a girl from Milwaukee for a few years.  Her dad owned a red 356 coupe (I only saw it once - the rear end when he lifted up the car-cover) and he used the BMW 2002 as his daily driver.   

David- Any distance driving I do always seems to be with not enough sleep for starters; kids (or alcohol the night before) will do that to you. Every summer we go from Vancouver to a lake in the Kootenays (Christina Lake, just outside of Grand Forks) and when everyone else is sleeping and I need even more stimulation than the mp3 player can provide, that's what the sunflower seeds are for. Mind you, the wife always complains about the noise from me cracking them in my teeth waking her up....   Al

Hey Rich! What a great car. Brings back some nice memories for sure. Back in '68 I bought a new Bug off the showroom floor for $1,900 and fretting about making the $90/mo payments.

 

I wish I had seen your post earlier. Just yesterday (Sunday) we were passing through Santa Barbara on the way home from a weekend in Cambria. I would have gladly detoured to check out this car for you.

 

Your plan to drive that bug home sounds like a great adventure! Have fun, be safe!

Thanks, Jim. My original '69 was about the same price. I just got off the phone with the owners and I'm starting to feel pretty confident. That and with Larry Jowdy planning on taking a peek on Tuesday morning I think I'm going to be fine. My biggest hurdle yet to come is getting from LAX to SB without paying an arm and a leg in transportation. A relay of Speedster owners from LAX TO SB would be the ideal way to go...logistically, probably nearly impossible

Rich - email me at musbjim AT cox DOT net.

Here's the planned return trip. The legs just might be more than I'm capable of, but I'm marching on Tom B's orders! Depending on how long I'll need at Larry's, Needles the first night seems possible. After that, it might be a little more difficult.

Point "F' is Stanistan for those unfamiliar with the terrain.

Rich, You'll only be about an hour or less from Cafemacchiatoville when you head north in IL.  If you need a lift or warm digs; call me, if you need mechanical help; call someone else

Marty, at about that point, it will be time to don the gloves again. I trust you have a spare pair if I would need them 

Needles, the ""garden spot""" of the desert (your first stop) is only 4 hours east of my home.