What are the odds? Of someone from Argentina driving CC’s favorite car (GM B-Body) on an extended multi-year meandering voyage from Patagonia in Argentina to Alaska? And of me just happening to be walking up Willamette Street, noticing a Caddy limo, and whipping out my camera, on the very moment they were cruising through Eugene? And not fully realizing what I was shooting until I read the sign on the side window. As my father would have said: “Holy Mackerel”. And a mighty big one at that.
I instantly pegged the Caddy limo as something out of the ordinary by its high stance and those big wheels and tires, more suitable to a vintage Blazer. But even that didn’t prepare me for what I saw on the side window. Wow! The ultimate CC Adventure, rolling through downtown Eugene just as I was heading home from one of my usual urban walks. Now that’s not the typical truck 4×4 you’d expect for a trip like that.
Fortunately there was a bit of a traffic jam, due to some construction in the next block, so I had plenty of time to get out the camera and peel off a few shots. The driver, probably not unaccustomed to such interest (more likely seeking it), gave me a big thumbs-up.
When I got home, I googled them and found both a Facebook page, as well as a brief You Tube video, obviously made at or near the beginning of the trip, back in 2012.
Given the timing of their arrival in Eugene, it would appear that they’ll likely end up in Alaska this summer. And just what’s under the hood? Not a 4.1; that’s for sure. Regrettably, I couldn’t get them to pull over before they were gone. According to their site, they have sleeping and cooking facilities on board. And lots of memories.
Un Buen Viaje!
If that thing still has the 307, they might not make it to Alaska until NEXT summer. That is a lotta car, so I wonder if it has had a power upgrade along the way.
I will add my best wishes to the adventurers.
This isn’t Hooniverse or Jalopnik. Give the 307 a break.
It’s OK for JPC to cast aspersions, 307’s don’t have feelings…
Plus, I actually owned three of them. I think it’s in the CC rulebook that you can say anything at all about any car that you have personally owned.
I was reading the Facebook page. It seems that the original engine died not so long ago, and they replaced it with a 350.
A 350 what? Chev? Olds? ’58 Chrysler? Ford 347 stroker? (Honda would call it a 350) NEED DETAILS!!!!
Ok, I looked again at the FB page. It says that they put an Oldsmobile 350 in the car. And take a look at the Facebook page if you can. There are lots of interesting photos there, including an album of interesting cars that they have found.
Letg: I don’t do FB. Can you leave a note and link to our article at their page? I’m sure they’d like to see it. Thanks.
No problem, will do.
I just wrote a short note and put a link to this blog in FB. Now we wait.
I just think it is incredibly amazing that Paul crossed paths with them in Eugene!
Thank you all for your wishes!
We´ve been in Eugene for 5 days and we are in Portland, heading up north to arrive in Alaska THIS summer.
I replaced the engine 2 months ago in LA. Now we have an old Oldsmobile 350 that it used to be abandoned in a Backyard, but its running perfect.
Thanks for sharing our adventure and welcome aboard!!
Lucas & Flor
América sin límites
Happy and safe travels to the both of you, what a trip. You sure chose the right car for the trip those B-Bodies are tanks.
What a trip, literally! Best wishes on your voyages.
Amazing circumstances finding this. Best of luck to the travelers!
If GM had allowed the 350 to live on liberally through the 1980s, GM’s entire history would have been rewritten.
Excellent choice on the Olds 350. I hope they make it!
Nice car. Love the grill. Would look good on the 85 Fleetwood from yesterday
How interesting!
It’s kind of a reverse of the guy that drove a Mercedes from California to the tip of South America…
http://drivetosouthamerica.com/