All our work, all our frustration, all our pain, all the blood, sweat, swearing and tears will come together tomorrow morning as we take off for the Last (our first) Road Trip of the 2015 season; Just ahead of Winter rains on Wednesday! If nothing else, we're right johnny on the spot!

We'll have a leisurely drive along the West bank of the Sacramento River tomorrow, spend the night and meet the other travelers, then make our way to Calistoga and the Culinary Institute of America for lunch and a wine tour on Saturday.

The road promises to be "Interesting" to say the least.

I'll take my camera , Of Course, and post a full report.
(';')

 

Good luck. Hope you enjoy it, you've certainly earned it!

 

Have a great trip Elinor...........we will need PLENTY

 

Bon Voyage Elinor, wish you lots of fun!

 

Enjoy the trip and lots of pics please.
A well earned trip after all of yourself and hubs effort.

 

Well earned.

Enjoy the break.

 

Thanks, Guys,
The weather promises to be *Perfect* for such a drive!

I posted earlier what the road looks like from above, it will be interesting to actually be driving it.

Our DIY alignment seems to be OK, I'll post about that when I return, been a little busy ironing out some wrinkles in various things to do it yet.

See ya...........
(';')

 

Two days and 400+ miles (644KM) over some of the most Arduous roads I've Ever seen, and Nix behaved FLAWLESSLY!!

Steering is *Crisp* and Positive; Quick is a good description. Handling is nothing short of Sublime! After driving Wart (2001 Ford Windstar) it takes me a bit by surprise! I turn it and it turns! Oops! Did I really mean to do that? I had better have meant it because HERE WE ARE! Nothing dangerous, mind you, merely Superior Performance! I think the suspension bushings are working.

Engine response is Right On! I stick my foot into it and she GOES! Shifting points are Excellent! Braking gives a Very secure feeling. (My next test is to lock up all 4 just to see what happens!)

To say we are Enormously Pleased is a gross understatement!
Onward!
(';')

 

It's always satisfying when the car rewards you for your efforts....reward especially well deserved in your case

Congratulations

Cheers
DD

 

Well done Elinor, sounds like you had fun! With well sorted suspension and steering gear it amazes me just how well the XJ's handle, even compared with modern standards. When new in the '70's & '80's they must have been regarded as truly exceptional.

Cheers,

 

Thank you, Doug,
I also learned what 'O' in NORMAL means (it usually runs a needle's width below 'N', I didn't think to check that!): Back of the head (the only place I could check bare engine), 206F. Thermostat housing, 213F. (I'm guessing that 'R' might be warm enough for concern, or if the burp tank runs over, that would be nearer 230F) But even at that, I had NO vapor lock! I think the ThermoFlex did its job! I *Highly* recommend it!

Thank you, Tony,
Yes! No more of this, 'you want to go where? I'll get back to you on that.' It's there Now!

Husband asked if it turns as quick as the Datsun roadster I had; it doesn't, but it's Twice the wheelbase. However, there are seem to be fewer turns lock to lock with this S3 rack.

I'm not left without further projects, though; None of the windows work (I doubtless left off a main power wire somewhere), and only ONE door works with Central Locking. Goodie. That means door liners must come off.
(';')

 

Good to see the saga I have been watching since first joining the forum come to a happy conclusion. Just like game of thrones there will be further adventures. Winter is coming, preparations to do, repairs to be made :-)

 

I'm not left without further projects, though; None of the windows work (I doubtless left off a main power wire somewhere), and only ONE door works with Central Locking. Goodie. That means door liners must come off.


I know it's really neverending........but that's the challenge.
Best of luck with the rest of the trip!

 

Thank you, Steve,
There are several little projects I have in mind for Winter. Nothing critical, I suppose the most important is getting the windows to work. Everything else is merely playing.

Yes, it is never ending until I get bored with the car. Today I can't imagine that happening, but I haven't imagined it with any other car I got bored with either.

After this past year, I think I'm up to any challenge the car throws at me.

Now I've done it!! I've thrown down a challenge!! Will I Never learn!
(';')