So I'm leaving the cozy confines of Fort Wayne, IN for a lengthy trip to play every golf course that can be seen from Route 66, forty-three in all. And I left one detail out because I was still in "testing mode." After 1,000 miles of testing (including a 500 mile round trip to Cleveland yesterday), all systems are go.
I will be making the trip in my first car, the 1966 Ford Mustang I purchased in 1972 as a senior in college at Miami University. By a stroke of luck, I was able to re-purchase the very same vehicle in November, 2014 (still with the Miami University sticker I placed in the back window in July, 1972!) and for the last 18 months, I have been working (with several restoration experts) to completely rebuild the car with this trip in mind
I will be making the trip in my first car, the 1966 Ford Mustang I purchased in 1972 as a senior in college at Miami University. By a stroke of luck, I was able to re-purchase the very same vehicle in November, 2014 (still with the Miami University sticker I placed in the back window in July, 1972!) and for the last 18 months, I have been working (with several restoration experts) to completely rebuild the car with this trip in mind
It is now "better than new." Originally, I was going to restore it back to "factory specs," just as it was when it rolled off the Ford assembly line in Dearborn, MI on June 10, 1966.
But I wanted to be sure it can handle over 5000 miles in about three weeks in some very hot temperatures (one of the courses I'm playing is in Needles, CA). So the project became what is known as a "restomod". I replaced the original single-bowl brake master cylinder with a dual-bowl for safety reasons, I replaced the original radiator with an aluminum radiator, added a 6-fin fan to replace the factory 4-fin fan and added a transmission cooler (all to make the engine run cooler to combat the heat), I added air conditioning, cruise control, and upgraded the sound system to include satellite radio.
But I wanted to be sure it can handle over 5000 miles in about three weeks in some very hot temperatures (one of the courses I'm playing is in Needles, CA). So the project became what is known as a "restomod". I replaced the original single-bowl brake master cylinder with a dual-bowl for safety reasons, I replaced the original radiator with an aluminum radiator, added a 6-fin fan to replace the factory 4-fin fan and added a transmission cooler (all to make the engine run cooler to combat the heat), I added air conditioning, cruise control, and upgraded the sound system to include satellite radio.
Route 66 Golfers May Find One of These! I think the only thing that can stop me is the dreaded "vapor lock" which is caused by the gasoline in the gas line coming to a boil and causing the carburetor to be starved for fuel. This scenario is more likely to take place in the stop and go traffic of Southern California. Vapor lock wasn't as big an issue back when gasoline was leaded and had an octane of 98 to 102 at the pump. Today's unleaded gasoline is anywhere from 85 to 94 octane and has a lower boiling temperature.
So In my 66th year, I am driving my '66 Mustang on Route 66 doing one of my very favorite things - playing golf.
Wish me luck and check back daily to watch my progress.
So In my 66th year, I am driving my '66 Mustang on Route 66 doing one of my very favorite things - playing golf.
Wish me luck and check back daily to watch my progress.
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