Post by Volktales on Mar 23, 2015 19:56:59 GMT -8
So once again off to another adventure. If the Type III rescue on Saturday wasn't enough, how about a trip to the Emerald City. As usual Don had spotted something on the internet that had to be investigated further. He had already made arrangements with the owner earlier, and it was time to go get the booty. Things got off to a late start as the first ferry to the mainland was 10:15! Don elected to take the FJ just in case we needed a tow vehicle. Did I mention that this latest rescue actually moves under its own power???
The first interesting VW we saw was a green tin-top Westfalia that just might have been Brent's previous bus. Crossing the border was uneventful and this was the first interesting car we saw. That is an early 50's Hudson convertible which is very rare. The coupe versions of these were NASCAR winners in their day and they featured twin-carbed flathead inline six cylinder engines. This was the first of many classic cars we saw.
The next interesting vehicle as we were entering Seattle limits was this nice Volvo Amazon series. It had no problem cruising at 70 mph. I missed out on a great picture opportunity of an old Ford just like Brent's previous truck. It turns out I spotted six different '60's era Ford pickups, although four of them were rotting away in one guys front yard... Lots of other old nice pickup trucks everywhere.
And we have arrived at Tacoma, the destination. Don has a big grin showing off what he secretly bought. Yes it is a 1970 Single cab, the model he has always wanted the most. Is that the cat that caught the mouse face??? The VW has not been licensed since 2005 and Don knew it ran poorly. We brought all kinds of spares with us and replaced the carb with another that worked OK, except for the choke. We also cleaned the points, set the dwell and timing, verified the vacuum only distributor was working correctly. We would have changed the fuel lines and added a filter, but "somebody" brought the wrong size fuel line with them... Anyway the engine ran decent after this work. This VW has low 78,000 miles overall, and the engine is the correct style 1600 single port that is a VW Canada rebuild.
We stayed the night with Don's friends Steve and Bonnie, and had a great time yapping about VW's and dope. With the legalization in Washington State, this is a hot topic. And no we didn't spark one up... I drove the FJ back from Tacoma to Seattle at night, following only Don's flickering taillights, as I had no idea how to get back to Steve's place, and no cell phone if I got lost. Fun. And driving for the first time on twelve lane highways in bumper to bumper traffic at 65 mph is something else as well... The next morning at Bellis Fair. Boring unless you love clothes...
As usual Mr. Leadfoot drove between 62 and 70 mph, pretty much all the way... The truck ran great most of the way, but will need the carb rebuilt properly and possibly the tank cleaned.
We made the afternoon ferry without problem. The weather was decent the way back until just before the ferry left. Then it poured! Don survived with only one wiper...
And there she is, a well deserved rest after the first long drive in at least ten years. Although travelling 300 km in an untested vehicle is kind of risky, Don explained the trailer rental and ferry passage for said trailer would have added considerably to the expense. Once at the ferry terminal we finally had time to relax after a stressful trip worrying about if the truck would break down, and what kind of carnage might occur at the border crossing. The truck behaved admirably, and Don seems to have sweet talked his way through customs and was done in 20 minutes! While waiting for the ferry, we had time to look through the boxes and bags of extra parts the truck came with. Don discovered some rather "interesting" items in the treasure chest that would have taken some serious explaining at the border crossing had the agents bothered to have a look in there. I will leave that part of the story for him however... Overall a very interesting trip. Although Don says he has all the vintage VWs he needs now, and won't be buying anymore... Yeh, right....
I would like to get some better tires on it, along with my signature painted rims and bumpers…after I finish the green Bus though.
I only have one SC now…the other is at its new home as eluded to in another thread. 
truck!!
