AC Owners Club Forum
AC Owners Club Forum => 428 Frua Forum => Topic started by: Gus Meyjes on June 22, 2012, 21:57:41
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http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2359
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If there were any big US Concours events going on at the same time suitable for 428s it would be great, also it might hopefully fill in nearly all the last remaining unknown 428 Register and Archive entries as well....
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How about it Jeff, Emmanuel and everyone including MA 200....? [8D]
http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2359&whichpage=2
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I really like this idea...
For what it's worth, if we make it a west coast run around the time of Monterey, you could then drive up north towards San Francisco and I would be happy to host all of you at the Concours that I am proud to be Chairman of - The Hillsborough Concours. The longest continually running Concours in the world...56 straight years. There are older, but none have run continuously. We run the weekend after Pebble Beach.
I will be racing my ACECA - BE-603 again in the Historics/Reunion this year. Come see some sliding madness.
Check us out at www.hillsboroughconcours.org
Let's make this happen!
Rob
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I posted on the General Forum, that I would like a very very rough idea of how many cars would join a North American International, and suggested anyone seriously interested make their intentions known. Some thing like: Mr and Mrs Shep, Cobra Mk IV plus Sons of Shep, Ace Bristol. Total 2 cars from UK.
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Any ball park idea on the cost of transporting one's to and from the US?
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So far the worst case looks like being about £4000! This is using a race car service which includes taking the cars to Sebring race track in Florida. I am waiting for more information from shippers. Andy.
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I'd certainly welcome an event like this. California! Colorado! The West! (not Florida! Flat, bugs, uninteresting in my opinion - unless what you really want to do is go fishing and play Golf every day)
California has some great roads, excellent weather most of the year. Places to see!
We've got Mountains (Big, beautiful Mountains, and smaller rolling green hills in "The Gold Country")
Deserts! Care to test your English cooling system in Death Valley? (It's actually quite beautiful in the Spring!
The Pacific coastline is spectacular.
Lakes! - Lake Tahoe! (gorgeous, AND there are Casinos)
Palm trees, Redwoods, vineyards (Sonoma valley, Alexander valley, Napa),
Excellent food, depending on where you go.
The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Sedona. Gold Country. The "lost Coast Highway". And, yes, racetracks.
Take your pick!
Go fast? Tour? There's so much to choose from!
I've done the Amici Americani delle Mille Miglia (the California Mille Miglia) several times (rest in Peace, Martin Swig). 1000 miles in 4 days - easy and fun. Something like that could be arranged. (Our Fruas are too new for the Mille - 1956 or older)
But come on over for the Copperstate 1000. Requirement is for cars of 1973 or older. I don't think there's ever been a single 428 entered - and the 428 is PERFECT for this event. The rarity of 428's improves the chance of being accepted.
http://www.mensartscouncil.com/cs/
Or, make our own route and arrangements. (not an "easy" task, but certainly not impossible)
There are quite a few Brits who ship their cars for these events. Not to be missed! (easy for me to say - I live here).
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San Francisco to Sonoma via hiway 1 and the Russian River then to Tahoe then hiway 395 to Yosemite and the "Gold Country" then across the valley to Monterey sounds like a great week long drive!
John
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Sounds good to me as an outline of a plan. The route you suggest, John, is less than 1,000 miles (actually 723 miles, according to Google), not accounting for refinement. Theres so much to choose from!
Things to consider: lodging, great food, wine "tasting", scenery, variety, good roads less traveled, side trips of interest, a race track for Andy (maybe Infineon, for example http://www.racesonoma.com/raceway/rental/ ) and a hospitable and understanding local constabulary.
On the California Mille, we usually had several stops at vineyards for lunch or dinner. That was not an excuse to get tanked (a very bad thing in California), but to eat well in beautiful surroundings. (and then fill the boot with a couple of cases, if that's your pleasure) Making arrangements for a group is fairly easy, with enough notice.
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I might add here, that Shawn Thomas has (or had, I haven't been in contact with him for a while) his workshop at Infineon. Shawn is a Bristol specialist, and has two large trailers full of original Bristol parts. The Bristol factory used to buy parts from him!
Years ago, someone set up a Bristol dealership network (I think Shawn said it was in Sweden), and laid in a full supply of parts. It folded, and eventually the parts supply was auctioned off for pennies. He bought the entire stock and shipped it to the USA.
Anyone bringing an AC Bristol to California need not worry they'd be "stuck" if their engine goes Ka-BOOM! Same thing would be true for Bristol Cars, near relations in many respects.
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Good news: The price is coming down. Multiple points of origin available. Drop off in LA. A west coast trip will be possible for roughly $4000 round trip (2500 UK pounds). That is a $1000 savings over the first quote. I asked for clarification, and as it stands that will include everything. Show up, drop your car off. Fly to LA, pick it up and drive off onto Pacific Coast Highway to Monterrey. They will handle all customs work and releasing the cars. And, they handle classic cars all the time.
Check out their link on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9unBxyAl6TI
I have done that drive twice, and I can tell you there is NOTHING like it.
As the info comes in, I'll keep you posted.
Gus
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Good work, Gus!
Proceeding North to Vancouver (or vice-versa) is a good thought.
Here's a link to "the Lost Coast Highway". I've done it, and it is spectacular! And pretty much deserted. The road can be very rough in sections, but passible. This is a tough drive, an adventure. And a real test of how well your car has been maintained. It's not for everyone, and it's not fast.
http://www.takemytrip.com/07orcal/07_13a.htm
Some of route 1 gets very twisty. Great scenery, though sections of it can start to wear on your nerves and your passengers stomach. It's really worth it, however.
(the last time I did it, a landslide closed the road, and we had to take a long detour. That section of the road was closed for a year)
Some of the best roads in California are in the Gold Country.
here's an example of some excursions:
http://www.localgetaways.com/2011/04/top-5-scenic-drives-in-northern-california/
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Guys,
I really hope we can get a bunch of the Europeans to come over. This would be a fantastic trip and I hope I can ask you for help in planning the route, as I am not familiar enough with California. Keep the suggestions coming. I am very excited about this thing!
Gus
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a suggestion for a worthwhile stop. In case the route includes Seattle, ending up in (or starting with) Vancouver/Seattle.
http://www.salishlodge.com/
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Just a passing observation but from what I've read elsewhere about the considerable amount of planning that would have to be done, I would have thought that something this big needed a good couple of years at least to plan it all properly first ? Particularly as someone in the UK mentioned it would be a once in a lifetime experience for them....
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That's a good point, but at this time I have no idea how big. Hence my interest in getting a feeling for what owners/members expect and how many would commit. I think one year of planning should be sufficient, unless it turns out that many venues are already booked up.
Gus
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quote:
Originally posted by J Jones
a suggestion for a worthwhile stop. In case the route includes Seattle, ending up in (or starting with) Vancouver/Seattle.
http://www.salishlodge.com/
JJ
Great idea, Would love to bring BEX333 back to its stomping ground, where it raced from 57 through 64, then lived in Seattle till 2000.
Might consider contacting Lee Kold who was the custodian from 64 to 2000, Give him a chance to thunder around familiar haunts.
If Julie reckons it a lads venture..[?] then I will contact Lee and give him a chance, as long as he does get to attched to his Old Ace Bristol.[B)]........ Decisions !!
Gus keep up the good work, and maybe cross reference some of these threads.[;)]
Cheers
Keith..[:)]..[:)]
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Paul, I think you need to get out a bit more! 2 years to organise an International is major overkill. They are a bit like weddings, the best ones are organised at the last minute, and turn out to be brilliant. With a tight deadline you don't have time to procrastinate and have to make snappy decisions. By far the best way!!! Gus, keep up the good work. Andy.
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I was rather looking at it the other way all the best churches for next year might be booked already....[;)]
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I think a year would be fine! Anyway, got another quote in, it's getting better all the time.
2 cars, one 40 foot container: $4000, all inclusive. We are now at 1250 UK pounds per car... Seems to me everyone can go now!!
I'm clearing up a few details on this one and than we'll have to decide on who to go with. Experience with transporting valuable classics is an important issue as well as experience with customs clearance for the temporary use of these cars state-side.
Gus
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Hi Guys Sorry, I have not been much on the internet lately, My car won't be done until end of the year, the shop has been busy prepping cars for Pebble Beach so it has become a low priority. I also have some personal issues which have taken quite a bit of time but I expect thing to go back on track shortly.
Emmanuel
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Wow Gus! USA 2013 is sounding better and better. At 2000 bucks a car, round trip, the price is hardly going to be the limiting factor. The cars may be in transit for several weeks, but what a small inconvenience for the opportunity to drive the West Coast! If you can cover the customs and documentation issues, there ought to be a mass exodus from Europe! PS. Your athletes are doing a great job in the London Olympics, and the atmosphere at the Games is so friendly and positive. The world needs more events where people can get together and share each other's enthusiasm. Thanks, Andy.
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Andy, Not sure which athletes you are referring to. I am somewhat of an odd duck. I might have emigrated to the USA and have become a US citizen. I love living here, but I still am a Dutchman at heart!
Doubt that the Dutch are killing it in London!
Gus
PS, I have made contact with Hagerty, they are interested in partaking. I will meet with their Rep in Monterrey in two weeks.
Also, as I've been looking for quotes I've learned a few things. As it stands we are looking at $4000 still per car round trip, all inclusive, however that would be for 2 cars per 40 foot container. One of the shippers ships 4 per container, so there must be some room for negotiation on that.
Gus
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On Tuesday and Thursday we are going to watch the Olympic Equestrians and the Dressage. My wife Karen rides Grand Prix at National Level and we are going to watch the best of the best and support the Brits. The Dutch Team is very strong, and their supporters always wear bright orange. Everyone wants their team to win, but really respect the other's performances. It will be a great event.
Keep up the good work, Andy.
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Somehow the Dutch have always done well with dressage. Much to the excitement of my neighbor, who loves to ride horse back and frequents the Kentucky Derby every year. I'm afraid it does not have my interest... I'd rather take all those ponies under the hood and put my right foot up their a$$[:D]
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Gus,
This is a super idea that deserves a dedicated string in the General Forum.
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Shep,
Maybe you ought to give the Dutch Field hockey team some time...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/dutch-field-hockey-popular-reasons-beyond-field-hockey-232321640--oly.html