Hello all. I have a 68 chevelle that I have had for about 9 years now. I am in the Air Force and I was moved from California to Mississippi. I have made a couple of calls and it will cost around $700 to truck it out here. I am having a tough time deciding if I should drive it or let someone haul it for me. I have a lot of friends where the car is. The car needs restoration, but is mechanically sound. One of the main things that concerns me is that it has been sitting for nearly a year. It's definately time to get it here. Since I am in the Air Foce, I could get a flight out to it pretty easily. The car has a 327, TH350 with 373 limited slip. What do you all think? Should I go out there and drive it back or have it trucked? If trucking is your choice, any tips on reputable companies would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

----Jerry----

Hi Jerry, I am an AIr Force veteran (security police, RAF Lakenheath 87-90). I can understand your dilemna. Things to consider:
-How much leave time will you burn up?
-How much will it cost to make it road worthy?
-What happens if it breaks down?
-How much will you spend in gas?
-How much is peace of mind worth to you?
-How much are plane tickets through SATO?
I shipped my truck overseas. What a nightmare getting it to and from port. I would definately go with shipping your car! It will not cost much more than driving to Missouri. BTW-its good to see a fellow Airman enjoying this great hobby. Good luck to you in the Air Force.

Jerry, Drive it! Nothing better than a road trip in classic Chevy.

------------------
Philip Valentine
Team Chevelle Member #42 GOLD
philip@chevelles.com

Thanks for the replies Cortez and Philip. I sure wish there was an easy answer. Hey, that reminds me, I would be driving down I40 if I drove it. Is there anyone along that route that can rescue me if I have some problems? :0)


----Jerry----

Jerry-there is nothing better than a good road trip, but do it when your car is done, and in safe driving condition. Then you can have a worry free road trip home to California. Whatever you decide, good luck!

------------------
Dave
TC Member #281 (Gold)

Chevguy68, when you said you were going down I40 and asked if anyone was around there to help, You reminded me of a great program the N.S.R.A. have. Thats National Street Rod Association. Every nsra club across the USA list its members and their phone numbers in a booklet that is given to every member of every club in the USA.The names are listed by city & state. So, no matter where you were at when you broke down you could look up a member in the area and he/she would help you. That would be a cool thing for chevelle clubs to do.

Joe454-great idea, maybe the members of team chevelle could form such a group.

------------------
Dave
TC Member #281 (Gold)

I agree Joe!!! I would be willing to help start something like that if I could!

----Jerry----

will it fit into a C-130??

LOL.......it sure will JWagner!

----Jerry----

Jerry, If you are on I40 I'll be close by. All thru AZ and into NM. If you drive it email me and I'll give you my phone #. If you need to spend the night I've got the room.

------------------
Philip Valentine
Team Chevelle Member #42 GOLD
philip@chevelles.com

Chevguy68,
I also was in the AirForce (Retired at 20 years old - motorcycle accident), and was stationed at Vandenburg Ca. from 84 to 86.

How long are you gonna be in Ca? And I would not plan on buying Ca plates. I paid $40 for out-of-state military plates instead of going thru the hassle of tagging a non-Ca emissioned truck while I was there.

Anyway, if you plan on getting a cheap Military hop home and then drive it back, consider joining AAA, getting a cell phone, packing tools & oil, etc. Then call around and find out the costs of a Rental truck with a trailer if you get 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 the way and have a breakdown you can't get fixed.

Maybe plan on going thru Arizona and stopping for rust free parts or at least a beer from 64elcamino.

I am sure you know the Afees Auto hobby shops make it reasonable for Military guys to work on our cars.


------------------
DG
Springfield, Ohio
70 Chevelle Malibu

www.wright.edu/~adams.6/chevy.htm (http://www.wright.edu/~adams.6/chevy.htm)

TEAM Chevelle Member #0086



[This message has been edited by DG (edited 07-28-99).]

Back in 1991 I was down at Sheppard AFB for some retraining (OR Air Guard). My buddy was looking for a 69 Z28 and I found him a smoking deal in Dallas. The car needed a total resto but was driveable. So on a 3 day weekend he drove down to Utah and I drove up. On the way the Z28 developed clutch problems in New Mexico (on I40). Fortunately Kirtland AFB was in the area. Their auto hobby shop saved me from having to do repairs on the side of the road. So my suggestion is map out the AFBs along the I40 route and get an auto club membership. Another Air Force advantage would be Billeting. Good Luck in which ever way you decide to go.

------------------
Jeff ACES#841 TCG#158
68 SS396(454)
68 L78 Project
87 MC SS

NSRA Fellow Pages. Its great! (Long time NSRA member)

I have a nephew who is a first leutenant In the Air Force, stationed in Florida. Your trip, if you decide to drive, should take you through the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If you break down, I can get you back to your base in Mississippi. I'm an airline employee and I could fly you back on one of my buddy passes. At least we can get you back to your duty station and keep you out of trouble. You could leave the car at my place until you could get it fixed. (Hell, what's one more car on my place going to hurt?) You will need some other contingency plans just in case of a break down. E-mail me for my phone number if you plan on driving, and if you think you may need assistance on the north Texas leg of the trip.

I would definetly have it trucked it has been sitting a year figure gas a nites stay at a hotel the time involved the money spent if a break down happens nothing like losing a tranny in the middle of no where esp on a tight schedule I would truck and spend the extra time getting it back 100% roadworthy
I had a car shipped from Tenn to Boston for i think 575 I also sold a car to aguy In Wash state who shipped the car Look in hemmigs motor news you will find plenty of transporters to call MIKE

Hey Jerry,
Consider the cost of getting it hauled vs the costs as outlined above. I don't think I'd try to drive it 'til it's done. As another option, check the cost of renting a car and one of those two wheel dollies to get it back to base. Or maybe drive there, rent a dollie and haul it yourself. Just a thought. Good Luck!

------------------
Don - '67 Modified Malibu
"Under Construction"
Gold #43
I've heard that the memory
is the second thing to go.
I don't remember what
the first thing is!?

I just want to make sure I thank everyone for responding. I'm still not sure what I am going to do, but for those of you who offered to help, don't be surprised if I take you up on the offer if I end up driving it. Thanks again to all. It's good to know there are still good people in this world. If any of you are in the Biloxi, Mississippi area, let me know and I will email my number to you. There is a big car show coming here in October! Thanks again!

----Jerry----

Jerry,
My Chevelle sat in the family garage for approx 4 years without being started. To make a long story shorter, I flew out to California, took all the boxes off the car, pushed it out into the driveway, tried to jumpstart it for half an hour. Took it to a friend's and replaced two broken moter mounts, the battery,and all the fluids. After changing plugs, points, wires and a tuneup I drove it 2500 miles to Nashville alone. In August, with no cell phone, seperating tires and all.
It made for one very nervous trip.
Every noise had me wondering what I would do if I didn't make it.
But I made it fine and drive her everywhere, now that we kow each other a little better.
What to do???, beats me, but they were built for driving http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

I had mine stored in a garage for 4 years while I was stationed in germany. Pulled it out of storage, cleaned it up and two days later was on a road trip to Ft. Bragg. Kept a cell phone with me and my AAA member card but didn't need to use either. Every sound seemed to bother me but we made it just fine! These things were meant to be driven