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Am i crazy (Driving 69 Satellite from Kentucky to Oregon)?

It’ll probably make it but at what cost
You might think it’s going to save you money but when you’re broke down in the middle of nowhere you’re at the mercy of the going rate and how many times on the way is it going to happen could be as little as a plugged fuel line plus how much time can you really spare
My advice don’t cheap out it usually cost you a lot more
 
This is certainly NOT a new circumstance. Because of the time of year? I would think 2100 mi is too risky on a car that you're not familiar. To me? Tow it back. Especially if you have a decent tow vehicle?

5 years ago. I pulled a decent running '69 RoadRunner out of Alabama. Drove my truck from Minnesota. Rented a u-haul car hauler there in Alabama. And towed it back. About 1700 mi. And that was in late summer. I thought about "Fly and drive option" But quickly dismissed due to topics already brought up. To me? No brainer decision.
 
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Good words of advice from everyone!

Starting this thread brought up some old memories i'd forgotten about. Back when i was a kid in the 80's my dad bought my mom the ugliest (i though at the time) 69 Dodge Dart 4 door. It ran but not very well. 9 out of 10 times the thing would stall and die at the first intersection my mom came to. She'd have to get out, open the hood, stick something down the carbutetor and then use a screwdriver to arc across the starter solenoid to start it. Haha... god damn that was embarassing! Had to duck down in my seat so no one i know would see me. Now, i wish they still had that old car.
 
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Sounds like an adventure. I would! Hell, I flew from NE Iowa to Dallas and bought a tool truck and drove it home. It was a adventure but no issues.
Very nice its all learning inside gut feeling will it make it or not you decide.
 
I'd be pretty hesitant myself, don't get me wrong a 318 is about as durable as they come but way to many unknowns. If you do have a backup plan in place.
 
Hey guys/gals,

I'm the proud new owner of a 69 Satellite. Been looking for one for a long time up here in the Northwest but couldn't find any. I ended up locating one down in Kentucky and found fellow car enthusiast who agreed to go look at it for me. I ended up buying it but now i have to get it back to Oregon. Supposedly it starts right up and runs but i'm not sure how road worthy it would be for a 2100 mile trip.

Now i'm weighing my options now on how to get it. First thought is to have it transported but it's kind of spendy for me (around $1700 - $2000?). I'm not totally against it but who doesn't want to save money for the car instead?

The next though was to drive there and haul it back on a trailer. I'm pretty sure it would be a little cheaper but would take quite a bit of time and fuel. I do have relatives nearby so i could spend a week or so before towing it back.

Third thing that crossed my mind is to fly down and drive it back. Flights look really cheap last time i looked. I know this would be by far the most risky but it would also be pretty cool if i made it back without a serious breakdown. Should i try it or do you guys think i'm totally nuts? Any tips on what to check or do to the car before driving it back? It doesn't sound like it's been driven a lot recently and could have been stored for quite a while. Looking forward to any replies.

I shipped my '74 Charger from Missouri to California and it wasn't nearly that expensive- maybe call around and get some shipping quotes? The most I have ever paid to ship a car anywhere was $700-$800- I am pretty sure you could find a carrier in that range- gas alone would cost you that much if you drove it back not to mention salty, hazardous roads or a breakdown. Good luck if you do decide to drive it though! Let us know what happens
 
You could put a couple thousand miles on the clock just cruising and driving to car shows on a couple busy weekends in the summer. Now granted, you haven't checked the car out yet but what does the seller tell you about the car. Was it just pulled out of the barn and made to run? Is it a driver car and the seller uses it often? I wouldn't be afraid to turn someone loose in either of my cars. Both have been out of state numerous times with no issues. Remember, a water pump alternator, or ignition box can go out at any time. It's just more inconvenient if it happens 1000 miles from home.
 
i just sheperded a guy from cali to missouri on a 440 rv that hadnt been moved in 20 years.
along the way he went thru oil pump failure,ignition,carb,and other issues.

if you can swing it,and you are determined to go get it,id go with post 22.
truck and trailer.
 
I drove back my current GTX. But that was only 300 mi. On a car that was clearly running that summer in the same State. And I still considered towing. So far? I'm 4 for 4 on correct decisions. 3 tows. One drive. But I also know that I was lucky. Even towing, or having towed? Things can go sideways. I like towing myself? You still get the "Road trip" experience. I never unhitched car for a quick spin in a town that I've never been? But that option is still there? If one wants to expand the trip experience?
 
Sounds like an adventure. I would! Hell, I flew from NE Iowa to Dallas and bought a tool truck and drove it home. It was a adventure but no issues.
You are a tool in a good way. Keep up the Great work get it done.
 
I met a guy in Florida a few years ago who bought a 53 Plymouth site unseen up in Wisconsin or around there. He drove it in the winter it all the way to Flagler Beach in Florida, about 30 miles from Daytona where he was going, before the fuel pump quit. Quite impressive. You might ask for a quote form Ironbuilt on this site. He is in North Carolina. Good luck with whatever you decide!
:thumbsup:
 
I met a guy in Florida a few years ago who bought a 53 Plymouth site unseen up in Wisconsin or around there. He drove it in the winter it all the way to Flagler Beach in Florida, about 30 miles from Daytona where he was going, before the fuel pump quit. Quite impressive. You might ask for a quote form Ironbuilt on this site. He is in North Carolina. Good luck with whatever you decide!
:thumbsup:
It would be a great idea to have someone check the car out before the trip. No sense taking off with a cut fan belt or front wheel bearings in need of repacking if you catch my drift.
 
my friend just last year did 1700 miles-1 trip- in his 57 vett. He told me these car were made to drive everywhere.
 
my friend just last year did 1700 miles-1 trip- in his 57 vett. He told me these car were made to drive everywhere.
I'm betting not in winter? And/or with an unfamiliar car? I would easily make a West coast trip in GTX now. In ideal conditions. (Have to bring gas money. My Ram 3500 gets better milage than GTX.)

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Also to consider? Route? I'm assuming southern route 66? I towed my car back from Vegas once in winter. Decided to go over Colorado mountains. Its faster and more scenic. WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING THAT STUPID AGAIN!
 
Back in 69 I’m sure it was done thousands of times. I bought a 70 Challenger in 1980-81 from a Marine stationed in Quantco. A few months before I bought it he was in San Diego and HAD to be back in Va, orders. He made it in 3 days, figure that out. Only stopped to fill up, toilet and food. How he made it was a miracle from the condition of the car when I got it, I was afraid to drive it over town.
 
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Personally I'd drive it... But I'm pretty good at fixing old cars & I like to see the country.... If possible I would try to delay the trip till March or April, but if not I'd stay south as long as I could... Probably turn north in Vegas... Up 95 too 395...
 
Let's look at the expenses, gas roughl $ 800 motel for 4 nights $320, how much is the flight? Meals on the road, not cheap I know been on the road for 26 years. My dad told me sometimes it's better to pay to have something done so you can keep working to pay for it.
 
I bought my car in NY and had someone trailer it to me in S Carolina. Pay someone to bring it to you.
 
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