In need of travel advice

[Atmobil]

Ok, I have for the past year been searching for one of my childhood dreams. A mid 60s Dodge pickup. I have looked at many and found one that I think is the one I want in Teton, Idaho. A 65 D100 longbed with 318 and 4 speed manual. The shipping company that I found have the best price ship from Long Beach, California. According to googlemaps this is about 1000 miles. I'm thinking of maybe driving it there my self but still not sure.
Anyway, I have talked to my wife about this and she likes the idea. We where talking of making it an adventure, a trip of a lifetime. Have been looking up our schedule and looks like the just after easter (late march/early april) will be good for us.
We are talking about making a 7 or 10 day trip out of it. Maybe we can stretch it out to 14 days, not sure yet.
My question is: where should we go and what should we see? Where should we stay?

[talon63]

Not to start anything, but I've prepped cars for shipment overseas. Have you looked into what that entails for shipment into your country? IIRC, it took a couple of days of cleaning and inspection for the last vehicle I did. 

Other than that, a drive from Teton Idaho to Long Beach, California would be filled with some extraordinary sites, no matter what route you take. While the Salt Lake City-to-Las Vegas-to-Los Angeles is the more direct route, personally I'd detour across California to enjoy a bit of the Pacific Coast Highway. While not as steeped in motoring tradition as Route 66, it's a worthwhile drive at times, and greener than the desert. 

as a side note, If I were to make that trip from Houston to Long Beach, I'd be halfway to the destination before I left Texas.

[Russell C]

Before making any plans about what to see, I'd recommend first and foremost that the truck is in daily driver condition, and that would at least entail a day or two of full inspection, with provisions to acquire the parts it would need to make it fully driveable for any distance. Speaking from my own experience, I bought a 'truck of my dreams' back in 2006 and although it was shined up in a spectacular manner, it didn't even make it across town without running out of gas due to the (as I later found out) faulty fuel sender. A pal of mine in our collectors group found the same truck of his dreams - he made it back to his house after a 2-300 mile drive, but while tooling around in his neighborhood, he lost the driveshaft due to U-joints that picked that time to seize up. Another fellow in our group bought a one-way ticket from Seattle to LA with the intention of driving his truck back, but the vehicle was so hugely misrepresented (looked great in photos, though) that he had to buy a much more expensive return flight ticket.

While buying such a vehicle and immediately taking it for a tour sounds like loads of fun, buying sight basically unseen usually does not turn out well at all.

[Atmobil]

Thanks for the advice guys. If I am going to drive the truck or get a modern day rent-a-box is not a sure thing yet. But whatever happens it would be nice to get to see new places. Is there any thing one should look out for?
I'm looking at the map and maybe turning west in Salt Lake city and going on I80 past Bonneville, that would be cool.

[unclescott58]

Thanks for the advice guys. If I am going to drive the truck or get a modern day rent-a-box is not a sure thing yet. But whatever happens it would be nice to get to see new places. Is there any thing one should look out for?
I'm looking at the map and maybe turning west in Salt Lake city and going on I80 past Bonneville, that would be cool.

Turning west and following I-80 to the coast is the way to go. Then take the Pacific Coast Highway to LA. Like others, I'd be a little worried driving that old a truck without a good thorough going over. I-80 does take you over Donner's Pass. So you will be doing a little climbing. Though I did it in a '71 Buick Riviera a few years ago with no problems.

It could be a great trip. Or a nightmare, like the time I tried driving a '67 Riviera from a New Jersey suburb of Philadelphia, PA back to the Twin Cities. A very easy run with a good car. And seller had assured us the car ready to go. The car didn't make it the less then 5 miles into Philadelphia with out breaking down. Had to have it towed back to the seller. Then I had to wait all the next day while they "fixed the problem." Only to break down in Warren, Ohio for a couple of days before getting home.

Still if the truck checks out, I'd try it. It should be a lot of fun.

[blunc]

if it's normally warm where you currently live, you should be fine.

if it's normally cool or cold where you live, you should prepare yourselves for warm/hot weather here in the USA.

While it's usually not "Arizona hot" on your travel route, your proposed travel time period is when the weather starts to turn warm in this part of the world.

[Atmobil]

Yes, one of the reasons for going is the heat and the sun. We had a great lucky break in the summer of 2014 and had great temperatures and sunny weather for almost a month but normally we have about 200 days a year of rain and the temperatures in summer rarely go above 20 degress C (68F) and usually is at between 10 and 15C (50 to 60F) in the summer months.

I'm thinking that flying to Salt Lake city and renting a car there, going north to Teton, Idaho to look at the truck and possibly buy it and then going back to Salt Lake city, on to the I80 west and to San Fransisco and then the highway one to Los Angeles will be a nice trip I can have the truck shipped all the way, should not be a problem but would be cool to take the drive in a proper american pickup. I guess if we rent a car it would be a modern day plastic box. Maybe it would be possible to rent a convertible, we will see.

[Old Buckaroo]

While on vacation last Summer in North Carolina my Wife and I rented a 2015 Dodge Full size 4dr 4x4 Hemi powered truck. When we picked it up it only had 12 miles on it.  Most people prefer to rent cars I guess. 

[Atmobil]

Ok, that sounds cool. What was the price for renting that?

[mikemodeler]

Yes, one of the reasons for going is the heat and the sun. We had a great lucky break in the summer of 2014 and had great temperatures and sunny weather for almost a month but normally we have about 200 days a year of rain and the temperatures in summer rarely go above 20 degress C (68F) and usually is at between 10 and 15C (50 to 60F) in the summer months.

I'm thinking that flying to Salt Lake city and renting a car there, going north to Teton, Idaho to look at the truck and possibly buy it and then going back to Salt Lake city, on to the I80 west and to San Fransisco and then the highway one to Los Angeles will be a nice trip I can have the truck shipped all the way, should not be a problem but would be cool to take the drive in a proper american pickup. I guess if we rent a car it would be a modern day plastic box. Maybe it would be possible to rent a convertible, we will see.

If the truck turns out to be in good enough condition to buy, I would suggest shipping it to Long Beach and use the time to see the USA in a rental car. You will be on a strict deadline to return home and it could be a problem if you are in a vehicle that keeps breaking down. It would also serve you well to give it a thorough once over and source any parts needed for it here in the USA before sending it back to Norway, even if those parts come from an auto parts store like NAPA or Auto Zone. Simple things like brake pads, water pump, etc that might be hard to find back home.

The modern Dodge Hemi Pickup is a fun vehicle to drive and gas mileage is surprisingly good. I have rented both a 2wd and 4wd version within the last two years and they delivered in the low to mid 20's on the highway! They were much more comfortable than their 50 year old counterpart you are looking at and much more reliable. I would shop around but I have had the best luck with Enterprise Car Rental. Search the internet for your travel plans but be prepared to pay a little extra if you aren't returning the truck to the same location as you rented it from.

Enjoy your trip and hope you do find the truck to be all that it is represented.

[Oldmodelmaker]

If your going to hang out a couple of days check out the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA.

[JollySipper]

I drove a similar truck just across my state to Tennessee, It burned a set of points and had over-heating problems.......... To drive an old truck the distance you are talking, you would have to stock up on a few parts, (I would anyway) like an ignition module, ballast resistor, points and condenser, maybe flush the radiator and change the water pump.........

Hot Rod magazine editor and Road Kill host Freiburger has rescued a few cars from the desert and drove them to California, so a car that has been sitting a while making the trip is possible, if you take the proper precautions......

By the way, I love the old sweptline trucks, and will own another one day.......... 

[espo]

I have no idea how much time you have set aside for your trip, and I'm sure you have already been all over the internet looking at the sights in the Bay area ( San Francisco ). If you have any interest in Wine you might think about spending some time just north in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Some of the finest Wine in the world is grown here and there are many tasting rooms at the wineries. A very relaxing world if you are so inclined. The drive south on Hwy 1 south of Carmel is nothing short of spectacular. You will pass thru some wooded areas just south of Carmel thru the Big Sur area and from there to Marro Bay near San Luis Obispo . After Sur you will go from being almost 100 feet over the ocean to pretty much sea level at Marro Bay. The view is very open and very little in the way of homes. There are a few turnouts where you can stop for sight seeing. Enjoy our trip.    

[JTalmage]

Not sure if you're familiar with the youtube series Roadkill as stated above.... but this definitely sounds like something they would do... bring a tool kit, gas can, tire inflator, oil, battery, and spark plugs/tune up kit, LED flashlights for working on it on the side of the road and I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting! LOL

Most of all, it would be great if you filmed or photographed your journey in that truck. Definitely would be a great experience.

[Atmobil]

Ok, I have scrapped the idea of driving the truck to Long Beach. We are going on a holiday here and we want to rent a car and drive around. But what car? Is there a particular car that one should try and get?

We also have postpone our trip to the end of april and early may. We have been looking a bit on the net and we have been talking of going from Salt Lake City to Denver, I also could have wanted to go north from Denver and drive to Rapid City (I want to see Mount Rushmore). But we don't have to take that route so is there anyone that can come up with any advices of where to go? What to see?

[Tom Geiger]

Ok, I have scrapped the idea of driving the truck to Long Beach. We are going on a holiday here and we want to rent a car and drive around. But what car? Is there a particular car that one should try and get?

I just saw this thread for the first time.  I've gone to Salt Lake City for the GSL and we've taken the trip to Bonneville.  If you are going on Route 80 you are going right past Bonneville.  It's an interesting trip, there is really nothing between these two points.  If I took the same trip on the East Coast I'd have passed several major cities, but out west you get the concept of "too much nothing".  The  "High Desert"  will give you the Oasis effect.  You will swear there is water on the road ahead, just the atmospheric conditions.  You will start to see salt on the side of Route 80 way before you get to Bonneville.  There is a rest stop with an observation area.

When you do get to Bonneville, don't expect much unless you are there for the race.  Other times there is literally nothing there.  Nothing that would indicate races are held there other than a sign. But it's an interesting site all by itself, nothing you've ever seen before. The salt is like a moon surface. It's interesting to walk on and you do see those mountains you see in all the Bonneville photos.  With this much nothing, you cannot tell how far away anything is since there is nothing to compare it to. You cannot tell if those mountains are a mile or 10 miles away.   I did watch people walk out on the salt until they almost disappeared.  A very strange sight!

Over the Nevada border there is a town called Wendover. It has nothing but a strip of casinos in the middle of the desert.  I understand there is a Bonneville model display in one of the hotels.  We found out after our trip!

Also, about rental cars... you can sign up for a specific car but I've rarely received the car I've asked for.   Last two rentals,  Salt Lake City I specified a Chevy Impala and wound up with a Jeep.  In Florida I wanted to try a Nissan Altima and wound up with a Nissan Rouge.  They pretty much give you what they have at the moment.

[Atmobil]

 

I just saw this thread for the first time.  I've gone to Salt Lake City for the GSL and we've taken the trip to Bonneville.  If you are going on Route 80 you are going right past Bonneville.  It's an interesting trip, there is really nothing between these two points.  If I took the same trip on the East Coast I'd have passed several major cities, but out west you get the concept of "too much nothing".  The  "High Desert"  will give you the Oasis effect.  You will swear there is water on the road ahead, just the atmospheric conditions.  You will start to see salt on the side of Route 80 way before you get to Bonneville.  There is a rest stop with an observation area.

When you do get to Bonneville, don't expect much unless you are there for the race.  Other times there is literally nothing there.  Nothing that would indicate races are held there other than a sign. But it's an interesting site all by itself, nothing you've ever seen before. The salt is like a moon surface. It's interesting to walk on and you do see those mountains you see in all the Bonneville photos.  With this much nothing, you cannot tell how far away anything is since there is nothing to compare it to. You cannot tell if those mountains are a mile or 10 miles away.   I did watch people walk out on the salt until they almost disappeared.  A very strange sight!

Over the Nevada border there is a town called Wendover. It has nothing but a strip of casinos in the middle of the desert.  I understand there is a Bonneville model display in one of the hotels.  We found out after our trip!

Also, about rental cars... you can sign up for a specific car but I've rarely received the car I've asked for.   Last two rentals,  Salt Lake City I specified a Chevy Impala and wound up with a Jeep.  In Florida I wanted to try a Nissan Altima and wound up with a Nissan Rouge.  They pretty much give you what they have at the moment.

Yes I can see from the maps that Salt Lake City to Bonneville is about 120miles. Our current plan is that we are going from Salt Lake City to Denver but I want to spend som time in Salt Lake City and maybe do a day out to Bonneville before we turn east later on. Our flight takes off on April 24th and we land in Salt Lake City and our return ticket is from Denver on May 7th.
As for rental car I don't really care what we get. A car that runs. I'm used to driving old cars here at home when everyone else drive a mediocre modernday plastic box so I might aswell rent a mediocre modern day plastic box when we are on our trip. At least, our car will not stand out to much

Edited April 9, 2016 by Atmobil

[Tom Geiger]

If you know exactly when you'll have free time in Salt Lake City, get in contact with Mark Gustavson and visit the International Model Car Modelers Museum.  It's open by appointment only, and I'm told they have trustees working on the collection on Saturdays.  

[Atmobil]

Ohh, that sound great. Will have to contact him

[MGL]

I just saw this thread for the first time.  I've gone to Salt Lake City for the GSL and we've taken the trip to Bonneville.  If you are going on Route 80 you are going right past Bonneville.  It's an interesting trip, there is really nothing between these two points.  If I took the same trip on the East Coast I'd have passed several major cities, but out west you get the concept of "too much nothing".  The  "High Desert"  will give you the Oasis effect.  You will swear there is water on the road ahead, just the atmospheric conditions.  You will start to see salt on the side of Route 80 way before you get to Bonneville.  There is a rest stop with an observation area.

When you do get to Bonneville, don't expect much unless you are there for the race.  Other times there is literally nothing there.  Nothing that would indicate races are held there other than a sign. But it's an interesting site all by itself, nothing you've ever seen before. The salt is like a moon surface. It's interesting to walk on and you do see those mountains you see in all the Bonneville photos.  With this much nothing, you cannot tell how far away anything is since there is nothing to compare it to. You cannot tell if those mountains are a mile or 10 miles away.   I did watch people walk out on the salt until they almost disappeared.  A very strange sight!

Over the Nevada border there is a town called Wendover. It has nothing but a strip of casinos in the middle of the desert.  I understand there is a Bonneville model display in one of the hotels.  We found out after our trip!

Also, about rental cars... you can sign up for a specific car but I've rarely received the car I've asked for.   Last two rentals,  Salt Lake City I specified a Chevy Impala and wound up with a Jeep.  In Florida I wanted to try a Nissan Altima and wound up with a Nissan Rouge.  They pretty much give you what they have at the moment.

If the conditions allow you to drive on the salt don't forget your GPS and mark the point at the sign so you can return. I came across a guy that had been driving around for an hour trying to get back to the road, that place can be intimidating if you aren't prepared. Also, since you will be in the worlds fastest car (a rental car) if you can, wring that thing out on the salt, you won't regret it. There is a car wash in Winnemucca, Nevada where you can wash the salt off that poor rental, also the place Johnny Cash was picked up while hitchhiking in the song "I've Been Everywhere, Man". Petaluma, north of SF up the 101, is where American Graffiti was filmed. When you get to the Bay Area, on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge is the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This is the place they film every movie or TV commercial that has the Golden Gate Bridge behind and kind of below them, the scene in Ant Man after Paul Rudds character gets out of prison and they are driving in the van for example. From there you can drive down Lombard Street, another SF icon. Don't forget to get a T-shirt at the gas station on the road to the salt flats, I didn't and regret it. Bring a sweater, As Mark Twain supposedly said, "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco". 

[Tom Geiger]

If the conditions allow you to drive on the salt don't forget your GPS and mark the point at the sign so you can return. I came across a guy that had been driving around for an hour trying to get back to the road, that place can be intimidating if you aren't prepared. Also, since you will be in the worlds fastest car (a rental car) if you can, wring that thing out on the salt, you won't regret it. 

Check your rental agreement.  There was a clause on one I had that forbid driving on the salt with a hefty fine / cleaning fee!

[Atmobil]

If the conditions allow you to drive on the salt don't forget your GPS and mark the point at the sign so you can return. I came across a guy that had been driving around for an hour trying to get back to the road, that place can be intimidating if you aren't prepared. Also, since you will be in the worlds fastest car (a rental car) if you can, wring that thing out on the salt, you won't regret it. There is a car wash in Winnemucca, Nevada where you can wash the salt off that poor rental, also the place Johnny Cash was picked up while hitchhiking in the song "I've Been Everywhere, Man". Petaluma, north of SF up the 101, is where American Graffiti was filmed. When you get to the Bay Area, on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge is the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This is the place they film every movie or TV commercial that has the Golden Gate Bridge behind and kind of below them, the scene in Ant Man after Paul Rudds character gets out of prison and they are driving in the van for example. From there you can drive down Lombard Street, another SF icon. Don't forget to get a T-shirt at the gas station on the road to the salt flats, I didn't and regret it. Bring a sweater, As Mark Twain supposedly said, "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco". 

 

Check your rental agreement.  There was a clause on one I had that forbid driving on the salt with a hefty fine / cleaning fee!

Thanks for the advice. A drive on the salt flats sounds cool. I will have to check the rental agreement if it says anything about driving on the salt.