Wimmer's Dream

[CaminoRacer]

Two English kids bought a crappy Lincoln and toured the country!

http://www.roadkill.com/tally-ho-two-english-students-traverse-united-states-78-lincoln/

10,000 miles, 35 days, one 4,000-pound Malaise Era coupe, and...two young Englishman. Yes, Roadkill reader Marcus Warner sent his story from earlier this summer and we can't express how eager we are to share it. We're not even going to edit it down; we're just just going to let his own words tell the story.

We're not sure how intentional this was for Marcus, but he happened to pick out America's last grand personal luxury coupe, the 1978 Lincoln Mark V, for this adventure. Ford downsized the Mark V after 1979—we've covered this last gutless holdout in the Malaise Era before—which was after General Motors and Chrysler did the same. Could there be any more perfect way for two young men from England to see the United States? We're pretty sure not and his tale is at least as Roadkill as anything we've ever done (and we're no strangers to '78 Lincolns). Marcus is currently making a film about the experience and we'll be lining up to see it, you can bet.

Enough of our blathering. Here's Marcus:

Click the link for their whole story. I'm too lazy to paste it all.

[mzziaz]

Oh, I'd love to do the same. Must have been a blast.

[Soup DeVille]

Oh, I'd love to do the same. Must have been a blast.

If the wagon was up to the task, I'd let you borrow it. (Currently needs a steering box and a heater core)

[CaminoRacer]

If the wagon was up to the task, I'd let you borrow it. (Currently needs a steering box and a heater core)

Psshh that's easy stuff. Make him replace it in an autozone parking lot.

[shp4man]

Ya, it's easy- anybody could do it!   

[Soup DeVille]

Psshh that's easy stuff. Make him replace it in an autozone parking lot.

It is, but I haven't gotten round to it yet. (Parts are sitting in the back...)

[cawimmer430]

Yep, read about this. 

I want to do the same in a....

[mzziaz]

If the wagon was up to the task, I'd let you borrow it. (Currently needs a steering box and a heater core)

You got to be careful with promises like that. One day I might take you up on them.

A totally unrelated question: does the AC work?

[Soup DeVille]

You got to be careful with promises like that. One day I might take you up on them.

A totally unrelated question: does the AC work?

AC works great; but only on high. I need to find a speed control module to vary the fan speed. Despite most parts being very easy to find for this car, the trim and the HVAC system are both one-year only specials.

I don't make false promises. I would gladly lend you my car. 

[mzziaz]

AC works great; but only on high. I need to find a speed control module to vary the fan speed. Despite most parts being very easy to find for this car, the trim and the HVAC system are both one-year only specials.

I don't make false promises. I would gladly lend you my car. 

Thank you. I really appreciate it. If you ever make it over, I'd happily do the same.

It would be especially painless now, when I have no less than four cars. I need to thin the heard a bit.

[FoMoJo]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. If you ever make it over, I'd happily do the same.

It would be especially painless now, when I have no less than four cars. I need to thin the heard a bit.

I'd take the Mustang.

[shp4man]

Better make sure you get a AAA card with unlimited towing.......

[Soup DeVille]

Better make sure you get a AAA card with unlimited towing.......

Free rides don't come without certain risks. (But the car has and has given every indication of continuing to be reliable)

[mzziaz]

I'd take the Mustang.

Sold, I'm afraid. But I can offer you a lovely MG roadster instead.

[FoMoJo]

Sold, I'm afraid. But I can offer you a lovely MG roadster instead.

Only if it's an MGA.  Love them.

[mzziaz]

MG F, I'm afraid.

[Galaxy]

Better make sure you get a AAA card with unlimited towing.......

Not really necessary. The AAA has reciprocal agreements with many international auto clubs including Norway's Norges Automobil-Forbund, or Germany's ADAC. Not sure how well that works in practice. Trying to get AAA/CAA rebates with my ADAC card can be a bit of a hassle. 

[Cookie Monster]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. If you ever make it over, I'd happily do the same.

It would be especially painless now, when I have no less than four cars. I need to thin the heard a bit.

I have 3 cars. None of them work.

[FoMoJo]

MG F, I'm afraid.

I remember your thread on it.  Still runs okay?

[mzziaz]

Actually, no, for some reason it doesn't run properly atm

[MX793]

Actually, no, for some reason it doesn't run properly atm

It's British.  They never run properly.

[giant_mtb]

It's British.  They never run properly.

[CaminoRacer]

[mzziaz]

Q: Why are no computers built in the UK?
A: They couldn't make one with an oil leak.

[shp4man]

Q: Why are no computers built in the UK?
A: They couldn't make one with an oil leak.