The 4000 mile road trip.

RallySnake · #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 02:15 PM

For many years I have dreamed of making a long trip in the "Beast". It's one thing to run long rallies in the Cobra, the checkpoints keep you on your toes. Running cross country is a whole different ball game. With all that horsepower on tap, it's a constant compromise of speed versus noise and "the Law". My son and I drove from LA to the Grand Canyon, Four Corners, Roswell, N.M., Ft Stockton, Del Rio, San Antonio, Austin, Houston and home.

My son, David, got about an hour a day of driving experience. He got a very special driving lesson in the snow at the Grand Canyon. That's not something that happens often in LA!

There were no other people at the Four Corners Monument. It has a wide paved area circling it. I could not resist. I punched it and did a four wheel drift around four states in four seconds! Then, I got out of there, quick. I hope that's a record that will stand for awhile!

Snow, rain and big puddles of water in Roswell had me worried, but the Arntz never missed a beat. Never saw any extra-terrestials, either. I suppose the weather kept them away?

The Texas Cobra Club's meet in Austin was the deciding factor that made this trip a challenge I could not resist. All of you guys were so much fun to be around, it was hard to leave. To be part of a group of 73 Cobras and a GT40, all in one place, was quite a trill. Your organization was outstanding in every respect, including the weather! I will wear the TCC badge on my windshield proudly.

My 17 year old Arntz performed very well. With the hard top, the new classic seats, the Tremec 5 speed and the Toyo tires, it was almost comfortable. The biggest problem was the noise! The differential whine and wind howl were unbearable without ear plugs.

After spending a week with my parents in Houston, it was time to head home. We used Interstate 10 most of the way. We made El Paso the first night (800 miles) and home the next (850 miles, three states).

The sight of a Cobra on the open road draws a lot of attention. We had all kinds of reactions from people. One family followed us into a McDonalds parking lot in Pecos, Texas to see the car. After their little boy sat in the car for a bit, he said, "how do you fit in there"? The hard top makes the car a little cramped but there's no lack of headroom. One day, I'll bet he will be building his own Cobra. Coming through Houston, one 'ol boy in a pickup decided to race with me. He must have changed his mind after he passed me and a tire blew out. He got it to the shoulder safely, though. Something about the car just encourages people to speed, I guess. A couple in a brand new silver Altima decided to race with us coming out of Tucson. I just held my speed and let them fly on by. We saw them a few minutes later parked in front of a Highway Patrol officer, who was writing as fast as he could

Special thanks here to the Texas Sheriff who cruised past us and waved. I looked down to see my speed at 92! My son said, "you can get away with almost anything in this car"! Cobra's just get extra coolness points, I guess.

Paul

Clois Harlan · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 02:38 PM

Paul,

It was a pleasure meeting you and your son Arntz at the Texas ralley. I certainly do admire you for making such a trek. Sonuds as though you had as good a time as Sharon and I did. We are planning on next years trip already.

Clois

Blake Olson · #3 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 03:02 PM

I remember when I pulled up to the hotel on friday night..your car was parked under the canopy, as it was raining, and I pulled right in front of you, saw your license plate, and said " DAMN, California!"...

we are very glad you made it, and had a safe trip. Hope to see you more often over here!

blake

snakeeyes · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 03:03 PM

Paul, I'm sure I speak for the rest of the TCC when I say you, your son, Clois and his wife, and the folks from Tenneessee, Louisiana, and elsewhere sure made us feel special by gracing our little get-together with your presence. Reading of your journey puts it in perspective. I typically make a 400+ mile round-trip on the day of the annual TCC meet, which seems like a lot in a Cobra, until I read about 4000 mile road trips! What a great experience for you and your son. Hope you can make it back next year--

Bob

rdorman · #5 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 03:20 PM

My father and I made a 2000 one way from Pheonix Arizona to Columbus Ohio. It was a trip I won't forget.

I find it suprising the reaction from the police. I do not recall one that has ever given me a hard time in the car. Not so much as an 'evil eye'. Most are thumbs up, smiles and nods and some even looking for a little burn out. It is a REAL BALL to get a uniformed officer in the car and have him tell you to let her rip (and mean it). I can think of three things off the top of my head that they can pull me over for, all easily recognizable, but they never do. And I am not changing them!

Rick

Jamo · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 03:22 PM

Having run with you during one of our "short" drives to Vegas with my (now Freddie's) even older Butler, I would say "OLD IRON RULES"!!!!

What did them Texas boys think about your distributor location? They probably didn't even notice.

Paul--Bravo!

kountzecobra · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 03:43 PM

Jamo, while in Texas, we tried to make Paul keep his hood shut as much as possible! Cobra distributors belong on the front of an engine, not the back!

Oh well, Paul can come back anytime he wants to.

RallySnake · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 04:20 PM

Jamo,

You should have been there, those Texans know how to party! And it doesn't get much better than cold draft Shiner Bock.

My buddy and Rally Navigator, Ron Dunlop is an amazing engine builder. He's got an eye out for one of those 427 thingamabops. When the right deal comes along, we'll upgrade it. I wonder if it will be an improvement though. With the new Holley Avenger 670 and MSD distributor, I was getting 20 mpg on the freeway!

If Ford comes out with the 427 V-10 Galaxy and then releases the proposed 600 HP aluminum engine in crate form, it would be a hot ticket for the Arntz. Then, who needs a distributor?

Paul

Dennis Mosley · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 07:39 PM

Paul it was great to have you at our event and we hope all the people from out of state make the return trip. I did not get a chance to speak much with you but will correct that on your next tirp.

Let me know if you get to Houston sometime to vist family with or without the cobra.

RallySnake · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 12:27 PM

Dennis,

All of the people I met in Austin had great positive attitudes. Everyone was excited about the car and how THEY built it. Not once did I smell an attitude of "I spent more money on my car than you, so I'm better than you". The best part was the stories of adventures people had DRIVING their cars and the problems they had overcome along the way. I only regret that I did not get to meet some people.

Now that I know I can be in Texas in two days, I look forward to doing this again. It would be hard to improve on this year's event, but if an autocross or 1/8th mile drag or timed rally section or maybe a "drifting" competition could be included, it could be even more exciting.

Just don't leave out the Gristmill. I will never forget the flavor of their barbeque sauce on those baby backs. MAN!!!

I look forward to seeing you again, Dennis,
Paul

Blake Olson · #11 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 03:08 PM

Paul,

speaking of BBQ sauce..maybe next year YOU can be the one that tries the Cobra Venom..... I guarantee you'll never forget the flavor and HEAT of that BBQ sauce!

Blake "c'mon ice cream" olson

ERA600hp · #12 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 05:27 PM

You Guy's are what The Texas Cobra Club is all about!!

I wish that I had words to express the way I fely when I met both of you.

Paul: To be able to spend the time that you did with your son that you have done, Man what can I say!! I , well what a MAN you are!!

Clois: You and your wife, what can I say, you guy's are special in my Heart!!

Hope you don't mind, Love you Guy's!!

Clois, you are a special man to be so blessed with a wife like you have. I'll see you guy's in June, in Tulsa, you are welcome to the TEXAS corner.

The Royal Rhubarb

jwoodard · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 07:41 PM

you gotta watch the Royal Rhubarb cause he says that about every nice woman he meets!

Jim

SilverCobra · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 08:00 PM

Paul, is this the Texas Sheriff that gave you the friendly wave??

RallySnake · #15 (**permalink**) 03-06-2003, 04:35 PM

Blake,

I saw a picture a while back of a Hell's Angel who put a cherry bomb in his mouth and lit it. It was not pretty but I doubt it was nearly as painful as what you went through.

Tom,

It MUST be good to be the king! You do it so well. Maybe next time we'll have more time to talk.

Dick,

Did the Sheriff in the picture have something to do with the Big Bend Open Road Race? We ran the Highway 285, 64 mile course from Fort Stockton south, on the way to Austin. Are you involved with the event? I'd love to run it sometime.

Paul

SilverCobra · #16 (**permalink**) 03-06-2003, 08:04 PM

Paul - I did pull that picture off a web site for the Big Bend Open Road race from a couple of years ago. The photographer guy from Texas Highways Magazine mentioned to me so I looked it up on the web.

It really looks pretty cool - they basically close a long desert strip of highway in far West Texas. The race takes place on US Highway 285 South from Fort Stockton to Sanderson and back (about 59.0 miles each way - or 118.0 miles). The race has several classes from street rods (124mph speed limit) to unlimited (180mph+). I am not even sure if a Cobra would pass the safety/tech inspection - open cars require an approved roll cage. I'm not sure a single loop bar would work. I don't see any Cobras in the photos from prior years. Perhaps a Factory Five Spec racer with full roll cage would pass muster. Anybody ever researched this race?

Here is the web site if anyone is interested:

http://www.bborr.com/

RallySnake · #17 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 01:47 PM

Dick,

We stopped in Sanderson for gas after running down Highway 285. A guy drove up and introduced himself and told us that he works at a local garage and he was a tech inspector for the race. He invited us to come back and said they would love to have some Cobras in the race. He said we could probably run in the 140 mph class.

The road is a little rough for the first three miles (South of Ft. Stockton) and then it is perfect pavement. It is a typical two lane road, much of it has no paved shoulder. It has a lot of one to two mile straight sections and sweeping fast curves. Many of the curves are blind and one has reverse camber. With the wet conditions and trucks on the road I easily averaged 95 for the 60 mile run. If I were to enter the event, I would want to be in the 120 or 140 mph class. In dry condition with the full use of both lanes, 100 mph would get boring (IMHO).

The atmosphere during race weekend is supposed to be very unique. With wide open exhaust, true 200 mph cars crusing around, Sanderson is the place to be. The police keep a low profile during the event so occasional races sometimes just "happen". Sounds like fun to me!

Paul

66 snake · #18 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 03:08 PM

As it was our first TCC annual event I was already in awe with the number of great cars there. But you have my complete respect for driving all that way. As I've shown our pics of Austin to everyone I talk to these days, I always make sure they see the pic of your car, you and your son and they know just how dedicated y'all are. And it always gets a "wow?!"

Mrs. 66 Snake (back row neighbor, Origins parking garage)

RallySnake · #19 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 03:55 PM

Thanks '66, I guess I should have washed it! If you have any digital pictures, I would REALLY like to see them. paul.mcgaffey@citicorp.com

A while back I heard of the 5/50/500 plan. The way it works is, after you make a major change to your car, you drive it 5 miles and back home. If you check everything and it's all right, you go for 50. If you get past the 500 mark, it's supposed to be bulletproof. However, in the 16 years I have been driving the Arntz, I always wondered how far it would go without breaking....

The answer is 1,600 miles (near Del Rio). Thats when the left front headlight (low beam) burned out. Coming back through Texas at 2,300 miles the electric fuel pump quit. I switched on the backup pump and was really glad I had it! At 2,750 the other headlight burned out. Now I know!

It is the ultimate love affair with your car to drive long distances in it. That's one of the reasons I like the Monte Carlo Rallies so much. Thank you for the kind words and I look forward to meeting you again next year.

Paul