Customs Route 66, my family, and a 63 wagon

Well, she made it up to the top of the Smoky Mountains! She was struggling near the top... guessing not enough oxygen for the carb. Took the air cleaner off which seemed to do the trick. The view was Awesome! We ended up doing the old school picnic on the tailgate. Pretty much a perfect day.

 

I've enjoyed reading and looking at all 20 pages, and had to register and join the fun. On the first page, there is a Camaro race car in the background, is Larry your dad? I used to see him at Lucky's Race Cars quite often, and he was kind enough to trailer my 69 Charger from Glenside to King of Prussia a few years ago. I live nearby in Royersford.
Brian

 

Your children have grown up quite a bit in the 2 years since you started this thread.

 

Yes... that’s my pops. He lives on my property now in Limerick.

 

Yep... and I’ve got grey hairs popping in. Probably from these road trips! Lol

 

Man that last shot is a keeper.

Hope you don't mind me making you a postcard of it.

 

I know where it is, he took me there once. I'm close by, and I'm sure we'll run into each other either in my 64 Comet wagon or my Challenger. Your wagon would be a hit at the Pottstown High St cruise nights.

 

Nice!!!

 

Very cool place to stop. Spent about an hour there. A lot more cars but because of lighting my pictures didn’t come out good. View attachment 5102878 View attachment 5102881 View attachment 5102882 View attachment 5102885 View attachment 5102889

 

Some really cool sights... hiking, waterfalls, and trails. I’m a carpenter by trade, so I really appreciate the old cabins. Felt like picking one and moving in.

 

Sharing your family trip & your pictures with us is one thing and you ca see how we enjoy it. The many people that talk to you along the way are just a small number compared the those who don't or don't have the chance. Your trip is sparking memories in most who witness it and it is uplifting to see a family doing what was "normal" a few years ago. Hopefully your family will inspire others to hit the road together. Sorry to be so sappy.
Also thanks for keeping your trips on the same thread so we don't lose track of your adventures.

 

Thanks! That’s kinda why I’m sharing. It’s been such an awesome experience for my family and I. The last year, all we did was talk about out cross country trip. Covid shut us down for last summer or we would have spread the niagara Falls trip and this last one out. I’d love to do one each summer if possible. I’m posting to hopefully inspire someone else to just throw caution to the wind and just do the road trip they’ve wanted to do for years. You live once!

 

We were looking for a spot for dinner and saw this little cruise in. Stopped for an hour. As soon as everyone saw our PA tags a small crowd started around the wagon. Everyone was so stoked at what we were doing with the old girl. Met a really nice guy into Ramblers... showed me pics of all of his. Pretty sure we inspired him to do a road trip with his wife. Lol

 

Well... we made it home. Just under 2500 miles we put on the old girl again. Didn’t take many pics on the last day... pretty much just drove. I got to say, this old Rambler is pretty damn tough. From driving across deserts and up mountains, I’d drive this thing anywhere.
I’m hoping this is not the end of our trips... but I do realize that my daughter will be 16 next summer and probably have a job. We will be starting her 66 Mustang build and probably will not have any spare money or time next summer. And both my boys are growing like weeds so not sure if all three will fit in the back in time. We had three really successful trips in the last few years and they will definitely never be forgotten. I’d definitely suggest to anyone that has a way to hit the road in an old classic, to do it. Don’t wait. Also, don’t listen to the news... this country is beautiful and there are so many good people out there. ESPECIALLY car guys. We are everywhere and always willing to help during a breakdown. And if I never here “what year is that” again... it will be too soon. Haha

 

Thank you! When my son was going to college in Texas we made several trips in his '54 Stude wagon. We had several issues and always had people willing to help. Not all of them were car people just good people. When they see others in trouble they help. It's who we are. I still take fun trips with my son's in their 30s. Not the long road trips as much as hunting and getting old cars and big tools. Things change but you have established the base.

 

Thanks, I’m hoping it continues as they get older.

 

If you want a upgrade in power there is a 270 hp 327 complete on face book in Wichita sez ran but smoked $350 these are hard to find. .I 66 I had a friend that worked for a Rambler dealer he pulled the 287 out of his 660 Classic and replaced it with a stock 270 hp 327 car ran high 13s.

 

I’m in the middle of planning a similar road trip in a similar car. Someone forwarded this thread to me and your info has been extremely helpful.

I recently snagged a ‘63 770 Cross Country with the 196 and 3spd auto. Could you tell me what Vintage Air system you went with? Also I’d pay you for a compressor bracket if you can make another one!

 

If you make that road trip as you're planning take plenty of pictures and be sure to post 'em here on your travels. We just love lookin' at pictures, if you haven't figured that out already.


And be sure to ask here if you need any advice about prepping your "Kelvinator" for the trip. There's a handful of members here that really know their way around these cars and will probably be willing to share their experience.

 

X two!

 

What a brilliant adventure,some amazing times had,plenty to see and do and your pictures are excellent.some great stories to talk about in the future.thanks for posting them.Brought back some memories from April 2016 when we done similar but in a rental I am thrilled to see our piece of art was still there

 

That's not art, that's vandalism. I know art when I see it. Those guys are targets!

 

I messaged you… I’ll help you the best I can.

 

I've used an under dash system in a previous 63 Classic wagon. You want the highest cooling BTU unit you can fit! I'm running the factory evaporator unit now. It's about as good as the old under dash unit I had before -- maybe a bit better since I'm running a parallel flow condensor (from a Chrysler LHS... had to modify lines and make brackets). I am also running a modern Sanden style compressor. Use one of those for sure, unless you want it to look factory. I'm running Jeep 4.0L complete with EFI and the OD auto though. I had to have custom hoses made to mate the original evaporator (flare fittings) to everything else (o-rings).

The main disadvantage of an under dash unit or the factory vents is that they are in the center of the car. You definitely want a small vent on each end of the dash to spread the cool air better. When running north/south in the summer your sun facing side definitely gets warm!

 

Thanks Frank. The main missing component for my setup is the accessory pulley (making double grooves on the harmonic balancer). If anyone has a lead on this pulley, let me know!

 

That's actually easy. The accessory pulley just bolts to the balancer via the puller bolt holes. IIRC it's a flat pulley and just bolts flat to the balancer surface, and it is the same diameter as the balancer. Exact diameter isn't important, it just needs to be close. Slightly smaller (say if the balancer is 6" diameter a 5.5-6" pulley would be fine) won't hurt. Farm equipment stores (like Tractor Supply) usually have an assortment of V-belt pulleys, and Vintage Air and other AC suppliers will have some. You might have to drill it to fit the Rambler balancer and may need a spacer between balancer and pulley to align the belt. Just make sure the holes are aligned so that the pulley isn't off center to the crank. Any machine shop or sheet metal shop should be able to do that if you can't.

 

Went back and got caught up on your latest adventure. Awesome as usual!
Glad that you got to see our end of the state. Love the shots of the Roaring Fork Nature Trail above Gatlinburg. Hopefully Pigeon Forge traffic didn’t kill the trip. It can be horrendous.
You certainly have a great family! I have to admire your “Dad-itude”! Making memories!

 

I don’t know how I missed the earlier postings of this trip but at least I found it today and have read through the first 15 pages. that was a great trip! and thanks for taking a photo of my Cadillac on the 10th page!

 

Thank You!!!