Salem to San Diego in a 1962 Ghia

[philermonic]

So where was I.......ok.....made it to the Oregon coast at Coos Bay (I believe there is a panoramic photo of there on here - Brandon Bay perhaps) and the car is running like a top, though I am still getting used to "bump steering". I will have to look into some sort of stabilizer for it eventually.

However the coast highway in this part of Oregon is actually very nice. I was surprised every time I did stop for gas when there would be a person who would personally pump my gas for me. It's some legal thing in Oregon I guess. How quaint. Other than just enjoying the cruise and trying to avoid "chain" sorts of eateries I found a few outstanding places in two horse towns - that is not a knock on them - just describing a town with 3 or 4 traffic lights, I loved them! I wished I'd taken pictures of more than just the one restaurant I did photograph, I guess as always hindsight is 20-20.

I did have a minor scare outside one restaurant just north of the California border when I came out an older gentleman was helping his wife out of the car next to me and I am sitting parked on the phone to a friend of mine when he says "your front tire is low". I was thinking "nah, brand new tires...". But my buddy on the phone got me all worried when he says "better check it", I did, it was fine.

So I made my target Crescent City. Ca. that night and I made it. I was beginning to see very tall trees along 101, but I knew these were just the younger cousins of what was ahead. It was a beautiful drive down from Coos Bay. If any of you never have done this, HIGHLY recommended! There were some nice "twisty turnies" that the Ghia (no name has stuck yet - maybe I ought to sponsor a contest, and the person with the winning name get's to paint it or something.......well maybe not ....) handled VERY nicely thank you very much.

I was really enjoying driving the car, and it did want to "go" and I would always have to check my speed to keep it to a max of 55-60. By the way, I have been trying (I quit about a week ago) to post a map of my actual trip, but it seems that right now Google Maps is all jacked up. Perhaps I will post it yet though.
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"A camel is a horse designed by a Committee"

[philermonic]

My third day was spectacular! My second night was not.

I checked into a hotel and of course checked for internet connectivity - they offered it, it was free (as most places did - including the place I had stayed at the night before). It was my intention to be doing this blog as I went, and posting pics - would have been a hellofa lot more chronologically accurate and I'm sure more detailed, but problem number one was the laptop I rented specifically because it had an SD card reader, had a non-functional SD card reader. I did a quick search of the unit's outside case and no where was there a VW logo - what gives, right?

Anyway, four hours later I am still having difficulty connecting to the internet....I'm told it works well everywhere else in the hotel (and I was able to connect in the lobby) and eventually I was moved to a different room where it did work. This was not really optimal as I was planning to do my requisite valve adjustment 1st thing in the morning, and after struggling with the internet and eventually moving rooms it's now well past midnight, and there was no spot for my car directly in front of my new room anymore. I left the car where it was.

I woke up about 6:30 or seven and "enjoyed" the free breakfast (again a picture of the "spread" would have been great) and had a muffin, coffee, and a hard boiled egg and set about to do my valve adjustment. It was heavily overcast and actually spitting rain, which had me a little worried while I was doing it. But I wasn't really complaining about the free food as there was nowhere else to eat within walking distance, and of course I couldn't drive the Ghia yet. So armed with the valve tutorial Derek had given me (car was on a lift then) and my Muir guide I fairly confidently gathered my screwdrivers, and 13 mm wrench and proceeded to pull the valve cover off the passenger side head. I got a little scared when the gasket wanted to stick to the head, but with some careful manipulating the valve cover it all came off nicely and I set to work.

About then there was a gentleman who walked up who was fascinated by Volkswagen's and had owned one as a kid. I did my best while I was focused on the important job at hand to politely engage him in casual VW convo. He hung out about 30 minutes and was not really making what I was doing go any faster - and as a newbie to the job, I was slow anyway. Finished that side #1 intake was fine, made adjustments on other three valves). Moved over the the driver's side and this time I was expecting the gasket to be a little stuck, and I felt a bit of confidence when it didnt come off right away with the valve cover I just worked it carefully and it too came off perfectly in one piece. I must be almost an expert! Hummm....Now I am wondering why can't I fit under this side of the car? Muir says NOT to jack it up (any one know why by the way?).

So I am struggling, fighting trying everything I can think of to get under where I have two hands to do the adjustment. Not happening. One hand is a-ok, two, not so much. So I think, what if I leave the set adjustment screw a little looser and when it invariably moves as I tighten the 13mm set nut, it will by trial and error end up at the right place? Well it WAS what I did - didn't really have a choice - I think I tried for 30 minutes unsuccessfully just to get situated so I had both hands available when I came on this method. This side took me well over an hour, and even though I was cramped and once in a while being lightly rained on I kept thinking "patience, this is not a science project for school". So I persevered to the best of my ability and checked and checked again the gaps...if I erred, it was on the loose side, but it seemed (my method) to work. I guess it is just because I am right handed (though the scientist in me wants to say that is hooey) I was having such a tough time on this side. Ramps are on my "need to get" list. Oh - all four of the valves on this side on numbers 3 & 4 were tight at the respective position of the crankshaft for adjustment.

I showered and set on my way - goal today is Ukiah!
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"A camel is a horse designed by a Committee"

[Troublemaker]

Hey Phil,
Nice meeting you last night.
here's the location of the meeting of that other club.

This week's Meet & Eat will be at Abby's BBQ,
9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Meet at 7 pm

Steve
778-2026

[John Moxon]

Wow just seen Phil has his lovely '62 up for sale in the Classifieds...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1932600

Thought that was a keeper Phil...what happened?
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John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[philermonic]

[John Moxon]

Yep you're right, I'm afraid as a practical everyday workhorse it's a good classic occasional.

This as the advertising fraternity say is the "Money Shot"...still seems cheap to me.

_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[philermonic]

[swavananda]

[c21darrel]

[philermonic]

[John Moxon]

Any tickles on the sale Phil?
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John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[philermonic]

[Era Vulgaris]

Appears to be for sale again, this time for a couple grand more.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1967629
I guess the "h" on this guy's keyboard got replaced by a "u".
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Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[John Moxon]

[Era Vulgaris]

$500/wheel? Heh, even Cokers aren't that expensive!

I'll be curious how quick it sells this time. Took a surprising amount of time last time, for where it was priced at $7800. The paint issues are a lot more evident in this seller's pics, even with half of them being out of focus. (I don't understand why people can't post clear in-focus pics!)

I was interested when Phil was selling it, but being on the other side of the country I asked for up-to-date detailed high-res pics of all the typical trouble areas and never got them. What I got were a handful of tiny thumbnail sized pics of when the car was at HoG. Useless to see anything about the car's current condition. After that I was out.
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Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[philermonic]

[63 vwnotch]

and the thing is the right buyer will come along and grab it...

BTW, enjoyed the read..
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BUS WANTED: 13 window BUS any year considered..

[philermonic]

[philermonic]