Pontiac road trip in June to Tennessee

[72projectbird]

So I've been seriously toying with the idea of moving to Tennessee. Rather than flying down, I'm driving down so I have the freedom to explore without any time tables.

That said, theres two events going on in June that interest me. The Bandit Run, and Pontiacs at Pigeon Forge.

I know about the Bandit Run. Seems like they're doing it differently this year, and only staying within the state. Works well for me, as it's the state I'm looking at.

What's the deal with Pontiacs at Pigeon Forge? How big is the show usually? I see it's a two day event, indoor and outdoor. Both events are a week apart from each other. I had planned on staying down there a week, so basically I need to choose between the two.

I'm looking at the Knoxville area, so I'm learning towards going down the week of the Pigeon Forge show, but I'm open to either one. Any suggestions?

I'd be taking my 77 W72 Y82 I drug out of the woods in Maine after sitting 27 years. Figured it be cool to road trip it before I blow it apart and it goes on the rotisserie. Should be about a 2500-300] mile round trip depending on where I go and how much I explore.

[ryeguy2006a]

Where are you moving from? I'll tell you that moving from NY to VA was the best decision that I've made in my life aside from marrying my wife.

I don't have much to comment on from Knoxville area, other than my sister in law's, in-law's live there and they love it. They did say that it gets very hot there in the summer time though, so be prepared for that.

Love the idea of road tripping the T/A though, please be sure to document the trip and post up your trip when you get back. I love reading stuff like that. 

[72projectbird]

Where are you moving from? I'll tell you that moving from NY to VA was the best decision that I've made in my life aside from marrying my wife.

I don't have much to comment on from Knoxville area, other than my sister in law's, in-law's live there and they love it. They did say that it gets very hot there in the summer time though, so be prepared for that.

Love the idea of road tripping the T/A though, please be sure to document the trip and post up your trip when you get back. I love reading stuff like that. 

Moving from the liberal dump of Massachusetts. It's down to New Hampshire or Tennessee in terms of moving.

I've been to Knoxville once for a single day, and just from what I saw, I loved it. I'll definitely document the trip if I end up going. Should be a blast

[76455sd]

If you’re down to NH vs Tenn.  I’d say go for Tenn.   

[firebirdparts]

PIPF is usually about 400 cars, I'd say.

[72projectbird]

If you’re down to NH vs Tenn.  I’d say go for Tenn.   

I can throw a rock and hit NH. I live on the border. I love it there. No sales tax, no titles on older cars, no excise tax, far less corruption in every facet of life than in MA. It's basically coming down to the weather, and weighing out if I can withstand living amongst MA,RI,CT,VT and NY politically. NH and ME are more my style, like TN is.

I guess we'll see. Gotta make a change.

[kentucky yeti]

Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge is a huge show, and nice to boot!  The Spring (and the Fall) Grand Rod Runs are huge.  Thousands of cars and traffic stays backed up for miles (and hours).  We love PF and Gatlinburg- we drive one of our Firebirds there almost every year and cruise the GSMNP.  I know nothing about New Hampshire.  I live 45 minutes north of far western Tennessee, ad we love the drive, except for Nashville- which in the last 3 years has become the most aggressive driving city I've ever been to (it used to be so leisurely)-  on I-40 between Nastyville and the GSMNP.

[Jack]

Moving from the liberal dump of Massachusetts. It's down to New Hampshire or Tennessee in terms of moving.

Not wrong there and I wish I could do the same but can't for many reasons...
NH is nice but I'm not liking the snow and cold weather as I get older.

[ryeguy2006a]

Look at the number of sunny days where you live vs. where you want to live. Not just the temperature. I've never lived anywhere but upstate NY where I grew up, but when I was doing the comparisons of weather conditions the number of sunny days stood out to me. It was in the ballpark of 80 more sunny days on average per year in Charlottesville, VA. Now that we are down here it is just striking to me how just about every day we get some sort of blast of sunshine! And while this year was unusually warmer, it was the first winter in my life that I didn't have to shovel snow one time! 

[apfstg]

Should have never read your post to my wife - also upstaters and getting tired of the taxes and ny bs
But we’ve been to ‘Walton’s mountain ‘ in your neighborhood and it sounds enticing! Congratulations

[72projectbird]

Not wrong there and I wish I could do the same but can't for many reasons...
NH is nice but I'm not liking the snow and cold weather as I get older.

I can deal with the cold, but am starting to hate the snow now that I'm out of any snow sports. NH is beautiful though, and moving there would mean I'm still around everything I know. It's pretty scary to just pack up and relocate to a place where you know nothing, or anybody.

Look at the number of sunny days where you live vs. where you want to live. Not just the temperature. I've never lived anywhere but upstate NY where I grew up, but when I was doing the comparisons of weather conditions the number of sunny days stood out to me. It was in the ballpark of 80 more sunny days on average per year in Charlottesville, VA. Now that we are down here it is just striking to me how just about every day we get some sort of blast of sunshine! And while this year was unusually warmer, it was the first winter in my life that I didn't have to shovel snow one time! 

I remember you posting about your move. It was one of the things that inspired me to look beyond where I am now. I've driven the entire length of VA on Rt81, and it's a beautiful state.

[langss]

When I worked for Fedex as a Mechanic, I had the good fortune of several visits to Memphis for school ... Each two week stay gave me a very good opportunity to check out the weather/housing/city life, you get the idea. I can comfortably say that if my Wife's Job and her retirement had not been predicated on staying in California... We would have moved ASAP. Now admittedly that was sometime back, so I don't know how things are now, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be paying close to $5 a gallon for gas just as a starter.     

[72projectbird]

So it's looking like this should actually happen. So since the old beater is gonna be racking up the miles, it'll need a few things. The clutch is probably the most important. It's pretty smoked, and me power shifting the thing after sitting 27 years basically sealed it's fate  I'll probably replace it with a stock style from LUK. It doesn't make much power, so it doesn't need anything crazy.

Already patched up a few holes in the floor with a stack of NH license plates. Dramatically cut down on the interior noise. Probably shouldn't die of carbon monoxide now if the windows are up all the way.

[ryeguy2006a]

Just add some flex seal and you could drive it anywhere, even cross rivers! 

That road trip sounds like an absolute blast! There's a guy on another forum who's building a 56 Belair and doing an LSA swap like I had in my Camaro. We were talking and he may be planning on bringing his car to the Tri Five Nationals in Bowling Green, KY next year so that is my goal now. I'd like to get my car up running and super reliable and make the 9 hour trip!

If you find yourself going route 64, let me know and I'll buy you a coffee in Charlottesville!

[72projectbird]

Just add some flex seal and you could drive it anywhere, even cross rivers! 

That road trip sounds like an absolute blast! There's a guy on another forum who's building a 56 Belair and doing an LSA swap like I had in my Camaro. We were talking and he may be planning on bringing his car to the Tri Five Nationals in Bowling Green, KY next year so that is my goal now. I'd like to get my car up running and super reliable and make the 9 hour trip!

If you find yourself going route 64, let me know and I'll buy you a coffee in Charlottesville!

I think I'll be going thru VA on 81 all the way. That's the way I went the last time I went to Knoxville anyway. Maybe on the way back I'll take a different route and we can meet up!

[72projectbird]

Since this will probably turn into a thread documenting my trip, I figured I should keep you guys updated.

Got most of the big holes patched up via license plates. Installed my trusty old Pioneer head unit that's been in a million vehicles. Also scored some sweet front seats off marketplace for cheap. I'll keep these in the car while I'm redoing the originals. They look identical to the originals when done, but I have this thing where I like to keep the parts that came off the car, and put them back on (even if financially ot doesn't make much sense).

Up next is a new clutch. The one in it is tired. Hates being power shifted, and is low.

[72projectbird]

Since the weather is gonna be beautiful this week here in MA, I've been driving the 77 every day to stress test it. I racked up 600 miles last fall, but since it'll be doing almost 3000 miles over a week, I figured it's best to put it through its paces now.

Snapped a pic this morning.

[roadking77]

Sounds like fun!