SCSN Caravan 09 eNews

No. 35 - 8/1/09

>>>TOP STORY<<<

>>ADRIAN PART DEUX<<

In the the last issue, eNews No. 34, we announced that the "Corvette Caravan Pancake Breakfast" on the morning of our third day, in Adrian, Texas, two hours east of Tucumcari, had been canceled. After sticking a fork in that, the SoCal/SoNev Organizing team began planning an alternative breakfast event but we son found was not enough food service in Tucumcari, New Mexico to serve all 475 of our Caravaners at one sitting. The biggest facility for breakfast on a Monday morning in that town is seats only about 200. We could either do a breakfast there in two shifts or not have a group breakfast at all and give everyone an hour to fend for themselves at any of the food vendors in town.

A "free form" breakfast opened the possibility of reinstating the meeting of the two Caravan Sections, Southern California/Southern Nevada and Oklahoma/Texas Panhandle, in Adrian at the Route 66 Mid-Point as planned but without the pancake breakfast. That eliminates having to scout a new meeting place for the joining of the two Sections and allows us to still have the symbolism and photo opportunity of SoCal/SoNev handing-off to OK/TXPan at the Mid-Point of old Route 66.

So the plan we're considering is: a free form breakfast in Tucumcari and no organized Caravan departure. Everyone will drive two hours east (hour on the road plus setting your clock an hour later) to Adrian for the third day's departure staging where we'll meet the OK/TX-Pan Section, have a Caravaners meeting then depart as a group of about 300 cars.

You'll hear more about this in future eNews issues and a Route Book addendum will be issued at the Tucumcari Dinner on Sunday night.

>>DAY THREE AND FOUR CHOICES<<

In order to finalize arrangements for the Oklahoma portion of the trip, all SoCal/SoNev Caravaners need to let the OK/TX Panhandle Captains know a couple of things.

First, you need to reserve seating at the "Goodyear Third Night Banquet" on Monday night 31 August. The cuisine will be a Mexican dinner buffet and the cost will be about $10.00 per person. Simply go to the web page at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xHE4NKaSzP1oUq137IKPYQ_3d_3d and respond to the questions posted there. Caravaners must respond by this Friday, 7 August. Note, within the next two weeks you will receive information on pre-paying for your dinner reservation.

Second, on the fourth day, you have a choice in routes. One attractive feature of the SoCal/SoNev Section of the 2009 National Corvette Caravan is our driving on parts of old Route 66 in Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma. The stretch of "Historic" 66 we'll run in Oklahoma on Tuesday 1 September, the fourth day of the trip, will be new to everyone, however, as Captain "Tuna" Dobbins of the OK/TXPanhandle Section tells the SCSN eNews, that part of the trip won't be for everyone.

The upside of running that part of old 66 is the scenery and landmarks along with seeing a part of the "Mother Road" which hasn't been used by previous Caravans. The downsides are 1) travel over that part of H66 is slow, 2) there will be a limit to the number of cars which can go this route and 3) if you want to be in Tuesday's "Route 66 Group," you will need to get up really early in the morning. Departure from Oklahoma City is at 6:30 AM with staging at 5:45 AM. You'll need to have breakfast and fill-up with gas before you come to the staging area, so most people will need to get up about 4:45-5:00 AM to get on that trip.

Those Caravaners who are traveling in a motorhome or pulling a trailered Corvette or don't want to get up early must go in the "Interstate 40" Group which leaves OKC at 8:30 AM and takes a shorter route.

SoCal/SoNev Caravaners should go to the web page at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xHE4NKaSzP1oUq137IKPYQ_3d_3d and make a choice of one of the two routes. You must respond by this Friday, 7 August. Caravaners who miss this deadline will be assigned to the I-40 Group.

>>CAPTAIN'S MAINTENANCE ORDERS PART THREE<<

This is the third part of our series pre-Caravan car preparation suggestions.Something we all cringe to think about are stone chips. On a trip which includes driving the desert southwest, front end damage from gravel, small stones and pebbles is one of the downsides of the Caravan. One way to combat that is with a front end "bra", typically, a sheet of fabric or plastic cut to fit the contour of the front end and held in place with ties or hook/loop fasteners. The problem with those bras is they can come loose and, even when fastened tight, they trap dirt beneath the fabric and, through movement of the fabric, scratches develop in your paint.

The way to have front end protection with out causing collateral damage is a "Clear Bra" which is a semipermanent applique of 3M Scotchcal polyurethane film. In fact, GM has used Scotchcal for many years in production applications as a way to protect small areas, such as the forward facing surfaces of the rear fenders. A "Clear Bra" covers the entire nose of the car to about a foot back with tough, durable Scotchcal which, due to is pliability and resilience makes the car's finish scratch-proof to very small stones and scratch or chip resistant to lager particles of debris. The only way you can tell Scotchcal is applied is a very slight texture and a very faint line where the Scotchcal ends.

Do Clear Bras work? You betcha. The Lead Car for the 2003 SoCal Caravan had a Clear Bra installed before the event and it's still in place, showing little wear and still protecting six years later. The Lead Car for the 2009 SoCal/SoNev Caravan will also be fitted with a Clear Bra. For more information contact Envisage Design Lab at the email or phone number at the end of the eNews.

How about your Corvette's air conditioning? The entire trip to Bowling Green will be subject to hot weather and, as we said in the last eNews, the first two days will be the hottest. You'll be in the car for eight hours a day so air conditioning will be critical. If your car is older then five years or you've not had your A/C serviced in the last five years, now's the time to have that done. The system's performance should be validated and if it's not performing to Service Manual requirements, get the system repaired. With C4, 5 and 6, make sure the areas between radiator, a/c condenser and engine oil cooler (if so equipped) are clear of debris. Make sure the front air dam on a C3-C6 is intact. Make sure your engine-driven cooling fan or electric fans work properly as proper fan operation is required if the A/C is to perform well. Inspect your drive belts and replace any that are frayed, severely cracked or have pieces torn out of them. For best performance in very hot weather, stick to premium-quality belts such as NAPA, Goodyear or Gates. Goodyear's "Gatorback" belts are an excellent choice if you have an '84 or later with a serpentine belt system because their diamond-checked backing allows them to run cooler. The Lead Cars for both the 2003 and the 2009 SoCal/SoNev Caravans are equipped with Gatorback drive belts. Good choices for pre-84s with classic-style "fan belts" are either Goodyear or Gates.

If your oil change interval will come up on the trip, change your oil and filter before you go. Ignore GM's recommendation of a 5W30 oil and use a 10W30 which is a better choice in very hot weather. Lube the chassis, service the transmission and rear axle and change the fuel filter if necessary. Has your car been bouncing a lot lately? Maybe you need new shocks. If you start the trip with bad-shocks, you¹ll regret it. If you haven't had the front-end aligned in a while, do that, too. If you're driving a pre-'84-Vette and you haven't adjusted the steering box in a long time or it's never been done, do that.

In the last eNews we discussed tires but one tire-related issue we forgot to cover was age. There is conclusive evidence that old tires are more prone to failure when run overloaded in very hot weather. If your tires are more than eight years old, regardless of the brand of tire or its tread depth; we recommend you replace them before you go on the Caravan.

Finally, on tires, a retraction...in the last issue, eNews No. 34, we implied that some specific brands of tires were more likely to fail during very hot weather on a car that is over its gross vehicle weight rating. That discussion generated some feedback critical of the eNews' position on those brands. We lack evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that any of those specific brands of tires are more prone to failure and we should not have mentioned those brands. The SCSN eNews wants to advise Caravaners to simply be wary of tires which are priced very low. With tires--like many things automotive--you get what you pay for. We believe that, with tires which are price leaders, what you may get in an over-GVW/hot weather duty cycle is a level of reliability lower than what you'd likely get with premium, ultra-performance tires such as Goodyear, Goodrich or Bridgestone.

Thanks for reading,
The SoCal/SoNev Caravan Organizing Team

Caravan info: email to captain.socalcar@charter.net

Going on the Caravan?
Don't go braless!

Even new cars with less than 1,000 miles have paint blemishes from normal driving. Imagine what a cross-country trip will do to YOUR paint.

The solution? A "Clear Bra".

It functions like a traditional auto bra but is far more durable and cannot be seen. It will NOT scratch your Corvette's finish like most "strap-on" auto bras. This 3M Paint and Headlight Protection lasts for the life of your Vette. SCSN Capt. Hib Halverson used a 3M Clear Bra on the 2003 National Corvette Caravan and endorses it as the best way to avoid damage to the front of your car.

Professional installations by the 3M factory-trained Installer in California most experienced with Corvettes: Envisage Design Labs. Call (310) 613-4691 or email Envisage at: envisagedesignlabs@yahoo.com

To SoCalCar Home Page

Hib Halverson
captain.socalcar@charter.net