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Adventure! [stupidity?]

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Volvo_Matt

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Ok ok.. so, I'm not really seeking advice.

I have not posted here in a coon's age. Pretty much since BCF started. Back when there were... well... three or four of us here :smile:

Anyhow. Short story. Had this '53 XK120 coupe. I'd done some bodywork, done some mechanical work.. got 'er running great.

Few years back, I was in a pickle, and sold the car to a friend. Car is sold, but I've been storing it, as I have a place to do so.

So, short part of the story is, I'm seriously considering firing the old girl up and delivering her (with permission from current owner, of course). She's only been sitting for about two years now. Maybe three. heck.. I don't even remember when I parked her in the garage.

Any event, as I said... not seeking advice, as that would all be to the side of 'you're #*@&*ing nuts'. Trust me. I know that.

I guess I'm just seeking support, should this adventure progress.

The trip would start in northern Colorado, and delivery would be southern Oregon. I suppose about 1100 miles. April (the car) never had a problem with overheating, not too concerned about that. She's basically a tractor. I'll be taking my time and taking back roads. I'll look over everything in advance, and I know I'll overlook some things. But I'm pretty confident she'd be fine. I've put lots of miles on her.

I trust April.

Just in case though... anyone twixt here and there that I can call upon in the unfortunate need of assistance, should this plan progress? Planning to leave next Tuesday, give or take a day. I will be travelling in tandem with a friend in a chase vehicle.

To drive April to her new home will make me glad.

Were April to get shipped, I'd be sad. I'd cry.

April deserves this, and together, we can do it.

Thanks... I'll post updates as the plan progresses.

Matt
 
I'm too far north of yer route.....be glad to assist if it was closer.
Good Luck!
 
Sounds like a proper adventure, a fitting way to say goodbye to April. No way for me to volunteer, your route is in the opposie corner of CONUS from us. But we wish ya luck and success under your own power! :thumbsup:
 
I want to know how many times were you about to turn around and tell the new proposed owner to forget it? 200 miles/300/400/?
 
You going I-84, Boise, LaGrande, Pendleton, then 97 down and cross the hills?
 
I say, go for it. Can't help but you might try a post in The Pub and get a bigger audience. It seems to me you really don't want to let go of April? Perhaps if I'm correct and the new owner hasn't seen fit to take possession yet, then maybe you can cut a deal and take her back.

Just a thought.

In any event Good Luck and just go for it!
 
Thanks for the support... plan is still tentative, but still hoping to pull it off.

I pulled her out earlier this week and it took about 5 minutes to get it running after several years of resting. Will be doing a thorough overview in the next couple days.

Brief story... I bought the car in 1995 as a tow away basket case. I did what it needed to make it a solid driver (rebuilt engine, brakes, some suspension). And did haphazard bodywork and had it painted. Drove it on/off for the next 10 years.

I got in a spot where I needed money, and sold the car to a friend who I met on the Jag-Lovers chat board. I retain first right of refusal should he choose to sell. So she's going to an enthusiast, to a good home.

Ever since I bought the car, the one and only thing I wanted to do was take it to the coast. The Oregon coast. And since the buyer recently moved to Oregon, well... there you go.

Gonna shoot for mostly smaller roads. Not keen on interstate travel in that car. But yea, plan is to do the I-84 route via something or other, then cut across about at the Oregon border, go through Bend or something like that, hopefully meeting up with my travelling companions son in Yachats for the full moon on Saturday. Then down the coast, and cut over towards Grants Pass to take the car home.

We'll see.

if it happens, updates will be posted at www.sallyroth.com (a few pictures already there on the blog and in the forum) And if it doesn't happen, well... I'm going to Oregon one way or other, dammit.
 
If you take off at Nyssa (near Ontario) just inside the Oregon border from Idaho, you can take HWY 26 clear to Bend, stay off the interstates and all that rot.
 
Whatever I can do if you get Within spittin' range.
 
Matt....don't make any sudden movements....I think you have a stalker. They are driving a dark colored station and appear in the background of several of your pictures! You may want to call 911 in the next county you come to!
grin.gif
LoL

Love the pics! Have a safe trip!!
 
Been a long and tiring few days, but.... found our way to one lane back roads, and dropped into Yachats at the river. Since the trip started on dirt roads, it seemed fitting to find dirt roads to the ocean as well.

Only hiccup has been bad gas. Man, thought I'd drained the tank when I parked it. Did not. Nice fellow (Steve) at a big-rig repair shop gladly helped drain the tank and dispose of the rotten gas... Still picking up slight amounts of the gunk, but for the most part, running fantastically!

And Silver... you don't know the least of that stalker in that $700 Subaru we bought about 3 weeks ago off craigslist.

trip013.jpg
 
Looks like you made it -- I'm sure it was one heck of a drive.
 
Volvo_Matt said:
And Silver... you don't know the least of that stalker in that $700 Subaru we bought about 3 weeks ago off craigslist.

trip013.jpg
Click to expand...

$700 Craigslist Subaru?!?! There's a tale in and of itself??! :laugh:

Glad your trip turned out well!!
 
Yea, well... as it is, being a Volvo guy, Been looking for another 240 wagon, and it seems you can't touch a clapped out, 1/4 million mile example for less than $1000. And, living in the mountains... there is an allure to AWD. So, when the Subaru came up, had to jump. Heck, it's got less than 200k miles.

Anyhow. yea, trip gone well. Few hiccups, mostly with fuel and fuel delivery. But, now at about 1700 miles on the clock of the Jag, I'm preparing to hand her over to new owners today. Man, it's been a hoot!

More pics just uploaded to the FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a...3a6d&type=1

Sorry if you ain't into the nature pics... just take 'em as they come, and that's one of my passions as well...

Matt
 
Success!

Part vehicle delivery, part adventure, large part vacation.

1700 miles spread out over 9 days.

7 quarts oil
3 gallons water
unknown gallons gas
~8" magic fix-it tape (as seen on TV) to repair a coolant hose.

Lap of luxury? Hardly.

Fun? Absolutely. Never a dull moment, no matter the road.

Scenery is always great in a 120, and you never get tired of driving.

April will be sorted out further to be a good driver. Not a restoration. At least not yet. She'll share her new garage with a nice XJ6C, among other oddities.

Pictured, Jeff coming out to meet his new car.

Thanks all, for the support and comments!

trip148.jpg
 
:thumbsup:
 
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