Route 66 Road Trip

[Joe C.]

Have any of you ever thought about a Corvette Caravan along what's left of old Route 66.....Chicago to Santa Monica? I know that it's pretty well chopped up, and nonexistant in many places, but still fairly contiguous from Needles to Santa Monica.
I would be willing to put some effort into organizing such a road trip, but would need tons of help, and information. Anybody interested? email and or telephone.

Joe

[Michael H.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Joe,

A few years ago, I would have been VERY interested. Not sure now though. Long ride from Florida to Chicago, then to Cal and back to FL. I suppose it's possible though. When are you planning this? If next spring, I may get involved.

Years ago, we used to travel what was left of Rt 66 from Chicago to the Bloomington Corvette event. Not near as interesting as the old highway out west but still fun.

I may be interested in meeting a caravan somewhere out west but I don't think I would make the entire trip from Chicago to Cal. Keep us posted, sounds like a great vacation. We ARE talking about old cars, not new ones, right?

[Joseph T.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Joe

I believe the SACE original group did this drive from Santa Monica to Chicago about 15 years ago. You might look up Lucy Badenhoop..at the SACC website. If I remember correctly she drove a 58 fuelie all the way...both ways.

I helped set up a visit to the then closed St.Louis Plant attended by a number of former workers. Everyone that day received a brick from the plant.

Joe T

[larry linkous]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

In Missouri, Route 66 is still pretty cool and a lot of it left. Comes into Rolla Missouri and around that area has some real neat things to do and see. I was Police Officer in Waynesille Mo.and Taney County (Branson, Mo.) for a while and live in Missouri for about 10 years. Missouri is really a pretty State. I also was on it this year in Arziona and California and again, a lot of neat things there to. Great Idea!!!!

[Roy B.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

The SACE = "Straight Axle Corvette Enthusiast" I started NOT a Corvette "club"! But now is SACC a "club" that I now am not allowed to join or be at.
Our trip in 1989 we had on 66 to St.Louis plant just before they torn it down Had five original guys that worked there from 53 to closing . The guy holding the sign ( end of a era -the last Corvette built in St. Louis 7-31-81) Two were painters that told the story about one guy being color blind and while he was taking a break they switched the blue and green paint hoses that hung on hooks, when he came back in to start painting he paint one side of a C2 green while the guy on the other side painted blue with not him realizing it , they let it go out the paint both where every one had a good laugh then later repainted it all blue as it was to be a blue C2. They mentioned the poor NCRS guy that may strip it for repaint explaining what he had to NCRS. They all were not empresst with NCRS judging explaining they think they know what happened about Corvettes being this or that. Telling stories about bolts color options and so on. I asked because I had a GRAY 55 Corvette if it could have been done. Yes was the answer they did paint gray 55's and in 55 they would paint a pink Corvette if the customer asked and gave the Shriner Corvettes as an example.
Room were they kept the manifest for year Corvette,the oil pit where members did find some original fasteners and what ever. Noland and I passing out the factory bricks to members.
Each member that had their Corvette with them took turns taking a pic. With their Corvette coming out the SAME door it did when new. A great day for members and me!

[Joseph T.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Roy

Thats me standing between you and Lucy. Somewhere I have pictures of the route 66 SACE road trip cars parked next to the plant and also in front of the St.Louis Arch..

The guy with the dark moustache in the picture of Plant workers..was George Barlos (sp?) I think he has since passed away. He attended many Corvette shows and gave seminars for years.

The tall thin guy on the left..looks like the guy that did the trim tags starting in 63..

Joe

[Roy B.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Joe ! I had to break out my really strong glasses to see you, man you were pretty back then , what happened Ha! You must also remember those guys thought NCRS was full of BS. Had great stories about what really happened . Those were fun days, did you take a pic. Of your Corvette coming out the factory door?

[Joseph T.]

Check out this picture

Roy..do you remember stopping in downtown St.Louis to take this picture..before proceeding to the St.Louis Plant?

I think this is the first time I have shown it in 17 years.

I seem to remember seeing this car at Bloomington that summer.

Are you still in contact with any of the people on that trip. Do they all still have the bricks from the plant..and the letter?

Joe

[Rick A.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Joe,

a few of us have kicked it around here in Baltimore - nothing has been firmed up, so would definitely be interested!

FYI - the MERCEDES BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA (am a member of this also) - is doing this exact run in September!

[Roy B.]

Re: Check out this picture Joe

I still have the brick and letter ,many SACE members dropped out of SACC , don't see them much now because I'm not allowed to attened their meets ( politics ) drove up to their Truckee National meet last week in my 55 and Lucy had the police make me leave. She now controls the club and members , telling them not to talk with me. What she tells members is a mistery to me!
You remember George who helped with SACE with the 56 Corvette she treats him the same.

[Joe C.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Michael,

Old cars only! Probably restrict to Corvettes 25 years or older, which qualifies for "historical" in many states. Ideally, an early June ('08, '09?)departure would provide the best driving conditions across the Rockies and the Mojave.
Although this forum is only enjoyed by much less than 25% of our membership, I was expecting more interest. The logistics of such a road trip would be enormous. At the present time, this is only a "testing of the waters".

Joe

[Joe C.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Jesus Christ, Joe! From what I read further down this thread, I'd be afraid to talk to Lucy. It sounds like she'd try to emasculate me!

Joe

[Joseph T.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Who let the dogs out?

[Michael H.]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Joe,

This sounds like a great adventure. Probably about 5500 or 6000 miles for me though if I were to go Tampa/Chicago/LA/Tampa. I'm sure the old 425 HP would be ok with another long run though.

June of next year would even be ok with me but I suppose many would need more time to prepare cars and schedules.

[Doug Flaten]

Re: Route 66 Road Trip

Sounds like a neat idea. Oklahoma has a large chunk of the road still available for travel, and next year is their Statehood Centennial with lots of celebrations. I just checked a Centennial website and Tulsa Buried a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in a time capsule to be opened in June 2007. They enclosed oil and gas too in case it was not available and we were all driving those flying cars. So now, you guys with 57's can get 1957 vintage oil, gas and air for your ultimate numbers matching restorations.

http://www.buriedcar.com/tulsarama.html
Doug