Who is going to Knotts from the Midwest?

Hey guys I was curious to see who is going to Knotts this time from the Midwest.My other question is; how are you planning to get there.My family is coming over from Greece in April for coulpe of weeks (don't know when yet) so I am not sure if I can make it.For sure I do not want to drive there alone.

I would love to go but just too far for me in an open car. I would be redder than my by time I arrived.

Lambros, barring an earthquake, I will be driving back from Knott's, I am still working on what day I'll depart LA.

I think there may be two serious east coasters considering it and rumors of 2 more.

Sun is no problem, put up the top, slap on the blocker, put on the shades, or get a good boonie hat and tie that baby to your chin and feel the openess of seeing vistas of 80-90 miles in a top down Speedster. It is an experience of a life time.

I would suggest that from KC it would be a warmer drive to take a route to OKC then west on I-40 to LA. There is a reason the western pioneers took that 'southern pass'. Even on the I-40 route it will be brisk when you start into the high desert of NM and AZ until you drop into the Colorado river valley. From OKC it is a powerful, but doable two dayer in a Speedster. I think it could be done from KC in two days too (as long as you don't get off on old 66 like I did). I divided the trip into OKC-Flagstaff; 800 miles, and Flagstaff to LA: 650 miles. From KC you could do MKC to Grants 800 miles, the day two Grants LA 800 miles. Orrrrr, just cruise and make it a pleasurable 3 day walk in the park. That's what I'll do coming back.

Jim
OKC-LA-OKC Knotts 2004.

The only problem that I have is; I do not know if my car will make there and the worst FEAR that I have if it brakes down in the middle of nowhere.Up until today it has been very reliable but at the other hand I haven't driven 3200 miles in one week.I know I should't think like this but I am not the luckiest people around.I may fly out there.We will see.

Lambros,

I bought my 1600cc tub off of Ebay from a guy in Joplin, MO.

Flew out to get the car.

That afternoon, drove the car West to Elk City, OK (on hwy 40).
Next morning, drove 24 hrs straight though to Sacramento, CA.

Close to 1900 miles in an unknown tub... grinning the entire way.

Thought I was hallucinating in AZ when I saw dinosaurs along the hwy... (you'll see)

Adrenaline is a wonderful thing...and vw type 1's run like tanks.

Try and hit the desert at night or early morning...not much to see anyhow.

Good Luck!! See you at Knotts!

Brian.

I'm kind of on the same track as Lambros. My car is 912 powered. If your VW breaks there are lots of places to buy parts. how about Porsche?

ok I was planning on flying out, but I would consider a run in my 2002 mazda protege'. We could team up in KC and drive out in shifts overnight. Three of us would make the drive easy enough and then we could spend the weekend out there and drive back. I would need a serious commitment to go however because I wouldn't want to have to buy airline tickets at the last moment and definitly wouldn't want to drive the whole way alone?????????? Hell we might even end up running as a support vehicle for Gordon if he drives out?

Not a bad idea Steven.I will check my schedule and I will let you know.

Sweet bride and I were discussing Knotts this morning over coffee and the Knoxville News Sentinal. You know, it's a hell of a long drive from here. Take Jim Bobs drive and tack on another 850 miles just to get to OKC and that's a long time in the saddle partner. We could stretch it out a little and not go as far each day to make it a bit more bearable, but that's what the detailed plan will be all about.

The real breakthrough was the realization that who knows what the future holds. If I don't do it now perhaps I'll find myself sitting in a home someday moaning about the great trip that never happened. Also, who knows what health, financial or "whatever" issues may be in the nearer term future. I guess what I'm saying is that there will quite likely be a Subytub at Knotts. Gordon apparently thinks I had already made that decision based on a recent post or was giving me a gentle boot where it would do the most good. Thank you, sir.

I am wondering if John will really have Joy there to meet and greet me. After looking at Mike's video, she will probably look great after 10 beers. Hicup!
East Tennessee Hoss

Hey guys, Hoss & Brian are making a good point here. Part of the experience is stepping past our fears and just doing it.

I echo Jim and John, we only go around once, that we know of. See you guys in late April at the Marriott or wherever we are crashing this year!

West Coast Bruce

So, Bruce, does that mean that you still might tolerate the numb bum and come for a drive with us from the far north?

Scott,

Yes, I'll be doing the I-5 boogie with you guys come late April but I may be in my brand X car. I may be trailering the Speedy down from Medford, I know, coward! But this just came up and I thought, Maybe since the trauma of last Spring still echos in my grey matter!Angela Lane offered a trailer ride for Speedy so I accepted her kind offer. Just think, no bugs and other crug to clean off. I really do feel guilty about the plan,(in a way), but my 68 year old body will
thank Angela and Steve come April! I'll definatley drive Speedy to Parts Obsolete in June and sure I'll be driving to other shows and just outings in 05. The car is running pretty darn good for a 1776 and
the new engine is getting broken in.

What are your plans and schedule for Knotts? Sounds like there may be
a pretty good list of NW Speedies heading south. Jim Bob, Brooks, You,and maybe a few more. I think Rick mentioned he might be driving down early for a seminar or convention. Actually, think he wants to bask in the SoCal sun for a few extra days, can't blame him there.

Bruce

Jim, I would go in the speedster, but I can't.....it won't be done by then.

Brian
.....You are the man! It's a tough decision to fly in and drive an unknown vehicle ...Personaly speaking, they wouldn't let me on a plane with the 100lbs of tools and duct tape I feel I would need to have to along :)

Steve, I understand! It'll be great to see you out there.

Other's. Fly out if driving doesn't work.. it will be a fun time and there's always room for right seaters!

Brian, I agree with Alan, that was a killer trip! I've done a few in my younger days, but never so far, with a used buy, and especially a Speedster. I am impressed with the spirit it takes to do it... wow!

Jim

Who is running/coordinating the Knotts meet this year? I've done some initial legwork for the Carlisle meet but we haven't done the formal kick-off. We might want to put our heads together, share ideas, etc.

East Coast Bruce

Hey Bruce, Paul Harford & Mike McSween are co-event coordinators. I am going to write Mike and see how it is going. I tried calling Paul today but missed him.

Jim

Jim,

I just got an answer from Mike to an e mail I sent him earlier today. Things are coming along it appears. Said he has ordered the T's and hats but hasn't been able to Jodi's shirt size. Do you want to pass that on to him so he can order it!

It sounds like this coming years fun in the sun is going to be a rocker, wouldn't miss it for the world. Lots of new cars to look at and new people to meet. Had fun last year but this year Leader and I will be able to really kick back and check everything out!

Bruce

Lambros et al,
I've always held to the theory that my car doesn't know if I drive it once for a thousand miles or ten times for one hundred miles each time.
I also believe that I would feel like crap to be at an event catering to my likes (356's etc) and I had one sitting at home in a garage. I'd want to wear a banner stating "Hey I belong here with you guys, I just don't have my car!" I couldn't do that so I drive.
I've had some interesting times on the road but none that were overly trying, in fact I've made some nice friends over the years through a breakdown of some sort. In fact I did break a rocker adjuster enroute to Knotts this year but I was back on the road the next day by noon, so no big deal.
You gotta trust in fate sometimes, and sometimes fate brings you what initally seems like disaster but nothing that a credit card and a flat deck hauler can't bail you out of and VW shops are pretty reasonable places to do business and they are everywhere.
Also, you will find that driving a special interest car opens a lot of doors for you and people are willing to help. At least that has been my experience from driving "special interest" cars anywhere and everwhere over the past thirty years.
Drive your Speedster to Knotts. You'll never regret the experience and if tough luck happens you'll have some great "war stories" to tell us when you arrive there!
I look forward to meeting the 2005 long distance driver, 'cause it looks like it won't be me this time, right Jim?
Rick

Rick, in the midwest finding a mechanic willing to work on a VW is NOT common. And I'm afraid the ones that are out here are really only interested in doing a complete rebuild on the engine. Your generally at least 2 hours of towing away and at least a week before they would actually look at any problem that isn't simple fuel or spark related. Its funny when I'm out on the west coast I'm amazed by all the VW engines out there running around......out here you may not see a VW engine car for months!!!!! Parts? Not available for at least one day and most of the time not available for two. I have never had anything fixed in less then two weeks and have never received a part within one day. Just the reality of "living 100 miles east of omaha in the middle of nowhere" (Bob Seager)

I won't make it this year, but will try to get ready to ride out next year.

Jim, maybe I can fly west with you as your wing man next year?

Rick,

Right now I am looking forward to seeing George, John H, and Gordon vie for that LD Trophy! Heck, I'd love to see some of our MASS boys maker the ultimate coast to coast trip.

I am buying tickets for Vancouver to come up for a look see in late January, after I check Henry's schedule. I'll pass on the dates. Max possibility of some bench racing.

Jim

Jim, I forgot to have you thank your wife also for letting have a piece of your history. Just remember the great memories you had in the car and don't look back.

My wife and I would enjoy a little trip to the Ozarks. Just keep me posted on dates and times.

Justin,

It would be my honor.

Last night, my wife actually sniffed and teared up as she realized my Dub-U-Tub was gone. I told her about your call and how excited you sounded after a day of driving.... and we both had a big smile. We are so happy that you earned your way and bought this car.

We can make a roady over to Eureka with the wives to meet Hoss, and Ben Gulley this year though!!! Maybe for the Fall collors!

sniff,
Jim

Steven,
I guess when I do a drive back East I'll have to haul a parts trailer. I had no idea the VW situation was that thin out your way. My ultimate road trip is to drive the longest Interstate in the U.S. which I am told is I-90, Seattle to Boston. Wonder how many VW service shops are along that route?
Jim,
Hope you come up here before Jan 26th as I'm flying down to L.A. early that morning, then driving over to Scottsdale for the Barrett-Jackson Auction deal, then back to L.A. for the Porsche Swap meet in Long Beach on Feb 6th and home that night.
If you can't come up before the 26th maybe you can stall until after Feb 6th? Maybe you can take in the Porsche Swap enroute to or from Vancouver? I understand a few of the guys on this site are going.
Rick

Rick,

My suggestion to you on your road trip, forget the interstate and use the "Blue Highways" as in William Least Heat Moon. No trucks and real road food rather than the franchise stuff you get on the super slab. Interstates are so boring, no stoplites, diners, cheap motels and neat people to meet and greet. Just ask Jim Bob! They say Highway 2 just below the border is a charmer!

If you are going to the Barrett Jackson and flying home that must mean you will have your purchase shipped home! Been thinking about the Porsche swap meet, formally Dunkles and the literature and toy show the day before, Saturday. I would probably drive down and you could ride shotgun with me on the way back if you want. Catch a flight out of Medford Intnl to Vancouver, save a few bucks toward your new purchase, LOL.

Anybody else going to do the Swap meet in Feb? Dale, JL, Mike, Steele, or anyone else? Be fun to see everyone before Knotts and yuk it up.

Bruce, getting the itch to travel again!

Rick,

You have no idea just how thin the VW contingent is in great swaths of the Midwest. I have not seen a VW Beetle as a daily driver in my neck of the cornfields in at least 15 years, probably closer to 20.

They we not very rust resistant, and we salt our roads here. Couple that with a near total lack of heat, and not too many made it past about 1980 or so. Those that didn't rust in half, burnt to the ground with malfunctioning gas heaters or fuel leaks. Shops hung around for another 5-10 years, and then went away too.

Owning a VW powered replica out here means finding a Porshe shop willing to do the work, or learning on your own. I like that, but it sure isn't for everyone.

Hey Bruce,
The I-90 drive is supposed to be over 3000 miles and back roads are better any day but I'd need some serious time to drive it all via secondary roads although I agree with your reasons. It's only a far off dream right now. Actually I was looking at a route from the N.W. down to Florida, now that would be a drive wouldn't it! So many roads, so little time!
I'm travelling with a buddy to L.A. / Scottsdale / L.A. then the ladies are meeting up with us for a few days, but thanks for the offer of the cruise up to Medford. Another time maybe.
Boy, I hope some of the gang east of the Rockies come out for Knotts. Wouldn't that be too neat?
Rick

Stan,
Maybe what we need is to set up a network of SO.c members that would be able to assist (even with directions to a shop) a Speedster driver far from home. Kind of like the old days of NSRA with the "Fellow Pages" which served that purpose. That was in the early days of Hot Rodders travelling long distances, sort of like what we're in the early stages of with our Speedsters. Just a thought. I would try to set up such a network along any route in advance of a 3000 mile (one way)trip just as a precaution.
I used to travel into Northwestern Ontario back in the 1970's and I remember how much salt kept those roads "wet" in freezing temps. About then I decided I would move to the West coast (took until the late 80's) where wet roads in winter are caused by rain and lots of it! Hey, at least you don't have to shovel it, right? Plus there are still surviving VW's out here and shops to service them, although I'm like you and prefer to twist my own wrenches (with some technical assistance from this site)
By the way, are you thinking of coming to Knotts??
Rick

Stan,

You are right about the VW vanishing act in the midwest. In the 60's and 70's it seemed every other car on the road were bugs and then one day Barb and I were going somewhere and it suddenly came to me that I hadn't seen a bug on the road for many moons. My new 66 1300 gave me many faithful, trouble free miles but when I traded it in on another car in 71 it had developed cancer in the door bottoms, front hood and a few other places. It still had the original battery, tires, and everything else but the wiper assembly and blades, (bad wipers on those things), It just seem they all imploaded about the same time. Here in SW Oregon there are many, many still running around, everything from faded origionals, ghia's, and quite a few modifieds.
Salt obviously was the culprit.

Bruce

Salt is not good. And the new preicing solution is just as bad.

Bruce

A customer drove up to my business today in a 1966 Beetle, it had a 1300 script on the back. I had to go out and look it over. The car was totally original and straight except for a dented passenger door, even original paint, kind of a sapphire blue. Oh, by the way, he was the original owner. No salt on the roads in the SF bay area.

Joel

Joel,

Thanks for the update! Without a winter salt bath, those things may go
on and on with proper maintainence. Mine was that medium green with an ivory interior. Interior was like new when I traded it in, drivers seat was about the only seat that showed the slightest bit of wear.

The DMV here in Oregon use sand and a additive that I don't think is corrosive as salt has proved. Salt is kapup as far as I know and glad it is. Salt also does a job on vegetation near the road side also. Some of my worst midwest winter memories were that of following a salt spreader and getting pelted with rock salt. Speaking of snow it sounds like we may get dumped on here, hopefully above 3000 feet in elevation!.

Bruce

> Jim wrote:
> Heck, I'd love to see some of our MASS boys make the ultimate
> coast to coast trip.

DONE! I don't have a Speedster to drive coast to coast, however. Maybe I'll fly down to SC, and make the trip out there with with my partner in crime in his Speedy, though...

You up for it, Dad?!

Chris, you have a contact in TN. This hossman is planning on making the drive and would love to have another Speedy to caravan. The more the merrier. I-40 goes right through Knoxville. Come on SE boyz, letz do it!
hh

So John, I take it your planning on doing both Carlisle and Knotts?

Steven, yes, that's the plan. I'm planning to make this the Spring of the hossman. I talked with Steve Lawing today and told him about the trip plans. He suggested I bring the car by so he could give it a once over before I leave for Knotts.
John

Hoss,

Great news! Man are we going to see the neat stuff this year. How much you charging for rides? Promise us that you won't use your AC! LOL... Looka like a nice group coming down the Motha Road to see Jodi!

Bruce