White Spyder

I arrived at my brothers in PA late yesterday to pick up my new 1975 Delta 88 Royale and take it back to MS. His mother-in-law was the original owner and bought it in MS. It has moved to Fl and OH with him over the past few years and has never missed a lick. This car has 78k on the clock and is in great shape. As he prepared the car for the trip, he found that the left front brake was sticking. He replaced the caliper and pads and all looked ready for my departure. Wile doing his final goodby drive we found the brake was sticking again. Looks like my 6 A.M. departure just got delayed. I need to be home by Saturday to drive my '48 Chrysler for a wedding. After many explitives, It was determined that the hose was bad and we set about removing it. With the help of the internet and more explitives about missing wrenches and sockets, the hose was freed and we will be searching for a new one this morning. Wish me luck! Once found the new one should go on a lot quicker than the old one came off and then I will be heading south on IH 81 with my nephew. Stay tuned for photos and updates of our summer road trip adventure.

lsutigers93

O yes...the joy of interstate travels in a 30+ year old car :-)

J/k...it should be a blast! I loved taking my old '64 Dynamic up and down I-20 between Dallas and Shreveport...miss that old girl (the lady friend too!) but her near-identical twin will be in the family by the end of the summer!!

White Spyder

Well, today lived up to the title of adventure! The first photo is of the surgery to remove the offending brake line with limited tools. (car was sitting on blocks for safty!)

We were out of luck finding a replacement hose. Needing to get on the road safely and in time to make my wedding job, we rose to the challange of creative solutions. The great guys at the Hazelton NAPA store worked hard to find a hose that would work but all were too short and did not fit the banjo nut. Solution, drill out the opening to fit the nut and get creative with some brake tubing! photo 2 is our solution installed, Works great and made me feel like a Rocket Scientist.



By the end of the day we went through 4 states and over 480 miles averaging 70mph and 13.8 mpg. Not bad!

Allan R

Very creative. You going to leave it that way or put the right hose on?

Jaybird

Good Job! Gotta love it when things work out well in the end!

White Spyder

Forgot this photo.

Yes, the correct hose will be added once we get home and get a full set on order.

Back at it in themorning for another 9-10 hours and 3 more states.

Allan R

Say whut?? The tops still up! Do ya think you could have had a bigger grin on your face? Lovely looking car.

Have a safe trip!!

Lady72nRob71

Hope all goes well here on out!

MDchanic

Great job fixing the brakes! That's what used to be called American ingenuity.

I wouldn't worry about the trip - how could a guy from Glückstadt have any real problems?
(Glück: Luck, Stadt: Town)



- Eric

lsutigers93

Dontcha just love it when a plan comes together?!

Beautiful car! Be safe on the ride home...

White Spyder

Well the 88 has found its spot in the driveway at its new home. Just over 1200 miles. More details and info to come but right now I need a drink, long shower, dinner and bed..

MDchanic

Fantastic! Congratulations!

- Eric

White Spyder

Now that I have had sleep and coffee to start the day, here is the 'rest of the story" as Paul Harvy would say.

My nephew and I were up at "oh-dark-thirty" to shave, shower and head to the dinner for a hearty breakfast. After pancakes, bacon, eggs and coffee we fired up the car and hit the road as the sun was coming up over the mountains of Virgina. Once the sun had taken the morning chill out of the air we stopped for gas and decided it was time for some top down driving. Windows down, locks released, hit the switch. Halfway it stops. Nothing but a clicking sound when the switch is move in either direction. There we are at the truck-stop with the top sticking straight up over the car and can't get it to move. Then I recall reading something on this forum about the cables. I disconnected them and manually lower the top and off we went. The first photo shows what owning a classic Olds convertible is all about!

By about noon we had had enough sun and wind for a while and pulled the top back up. That sucker is heavy! There were no other surprises and the car is a dream to drive. I did forget one other State that we went entered as we went through Chattanooga on I-59. (second photo)

So, after a bit over 1200 miles, about 18 hours driving time, 8 states, a bunch of road snacks, lots of horn blowing with thumbs up and memories that will last a lifetime; we made it back to MS where the car was bought new in 1975. We averaged 14.1 mpg with a low of 13.2 and a high of 15.1.

Lady72nRob71

Wow - I love stories like these, about driving home a classic car, epecially one's first! Those pictures brought back fond memories of when i brought Lady home to TX from South Carolina back 5 years ago. I sure miss that time...
You seem to have as big a grin on your face as I did!
Glad there were not any major problems and now that you are home you can get the top and brake hoses repaired.
What engine does the car have? MPG suggests 455.

White Spyder

Thanks, my cheeks are from all the ginning! She does have a Rocket 455.

Lady72nRob71

I think I would celebrate with some gin, too!!
Cheers!!

Allan R

Rob, you kidding me? Tony was offering free beer, endless poutine and Blondes (yup you heard right) ......time for another 'Road Trip'

Lady72nRob71

Hey, what could be better - I'm ready to go!!

OLD SKL 69

Me too Rob!

Sounds like a fun trip, glad you got her home with only minor issues.