To recap, some weeks back I bought a 1965 Corvette convertible from an online ad. Instead of paying to have it shipped from Sacramento, California to Overland Park, Kansas, I elected to fly out and drive the car back. I decided to dodge hot weather through the desert southwest by driving a more northerly route through California, across Nevada to Utah, then south to catch I-70 through Colorado. After a late start the first day, I drove from Monterey, California to Reno Nevada.
On the second day, I left Reno, Nevada heading east on I-80 toward Salt Lake City, Utah. Driving across Nevada on I-80, there isn’t much in the way of big towns, just wide spots in the road and some truck stops, restaurants and casinos. Every place had a casino. Even the port-a-johns had casinos. The scenery in between was interesting, with lots of desert scrub and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
I stopped for gas in Battle Mountain, Nevada. I was just finishing up when a group of thirty or so members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club rode up to the small Shell station. They were admiring the Corvette when one of them said, “You’re going to trade me that Corvette for my Indian, right?” I replied, “No, Sir.” When he asked me why not, I told him I had two Harleys in my garage at home. I jumped in the car and made a hasty exit. I did 80 miles per hour on the highway for quite some time, damn the rpms.
As I drove past the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, I got a few pics from the car. I very much wanted to stop, but there were some nasty storm clouds on the horizon. Time to keep moving. The view was something to behold, with sun peeking from behind clouds fat with rain, and stark white plains of salt on both sides of the road.
There was a short spate of heavy rain outside Wendover, Utah. I needed to stop for gas there, as the next 180 miles didn’t offer much for facilities. The Corvette was getting around fourteen miles per gallon, but I wanted to be safe. During the entire trip, the gas gauge never reached the full mark, and it lied about fuel remaining. Apparently, a quarter tank left in the twenty-gallon gas tank equates to around seven gallons. If you figure out that math, please explain it to me.
I got into Salt Lake City just as the sun went down, grabbed a room, a little food, hot shower, and went to sleep. The engine winding over 3,500 rpm, wind blowing in the car, cacophony of the side pipes, firm ride of the Corvette’s suspension, and rather crummy condition of western US highways was taking its toll. I was more than a little rattled, and needed to unwind. I had at least one more long day ahead of me, or more likely two. I was starting to want to be home, sleep in my own bed, and sit in a quiet room.
The next day’s drive from Salt Lake City to Green River, Utah was a beautifully scenic two-lane highway through canyons, mountains, and more desert. It was warm and sunny, but the Corvette did fine. It did better than fine. Snaking through the canyons, shifting gears, and listening to the car made up for some of the longer, boring straights.
I stopped for gas, to check the oil, wheel knock-offs, and get a bite in Green River, Utah. From there, I got on I-70 and drove into Colorado. The Centennial State sure isn’t spending any of the tax dollars collected from weed sales on maintaining infrastructure. I-70 was like a high-speed donkey trail for most of the state. I’ve visited Colorado many times, but I’ve never seen the roads in such poor condition. I am surprised I got through it without doing major damage to the Corvette.
Outside of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, a semi truck had overturned on I-70. The highway was closed for a couple of hours, so I pulled to the side of the road and let the Corvette cool off. The car had been running fine, but started to get hot sitting in still traffic. After about an hour, a female officer came over and told me the road would be cleared soon. We talked for a few minutes and she was quite cordial. After a bit, the road opened up, and I was on my way.
I love driving through the Eisenhower tunnel. It was even more fun in a Corvette with side pipes.
By the time I got to Limon, Colorado, the road conditions and three days in the Corvette had me pretty frazzled. I was windblown, sunburnt, and my ears were ringing. I have tinnitus, so they always ring, but now they were ringing in two different tones. I stopped at Oscar’s Bar and Grille to get a bite and an adult beverage. Tired of fast food and gas station junk, I vowed to eat something with veggies. I ordered chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. My waitress knew a weary traveler when she saw one and couldn’t have been sweeter. After the best meal I’d had in a few days, I drove across the street to a hotel. The desk clerk at the Holiday Inn was equally kind. I thank you both.
The final leg of my journey lay ahead. I have done the Limon, Colorado-to-home drive a number of times, and thought it would be an easy drive. Yeah, right.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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Comments
Ah yes, driving the C2 small block with the OEM side exhaust through the Eisenhower must have been music to the ears. Would have loved to have done that with my ’66 427/425 with that exhaust option but Eastern MO didn’t have any vehicle tunnels back then so had to settle for underpasses on multi-lane City streets where they went under RR tracks. Nice story and you’re a brave guy driving that distancer in a ’65 that you really weren’t familiar with.
I have the same car. Same color but different side pipes. My grandpa left it to me when I was 5 years old back in 1994 when he passed away.
Interesting snap of the tach and speedo – the car is turning 3700 rpm @ 76 mph. 14 mpg and driver exhaustion make sense. Wonder if it’s in 3rd gear.
Not in third gear, but close-ratio gearbox with 3.70 rear end and tires slightly shorter than they should be.
Made a similar trip from northern Wisconsin in a ’64 Vette with side pipes and a 283 small block . All the guages didn’t seem accurate either but the temp.guage was(although I didn’t believe it) headed for Wash. DC. Things were fine until the very rough (at the time) Penn. Turnpike where the 250 plus temp Guage and overheated engine took out the lower end and a rod went right through the block. Had to leave her on the side of the turnpike with a note to the Penn. Police and hitch hiked to DC. I figured she would be vandalized or gone when I returned a week later but she was still there when I returned and was unmolested. Loaded her up on a car trailer and headed east, 30 miles later got pulled over for proof of ownership by the sharp eyed troopers who had watched over my car for 7 days!. Continued to DC where a friend and I installed I believe , what was a 350 regular engine, then I sold her as I never wanted a non original vette but wished I had her again today!. Fun while it lasted and those side pipes did keep me awake!. Thanks for your story!
Drove my 1967 converible from New Jersey to Long Beach, California in the way to serve in Vietnam. Four d as days including a stop at the Grand Canyon. Still have the Corvette and daughter once asked me what I was going to do with it when I did. Told her “Don’t rush me.”
Great story! I have traveled across country twice in old cars. Once in a 1932 ford from California to Oklahoma and once in a 1937 Ford from California to louisville kentucky. Great experiences. Good for you for making the drive! My wife and l frequently stay in that hotel in Monterey that you stayed at. Just curious, did you let them valet the car? Had a 66 big block with side pipes. Loud but some of the most fun you can have!
Why is the amp meter in negative territories?
Its on the fix-it list.
I would do that trip in my C-6 instead of my first Vette, A ‘65 C-2. At 72, I cannot do it without the A/C on and the top down!
I’ve got a 63 split window,drove her to Las Vegas in 2017. Hope your on your way to a long relationship with your vett. She looks like a keeper.
The stance is great. Has it been lowered?
You have lived just about every old guy’s (I’ll be 74 in Sept.) dream! Never own a Corvette….but “always” wanted the first year (1953 6 cy) and the new2021 mid-engine!
Turn the page….. my first car was a 1967 Camaro when I returned from my first trip in Viet Nam.
Sold that my baby in 74 to move to Fla. so my wife could be close to her parents
Anyway……reading your story made my day!
You’ve lived a huge dream you’ll remember for the rest of your life….
God Bless
Nice car.
You mention you have tinnitus. I did too, for many years. For me, it progressively got worse, as mine was due to noise induced hearing loss. It got to the point that it was loud enough to interfere with sleep.
If you haven’t already, I’d suggest you get your hearing tested, and consider getting hearing aids. After a couple of months of wearing hearing aids, I stopped hearing the tinnitus during periods of hearing aid usage.
Hope that’s helpful. Enjoyed the article! I’ve always loved the look of the classic Corvettes.
I’m 77 years old and when I was 21 I purchased a 1965 Nassau blue Corvette with a 327ci 350hpI was 1 year old I paid $3500.00 for it. I keep it for 2 years and sold it for $2600.00. The reason my wife was pregnant and it was the car I owned.
I now own a 1969 427ci 400hp with factory side pipes. It’s a t-top like with factory ac. It has most of the factory equipment. It’s mostly orginal. I’ve restored the interior and next year I will detail the engine compartment.
I’ve owned the car for almost 40 years and I am the fourth owner. I love the car and will sell it if the day comes that I can’t get in or out of. Hope that day never comes!!
I also owned for a few years a 1995 triple corvette.
Like you I love corvettes.
Great story, thank you forcsharing.
Where is the 1963 hood ?
You need a 5-speed transmission to get your rpms down. Makes road trips easier on you and the car. I was running 3800 rpms at 70 mph in my ’65 BB with sidepipes. Now, it runs 70 at 1800 rpms and I can hear the radio. 😉
Test drove a 66 convertible before I bought my C7.
Love the look of your Vette and the cross country story.
Wish I could have both the C2 and the C7.
Can’t beat the look and sound of the old Vette.
Can’t beat the creature comforts of the C7