I just accepted a job in Phoenix and will need to head out there mid january. I will be alone out there for a month or so while we settle on a house and need to decide what to do about transportation.

My options were:
1. fly out and have my Jeep Cherokee shipped
2. Drive the Jeep to Phoenix

While talking to an old friend tonight, he suggested I make a road trip out of it and take the 911. He said he would take some time off from work, fly to DC from FL and make the drive with me, then fly home.

So, my question is:
Should I attempt such a thing in January from Washington, DC to Phoenix, AZ in a 1971 911t Targa with 128k miles?
What should i have done to the car between now and then? I have only had her for about 3 months.

any ideas?

and if I do decide to drive the 911, how should I go? backroads, interstates? anyone between here and there have any suggestions on must drive stretches of road?

thanks,
neilt

 

Interesting dilemma...

The 911 is a great ride and the cold weather should help to keep oil temps down for the long drive. As long as you don't need to carry all that much (or others) with you it is a great way to enjoy the car. 2 years ago, I took my 74 BMW 2002tii (now ex-BMW) on a 1400 mile trip, behaved admirably.

Taken the car on a 2+hour trip recently? electricals OK? support and repairs out in the sticks may be hard to come by.

Downside is the possibility of snow, uphill on ice in a 911 ain't happening.

Enjoy the ride...

 

If you don't mind some snow on the way then I say go for it! I assume that you will head up the the PA Turnpike and then I-70 West for a good portion of the ride. We haven't had much snow here in the Mid-West, but I think that portions of your trip will involve driving in the white stuff.

 

give it a full tune, oil, plugs, fuel filter, air filter, new headstuds (j/k!) repack wheel bearings and stock up on common failure items - extra relays, fuses, a case of oil to go. Oh, and don't forget one of the most important - spare fan belts. Make sure you have a flashlight and the tools for belt change on board.

This is a good opportunity to see how good of condition the car really is in. Check your oil consumption.

Other than that, get AAA, towing insurance, decent cell phone just in case.

Go whatever route you please. The car is built to be driven.

 

the 911 had a full major tuneup at 124k miles. The guy I bought her from bought it in 83 with 104k miles. He only put on 20k in 19 years!

I was thinking of heading south out of dc and going along 95-85-10 interstates (but probably on side roads)

i think that way i will miss most of the snow...but how comfortable will a targa be if it is very cold? I have only driven it once since the snow we had a couple of weeks ago (last night, temp was in the 30's). I drove it around town for about 30 min. or so, and it never really warmed up.

thanks for the replies so far.

 

Nothing like a good old fashion road trip, if you like adventure. You question reminded me of one I made with a friend in his VW van, about 20+ years ago.
We cooked a piston outside of Davis CA. and limped into town with lots of smoke following us. This turned out to be a good town to be broke down in if you were single as it had a good night club and a University,UC Davis (lots of women).
We pulled the motor in a parking lot behind the auto parts store and replaced a couple of pistons. I had lots of experience with VW's back then so it was no problem.
After a couple of days we where on our way with plenty of memories (a nice redhead named Jolean for one)
Cheers
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Excellent idea! I would go for it - because I did once, driving (w/ my bro) a '66 Alfa GTV & a '69 912 from Hsv to LA (& for me, onto SF w/ the 912) in the Winter of '84. What an adventure! So, aside from assuming the car is up to it...

Consider this route;
I66 / I81 to Knoxville...
I40 to Little Rock...
I30 to Dallas...
I20 to "the middle of nowhere, TX"...
I10 to Phoenix.

From DC, can be made in 3 long days, or 4-5 if you want to stop & smell the roses. Be sensitive to the prevailing westerly weather patterns, Alberta Clippers, etc. With careful timing & a little luck, weather is manageable. Don't feel obliged to "press on regardless" - poor judgement is a prescription for disaster on such a trek. Perhaps contact Porsche shops that are along the way (assures you don't need them). Preparation, rest, and a friend along will make it a breeze.

 

As long as the heat exchangers are good, you can cook off the heat it puts out. Heat the last of your worries.

rjp

 

I say go for it. I made a similar road trip in the winter of '89 with a '72 VW camper van. I had absolutely no heat, but I'm sure you'll be fine in your Porsche. To avoid snow, I would recommend the southern route, going through Texas as was mentioned.

As far as spares go, the fan belt and tools to replace it is excellent advice. I would also consider bringing a replacement coil, duct tape, fuses, and oil.

- Mike
'77 911S

 

I would go for it and take a more southerly route. Since you are in DC I would head down towards I-40 and pick that up in Tennesse. That should get you out of most of the bad weather. if your really feeling brave, head even further south to I-10.

Cheers, James

 

UPDATE:

Well, I had the 911 moved, instead of driving it. And I am glad I did, the week we would have driven we had over a foot of snow in DC, and ice south into NC.

I have been out here for about a month and have loved driving to and from work with the top off in February and March! although there has been a lot of rain here for being in the desert.

Anyone on here from the Phoenix area?

 

Neilt, are you a PCA member? If not join. Go to <a href="http://www.pca.org" target="_blank">www.pca.org</a> for the national listing. Then click on the Regional Directory and go to Zone 8. The first listing is Arizona Region (Phoenix, I believe). Go through the website and call some of the folks and get involved.

 

i'm not a member yet, I was going to join in DC, but since I was going to be moving, and it didn't look like you could transfer memberships, i figured i would wait.
I guess now is the time to join. I see boxters and 996's all the time in Phoenix, but haven't seen many older 911's yet. I saw a real nice 914 the other day...you got to love the desert for letting old cars stay new!

Neil

 

neilt,
there's a fellow that posts on Pelican who has more info. on roadtrips and 911's than you can imagine - and always willing to help.

Do a search under his username: RoninLB, and lots of threads will come up. Maybe send him a PM as well for advice on tools and travel routes.

have a safe trip,
Maurice
1980 SC Coupe

 

Well, It did sound like a fun road trip but awful weather can take the fun right out of it for sure.
Yes, get ahold of the local PCA, and get on the list at Pelican parts as well, you should find some good local guys...My brother lives in Mesa...Get ready for a very WARM summer! have fun & enjoy it.