2013 Spring Thaw

[Charlie V]

I'm participating again this year. This is an invitation only event that I am proud to be one of the lucky selected teams. This is also the first tour of the season for me. Just finished doing winter repairs and maintenance and got Rosie running again last week after a 4 month sleep.

The last time I was selected was 2011. Thread here............2011 Spring Thaw Tour - BC

Basically, this event is an absolute blast.

This year is very special for me - my son Kyle is joining me to share the fun, excitement and driving duties. We are both looking forward to it.

We head out tomorrow morning early to meet the group in Squamish, BC for the usual registration and inspection. The group then heads out for 3 days of 'B' roads with an eclectic batch of cars. The beauty of the tour - we have no idea where we are going. The route is confidential until we are handed the instructions - just love it. The mystery adds to the excitement.

Participant list.......Classic Car Adventures | ST Entry List 2013

A wonderful bunch of old vehicles from Europe and North America - some really rare. And, the people participating have got to be some of the very best.

I will try to update this thread during the weekend.

Rosie all tarted up with her black bra.

[davidbir]

See you in Squamish Charlie!

[emac]

Charlie how do you close the hood with the bra on tried many times gave up
Ernie 81sc

[LakeCleElum]

Charlie - Have fun and be safe....was great seeing Rosie (and you) in Osoyoos, BC last year.....

[Charlie V]

Originally Posted by emac

Charlie how do you close the hood with the bra on tried many times gave up
Ernie 81sc

You need to adjust the latch just behind the rubber smile. There are 2 allen bolts inside the front boot. Loosen them and bring the latch up a little. Easy job.

Need to fiddle with it to get it at the right height. Mine is a bit snug right now - still able to close it.

[Charlie V]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Charlie - Have fun and be safe....was great seeing Rosie (and you) in Osoyoos, BC last year.....

Thanks Bob. Hope you and your dear wife are doing well. You still riding the snow sled and dirt bikes??

[fasterlaster]

Looks like a blast. Subscribed

[gruppe75]

Have fun Charlie, will you let Kyle experience the full limits of the suspension? ha ha

[briefescape]

Hi Charlie
I see today was great weather for touring the BC coast and interior . Hope Kyle and yourself are enjoying Rosie and the trip .

Cheers Guy

[Charlie V]

Day one was great. Some 450 kms. Route was Squamish, Lillooet, Lytton, Spences Bridge, Merritt, Kamloops over the old highway.

Pick up Kyle this morning and hit the HOV lane towards Squamish. The sea to sky was picturesque.

[Charlie V]

The cars were some familiar faces and a number of new ones..

Some really freaking old and some real hot rods.





The minis were in full force.







A real one.....He asked me to coach him tomorrow morning in how his heat works. OMG - I get to touch it.

[Charlie V]

more

for some reason we passed this one about 3 or 4 times. How the hell????? He never passed us!!! Too many pee breaks I guess.



Absolutely mint restoration. It is now just as bug covered as the rest of us.



The termite taxi. This old woody had 1/2 the wood rotted off it. Crazy!!!!



37 Plymouth hot rod. Hey mister, does that car have a hemi??

[Charlie V]

and some more again...



Lunch stop in Pemberton.



Not much snow on the top of Duffy this year.



Tony's TR mating with Rosie....



The view from my pee break spot.



Kyle handling the controls. He hasn't been in this seat for years. Took him a few miles, but he soon mastered the task.







Food was excellent.

[Charlie V]

The event organizers are keeping day 2 route a secret. We know we are staying in Vernon but that is about it.

My guess - We head to Revelstoke, south to Nakusp via ferry and then over to Needles via ferry and through the Monoshee Mountains to Vernon. Some of my favorite roads.

More news tomorrow.

[Charlie V]

Oh, car news.

The fan belt gave me a little trouble. It ate a chunk out of the belt. How and why is a mystery. But, have a replacement on for tomorrow.

Window switch for passenger door is acting up again. I replaced the switch on the driver side last month. I guess I need to replace the passenger switch this time. The window is up for the night so no big deal.

The engine has a slight stumble when it idles. I put injector cleaner in the tank when I filled it this afternoon. Hoping tomorrow's run will clean things out.

The front tires match the rears. Wow, the car points to where you turn it. Car is dead neutral now.

[dyusem]

Subscribing...driving our cars is what it is all about!

Safe travels and good weather so you can keep the top off!!!

[timothymoffat]

Wonder where they are RIGHT NOW.......

[Drisump]

Good stuff Charlie! I'm hoping to do the tour at the end of June with my daughter; lucky for me she doesn't have her full license yet...LOL. A lot of nice iron on the tour eh? Cheers and have a great trip.

[Charlie V]

My speculation was correct....day 2 took us from Kamloops to Revelstoke. Then south for the ferry to Naksup and further south for the ferry to Needles. The road from the Needles ferry over the mountains to Vernon has got to be one of my favoriteis.

Headed out to pack the car......typical remains from a bunch of guys and old cars.



Close up of the termite taxi. This car has been everywhere. Amazing.



A well stocked trunk. This is an early Mazda rotary. The owner has owned it over 25 years since high school.



Driver meeting.

[Charlie V]

more from day 2

Decided to get a fan belt supply - just in case. Still unsure why I had belt problems yesterday. My thanks to Tim and his Lordco workers for having belts in stock at their Salmon Arm store.



Had a quick stop at the last spike. Kyle was kind enough to hold the spike as it was hammered in.



We chased these little cars all day. They were everywhere!!



Lunch stop in Revelstoke to get some deli food.



Patiently waiting while I have another pee break.



Porsches lined up for the ferry.



The rat truck has a Merc 5 cylinder diesel and auto trans. Get 30 mpg and scoots along the highway with the best of them.



Picnic lunch was in order with the sunshine. These folks are a great couple full of stories of travelling and cars. He is writing a book on Alfas.