28Q29U Plymouth Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: kimmc on April 08, 2013, 03:17:24 PM

Title: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 08, 2013, 03:17:24 PM
I am leaving tomorrow to drive my '35 to Tucson along with a '33 2dr sedan, '37 coupe, and a '46 sedan from the SF Bay area.  The one-way trip is over 900 mi and will all be on 2-lane roads; should be an interesting adventure!  I was thinking that if any forum members wanted me to get a picture of something on a particular model/year car I would try to do that if you will reply to this post with the specific request.  I'll also try to post some pictures of our trip and the event.  Kim Mc
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: imoore on April 09, 2013, 04:38:29 AM
Kim
I hope u have an enjoyable and safe drive. Would love to see some photos of the event.
Good luck
Ian
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: Tinkeys on April 09, 2013, 06:05:10 AM
good luck boys and have a good time !
Tony,
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: frankp on April 09, 2013, 10:35:12 AM
Kim,

Ship has probably sailed, but a photo of properly restored/original dash knobs and ignition key faceplate, 28 and or 29, would be helpful.  Looking for font of lettering in particular.

Thanks and a safe trip to all,
frank
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 10, 2013, 10:31:22 AM
Well, the sedan has sailed so to speak.  The 4 cars, a '33 2 dr sedan, my '35 deluxe sedan, a '37 coupe, and a 46 sedan all arrived together in Hesperia CA (east of LA) after almost a 12 hr day.  The 46 didn't like the grades up to Mt Pinos (elev about 7000 ft at the pass); no breakdowns, just slow, like it's losing fuel at the carb.  I will get your pictures providing the car's owner(s) are agreeable.  I don't think there will be a problem and I'm happy to do it.  I want to know too.  Have to go.  We leave in 30 min for Gila Bend AZ.  Pictures later.  Kim
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 11, 2013, 10:14:04 AM
Well, after 2 twelve hour days of driving the 2-lane roads of CA and AZ, our little 4 car caravan has made it to Gila Bend AZ.  About 3 hrs of driving today will bring us in to Tucson.  So far, no one has had any major problems.  We have cruised along at 55 mph, sometime up to 60 mph with no problems.  Getting lots of waves and "thumbs up" along the way.  I'm having fun but I wish we would take more breaks from driving to take some pictures along the way that I could share here.  I'll get more in the next few days.  Just a reminder, if there is something or particular part that any of you would like me to check out and possibly photograph for you, send me the specific info and I will try.  Here's a picture of our little caravan 2 days ago at Mt Pinos, about 7000 ft elev; quite a climb up from the valley but we all made it.  Still snow on the ground up there.  Yesterday was all desert; Joshua trees and Saguaro cactus.  Have to run; getting ready to get on the road.  Kim
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: frankp on April 11, 2013, 02:01:29 PM
Great picture!  Dumb question, do all the cars have heaters?  Not that they're needed in the daytime desert.  frank
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 12, 2013, 01:47:46 AM
Heaters; my '35 has none even though it spent it's first 75 years in Michigan! Go figure.  The '33 has a nice after-market heat that is correct for the year.  Tod Fitch, the owner, reports it works real well.  I don't know about the '37 and the '46 but I will find out.  We arrived in Tucson today.  No major problems for any of the cars.  Looking forward to tomorrow and checking out the cars that are already here and those that will arrive.  I am attaching some car pictures.  A couple of others joined us today in AZ; a '52 with trailer, and a '46 custom built "woody".   There is a group picture and one of me and my '35 out on the desert.  Stay tuned.  Kim
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 17, 2013, 11:19:56 PM
Well, this is not about '28 or '29 Plymouths but I wanted to show you all something.  Many of you have probably heard about getting caught in sand storms on the desert and having your car sand blasted, literally.  It happened to me while returning from Tucson to my home in northern CA.  While driving I-10 in the vicinity of Palm Springs, we (me, a '37 coupe and a '40's coupe being pulled on a trailer) all got into a real doozy of a sand storm.  At one point the sand and dust in the air was so bad I could not see more than a couple of feet in front of me, and because I had pushed in the clutch to slow even more, the head wind brought me to a complete stop on the freeway!  I didn't know I had completely stopped because the dirt blowing past gave the illusion of forward movement.  I was completely shocked when I looked down at the road beneath me and saw that I was stopped!  Fortunately the pickup towing the 40's car was behind me protected my 6 o'clock, otherwise with those little '35 tail-lights obscured by blowing dirt, I am sure I would have been rear-ended.  But I wasn't the only one stopped.  It was truly incredible.  I am posting several pictures for comparison; the front and rear bumper (notice the difference in the paint above the bumpers) and the front and rear license plate (the front was as good as the back before the storm).  Additional damage includes all leading edges, all fenders, the cowl and trim, the windshield is toast and the trim is pitted, the wheels, trim rings and hubcaps also bought the farm.  But the car did great otherwise and went to Tucson and back (almost 2000 mi) with no major problems (except one vapor lock on the desert); I generally got 17-18 mpg (high 21 with tail wind and low 13 mpg with head wind) and it used 1 gallon of oil.  Need to check the alignment and will be installing seat belts; one feels pretty vulnerable on CA freeways without them.  I will also be looking at used covered trailers for my next big trip! 
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: frankp on April 18, 2013, 06:16:47 AM
My first response is Good Grief!!  Glad everyone made it through that storm safely.  Obviously these are conditions where terrible accidents can happen.
Your car really took a beating.  I hope your insurance will cover all the cost.  On the plus side, sounds like your car performed like a champ, a testament to you and the '35!
frank
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: Doug on April 18, 2013, 08:58:41 AM
Some friends of mine and me found our self in a sand storm west of Delta Utah several years ago. We were on motorcycles. When it is so thick you can't see the ground you think the world is coming to an end. Glad you made it safely.         
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: Old Man on April 18, 2013, 04:02:55 PM
Kim I'm very sorry to see all the damage to your '35. As said earlier I hope your insurance will cover it. I guess this is closing the barn door after the horse has bolted but Arizona is known for this. At least locally. I was in Phoenix many years ago on business and I witnessed this rolling,lightning filled,water logged sand storm coming down to Phoenix from the mountains late one afternoon. The locals told me they called that time of year the 'typhoon season'. They try to keep it to themselves. In fact I had never heard about it and have really never found anybody who has. All hell broke loose when it hit the city with lightning striking straight down into the sand around homes. There would be a blue,green flash as it hit and they tell me it turns the sand to glass! When it had passed in maybe 10 minutes everything had a coating of wet sand on it about 2" to 3" thick. Vehicles in the hotel parking lot were thick with it. The locals just take it in stride and take their cars over to the car wash and wash it off. Apparently you ran into something like I saw that day. I'm sorry I didn't think to warn you about Arizona's crazy weather.      
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 19, 2013, 10:28:09 PM
Hey OM.  I am bummed about the damage to my car but I am looking at the positive side of the experience.  Me and the car got to Tucson and back under our own power, safely, and with the tires on the pavement where they should be!
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 19, 2013, 10:34:51 PM
Hey all.  I was asked to post some pictures of the cars at the Tucson meet.  There were no '28s or '29s except for one '29 sedan (with the parts in boxes) trailered to the meet and for sale for $6000.  There were about 28 cars that were judged as well as some others that just showed up.  I have about 11 pictures so there will be 3 consecutive posts. 
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 19, 2013, 10:37:27 PM
more Tucson '13 photos
Title: Re: National Plymouth Meet, Tucson AZ
Post by: kimmc on April 19, 2013, 10:39:36 PM
Last of Tucson '13 pictures