Go West Young Man

[Ishmael]

I've had a trip planned in my mind for a good many years now. The trip always involved flying somewhere, buying a some sort of a vehicle and driving home or somewhere else taking my time, fixing up the car as I went along and enjoying scenery and although the destinations and the vehicles in my mind have changed one aspect has always remained the same: my good buddy Jordie has to be sitting shotgun.

In the meantime life has happened. I switched careers from a journalist to a teacher, got married, had a kid, got a mortgage and life started going by in a hurry. I think most of us can relate to this. I settled down. I mean I settled down. There's no more risk. There's barely any adventure. My buddy, who I taught to drive the 68 Firebird convertible I still have, he's bored. No kid, office job, he needs to get out more than I do. And we are closing in on 40. I've been itching to go somewhere - anywhere- for a while. So its time to get out and do it.

I'm sure something like this has been posted before, some of you have done this and I know there are magazines that have their own tour. Ours is going to be something similar but personal. Here's the plan: We want to fly out West, somewhere with a dry climate like California, Arizona, Texas someplace cool like that. When we get there, buy a car from one of you guys. I'm thinking late second gen. I've had a z28 with t-roofs and desert faded paint in my head for a long time, but I could go for a wagon, trans am or a Jeep - anything cool but its got to be cheap. I've seen decent CJ7s from out there for $3000 so who knows. The reason its got to be cheap is because I want to swap in fuel injection and an overdrive while we are there or before. I'll need some help there too. I want this to be something other guys could do too.

Then we are going hit the road - the Mother Road - all the way back to Ontario Canada. Jordie is going to document it and put everything up on the interweb. We'll shoot video and take pictures. I want to rip through the desert, sleep at motels with neon signs, stop at restaurants with apple pie and meet people. I want to meet some of you people. I want to see some of your cars, hang out in some of your garages. I know it sounds like I'm inviting myself over but its up to you. We'll post up a map and where we are. If you want us to get in contact we'll do our best and we may need some know-how on the road. We'll swap in some other parts like rims and tires and suspension pieces where possible. We are going to try to hit some vendors, at least one event and as few potholes as possible along the way. I'd like to put up a big pro-touring banner in the windshield since I figure this is a tour. We'll collect state bumper stickers, see the sights and ask for your input as to where to go and even what music to listen to as we go. If we could get the car in a magazine for our efforts even as a side note that would be the cat's ass.

Jordie asked tonight, before I gave him the whole plan, if we were going to bring a trailer for whatever we found and I replied with "trailers are for pussies. I'll get an AAA membership as insurance." He said, "What could go wrong? I'm in." That's what I love about the guy. We drove 19 hours straight through snow storms for a pair of fenders for a 40 Plymouth I don't even own and he didn't complain once. He would have turned around and done it again if I had asked. So I asked. And we're going. We are going to need help but that's part of the beauty of it.

Long post I know and its months away in early July or August but I want to get started to get as much as possible nailed down. Anybody in the west got a car they want to sell me? PM me and let me know. You know what I'm looking for. I would love to find an LS and trans out there too. If they were already in the car or could be by July that would be even better. Anything I should know ahead of time? You guys have been helping me for years so I trust your judgement, post it up. Once we get some details nailed down I'll post it up here unless there just aren't any good cars for cheap in the West. Then I'll have to drive a Jeep home and that would be slow. I need this. Jordie really needs this.

Thanks in advance gentlemen,
Scott

[Todd in Vancouver]

You are doing what I've always talked about doing. Except my plan is to drive my Camaro across Canada to the East coast when I someday finish this project. I think we all think of going on an adventure and just being free to go as the day allows. I've subscribed to the post and although Vancouver is not along your route I'll be following along as you go on your adventure. Great idea and thanks for posting so we can follow along. :cheers:

[Ishmael]

Guy, drive a second gen to my house and I'll drive you to the airport. Ontario sheet metal is horrible. I drove my old VW out to Tofino and back after my first gig at a newspaper. I loved it. I'll do it again with my son. I'll be here when you drive east.

[tazzz25906112]

Sounds super cool bud.... I've had the good fortune of running on two occasions like that... I first was to fly out to Salmon Idaho to pick this beauty up
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/3_zps7ddbf7fe-1.jpg
That became
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/72RSRear-1.jpg
and the second trip was to Sheridan, Wyoming for this beauty
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/IMG_0334-1.jpg

The whole idea of do this is very cool indeed... Keep track of your mileage as you may qualify for the RatPack
if you drive more that 2,000 miles total on the trip. Most important, soak it up and enjoy the fabulous experience
you're about to embark upon... It'll be something you won't soon forget and definitely was a bucket list item for
me as well...

[68lovebuzz]

Awesome! Subscribed!

[BuddyP]

Very cool. With pushing 40 and being married, kids, etc., etc. I can relate to this very well. I've always wanted to do a loooong trip out west only difference between our plans was I want to be able to drive my car out and back once it's complete. Just don't know when I'd ever be able to fit this in.

As far as your trip back to Clinton, I'm on the IN/MI border in NE Indiana if your going to cross back over at Windsor or Sarnia then I'd be on the way.

[David Pozzi]

71521
My dog ate mine!

[Ishmael]

Buddy, I'll stop in if I can. Thanks for the offer. I used to think I would drive the car out and back too and I was always trying to figure out when I would find the time. Then my wife pointed out that I don't know where I will be in two years or what will be happening then so why put off being happy. That was the day I decided I didn't want to decide between and dog and pup and got both. She says I can't take either with me on the trip but still good advice on her part.

Jordie was over yesterday. He reminded me that I have a 68 in the garage and a 74 that literally needs a frame off restoration so I probably don't need another f-body. I appreciate his opinion. I'm still looking for an f-body though or a wagon or something early 60s. I don't care. Just has to be cool and dry.

Albert, I love your exploits. Jordie loves your Camaro, I should have shown him your birds. I will. And I will keep track of the miles.

Jord wants to go all the way to California. I started checking out prices at the Pomona swap meet and read the article in Super Chevy. Is it just me or are the cars overpriced?

Keep any ideas or leads coming. I know its a long way out but I need a plan.

[Yelcamino]

You should include a stop at Ridetech in Jasper, Indiana on your trip!

[TheJDMan]

I suspect California is probably not what you are looking for due to emissions and such. But don't overlook New Mexico, Albuquerque in particular. It is another rust free environment.

[Ishmael]

Anything arid is good. Its not so much the state I'm worried about in specific. The goal is to find a car and bring it back. Where we find the car is where we start. I was hoping that either someone here has what I need or will know of something or can look at one for me. Another idea would be to drive my own car assuming its done. But where's the risk in that?
Herb I never knew you were so close until I looked up Jasper on a map. That would be great.

[Yelcamino]

Herb I never knew you were so close until I looked up Jasper on a map. That would be great.

I just looked on the map, I didn't realize we were that close either!

[Ishmael]

I've started looking for cars in California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada etc but its tough to do. Craigslist doesn't work as well as Kijiji. I'm on to an App called Craigslist Pro plus. It lets you look in multiple locations. One guy though I was a scammer. Ebay always ends up at stupid prices so I may have to roll the dice, pick a location and fly out and just hope for the best.

[srh3trinity]

Find a car that is in a location that a forum member could possibly go and look at it and give you a report before you fly out. Then some of these craigslist sellers may feel a little more comfortable.

[Ishmael]

Good thinking. That would give me a lot more comfort too so I don't get there and get surprised. There must be a directory by state. I'm just worried that if I wait too close to summer prices will go up so its something that I'll have to do. On the other hand I like the idea of a gamble but that would be stupid. I've narrowed down what I'm looking for. I realize that I may have to resell it and looked at values around me compared to in the southwest. I also need to love what I'm going to drive in case it never gets sold. I've laid awake thinking about this whole thing and I know its a long way out but I'm excited. I've even told my students about it.

[rustomatic]

And I thought my trip to New Orleans in a 2012 Honda last summer was hard enough...

Why must romantic notions always contain so much pain? At least you're prepared to bleed for your journey--vaya con Cheetos!

Best area sources for CA Craigslist: Sacramento (zillions of miles of junkyards/recyclers in one area), LA (not always a ripoff), Inland Empire (very dry!), Bay Area/SF. Keep looking--you will undoubtedly find many of what you need/want. Ebay is predictable, like most auctions: overpriced crud nobody wants anymore.

[Ishmael]

That's the kind of info I need. As long as we make it home in one piece I'm good.
Thanks rustomatic.

[MonzaRacer]

My buddy has several cars for sale here in southern Indiana. Most are on Racingjunk.com just do a search for Loogootee Indiana or zip 47553. Also see what he is willing to trade for, maybe you can do double duty buy one, drive it here possibly trade for another. Not sure if Herb met Mike or Jamie Quick but if not he can ask some of the guys around the Ridetech shop as Mike was there for 48hr Camaro and I believe Jamie helped Bret get some outside work. PM me if you need directions or links to ads. Burns City is about 30 miles North of Jasper. And if you might need some work and are near Bloomington Indiana I work for the Midas in Bloomington. And we are open till 7pm mon through thur.
Wish my 69 Ventura wasnt as rough as it is, it would be great car to make a PT car and large enough you wouldnt have to be cramped up.
Anyway,,,,good luck and welcome to you if you make it here. Maybe Ill have one of my projects rolling at least by summer!
Lee

[Ishmael]

Thanks Lee,
Never thought of Racing Junk. I'm finding better deals on enthusiast forums than on Craigslist - guessing the same is true for racing junk.

[Ishmael]

I'm sorry to say this one never happened. I always read in magazines about how life gets in the way but now I think I understand it. I spend July working on my garage and renovating my property. Every day I told my son tomorrow I will hang out with you but I have to get this done by 9 or I'll take you to that tomorrow but I have take advantage of this opportunity first. Then he got sick and it took us a week of emergency room visits to get doctors to realize it was serious. He was in the hospital for a week after that. He was a week recovering. We were worried there for a bit and it turns out its chronic so the next time he goes straight to Children's Hospital which helps but my wife missed her trip and I missed mine. My son basically missed his summer. But I learned a lesson. My car has been sitting in the garage for 10 years. My garage will get finished in the fall. All the other projects will get done eventually but my son is only 8 once. I'll take that trip someday.

[epeterson]

Sorry to hear that....hopefully one day it will happen.
-cheers

[bret]

I'm sorry to say this one never happened. I always read in magazines about how life gets in the way but now I think I understand it. I spend July working on my garage and renovating my property. Every day I told my son tomorrow I will hang out with you but I have to get this done by 9 or I'll take you to that tomorrow but I have take advantage of this opportunity first. Then he got sick and it took us a week of emergency room visits to get doctors to realize it was serious. He was in the hospital for a week after that. He was a week recovering. We were worried there for a bit and it turns out its chronic so the next time he goes straight to Children's Hospital which helps but my wife missed her trip and I missed mine. My son basically missed his summer. But I learned a lesson. My car has been sitting in the garage for 10 years. My garage will get finished in the fall. All the other projects will get done eventually but my son is only 8 once. I'll take that trip someday.

You've done what needed to be done...as we ALL have.

As a father of a 14 year old son and an 11 year old daughter...and as a business owner...in the hotrod market no less...I am consistantly burdened with the choices of basketball/soccer/gymnastics/band/birthdays versus shows/races/business meetings/customer visits,etc. While on the surface some of these choices may seem [and some truly are] easy...they ALL require consideration. I am blessed, truly blessed, with the resources, opportunity, and the easy-going family to be able to take them along on many trips. I do not take these blessings lightly.

As you've already figured out...your son is only eight once. The car thing will be there next week/month/year. The planning, however, is free...keep it up!

[UNBROKEN]

I'm very fortunate to be planning a very doable version of this trip. I temporarily relocated to southern California to run a project for Chevron...I'll be out here until June 2014. The lease on my house is up on the last day of that month. I have 2 friends shipping cars out in June, a blown 2013 Mustang and a 750hp NA 2010 Z06 to go along with my blown 2012 Ram R/T. On July 1st, 2014 we head to the Santa Monica pier and start our trip up Route 66 all the way until it ends. NO time frame...just drive and enjoy the trip. Once we get to the end we'll turn and burn back to Texas.

This has been a bucket list trip for me since I was a kid...I'm 43 now. Now that I'm working literally 10 minutes from the jumping off point and I have my truck with me there's not a reason in hell to not do it...or a chance in hell I won't.

[Ishmael]

Update:
My kid is healthy. My buddy got divorced. I sometimes think he wouldn't be if we had have taken that trip but he's happy so it worked out. After finishing the garage I built a house - obviously I can't stop working, I think its how I deal with stress. The car is painted and ready to get certified for the road. I have officially taken two months off work to drive west, then south, then back to Ontario. I'm not doing it with my friend Jordie though. I'm going with my best buddy: my son Noah. At least the first month from Ontario to British Columbia. Then my wife flies out and joins us to go through the South West. She won't sit in the back of the Firebird and we are camping in national parks so I'll be driving the Jeep. Its a road trip nonetheless. Maybe Jordie and I will do the original trip another time when I work the bugs out of the bird. The important thing is I'm getting out there.