C2 - Prep For A Route 66 Journey

[Gerard F.]

If you are going to carry a spare tire

Mike,
you might want to stick with the 205's. Don't think a 215 or 225 will fit in the tire tub, width-wise. I'm happy with my set of 5 Coker 205/75R15's although others say they are not the best brand.

Wonder if the guys using the 215's or larger carry a spare tire.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Jack W.]

Re: If you are going to carry a spare tire

I run 21570R15 Firesone radials on my 65 (Goldlines, from Diamondback), on KOs, and have one in the tub on a KO rim. Only fits if you have a repro tub, as they (the repro tubs)are slightly larger in diameter. Even then, you'll need longer hanger bolts to accomadate the increased tire width, such bolts are available from the usual suspects, and come in standard, KO and then Goldline length, goldline being the longest and what I needed. Using any modern width tire, the bottom tray will not seal tight up against tub.

[Dennis M.]

Re: C2 - Prep For A Route 66 Journey

Mike,

One other option you might want to consider is that the NCRS National Convention will be in San Jose in 2009 and the National Road Tour is planning to drive the Route 66 tour. This option give you the saftey in numbers as well as the chance to drive and enjoy the route with fellow Corvette drivers.

Remember to "Save The Wave"

Dennis

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: C2 - Prep For A Route 66 Journey

Here's my only question. I would love to do this, but where do you park your car at night. I can just see some silly/jealous kid keying my old vette while it sits at a Red Roof Inn. I would be so in for such a trip if I could just figure out how to provide some rudimentary safety for my vehicle overnight!!!

[Terry M.]

A Route 66 Journey -- sorry for so long

Kirk,
I have missed only one road tour since 1985, but only once did I bring the 1970 Corvette -- for the Founders Award. There are always many fine automobiles, Corvettes and others, on the NCRS Road Tours. I am not aware of a single instance of vandalism -- but it could have happened and I didn't hear about it. I recall one time we (perhaps 50 or so of us) pulled into a motel in Utah or Idaho, and we learned ALL the help in the establishment was on work release from a correctional institution. Over adult beverages we decided to mount a roving patrol all night. We signed up for hourly, or two hour I forget now, shifts. There were more than enough of us to cover the night. We used one of the rigs with a trailer to block the parking lot entrance. Nothing happened, except I pulled duty with a fellow member who has become a life-long friend. He has been a power train engineer with Corvette and several other car lines for the last 20+ years, and is as nuts about Corvettes as any of us. I would have never made such close friendships with him and many, many others without going on the road with them.

I'll be driving my 2008 Corvette to St Louis with one of the tours this summer, and if all goes well and the creek don't rise, I'll do Route 66 with it next year. Even on those many road tours where I brought up the rear in the orange Suburban (and carried the beverage coolers, tools, and spare parts) I had a blast -- that truck became legend. I have driven several former police cars on recent trips (Chicago to Portland to Monterey was a 5000 mile one. I led a C4 from Chicago to Portland sometimes we were in triple digits for hours on end. Oops, I didn't say that, did I?), and enjoyed it immensely. We all worry about our cars, whatever we drive. However, they are all experiences I wouldn't trade for anything. I can guarantee you will have a great time -- even the guy who put a rod through his oil pan last year said he had fun, and has fixed the car and is going to St. Louis this year. You will read his whole story in an upcoming Restorer. Go for it, you won't regret it.

[Verle R.]

Re: C2 - Prep For A Route 66 Journey

Kirk,

Don't park in bad neighborhoods.

I have driven my 57 on several long road trips, both with road tours and by myself. I have more anxiety when by myself than with a group, but have never had a problem.

Don't park in bad neighborhoods is a not all together facetious recommendation. Some "Inns" are in good neighborhoods and some are not. Park out of sight of the street. Try to park near your room. Have an alarm of some kind. Have a way to disable the car so it will not start. Carry a .44 magnum.

Verle

[Roy B.]

Re: C2 - Prep For A Route 66 ( Kirk )

I had a friend with the same concern , what he did was carry extra pillows that he set on the Corvette then used a Car cover. The pillows was to change the profile of the Corvette so people would not think it was a Corvette. Cool I thought!

[Roy B.]

For A Route 66 Journey play the percentages

We've driven our 55 Corvette to NY. Canada and all around the USA and route 66 twice , never had a problem till 05 when coming back from NCRS national in Utah. Stopped in Nevada to lose some money and was keyed on the left fender . In over 30 years our first ever problem.
You just have to play the percentages ,it will not stop us from still driving it.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: For A Route 66 Journey play the percentages

That's really good to hear. I have taken several long journeys in my car since its purchase, but they have all ended up in secure locations by the end of the day (my aunt's garage in VA, and great BB near Bowling Green that lets me park in their garage!!!). Anyway, I would love to drive the car across country. SO, when and what is this Route 66 Trip, cause if I can get the time off to do it, I'm in!!!!

[Gerard F.]

Re: If you are going to carry a spare tire

Jack,

Funny, I had no problem with the diameter of my Coker 205/75R15's (diameter 27.1")fitting into my late 67 tire tub with 10 1/4" front bolts (original). However it doesn't close tight lije yours and sits down a bit. The 215/70R15 I see should be slightly smaller in diameter (26.9) but wider by about a half inch.

I just looked up a repro 7.75 x 15 and they seem to be even larger in diameter but narrower.

Wonder if the 67's had a different tire tub.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Paul L.]

KHE/IPod

Mike,
I have the KHE-200 (50W x 4) in my 1967 and it gives a very decent sound. The KHE-300 will have more power and cut back on what little distortion there is when cranked up. The IPod Shuffle holds 125 songs and is hard-connected (wired) to the AUX jacks on the KHE intended for a CD player. It in fact emulates that type of player. The Shuffle is random play, a bit annoying. A more expensive IPod unit gives greater capacity and better control via folders and a screen display.

The front speaker is a Kenwood dual-cone. I tried one of those speaker bars (various catalogues) in the back but it did not cut the mustard. I also attempted to install kick-panel units (4" speakers) but whoever designed them needs glasses: they simply don't fit. Next attempt was carpeted boxes from FutureShop and Pioneer 3-ways in the 6 x 9" size. Voila! They sound great. I will post a second pic of those.

[Paul L.]

Rear Speakers

These are held in place with commercial-grade velcro. No damage to carpet. Very strong sound. The Kenwood dual-cone upfront by virtue of its smaller size is not as strong. But heck, that is what the front/rear fade function is for.

Bottom right is the retractor for three-point seat belts but that is another thread.

[Mike Andresen]

Re: KHE/IPod

Paul
I like the clean look of your KHE200. You'll need to upgrade the Ipod to a newer model that holds more and has a screen. My son and I each have our own 30G Ipod videos so we will have more than enough music for the 2 week odyssey!

I like the way you plugged into the back of the KHE200 with Ipod cord. The KHE 300 has both front and rear aux inputs. I think I will do like you did and use the back plug. Anything to reduce clutter on the long trip.

My plan is to use both the Kenwood dual cone (like you) and the kick panel units. I hope I have better luck. But with a roadster and filling the back with our bags, the rear speakers would be rather muffled. I'll let you know if I have any better luck.

Cheers
Mike

[Dennis M.]

Re: C2 - Prep For A Route 66 Journey

Most of the motel stops are in good quality locations and with so many on the tour, you always have safety in numbers. If you have to worry about over night stays when on a National road Tour, what kind of security do you have when you go out in your car for a drive? Or do you just perfer to keep it in your garage. Remember I know most owners view their Corvette as an investimate, but they were built to DRIVE and ENJOY.

Save The Wave and Drive your Corvette(s)

Dennis

[Mike Andresen]

Thanks For All of The Good Advice

Thanks everyone for the great advice and counsel! My son and I are getting excited about getting started on car and getting on the road.

Cheers
Mike