| Author | Message | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
Junior Member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 167 Registered: 2-2002 |
I'd enjoy such a drive in my 308. But I'd make sure the car won't overheat, or other expendable but necessary parts have been replaced recently or are oft-used. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1459 Registered: 3-2001 |
Find out when Horseless Carriage is making a similar run. Get out in front of him... 10 miles or 100 miles. If your car breaks down, wave him down as he passes by, roll it on and hitch a ride the rest of the way!!!!  Go for it!!! | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 2324 Registered: 7-2001 |
VZ makes a good point, the roads between Grand Junction and Denver are a ball. I took three passes off of I-70 and it was some of the most fun driving I've ever done. Tennessee Pass south from Avon, then back North to I-70 over another pass. Then Loveland Pass instead of I-70 through the tunnel. What a blast. | ||
| V.Z. (Ama328)
Junior Member Username: Ama328 Post Number: 237 Registered: 11-2002 |
well, up to you whether you drive it or truck it...however, if you do decide to drive it back, i'd suggest you go the route from LA to Vegas, spend night(also shorter segment in case problems develop early on), then Vegas to either Denver or Grand Junction(if you don't wanna do Vegas-Denver in one stretch), then drive from Denver to KC. This route has some very nice scenery(at least to Denver; from Denver east is 'the flats'). While this route may be marginally longer than the more southern route on I-40 to OK City, it's a hell of a lot more enjoyable. On the I-40 route, once you leave Arizona, there ain't squat to look at and is very boring... Used to drive from TX to west coast a lot, i think you oughta go for it... Take along names/numbers of Fcar dealers & shops along whatever route you do choose, and if possible, do your driving during the week, when everything's open | ||
| Schumi (Schumi)
Junior Member Username: Schumi Post Number: 128 Registered: 6-2002 |
I do eat alot, but I don't sleep much and I can drive. I've wanted to drive from CA to MO for a long time - actually ever since Parr told me his Daytona story. When I bought my 400i in CA it was the middle of winter so I couldn't drive it back. Wish I could have. Hope we can make it work. | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 984 Registered: 4-2003 |
Sean, you have to do it! You'll regret if you don't. No matter what happens, it will be an adventure. Sounds like a good car, drive it home! take pictures at all the welcome to (insert state here) signs. Go to Vegas and park it in front of some swanky hotel. Drive through some fast food place in the middle of nowwhere. Enjoy life, what's the worse that can happen? What's the best that can happen? vincent. | ||
| wayne skiles (Bad_tt)
New member Username: Bad_tt Post Number: 37 Registered: 8-2002 |
Drove a 365 boxer from Texas to California decades ago.. alternator failed so i drove daytime and replaced battery twice. I do remember FORT STOCKTON TEXAS the Cheveron Dealer ther wouldn't even try to sell me a battery. His reponse " WE DON'T WORK ON OR HAVE PARTS FOR THOSE FOORIEN CARS!!!! Oh I hate those "rednecks"!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 2321 Registered: 7-2001 |
Do it. Load up on oil, coolant, hoses and belts, cash, and the cell phone number of every known Ferrari mechanic between points A and B. Plan on stopping every 2 hours because you have to. Take your time. I drove my car from Salt Lake City to Dallas the day I bought it, in August. It blew a water pump in Denver. A few days later I was back on the road, poorer, but happy. The drive across the Texas panhandle was miserably hot, and I had my 6 year old with me. He was a trooper and we made it home, tired and hot. I'd do it again tomorrow. If you don't do it this time, you never will. If things go wrong, it makes for a better story later. | ||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
Junior Member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 209 Registered: 9-2002 |
Did you ever see the movie deliverence? I would think twice before making that drive! | ||
| Dan Gordon (Ferruccio)
Junior Member Username: Ferruccio Post Number: 78 Registered: 2-2003 |
Sean, I live in Olathe, Kansas. I also have a huge trailor. So if you get into trouble I have no problem driving a couple of hours to pick you up. | ||
| rich stephens (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 509 Registered: 10-2001 |
I figure there are two sorts of people are suited to driving a car they've just bought long distances. 1) those that can take care of the most common problems themselves on the side of the road or the nearest parking lot. This includes fuel pumps, water pumps, ignition coils/wires/caps, and electrical wiring problems. These items will fail on the car eventutally and so you'll need them someday so just buy them now and carry them around with you. (belts and hoses too). This person should also have enough time for wiggle-room and not be particularly put off by maybe having to sleep in the car or at some local motel until morning so you can track down possible bits and pieces that are needed or visit a machinist or something. 2) those that can afford to hop a plane and have the car towed the rest of the way should it break down. This would surely cost more than just arranging to have the car transported in the first place. But for some it is worth the adventure! I've done #1 several times with old Fiats, ranging in age from '64 to '78. I've probably driven 30,000 miles in Fiats in the last three years. None of these cars were particularly well engineered to begin with (compared to a 308) but have never left me stranded anywhere. I did, however, have to sleep in my Saab one night in the middle of nowhere when its timing belt tensioner bearing was seizing up and I had to wait for parts to be delivered from 150 miles away. But the Fiats? Piece of cake! | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 341 Registered: 2-2003 |
My uncle said the same things. If he did it he'd get his tools together, a fire extinguisher and make sure his AAA is good. You guys are making me think this would be fun! | ||
| Mark (Markg)
Member Username: Markg Post Number: 574 Registered: 2-2001 |
Sean I think he means the grills behind the headlights; your front bumper is not US stock unless PO has 'Europeanized' it i.e. released gas from bumper shocks and pushed it in; also those are Euro turn signal lenses) I have driven my '82 from Colorado to Vegas, Albuquerque and the Rocky Mtns with no issues. Water pump would be the weak point, easy to replace once you locate one. AAA+ card and cell phone a must!! Make sure your insurance is in full effect before you drive it, get fire (including burning down a gas station coveridge) and car-jacking coveridge too.... It will be an expierence you wont soon forget! | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 340 Registered: 2-2003 |
Chris, I get a headache if I don't eat so we'll be in good company. Mike, it's a US car, VIN plate & # confirm this. It does not have Euro bumpers and the grill is stock. The shadow makes it look black, it's not. | ||
| Chris Parr (Cmparrf40)
Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 703 Registered: 3-2002 |
Sean, make sure you keep Daren fed, he gets grouchy if he does not eat at least 11 times a day. | ||
| Chris Parr (Cmparrf40)
Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 702 Registered: 3-2002 |
When we drove the Daytona home, it was over 100 degrees the entire trip, it was 109 in Liberal Kansas! AC in a Daytona is like a mouse with a mouthful of ice blowing through a straw..... a 308 is just a little bit better than that, prepare to be hot, but hey, that is part of the adventure! Oh, and never put anything in the trunk that might melt, candy bars are a no no! | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 896 Registered: 8-2002 |
Sean -- I like the boxer paint scheme! The car has euro bumper and lights, but shorter front spoiler, and the painted fender grilles which must have been done afterwards. The wheels aren't stock either so obviously the guy did what he wanted to the car (which is fine, of course). Is it a euro or a US model? If euro, make sure he's got all the DOT paperwork. | ||
| Justyn (Justynb)
Junior Member Username: Justynb Post Number: 57 Registered: 4-2003 |
When I collected my 348 I decided to drive it from Billericay in Essex to Derby, Derbyshire (UK). Not an enormous distance but about 150 miles. The journey should have taken me 2.5 hours but I didn't figure on it being a bank holiday weekend and the whole of the UK being on the roads trying to get away for the weekend. It took me over 6 hours to get home, lots of crawling, lots of on-and-off the clutch ,and some rain too. The car was fine and never missed a beat. The only problem was my left ankle was aching a little as I wasn't used to the heavyness of the clutch. I have RAC breakdown cover so I reckoned if the car breaks down I'll get it trailered home for free anyway. If you have similar breakdown cover where you live I'd say drive it home. It sounds like it has been well maintained so its unlikely there are any imminent mechanical failures, although you can never be sure. Good luck, and post some photos when you get the car! Justyn. | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 339 Registered: 2-2003 |
Chris, The car is and early steel one. Darren said last weekend he'd come with me and drive it back. (thanks again for last Saturday, I told everyone I know!! - and I did get over 1500rpm) My uncle said the car is beatiful and it's obvious the owner has taken good care of it (and has the money to take care of it). Just based on his meeting with the owner he said "I can't imagine anyone who's taken such good care of a car as this guy". He said it was obvious he was a car guy and took good care of all his stuff. My uncle suggested I drive in the evenings and at night b/c it's so damn hot in Nevada and the AC's on these cars stinks.  | ||
| J.D. Smythe (Jeff)
Junior Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 245 Registered: 2-2001 |
Sean I grew up in Leavenworth and lived in Kansas City(MO.). I've driven to LA so many times I've lost count. Bottom line, I wouldn't do the drive in a '76 Ferrari for two reasons. One, the drive is boring. It doesn't matter which route you take. Most of the roads are long and straight and some of them are rough and bumpy. Two, I wouldn't risk a breakdown. I could tell you horror stories from friends who had car trouble with normal cars (chevy's, VW). just my .02 | ||
| jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member Username: Atheyg Post Number: 368 Registered: 8-2002 |
Drive it around LA for a 100 or so miles, take it up Mullhulland (sp?) drive see the sights their are some great roads there, that will give you a chance to check it out, if all is okay drive it back, just take your time and drive during only the day in case something happens | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2822 Registered: 9-2001 |
I agree with JRV, drive it. There are no rewinds or replays in life. I drove my little Dino 348 Spider on several trips of over 1500 miles and drove my Boxer home the day I bought it over 650 miles. I also drove my 400GT home the day I bought it over 800 miles. I made similar lenght trips in my 328, TR and 330GTC with no problems. If you want to tow cars, get a job as a tow truck driver. If you want the joy of an Italian car, DRIVE IT ! | ||
| philip (Fanatic1)
Member Username: Fanatic1 Post Number: 362 Registered: 2-2003 |
I hate to say it............I never had the guts to take my 348 on any long distance trips......the car is in great mechanical shape.....I just found I was always too nervous about repairs/breakdowns....unknowns........I still regret it..........If I had to give you advice, I would say drive......you'll always regret it if you don't....but make sure your pockets full of money, and your tanks full of gas! | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 2193 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>Real men drive there cars home! (OK so I trailered the F40 home....)<< I agree with the above Sean. You only go round once..this ain't a practice run...gas it up & go for it. { } | ||
| ty (360mode)
Junior Member Username: 360mode Post Number: 115 Registered: 9-2002 |
but what a great drive it would be!! just watch out for the cows grazing on I-70 (i think it's I-70...) | ||
| ty (360mode)
Junior Member Username: 360mode Post Number: 114 Registered: 9-2002 |
as someone who grew up in kansas, western kansas is the last place i'd like to get stuck in ANY foreign car, let alone a ferrari! however, a couple friends drove back a '79 308 from LA to San Antonio - no problems! as you suggest though, they had EVERYTHING checked out and replaced, if needed. | ||
| Chris Parr (Cmparrf40)
Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 701 Registered: 3-2002 |
76 GTB is it steel or glass? | ||
| Chris Parr (Cmparrf40)
Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 700 Registered: 3-2002 |
Sean, when I bought my Daytona in San Diego, Chris Hill and I left San Diego at 3:00PM on Saturday and pulled in my driveway at 11:45 PM on Sunday and that is after going through El Paso to have breakfast with Chris' daughter! Real men drive there cars home! (OK so I trailered the F40 home....) It is a fun trip, who in the club is going with you? | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 338 Registered: 2-2003 |
I found a car in LA and everything so far has checked out. PPI being done on Monday and I'm going to fly out next week to see the car. I was thinking of driving it back to Kansas City. A member of the local FCA club said he's come with me and drive it back, and my dad also said he'd come with me and drive it back. On top of that, my uncle, who's checked out the car for me and lives in LA, said he's love to take his son on a road trip and bring it to KC. I can get 1-way tickets for him back to Burbank for $99 each. However, I talked with another 308 owner last night and he cautioned against it. He considered driving his car back to KC from Washington DC last year but decided to transport it. He was glad he did. After it arrived, he drove it around the block and the water pump failed before he got back to the house. His point was, mechanical troubles can be taken care of in most places on most cars, but not with a Ferrari. He is right. Theirs not much between LA and Kansas City, except Los Vegas, Denver and a lot of desert and open plains in Kansas. Where would I find parts for a Ferrari in the middle of nowhere? When the PPI is done I'm going to let the mechanic know that I'm considering driving it back to Kansas and ask the mechanic to give me a list of anything he would do/fix before making such a trip. The car is a '76 GTB with 65,000 miles that has been very well maintained and from what I've seen in the photos, and my uncle saw, it is in excellent condition. |