Tip of the Day: What parts to take on a long trip

OK I'm going to go out on a limb Ivan ... I'm an uber preparer too but you're paranoid!

If that many things can fail perhaps the car really isn't ready?

To be fair though you have that screwy waterpump with the cables what were they thinking?

When I picked up my 3,000 mile Bora back in 1987 and drove it home to SF from Oklahoma City. I mapped out all the exotic car garages and I ended up using two of them.

When I picked up the car it was a hot day, 87F and the car overheated and spewed coolant 1/2 mile from the seller's garage! Back I went only to discover that one of the fans had seized and melted. It did that awhile before I picked up the car! Very . So we pulled it out and went down to the Mercedes dealer and got one there and I was on my way ... The next shop was at a friends place in Kansas City where the AC got recharged. Next was in Denver but that was only vapor lock but it was severe vapor lock. I got trailered to the shop once I stalled in Denver on a very hot day in early spring. You know that 4,000 ft elevation warning? It's for real!

Have fun I'm sure you'll be just fine ...

 

You seem to have forgot to list the 3 most important things for driving 40+ year old cars on a long road trip. A cell phone, a AAA plus card and a St. Christopher statue on the dash.

 

I seem to remember something about a statue on a dash ...

Back in 1987 cell phones and coverage were VERY rare. There were more Conestogas passing buy in some of those lonely spots ... Cops were your friend!

 

Hello---
I know you have dual fuel pumps on your Ghibli (like some Boras---not mine).
Regardless, I would take at least one spare along just for insurance.

Last week, my newly painted Bora refused to restart 100 miles from home after filling her with fuel at an Exxon station.
No sound from fuel pump. Fuse blown. Changed fuse. 3 seconds later, new fuse blown.
One more try, same result. No spare pump in car.
I decided it was time to improvise.
Changed the fuse again, but this time I replaced the 8 amp original with a 16 amp one.

Incredibly, Bora back to life AND drove beautifully the 100 miles back home without incident in 42 degree C (108 degree F) weather with ice cold AC on.
Saw 105 degrees water temp a few times while climbing, but oil temp and pressure (w the oil cooler doing its job) were fine. No power loss. Car felt great running 100-120 mph all the way. Friend following in new Panamera said he was genuinely working to keep up!

Great trip home; fuel pump changed next morning!

Enjoy.

 

I recommend you just trailer a spare parts car behind you

It's good to be prepared but I think I'm your case you're going a bit too far. I would look at pst repair work done and see how long ago it was. If you replaced the master and clutch cylinders a year ago I don't think they'd need replacing this year again. That's just one example.

 

+1

In a car that's been properly fettled this is way overboard. I never had this much trouble with my Bora or Biturbo. The Espada OTOH but it's still being sorted out ... no long trips in that one.

Why not just bring a spare car and trailer for the failed Ghibli ...

 

But what about the "luggages and chocolates" ... a line from that classic Morley Safer piece on Lamborghini regarding traveling in a Countach.

Hint ... your chauffeur in the Rolls is supposed to be carrying that stuff ...

 

Once i get my Ghibli back on the road, I'll go on long trips, only if Ivan is behind me following along with his car and parts! LOL

 

Don't laugh ... In the vintage Lamborghini world out in California this is a regular occurrence. Lot's of great stories and this one of the more famous or would that be infamous ones ...

I think there's a Youtube of it as well.

Getting a Vintage Lamborghini to the Pebble Beach Weekend, and Then Getting It Running | Car and Driver Blog

I refer to them as the Espada Rescue Brigade. They've rescued plenty of cars now.

It's really a good idea to travel in a caravan and yes ... WITH parts and enough of a mechanic to get cars going again. There are two in that brigade that are quite capable of rebuilding anything on a vintage Lamborghini, just maybe not on the side of the road every time!

 

When I am going on longer trips (more than 3000 km thru the Alps) with my BMW 503 I always have the following parts with me:

* 2 screen wiper blades as a spare

* a bottle of RAINX (if you put this on the windscreen water rolls off the screen and you need no wipers)

* a smooth cover to protect the car from hail (this depends upon the season and the region where you go. But last year on a trip in Toscany with the Vignale, we had a heavy hailstorm near PISA and I was very happy to put the cover over the car to protect the aluminium parts.

* a coolant spray (the BMW V8 engine normally has no temperature problems as long as you DRIVE the car, but once you are caught up in a traffic jam the engines overheats within minutes - maybe this is not necessary with the Maserati V8).

* battery-jumper cable (and nowadays additionally also a power-bank in case there is no other car around.

Instead of a complete alternator I only put the carbons with me. Need no space and to change the carbons is not a big job (you can do that in the evening).

Alfred

 

Yes indeed - You are defintely right.
I have to accept my English is not good enough to post a correct advice.

Alfred

 

These aren't necessarily spare parts, but should be considered:

1. Wheel Chock
2. A couple pairs of latex/rubber gloves
3. Hand cleaner (small size)
4. Zip Ties
5. Tyvex cover suit (disposable)

Mike

 

Glad to hear you had an almost trouble free trip!