The ultimate driving test

mike95125 · 06-09-2003, 11:34 AM

So I had the fortunate oppertunity to go visit my Dad this weekend. He was in Reno, NV on business and was willing to meet me half way between Reno and San Diego. The place we chose to meet was this thriving metropolis called Lone Pine, pop. 527 I believe.
I had just gotten the teener running and have been using it to go to and from school (about 10min a day). My 914 is like most, it has at least 3 problems at any given time, but it was working well enough so I decided to do the 300 mi trip.
Here is the catch: The town of Lone Pine is off of the 395, which I did not know was right throught the heart of the Mojave desert.
Nothing like driving an aircooled engine through the desert in the middle of the day at around 105 degrees ambient temp. I made it, but managed to locate a few more problems.....never ending repairs.
Anyone else have a similar test for their mechanical aptitude?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Lone Pine? Wow. That's one of the places on the way to Mammoth. Nothing like a high desert run, in summer to wring out the car...

and wring out your shirt....

James

How'd the "Air Conditioning" work?

Bruce Allert · 06-09-2003, 02:13 PM

Sounds like a really good test and a great way to instill your faith in the car!
I did something similar a few months back. Drove mine non-stop to Seattle from Portland and back the next day without a problem. The day was warm but not hot. I'd been having troubles but figured I'd (hopefully) gotten them taken care of. Guess I did..... thank God!
bruce

M. Hendrix · 06-09-2003, 04:50 PM

Sit in traffic on 278 out of Hilton Head around 1pm, sometimes you may move a mile in an hour if there is something like a car with a flat for those with rubber necks, or maybe someone pulled over reading a map of how to drive straight.

M

BenI · 06-09-2003, 05:09 PM

Yea, after cruising all day at 90MPH from Florida to Colorado I crossed Kansas. It was a 110 degree day. It was there, around 8PM I found I had a defective valve that was prone to snapping in half

Conrad W Peden · Conrad W Peden's Garage

Hwy 198 from 101 to I-5 in August. 110 or there abouts.

My 914 has carbs and experienced 'a bit'

of vapor lock.

unclerichy · 06-09-2003, 07:04 PM

Wait till August or September and go to Vegas. You'll pass through Baker, CA - home of the worlds largest thermometer. It will still be 126 deg at 6pm.

Tonyakavw · 06-10-2003, 12:19 PM

Weekend before last was an autocross event in Lone Pine. Its a yearly event and some of my college buddies go to it every year. It's pretty cheap, or maybe free as long as you work the track. They hold the event at an abandoned runway near the old Manzanar camp.

http://www.lonepinebeaterchallenge.com/
These guys (friends from college) have put together this "beater challenge" at the Lone Pine event. Its pretty funny... The idea is to spend a total of $500 on a car, tires, etc. and race them.

-Tony