IAC Last Calls Florida trip
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
IAC Last Calls Florida trip
I am driving I-75 southbound, only 450 miles north of a 47-car pile-up on the same road, reported yesterday outside of Sarasota was it?
I am in the BobD. How very strange it is to compare these two cars, Chloe and the BobD. For the first several hours of driving a fresh tight immaculate new VW bus with its absolutely fierce dainty tippy-toe brakes, I missed the old one! Why? Do I long for slow going, shrieky generators, and diffident drum brakes?
This is the magic of old Volkswagens, they draw you in to their work and make you loyal to their honest if blazeless performance. Chloe seized me with admiration for having just done the whole country so effortlessly slyly slowly.
I am in Starbucks whose music is driving me distracted:
My project list thus far is pathetic, I guess Chloe threw such substantial needs my way that I don't know what to do with this car. So far,
Gummiflege the rubber window/door seals and ball joint/tie rod/CV boots
Wash the windows
Clean the shocks and insides of the wheels
That's it. But, I have had some wonderful experiences with this car too, and my memories of our adventures are trickling back in after the Chloe Interlude.
I have had such a better itinerary experience than my paltry post-count would suggest. I have enjoyed meeting a bunch of new people and what do you say when some of your old customers have known you for a third of their lives now, and an entire fifth of mine? That this business has legs? This is very very cool. I am having a gratitude attack today.
I may even have time to fill you in on some prior visits since this car seems to want for nothing. Back to the southbound journey, to the warmth, to the sun.
Colin
I am in the BobD. How very strange it is to compare these two cars, Chloe and the BobD. For the first several hours of driving a fresh tight immaculate new VW bus with its absolutely fierce dainty tippy-toe brakes, I missed the old one! Why? Do I long for slow going, shrieky generators, and diffident drum brakes?
This is the magic of old Volkswagens, they draw you in to their work and make you loyal to their honest if blazeless performance. Chloe seized me with admiration for having just done the whole country so effortlessly slyly slowly.
I am in Starbucks whose music is driving me distracted:
My project list thus far is pathetic, I guess Chloe threw such substantial needs my way that I don't know what to do with this car. So far,
Gummiflege the rubber window/door seals and ball joint/tie rod/CV boots
Wash the windows
Clean the shocks and insides of the wheels
That's it. But, I have had some wonderful experiences with this car too, and my memories of our adventures are trickling back in after the Chloe Interlude.
I have had such a better itinerary experience than my paltry post-count would suggest. I have enjoyed meeting a bunch of new people and what do you say when some of your old customers have known you for a third of their lives now, and an entire fifth of mine? That this business has legs? This is very very cool. I am having a gratitude attack today.
I may even have time to fill you in on some prior visits since this car seems to want for nothing. Back to the southbound journey, to the warmth, to the sun.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- Bleyseng
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Seattle again
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
Just keep on going south until you come to Suriname. Its still the middle of Summer here and will be until January.
I am here, working and have lots of good coffee.
I am here, working and have lots of good coffee.
Geoff
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/
- retro1302
- I'm New!
- Location: Long Valley, New Jersey
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
Colin, I know a little bit about Cloe after meeting her this year. Can you fill us "newbies" in a bit about BobD?
Stan
Stan
____________________
1965 Split Camper
1971 Super Beetle Convert
1980 Triumph Spitfire
1965 Split Camper
1971 Super Beetle Convert
1980 Triumph Spitfire
- RSorak 71Westy
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
The BobD is a I think 78 bus Colin bought from a former member here. It was ridiculously low mileage, and very original and Colin just had to have it, he gave a large pile of greenbacks for it. (Most if not all of his savings) He then proceeded to take it on a IAC tour last summer and put like 20K miles on it, I think more than doubling its mileage. I was astonished that he did so. But he had little choice as his original bus was totaled by someone not paying proper attention to the task of driving. This is the short versoin. Colin agonized online here for what seems like months over the decision to buy BobD.
Take care,
Rick
Stock 1600 w/dual Solex 34's and header. mildly ported heads and EMPI elephant's feet. SVDA W/pertronix. 73 Thing has been sold. BTW I am a pro wrench have been fixing cars for living for over 30 yrs.
Rick
Stock 1600 w/dual Solex 34's and header. mildly ported heads and EMPI elephant's feet. SVDA W/pertronix. 73 Thing has been sold. BTW I am a pro wrench have been fixing cars for living for over 30 yrs.
- Sylvester
- Bad Old Puddy Tat.
- Location: Sylvester, Georgia
- Contact:
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Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
Since you have so much time between the stops, why don't you post some pictures along the way of what you see in Florida. The pan handle of Florida is a favorite of mine.Amskeptic wrote:Colin
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue, I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod, The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
- zabo
- Old School!
- Location: earth
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
Sylvester wrote:
Since you have so much time between the stops, why don't you post some pictures along the way of what you see in Florida. The pan handle of Florida is a favorite of mine.
Dont ruin it sylvester, I was looking forward to pics of every starbucks from here to miami.
Have a good trip colin
60 beetle
78 bus
78 bus
- Sylvester
- Bad Old Puddy Tat.
- Location: Sylvester, Georgia
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
You don't want to see pictures of the BobD engine stripped down on a crystal white beach with turquoise waters and girls in bikini's in the background?zabo wrote:Dont ruin it sylvester, I was looking forward to pics of every starbucks from here to miami.
Have a good trip colin
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue, I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod, The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=7306retro1302 wrote:Colin, I know a little bit about Cloe after meeting her this year. Can you fill us "newbies" in a bit about BobD?
Stan
Other stories in the 2009 Itinerary . . . lots of disassembly silliness in the technical forums. If you see green/white, it is the BobD, now almost 87,000 miles and driving . . . perfectly.
Don't worry Chloe, that does not affect my loyalty to your ass-kicking asphyxiating ways.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- aopisa
- Addicted!
- Location: Vermont
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
I would worry more about the BobD throwing you a curve ball from feeling under appreciated and thinking his Type 4 'powerhouse' is somehow inferior to Chloe's endearing Type 1 engine. I hope you have a safe and trouble free trip, but after reading many of your exploits, I wouldn't rule out The BobD giving you a dope slap upside the head.Amskeptic wrote:retro1302 wrote:Don't worry Chloe, that does not affect my loyalty to your ass-kicking asphyxiating ways.
Colin
1977 Westy 2.0L F.I.
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
Let's rule it out for the next 50,000 miles or so. It has been flawless since I've owned it. The risk is that I'd do something stupid . . . like disassemble and lubricate a wiper switch on white gravel off Interstate 10 or sumpin'.aopisa wrote:I would worry more about the BobD throwing you a curve ball from feeling under appreciated and thinking his Type 4 'powerhouse' is somehow inferior to Chloe's endearing Type 1 engine. I hope you have a safe and trouble free trip, but after reading many of your exploits, I wouldn't rule out The BobD giving you a dope slap upside the head.Amskeptic wrote:retro1302 wrote:Don't worry Chloe, that does not affect my loyalty to your ass-kicking asphyxiating ways.
Colin
Just hit 87,000 miles an hour ago as I was crossing the Cypress SomethingorOther:
I am now in Miami . . . posting from the bank drive-through window (after hours) waiting for this infernal heat to break, it is raining lightly, 82* with 90% humidity at 10PM, and I cannot sleep with this buggy sticky oppressive air. Sure wish I could sleep, it has been a long day of driving.
I have my laptop and cup of coffee on the vacuum machine for the drive-through bays:
Colin
(here's another Everglades cloud shot, much prettier in person)
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
Let's be a little more graceful. I am not one of those "I just have to have it" kind of people. When Bob D realized that he could not keep it any longer, he asked me to be its caretaker, he *wanted me to have it* knowing as he did, my insane attention to detail and love for these cars. I agonizingly dithered because I had a bus that was working fine and yes, very little money. Only later (one year minus one week) did I discover that it was actually a very good decision. After I lost the Road Warrior, I used the BobD bus for a year and came to realize that I could not bear to wear it out so damn quick. Then another bus became available, not because "I just had to have it" but because its owner *wanted me to have it* knowing as he did, my insane attention to detail and love for these cars.RSorak 71Westy wrote:
Colin just had to have it, he gave a large pile of greenbacks for it. (Most if not all of his savings) Colin agonized online here for what seems like months over the decision to buy BobD.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- Bleyseng
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Seattle again
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
Time to install AC in BobD so you and sit there and idle away your time while being nice and cool. Yeah, it takes a lot to get used to 82F and 90% humidity and be comfortable enough to sleep in it. Where the hell do you sleep in the bus?
If I were you I would carry one of those new style hammocks with a insect net.
Love the pics and you are as bad as me it being a Wifi mooch!
If I were you I would carry one of those new style hammocks with a insect net.
Love the pics and you are as bad as me it being a Wifi mooch!
Geoff
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
I need a hammock with a solar-charged ventilator battery. Last night was very little sleep AND I have a 10 hour itinerary appointment coming up and I have to get in at least 250 miles tonight since Pensacola is a bit further than I reckoned . . .Bleyseng wrote:carry one of those new style hammocks with a insect net.
Love the pics and you are as bad as me it being a Wifi mooch!
I bring my own wifi, thank-you very much. It is a little Verizon box.
You think a bank drive-through window is a wifi spot?!?
It IS a cop magnet . . .
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
How does your back feel after a night in one of those?Bleyseng wrote: hammocks-
ColinMiamiToPensacolaInAHalfDayYerNutz
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- Bleyseng
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Seattle again
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: IAC Last Calls Florida trip
My back is usually fine after sleeping in one. Depends on how tight you set it up as I prefer a softer setup but not too soft so you sag with your knees in your face.
Geoff
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/