3811 begins her new life

[John Herrell]

Tim, Hopefully so (romantic). I'm esp looking forward to the ride down the Pacific Coast after picking up my wife in Olympia. Thanks.

[John Herrell]

Before I made an offer, I had a local mechanic take the car for a good once-over (probly more than that). It got a pretty good bill of health, esp once he:
Replaced a wide open thermostat;
Did other repairs to the heater so it would function;
Replaced a non-op w/w mechanism with the electric conversion kit (something I was planning on after the trip);
Said he to me: The plugs and wires look very very old.
Said me to he: Replace them!
He also commented: the tach is bouncing all over the place. To which I thought, a) I can live without it for the trip, and b) ha ha! a likely cause is a bad spark plug wire!

Ha Ha indeed. After he replaced the wires, the tach works perfectly!

The handful of remaining "issues" are absolutely trivial:
2 dead dash lights, those being the left turn indicator and the bulb between the clock and the tach (best one to lose);
Driver door switch for the dome light (haven't looked at it);
And the radio. Here's a question: Does it have a conventional on/off on the volume switch (in which case mine's kaput, because there's no on/off on it). Or is there a secret on/off sw I haven't found, in which case maybe the radio works. If it's broken, I presume there's some recondition / exchange somewhere.

That is the sum total of what's the least bit wrong with this car. And I am one very happy camper!

[John Herrell]

Didn't take delivery until noon. Then wanting to get in some miles today. It snowed in St. Louis this morning, but all moved out just before noon. Took wonderful (dry) back roads from St. Louis to Jeff City (highways 100 and 94), thence 63 to Columbia to lose some time (most deliberately) visiting with my daughter's family for a couple of hours. Wish it could have been longer. Then just trucked down the Interstate to get in those miles. 350 miles after noon with a notable interlude. Works for me.

She just purrs at 70. Does fine above that but with considerably more noise. 70 works for now. She and I settled in together very quickly and easily.

I have 2 questions: I have radials inflated (I think) to 30 psi and the car slightly oversteers. No problem for me (I prefer over to under) but just wonder if this is the norm.

Also, it only starts in neutral. (Good thing I was the one to try to start the car as I left the dealer. If I had just ridden out, later shut it off, and tried to start in park I might have had the car towed to a shop!) Again, is this the norm?

Oh yeah, it got dark and as I rolled along I wondered, "where is the switch for the brights?" Hmmmm. "Oh, here it is!" Most splendid. How entirely civilized!

I don't know how big the tank is. 18 gal? I got 14+ mpg on the first tank (half on 2-lane highways and half on interstate). Seems pretty damn good to me, and if gas mileage is an indicator of engine health, seems just FINE, indeed. So what is the typical range for highway cruising? Seems like 230-240 miles should leave some margin. Comments, please.

[Doc]

Also, it only starts in neutral. (Good thing I was the one to try to start the car as I left the dealer. If I had just ridden out, later shut it off, and tried to start in park I might have had the car towed to a shop!) Again, is this the norm!

Yes; designed to only start in neutral. I suspect we all have stories about that--when it was in for repairs and unknowing mechanic panicked when it wouldn't start, etc.
There is a conversion available to change it to Park. Personally never felt the need, but we don't have to start on hill frequently.

[John Herrell]

Don't expect you can ever "hide out" in your Mark II!

Allow extra time at all gas stops. (I might hang a sign on my neck: Conversation, $10. naaaaaaa)

I love the line (heard more than once): "That is the most beautiful car I have ever seen." I love the line because I agree 100%.

Names must be bestowed. I've never named an automobile, but I will Shirley name this one. Funny thing, the first guy at the first gas stop said exactly the same opening line as the first guy at the second gas stop: "That is One Beautiful MoFo!" That's almost a name, but I think I'll save it for her dirty little private name.

I wuz pondering today how many have named theirs, "True Love." I won't but I could.