Drive of a Lifetime!

[Carve73]

Just got back from an epic road trip. 17 834 km in 5 weeks.
Started in BC and drove US hwy 2 across to Ontario where I met up with the gang from the Saugeen Corvette Club, 13 corvettes in all. We departed for Bowling Green and the NCM and factory tour which included 5 laps on the track . Then off to Nashville for the day and on to US 129 Tail of the Dragon (get on it early or someone dumb will be in your lane). Followed by 2 days on the Blue Ridge Parkway heading north and back into Ontario. As I wasn't done driving yet I headed to Chicago to the start of Route 66. I ended up driving as much of the old road as was possible and ended up in the middle of the Great Race as they made their way to Santa Monica. Did a side trip to The Grand Canyon and Vegas then off to the pier in Santa Monica.
Still a long way from BC hey why not take the Pacific Coast Hwy.
made it back to BC and the car performed wonderfully!
If you get the chance to do any of these trips do it! Stay off the freeway and let your car remember what turns are all about, that and no trucks.
Rock on C5 let's start thinking about the next trip.

 

[2009CGMZR1]

awesome..... I have done the PCH a few times in my Z06 and ZR1 --- wish I could do it more...... come on Lottomax!

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Just simply wow. What a trip.

 

[nascar03]

Hey Carve.. That is my dream trip. Congrats.
That is why I bought my C5 last year was to plan a trip like that.
Good for you. Should we assume there are few pics in front of the museum, Route 66, Nashville, etc to be posted..?
graham

 

[Carve73]

 

[Carve73]

 

[Carve73]

 

[Carve73]

 

[nascar03]

Outstanding..!
How did the Corvette run?.. any issues?.. Comfy?
Do you have run-flat tires? Noisy..?
What would you do to the car to make it better for a trip like that?
graham

 

[Carve73]

Outstanding..!
How did the Corvette run?.. any issues?.. Comfy?
Do you have run-flat tires? Noisy..?
What would you do to the car to make it better for a trip like that?
graham

Graham, it performed beautifully. I had the fuel sensor stop working due to non Chevron gas as it can be hard to find but put a bottle of tekron in and it fixed it right away.
The door panel armrests and Center console vinyl is a little firm for such a drive so I got the door armrest and console pads in leather from corvette central as I was driving right by it. They also have corvette only parking. This addition made a whorls of difference. Had the roof down until it hit 100 degrees or I got sunburnt whichever came first. Other than that nothing needed!

 

[Carve73]

Outstanding..!
How did the Corvette run?.. any issues?.. Comfy?
Do you have run-flat tires? Noisy..?
What would you do to the car to make it better for a trip like that?
graham[/QUOT

Outstanding..!
How did the Corvette run?.. any issues?.. Comfy?
Do you have run-flat tires? Noisy..?
What would you do to the car to make it better for a trip like that?
graham

Graham,
Non runflats but I have the Z06 tire kit in the trunk. Noise was a non issue except for the stereo I put in for the trip. Man it makes those Bose speakers crank.

 

[Riley P]

That is an AMAZING trip! Great to hear the car performed flawlessly. I think the question on everyone's mind is, what kind of fuel economy did you get?

Thanks for posting this up Carve! Just awesome. Any favorite roads or memories from the trip?

 

[Carve73]

That is an AMAZING trip! Great to hear the car performed flawlessly. I think the question on everyone's mind is, what kind of fuel economy did you get?

Thanks for posting this up Carve! Just awesome. Any favorite roads or memories from the trip?

Average mileage was 32mpg best day was 37 but that was due to temp of 114 and the tires increase in temp gave me less rolling resistance.
The coolest moment was being in the middle of the Great Race. All the small towns on 66 brought their classic cars out to the old gas stations and waved at all the cars going by. Made 66 come alive once again. Track day at NCM, and the Tail of the Dragon were definite driving highlights.

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Nothing else needs to be said. The photo tells the whole story.

View attachment 2553

 

[Ragz]

What a fun road trip! I did Calgary to Bowling Green / Nashville back in May and I am ready for more (why do we have to work!!)

 

[Riley P]

That Great Race would be something to experience! Fantastic trip. I'll definitely have to put it on my bucket list!