A 'Barner Run to Bonneville

TomT/Williamsburg

TomT/Williamsburg

Well-known member
I'm seriously considering making a run to Bonneville this year from about August 2-24 . It's actually 2 bucket list items - driving 'cross country in a flathead powered car and attending B-ville Speed week (Aug 10-16). This is going to be a retirement present to myself as I''m going to call it a day and finish right around August 1st. My buddy Earl, who is also seriously considering retiring (again), will ride shotgun and we will take my roadster.

The idea is to "cruise" on out there, taking a week to get there and a week getting back, visiting shops, museums, travel some on Rt 66, and visit HAMB and Fordbarn folks both out and back. About a 3 week trip. I'm thinking of about 500-700 miles a day and nothing super quick - about 65-75 - just enjoying the ride sort-to-speak. I usually stop every 2 hours or so for gas and that seems to work very well. I also lean towards B&Bs vs hotels as they are usually a bit more private/secure although more expensive, but I'm flexible.

I would love to stop and visit my buds out in Montgomery, AL whom I met on my trip out to Austin, TX a while back, when I drove my 40 coupe to the HAMB Hot Rod Revolution. The Speedway Museum, Daryl Starbird's museum are two definite stops. I'm also open for any other stops folks might suggest. I'm thinking of going one way on a more southern path and the other way a more northerly route.

I know some of you expressed an interest in doing this kind of trip throughout several posts here on the 'Barn. So ....

Just let me know your thoughts, if you would like to somehow hook up for part or all of the trip, if you have already been, where did you stay, and any tips/ideas, etc, you can give.
 
Tom, here is a tip I can pass along that we learned from our trip last year. The Speedway museum is a must see but they advertise the tours starting at 2 or 2:30. For people on their way to Bonneville they actually have morning tours, I think they were 8:30. We did not know that and consequently spent a day and a 1/2 in Lincoln to meet the afternoon schedule. Might help in your planning.

But, if you are looking for something to do the morning before the tour, there is a neat tractor and farm implements museum on the University grounds and it is a freebie. Oh, one more tip, I think you get in the Speedway museum free with an order receipt.
 
Tom, that sure sounds like fun... sure wish I could get away a play... have fun my friend and don't forget to bring a camera and post photos along the way. Vic
 
Oh, another thing to do. Plan an afternoon out at the old airfield of Wendover. I'm sure you know that is where the guys of the 509th trained for their atomic bomb missions. They are constantly working on the displays at the museum so it improves every year.
 
Tom,
Please take lots of photos and a video if possible. My Buddy Andy Kohler
will be doing the same only the Bonneville will be his shake down run for his
T roadster on '32 rails, FH powered of course.. Andy is on the HAMB you might pm him there.
NOW
THE OIL LEAK SITUATION,
How goes it ?
Charlie ny
 
Hey Tom,

Its on my list also.I thought I would be ready to go this year.I'm ready to go but the coupe isn't.Looks like its going to next year for me.Its only 2300+ miles from Up state NY one way of course Have fun:)
 
On your way out don't miss Cody , Wyoming and make a pass through Yellowstone Park. it's a must see. You could also hit Mt. Rushmore
 
Drove my f1 out last year..This abandoned gas station in green river wyoming is a fun place to eat lunch and take pictures. I will be going again this year, (coming from Denver). Not sure if your route would jibe with mine, but if the timing is right, I would love to meet up and see your roadster.
 

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Man, guys, you are all gettin' in to it! This is great! As for pictures and all, I hope to be able to post pics and what we did daily but there will be some long days and I hope to have some help.

36Tbird - thanks for the heads up on Speedway - I'll try and map in where we stop there the night before and the receipt trick is a great idea. Heck, I will probably buy some stuff while I'm there but not TOO much since I'm driving the roadster!

CharlieNY - I did post that I rebuilt the first engine that was in the roadster that blew the number 5 rod bearing and "don't she purrrrrr!" (from the movie Scent of a Woman). As for the leaker, I also posted that the crank rod journals were WAY out of spec, rod bearings were wrong, and the mains were just out of spec as well. Presently I've got the crank at the machine shop and we'll get this engine back together and tested once I've completed my test engine stand.

Model A Bill - if you can "get 'er done" I'd love to hear that baby all the way to B-ville!

TJ - if I go to Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore before the wife and I go together, I will be in DEEEEP trouble! But, I may just have to have a sneak peek! Thanks ...

Pineapple - if you're ready we'll do what we can to meet up with you and cruise on to B-ville together. If for nothing else, we'll try and make a stop one night in your area and we can shoot the "flathead bull" all night long ... :)

Vic - you know I'd love to have you along and I only wish you could go - maybe make it a business trip for the book we'll write about the trip?!?! Video about how flatheads can still "do it" on the road? Am I getting your creative juices flowing?
 
I would get your hotel room in Wendover ASAP, they sell out FAST. If near Paxton, NE at about dinner time, have dinner at OLE's dinner club. Its a mile off I-80, very interesting place.
 

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Tom, if you have any problems posting pictures along the way, maybe you could start the thread and email your pictures to someone here and they can post them for you. It looks like my rerun trip to the Salt will be 2014/15, God willing, and I'm still able.
 
Tom, sounds good. If you come through Colorado before we leave, we can drink some coffee out of strombergs and kick bias plys one evening!
 
37fatfender said:
I would get your hotel room in Wendover ASAP, they sell out FAST. If near Paxton, NE at about dinner time, have dinner at OLE's dinner club. Its a mile off I-80, very interesting place.
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Thanks 37fatfender - PM me if you know of any places that might be available .....

So, anyone know of any rooms available during speed week? Anywhere?
 
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Tom, the book and video are an excellent idea; if I could line up some sponsors (to pay for it) I'd consider going...;)
 
The casinos have a 5 night minimum and will run you about $1500, and the motels aren't that far behind. Bring a tent and camp at the bend for free and shower at the truck stop. If you must have a room, by Monday they start clearing up with racers going home and they can be had easily without the minimum stay.
 
Sounds interesting, I might be able to go if a few things fall into place. I'll subscribe to this thread and keep an eye on this.
 
$um Fun said:
The casinos have a 5 night minimum and will run you about $1500, and the motels aren't that far behind. Bring a tent and camp at the bend for free and shower at the truck stop. If you must have a room, by Monday they start clearing up with racers going home and they can be had easily without the minimum stay.
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Thanks for this - might just do it.

What or where is camping at the bend?

TomT
 
Tom, four of us stayed at the Wendover Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino last August. We had two adjoining rooms and two per room. If you can get in there that will put you in a great location. It was like a car show there every evening/night, good food there and across the street, plenty of parking, not that far from the salt, etc. Just thinking about this brings back some great memories. Make sure you have a big wide brim hat, long pants, long sleeve T's, sun block, sun glasses, a cooler with bottled water and/or other liquid refreshments. Get a program as you go in...it will help to explain what's going on, who's racing, and what they are driving.
 
Tom, I've been out there twice, but never drove the 39. I've always thought that I would love to do that. In 03, we got a hotel room and in 08 we towed a camper and stayed at the bend. That was really neat. If I can arrange it, I'm in. Will keep in contact. Jack
 
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