2014 Spring Thaw Rally

[Charlie V]

I have been fortunate to be selected into the 2014 Spring Thaw again this year. Over the next 3 days we will be covering some 1500 kms. This event is normally pre 1979 car - mine has been kindly considered 1979ish. I am fortunate to be able to have my daughter Jessica join me on this adventure.

https://www.facebook.com/events/184875488387424/?source=1

The mix of vehicles on this event is amazing - over 65 British, Italian, German, Swedish, American vehicles. There are sports cars, Minis, coupes, American convertibles, muscle cars and big British saloon cars. From little 3 cylinder 2 strokes to large V8s making their way over the best touring roads in BC. And the people are even more amazing - everyone is there to have fun and enjoy the rally.

The route and the hotels are all organized by the good folks at Classic Car Adventures here in Squamish, British Columbia. They put on fist class, budget friendly events.

Classic Car Adventures | Classic car tours and driving events for vintage, historic, and old sports cars.

The best part, I only know Friday's start and Sunday's end locations. The day's route and hotel information is only made available at the driver's meeting each morning. This only adds to the fun and excitement of the event.

I have created this thread to post our travels. Hope you enjoy.

Rosie ready to head out with her formal black bra.

[timothymoffat]

Good luck Charlie an enjoy. Looking forward to your hourly updates.

[Charlie V]

Hourly?? Crap, I need to drive. Besides, some of these roads don't even have cell service. If we can find a WIFI hotspot at lunch time, might try to update. Otherwise, it will be at the hotel after I've consumed a few beers. Hic!

[SkunkWorks]

Looking forward to updates! Great to see local representation on the boards here

[LakeCleElum]

Charlie - Glad to see Rosie is doing well........Will look forward to your reports...Say Hi to Charlie....

I'll be heading south on a six day MC trip, but my heart is with you all.......Enjoy...

[Charlie V]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Charlie - Glad to see Rosie is doing well........Will look forward to your reports...Say Hi to Charlie....

I'll be heading south on a six day MC trip, but my heart is with you all.......Enjoy...

Bob, safe drive.

[timothymoffat]

Originally Posted by Charlie V

Hourly?? Crap, I need to drive. Besides, some of these roads don't even have cell service. If we can find a WIFI hotspot at lunch time, might try to update. Otherwise, it will be at the hotel after I've consumed a few beers. Hic!

Charlie, try harder. You can do it, I have faith in your abilities.

[Bill Douglas]

Have fun, drive a good race, and don't crash the car.

Plus braless is best.

Looking forward to more pics.

[Charlie V]

Day 1....

Started in Squamish. Heavy rain last night, but the skies cleared this morning. Wow, great day. Stayed dry except for a small rain shower between Lillooet and Cache Creek. And, a small snow dust coming into Logan Lake.

Car ran like a German clock. Didn't skip a beat. Managed to go topless until the skies darkened and the showers hit us.

Damn morning traffic. We paid for a $billion highway improvement and we still sit in congestion. But, look at the weather.



Car ID decals.........



Old Jag. The lines are amazing. And to think the old 356's could run circle around these cars. But, they are still gorgeous.




My buddy Carl's car. Yummy!!



The participants in this Lotus had to done rain gear when the showers started north of Lillooet. They were not alone.

[Charlie V]

John and Marci's Intermechanica. This thing rips.



Classic GM.....



A wild assortment of car. VW beach buggy. No heat and no roof. Husband and wife wrapped in blankets.



Noble supercar



Mini Moke. More no heat or roof. Many layer of clothing to survive.



167 participants



Picnic lunch at the summit - just amazing. Duane's SC 3.2 short stroke in the background. Oh my, love that car.

[Charlie V]

This one is out of sequence. In Pemberton and getting ready to head onto the Duffy Road. Roof off and time for toques and more jackets. Fun.



A couple of crazy Brits in Boomer jackets with leather helmets and an old open air Jag. These guys are a riot - having a great time and enjoying every mile.



Tunkwa Road through cattle country - 10 cattle crossings.



Tonight we are in Kamloops. Staying downtown. The view outside our room.........drop into the Doctor Love and go next door to get polished. OMG!!!

[briefescape]

Looks like you and Jessica had a great first day . Great pictures , keep them coming .

Cheers Guy

[Charlie V]

Porsche content.........

A short wheel base 911S. Not sure of the year - the driver list shows a 356 was planned for the event.



356 Super A...love these cars.



This is another Intermechanica car - has a 3.0 in it. Cool colour too. Yummy. Henri and company do nice work.



Nice pair of 914s. I have a soft spot in my heart for these cars. I would never fit in them, but there is something about them that I just love.



And, a 912E.

[Charlie V]

Heard at dinner last night that 2 cars had to be flat bedded into town. Both British of course. One was a Jag I believe.

CORRECTION - A couple of the old Jag did have a touch of trouble, but those were road side repairs. So no Jag was flat bedded......it was a Porsche 911. My head is bowed in a moment of silence.

The Porsche owner says it is the clutch. He mentioned finishing the rally without the clutch. Not something I would try, but....... Not sure if he did or he headed back to Vancouver.

The other was the Mini Moke. The Moke has a larger than stock engine - 1200 cc or something. Well, he blew a head gasket along the Duffy. So - last night after dinner the Mini gang was in the parkade putting in a new head gasket. I was talking to the owner and in his words he said with a big smile, "Need to finish the rally." Love the perseverance.

[wacko]

Enjoying the updates. I am hoping to participate next year

[timothymoffat]

Thanks for the updates Charlie. This looks like an absolute blast.

See ya tomorrow afternoon for the meeting of the SCs.

[Charlie V]

Day 2.

Left Kamloops in the rain - heavy at times. But, took my time and drove for the weather. I felt sorry for the people in the open air cars. It was obvious some of the sports car had non-functioning convertible tops. I'm sure these folks got soaked. Part of the fun I guess?? Rosie had her top on when the rain started.

So - today was over Barnhartvale Road, Salmon Creek Road and a few others into Armstrong - got lost here, but the GPS helped find the way. Back roads of Vernon into Predator Ridge and dropping along Okanagan Lake north of Kelowna.

We tried to find the right exit to Hwy 33 to head towards Rock Creek, but got lost again. This time before Jess and I could get our heads wrap around the issue, this cute blonde RCMP member had her flashing light going. She marched towards the car, questioned why I had stopped in a dangerous location and then proceeded to coach us where to turn off for Hwy 33. I thanked her and away we went - after turning around.

Turned down Hwy 33 - never been on this road before and has been on my bucket list for years. We climbed towards the summit at Big White ski resort and encountered a short snow squall. Rained off and on most of the way as we travelled south to Rock Creek. Nice area - want to travel this again.

West to Osoyoos and then north through the vineyards east of Oliver. Up over the mountain west of Oliver and dropped into Penticton. Staying at the Ramada on the north end of town.

Was a fun day. Car performed flawless again.

Now - on to the required pictures.....

The Mini Moke owner did get the head gasket installed last night. He managed to "squeeze" into the only available spot in the parkade between Rosie and a big black Galaxie. Bumped into the Moke owner heading down in the elevator this morning. He said they managed to get the head gasket done early this morning. Must say, his eyes were a little red. But then, might have been the beers too.\



The old gasket as proof. I was talking to a fellow Porsche owner, we both had to agree, we would be unable to do the same thing to a Porsche engine in an evening.



Driver meeting indoors because of the moisture outside this morning.



Yes, it was a little wet. Even with the rear tires showing their wear, the grip was good.



Fresh snow in the hills.



Above Okanagan Lake just north of Kelowna. Rosie liked the view too.

[Charlie V]

more ......

Quick rest stop along Hwy 33. Great stop with a rushing creek and the plants struggling in show spring growth.



Dropping down the switchback into Osoyoos. More rain showers.



Had to take pictures of the wild flowers for Jessica. These things cover the hillsides in spots - kinda cool. In the summer this area is basically desert.

[Charlie V]

more cars from the parkade last night....

[Charlie V]

Jess is having fun. I'm so happy to have her with me. We have been sharing a number of good laughs and exploring new adventures together. She says she likes the cars too.......might have another car nut in the family. I really need to get her behind the steering and learn to use the gear shifter.



One of my first selfies. Not into this.......yet. Had to get Jess to show me how to do this stuff. LOL!!!!!