3.2 Conversion - outlaw Street and track car project, (Was “Would you do This 1400 mile road trip?) Options

[davehg]

Last year I bought a 914-6 conversion with a 3.2. The car was an autocross car, and the PO had removed everything that wasn't essential - no more side windows and mechanism, no door panels, no carpet, no radio, no heater. Nada.

I had a mechanic friend go through, check and adjust everything, and the car runs great! It's loads of fun to run up and down Hwy 74 in the desert. It does smoke at idle, and needs a top end job, but otherwise ok, brakes are fine and tires are new, though the toe needs to be adjusted for a road trip. The car is geared for the track, and 80mph runs at 4.5kRPM. Oh...new battery too.

I've put about 800 miles on it since I bought it and the only issue was a faulty switch easily replaced. I'm planning to bring it back and upgrade the interior and do a top end job.

I'm bringing it back to the PNW and the cost to ship is $1200. I have a flatbed car trailer and can tow it, but finding the time to go down and fetch is a challenge - I'd need a week - three days down a day to pack up, and three days back, and the fuel/hotel costs wouldn't be much less than shipping up. Plus, crossing CA at 55mph with a trailer makes me want to puke in my mouth.

So....I had an idea. Me and my 16 year old kid pack light, fly into Palm Springs, and do the 1300-1400 mile trip home, stay off I5 and take my favorite motorcycle twisty roads home (I've done this trip on various motorcycles and cars over the years). The downsides - race seats, no creature comforts, wind blowing, may be very hot in the summer, my ass will ache at the end of a 350 mile day, and if we break down...well, that's when the real adventure begins, right?

Upsides - just about everything else, and we'd have that trip to remember for ages.

So what say you? Do the trip? Or bring the car back home the more secure way? If we do the trip, what should I bring along? Fuel pump? Relays? (going to bring plugs, belt, small tool kit, fuses)

Here's the pix of the car for clarity:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-21443-1505926526.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-21443-1505925313.3.jpg)

[billh1963]

Epic adventure for you and your son.

But, if you have any issues that return trip is going to stretch out more than three days.

Me? I would ship it.

[Mark Henry]

I'd do a shout out for members contact info along your route.
Just in case you needed a place to do a few repairs or more important worst case scenario a place park the 914 that's safe till you can pick it up.
4500 rpm is a bit high for long term, so it's going to be a bit slower ride than you expect. Just under 4k should be doable.

There's a article in Hagerty this month about two guys that drove a '79 alfa, that hadn't ran since 1989, about the same distance.

[ConeDodger]

I’d do it with just a AAA card. A 3.2 in good running order should be fine. Bring water. It isn’t a matter of might be, it will be hot. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[jim_hoyland]

Ship it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Larmo63]

I'd drive it, your son will never forget the trip with you for the rest of his life and you'll be modeling a brave & adventurous spirit.

Go for it, we're here to help along the way. You will be fine.

[thelogo]

X

Id do the trailer route, if your son is 16 and i assume has a lincense

Then you can split the driving up and a pick-up with empty trailer going
55 is good to practice driving (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving-girl.gif)

[RickS]

Drive it. I did this when I bought my SC, The Dildorado, in Salt Lake City. Drove it with a friend to Seattle and it was a great adventure which we still talk about 5 years later. Great bonding experience with your son and teach him some high performance driving skills. Do it but take with you or ship in advance tools, a fuel pump relay, fix a flat, fan belt, and towing insurance just in case.

Two weeks ago drove from Sedona to Seattle on I15 in 2 days and did 85 most of the way, but my V1 saved me a couple of times. SLC area is crawling with cops so if you go that way, beware.

[KELTY360]

I'd do a shout out for members contact info along your route.
Just in case you needed a place to do a few repairs or more important worst case scenario a place park the 914 that's safe till you can pick it up.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Epic adventure. If you feel the car is sorted enough then go for it. You'll end up hot, sweaty and tired...just like a good workout. AAA Plus is your friend.

[infraredcalvin]

Drive it, I did that with my dad when picking up my 930, epic memories!

[VegasRacer]

Road Trip. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/MDB2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/MDB2.gif)

[barefoot]

Drive it it will always be remembered as an adventure with your son, just take your time.
Remember to bring your tool kit and plenty of water.

[mlindner]

In a heart beat....

[Cairo94507]

I vote for a road trip with your son. Bring ear protection, gloves, hats, sunglasses, a blanket, racer's tape, electrical tape, zip ties, assorted tools, good flashlight, flares, 3A's road service card, USB/cigarette lighter adapter charger for your phone(s), knife, snacks, and maybe a small floor jack, a can of fix-a-flat, a quart of oil or two, some disposable latex gloves, and some cash.

My twin brother and I drove from VA to CA last year in a 26' U-Haul van with my 914-6 in pieces in the back. The U-Haul was a POS but it never broke down. We enjoyed the trip, being able to spend that much time together driving across the country. We still laugh about the trip.

Have fun. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[My 914]

Straight off the cuff I say do the trip with your son. As you said yourself, you'll always remember the experience plus he'll get an opportunity to do something with you that may not come around again.

[73-914]

Nothing better than ROAD TRIP.

Did many NJ to Florida trips back in the 80's , lots of fun

[kahluver]

Do it! I did this a couple of years back with my 10 y/o son. We picked to a 914 I bought on BAT and drove from Nebraska up California in the middle of summer. My 914 had windows and door panels though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif).

We did 1800 miles with no radio, no heater, no gas gauge in a new to me 914.

https://bringatrailer.com/2016/07/21/bat-au...adventure-home/

[rhodyguy]

Ship it. Is there a functional wiper system? You can not trust the weather. Roll the car off the transport, release the hounds and cry havoc. Limited choices climbing the Siskiyous.

[worn]

One reason I put in taller gears was to do that kind of thing. Planning 4,000 miles next month. I keep weighing the pros and cons of a long trip on back roads because I am not sure about about cell coverage and support in case of a breakdown. I figure an advantage of being older is that I have a credit card big enough to get me home by U-Haul. But you have to be able to find a U-Haul, rent a car to get to the airport etc. Interested in what people think and the question seems pertinent to your post.

[worn]

Epic adventure. If you feel the car is sorted enough then go for it. You'll end up hot, sweaty and tired...just like a good workout. AAA Plus is your friend.

Yeah, but adventures can be stressful. You look back at it fondly, but at the time it can feel a bit different.