The car is packed and Europe awaits

[Jack P.]

The car is packed and the boat is at the dock waiting !

Dear Forum Members,

I will have some news on the trip by the end of the week. It looks like I will make it to Europe by the end of August.

Thanks to all who have supported my efforts and I hope you enjoy the trip .

http://www.corvettevagabond.com/

Jack

[Erik S.]

Re: The car is packed and the boat is at the dock waiting !

looking forward to meeting you again Jack and this time in EUROPE! You will love it / IMO the driving experience in Europe is totally different then in the US. Not better or anything else. Just different and hence you will enjoy in big time for sure

[Jack P.]

Re: The car is packed and the boat is at the dock waiting !

Hello Erik,

I tried to post this on the ncrs.nl forum and I get this display when I click on the forums link. Everything else works when I sign on except the forums link

Jack


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[Jack P.]

MS. Sea Emma leaves Boston on August 8th

I have just confirmed the sailing date. August 7 or 8th. The car will go to Boston on July 30th, a few days for customs and packing it in a container. The MS Sea Emma will arrive in Bremerhaven, Germany on the 27th. I should clear customs and be on the road by August 29.

From Germany I will head to Denmark, first, then on to Oslo, Norway, Helsinki , Finland, Stockholm, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium and back to Germany for departure sometime at the end of October.

The trip should cover about 7 to 8 thousand miles. I will be in the US until August 26th, land in Germany, stay with German forum member, pick up car and head north.

I think that is enough planning for today

Lots of work to do before Monday when I drop the car off in Boston.

Again thanks to all who have supported this effort and the many new owners of old and new corvettes that I will stay with in Europe. I hope to spread a little NCRS goodwill.....with an almost correct car....correct enough to drive 20,000 miles in 90 days in the US and 8,000 miles in 60 days in Europe.

I hope to make posts most days with both pictures and video, so buckle up your seat belts and get ready for a great ride....

Jack


http://www.corvettevagabond.com/ guest book page

[Michael J.]

Re: MS. Sea Emma leaves Boston on August 8th

I have just confirmed the sailing date. August 7 or 8th. The car will go to Boston on July 30th, a few days for customs and packing it in a container. The MS Sea Emma will arrive in Bremerhaven, Germany on the 27th. I should clear customs and be on the road by August 29.

From Germany I will head to Denmark, first, then on to Oslo, Norway, Helsinki , Finland, Stockholm, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium and back to Germany for departure sometime at the end of October.

The trip should cover about 7 to 8 thousand miles. I will be in the US until August 26th, land in Germany, stay with German forum member, pick up car and head north.

I think that is enough planning for today

Lots of work to do before Monday when I drop the car off in Boston.

Again thanks to all who have supported this effort and the many new owners of old and new corvettes that I will stay with in Europe. I hope to spread a little NCRS goodwill.....with an almost correct car....correct enough to drive 20,000 miles in 90 days in the US and 8,000 miles in 60 days in Europe.

I hope to make posts most days with both pictures and video, so buckle up your seat belts and get ready for a great ride....

Jack


http://www.corvettevagabond.com/ guest book page

Good luck and God Speed! Too bad you will not make the western coast of Norway, it is the most spectacular coast in the world, but the trip looks fabulous. But from my experience living in the area for many years, expect wet, humid, and somewhat dreary weather that time of year for periods of time over that route, carry extra wiper blades! God Tur!

[Terry M.]

Re: MS. Sea Emma leaves Boston on August 8th

Do not ship anything loose inside the car.

I just heard a story of a Jaguar shipped from NJ to Australia. It was shipped with loose parts and an extra set of wire wheels. It arrived without any loose parts.

[Paul H.]

Re: Thanks , Paul Harrington, NCRS and New England Corvette Club members

That's great news Jack. Best of luck on your journey. I will be following your exploits along the way.

[John H.]

Re: MS. Sea Emma leaves Boston on August 8th

Many years ago, the stevedores used to steal all the loose stuff, paperwork, manuals, etc. from new Ferraris shipped from Genoa. When I shipped my new '73 Ferrari Daytona Spyder from Genoa (after spending two weeks in Maranello watching them build it), I hired a welder at the dock for a bazillion lira to weld the container shut, and hired another one at this end to cut it open. Priceless.

[Erik S.]

Re: MS. Sea Emma leaves Boston on August 8th

We have shipped a zillion cars with parts from the US to NL and so far all OK - I think it differs and having a proper shipping company plus handling both in EU and the US helps. I would never do roll on roll off but any container should be fine is our experience. The only parts I have in my car while on the road are fan/alternator etc belts (for all applications) and a practical wrench set.

NOTE!! Many EU countries have mandatory rules what should be in your car and it varies big time (in France for example you should have a alcohol tester and its illegal to have navigation with speed camera alert) - so study the local rules in each country is a good idea

[Terry M.]

Re: MS. Sea Emma leaves Boston on August 8th

In fairness the story I heard did involve a transporter on this end to the docks to be loaded on the container in New Jersey. I am not sure of the circumstances in Australia. The story took place within the last five years, probably more like two or three. So it is failry recent, but involves ample opportunity for pilferage.

Eric: Good caution about what should and shouldn't be in the car. Those of us who travel to Canada are used to leaving our radar detectors at home or in the storage compartment. But EU countries would be an unknown to most of us.

[Erik S.]

Re: MS. Sea Emma leaves Boston on August 8th

Fire extinguisher, first aid kit, reflecting safety jacket are certainly on the list of some of the countries. Just pack it all and you should be fine

[Jack P.]

Projected Route in Scandinavia

Hello to all,

I drop off the car at the shipping dock on Monday , July 30, three of four days for customs inspection and packing in container.

The MS C Emma sails on the 9th and arrives in Bremerhaven, Germany on the 27th of Aug. a few days to clear customs and I hit the road to Scandinavia . I will try to travel over 2,000 miles in about a week.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=217525988141263560502.0004c5bf0e97f7671488d&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=4&vpsrc=1

I will post some pictures if possible of the departure....

Put your seat belts on , it is going to be a great ride

Jack

[John F.]

Re: Nordkapphallen Norway

Jack, enjoy your adventures. Not everybody has a chance to do what you are doing. If you have a chance while in Finland, try to get in touch with the owner of the white 62 that was exported to Finland. It is car #00015. Since mine is #00029 I would like to get in touch with the owner of #15 to compare notes. Thanks in advance.

John F

Jack, enjoy the trip. When you get thru Finland ask about the above 62 that was exported there new. Last heard it was around the city of Rauma, Finland. I need a good closeup picture of the jack & tolls and the door lock chrome knob on the interior door panel. Is there a plastic disk behind the lock knob or a chrome estuestion?? Thanks in advance....John F

[Jack P.]

Drove the car to Boston for shipment to Europe

I drove the car to Boston to be packed in a container for shipment to Europe on the 9th of August. The car will arrive on the 27th in Bremehaven, Germany, I should arrive around the 26th of August.

Here are some of the last pictures that I shot of the car at home and in Boston at the shipping company.

[Jack P.]

Preparation Check Off List For Trip

Good Evening to All, The car is in the container, waiting to be put on aboard the MSC EMMA on August 9th. Here is a link to a picture of it. http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/sho...px?imo=9275646 My posts over the next few days will contain information on the following subjects: Car preparation Insurance Shipping/ Air Travel Travel permits Routes Gas / Oil Needs Legal Passport Travel Permits Forum Member Locations Car Locations Mechanical Support Abroad Family and Financial Support As you can see, there are many factors that must be addressed in order for this trip to take place. Lets start with Car Preparation. I am second owner 42 + years. 1966 L-79 327/350 All items replaced or rebuilt for 48 state trip 2010 and European trip 2012. Most installation work done by me except for engine work, steering box, ball joints/bushings and paint job 2010. Original Engine .060 , new pistons 9.2 cr miles two years old Over 300,000 miles, original crank, rods (40,000) miles on rebuild since 2010 All wheel bearings checked and in good condition New stock shocks, bushings , new u-joints all shafts. New DeWitt radiator , original steering box rebuilt , tie rods ends and sleeves replaced and new lower ball joints Oil change and filter, transmission and rear end fluids checked...new plugs r45s, Stealth one wire TI, distributor rebuilt, new shaft, bushings. New tires 215 R70 whitewalls, seats rebuilt and recovered and new soft top and weatherstrip. I drive the car every day and feel I have a very reliable car. I will not have a spare tire as I need the room for tents and supplies, I carry a small amount of tools that would allow me to fix most minor problems that may come up. I may have to add some emergency equipment, once I get the car through customs depending on German inspectors.... I believe that I can get any parts that I may need from local vendors or other Corvette owners who are hosting me. Most of my restoration was done using Zip Corvette Supply. Good service and choice of repo or replacement for parts....Most vendors carry the same parts....it is service that is the most important and I have never had a problem with getting a return or money refunded. My next post with be on shipping and paper work needed to take your car to Europe I will be happy to answer any questions on car prep....that you may have.... Jack