Well, put another 1300 miles on Ole Betsy over the weekend, TN to southern IA and back. I didn't bother to keep track of the mileage, but had 7 fill ups in the $45 to $55 range. I think the alcohol in the fuel raised the vapor pressure because of the heat, and about 1/4 of each tank evaporated off. Car performed flawlessly and cruises at 80 mph like you were only going 50. Once again, made the trip with no AC and now I tend to agree with my wife. She didn't come with me, but getting it converted to R134 is also now my top priority. Seriously though, I think having to drive with all the windows down severely kills any gas mileage. Speedo turned over 134K and it has yet to use any oil in 3 long trips. I did have an old farmer's wife pull out in front of me in southern Iowa and I had to lock em up and slide sideways to miss her. I think she was oblivious to the fact that it even happened. As I was unpacking this morning, my hand hit the lens of the rear cargo light and it disintegrated. Now I'll have to add that to my wish list of parts destroyed by heat.
Glad you made it back in one piece! Bummer about your tail lite, but....... http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=265165#post265165
Good luck on finding a lens for your inside rear compartment in your wagon Old fox. I agree, that corn fuel does not get a great mileage. I'd rather eat it in cereal and on pancakes. I'n sure you noticed a few stalks of that stuff growing in Iowa.
As much as you been traveling you may want to put tires on your wish list Glad you are enjoying your wagon!
Corn on pancakes...man you guys in Florida are freaky. Another road trip NICE! Glad you missed the old farmer's wife.
Sounds like a great trip. Come on, we know you were just showing your stunt driving capabilites in hopes of landing some future Hollywood job.
Talking about stunt guys, as I crossed from MO into IA, it must have been quitting time for the Amish. There were at least 20 horse and buggy rigs spread out over a couple of miles. One was off the road to the right on the edge of a large hill and the buggy was sitting sideways at about a 30 degree angle. The horse was rearing up on its hind legs and the driver was having trouble getting it under control. Don't know what spooked the horse as there were no cars in front of me and he was already having problems as I passed by. I don't know if he went over the edge or got the horse under control. Almost every one of them waved at me as I went by, but I observed that they didn't do the same to any of the newer cars. I guess they appreciate old cars like we do.
I know you live in the boonies. Well so do I. but haven't you ever heard of CORN SYRUP? I'm still wondering how that sly Old Fox knew that was a farmer's wife? Maybe she was on a green John Deer. As for the Amish waving....you were in a wagon after all!
Dude, IT WAS SOUTHERN IOWA. YOU ARE EITHER A FARMER OR A METH HEAD. SHE WAS DRIVING A TRUCK. THE FARMER WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN I FINALLY PASSED THEM, I COULD SEE THE LINES BETWEEN HIS FARMER TAN AND THE WHITE FISHBELLY SKIN THAT WASN'T TAN.
OldFox, I am impressed by your obviously extraordinary driving skills and awareness. Most people while sliding sideways at great speed would never have noticed. I have driven in No. Mizzouri and So. Iowa and have seen similarly dressed people. But not all So. Iowanians are like that.
