Hi all,
I've just purchased a Giulia Super in Melbourne and have the unfortunate task of bringing it back home to the Gold Coast. Two questions:
1. What to bring? I'll be bringing a basic set of tools along (screwdriver, spanners, pliers etc.) Can anyone suggest anything else?
2. What route should I take? I have 3 days to do the trip and I was contemplating taking the coastal route along the victorian/southern NSW coastline. Is this a scenic route or should I take an inland route? I have seen some alpine roads which I think will be great fun! My other option is the Hume Hwy. I'd then be following the pacific highway back to the Gold Coast after Sydney.
Thanks,
Andrew
Andrew
Congrats on your acquisition. What would be unfortunate about driving a Giulia Super from Melbourne to the Gold Coast? That will be one of the best and most enjoyable trips you will ever do, regardless of which route. Just concentrate, relax and enjoy the drive.
Having done all three routes a few times over the years there are fors and againsts all three. For scenery and as you have three days I'd go the coastal way from start to finish. Hume Highway is unappealing as it has far too many opportunities for 'Fast Drivng Awards' being handed out by the Mr Plods along the way. Not that I'm suggesting that you would be exceeding the limit. The inland route is boooring and parts of the 'highway' are third world standard.
As for what to take, a spare fan belt, a good spare tyre (inflated) for starters but I'm sure that the car will be given a good once over before you leave.
Barry
RACQ membership card?
If you are reasonably confident of the car's condition, then the coast road would have to be the winner. I've only done the southern sections but it was endless fun. If the car is mechanically questionable then the freeway would be easiest on it.
yep, my vote for the coast road, did it two years ago and would love to do it in my Super. For a bit of fun you could always cross inland to the Hume a couple of hours south of Sydney. I did this and was on an awesome twisty road about 4 in the morning (I travel in the wee hours when I have 3 kids under 5 in the car). I did have to swerve to avoid numerous wombats though. I also remember taking a detour through Macquarie Pass pre-kids/wife and had a hoot through there. Why not take the New England up north of Sydney. The Pacific is a yawn-fest these days with all the town bypasses.
Oh, and lots of spare fluids just in case.
I went and made sure of my RACQ care yesterday, and it's all in order!!
I could think of nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no/lapsed membership!
That was sarcasm about the drive (my apologies!) i'm itching to get behind the wheel. The coastal route seems to be the pick from what you guys have said. Any reccommendations on where to stop/see?
The car is being given a look over/service so it should be all fine and dandy for the drive.
Also, how does the Giulia driving experience stack up against the 105 GTV? I've heard they are better - having a longer wheelbase and all. I thought the taller body would be a disadvantage?I guess I will find out soon enough!
The Giulia i'm purchasing has a 2Ltr motor & gearbox fitted so it should make the drive very interesting. It belonged to the late Tony Hawker if any of you know the car.
Andrew
I forgot to add - If anybody would like me to bring anything alfa related from Melbourne to Gold Coast I am more than happy to put it in the car & bring it up.
Dissenting view ready and waitng to go....:
I'd take the inland road if you only have 3 days and keep the coast up your sleeve when you come down for Spettacolo, and have enough time to really enjoy it ;D.
I've done the Newell in a variety of cars over the years but the most memorable was a return trip on my own in a 1750 Berlina. Left Melbourne 6am one Sunday morning (I know it was a Sunday because I was up until 2am the night before at an Alfa Club annual dinner). Arrived Coonabarabran early evening. Left Coonabarabran 6am the next morning, arrived Maroochydore after lunch.
2 days in Maroochydore then down the coast to Grafton, across to Glenn Innes, overnight again in Coonabarabran and back home the next day. Great drive.
Sounds like a great trip. I usually carry fluids, belt and hoses. However, if you've checked it over, you probably won't need anything. As for the Super being a highway car, I can recommend it. To my taste, it's better on long trips than the 105 GTV - comfortable, as quick.
Have fun
Bonkfrog
Quote from: werdna on July 31, 2012, 09:55:11 AM
The Giulia i'm purchasing has a 2Ltr motor & gearbox fitted so it should make the drive very interesting. It belonged to the late Tony Hawker if any of you know the car.
If that was the Super at Monza the other day - it's in beautiful condition and I would take as many twisties along the way as you can :) It is also mandatory to fit a video camera and post the condensed highlights on youtube. :)
Maybe without the prog-rock dubbed over it though ...
Seriously - congratulations - great car !
Scott.
It is the super that is at Monza Motors. I'll be picking it up on friday - is it just me of is this week is going ridiculously slow!!
I've planned the route to stay in Mallacoota the first night (after taking the coastal route), and then aiming to go a bit north of Newcastle the second night and make it home the next day. After reviewing the map there look to be some nice twisties on the way ;D.
I'll try and take a lot of photos to put up and maybe borrow a camera for some footage. I've seen some good videos from the little go-pro camera range. Anyone got any experience with them?
Andrew
Wow, congratulations, this will be a road trip of a lifetime, take in as many twisty roads and as much beautiful scenery as you can...and take photo's, lots of them, it will help those of us living vicariously through super/sprint owners whose cars work :P
Dave
Agree and am envious. A few years ago after buying my 156 Sportwagon in Sydney we took the coast road (Pacific Highway) all the way down to Melbourne, with plenty of off highway excursions to places of interest. A terrific road trip over 10 days, but in Super, especially a top condition one at that, what a hoot.
I did a road trip in my 1750 GTV back from Melbourne to Hobart many years ago when I bought that car and so enjoyed the trip. Road trips in such cars are always great experiences. I have to say in all my years of travel in the GTV I never had any problems from comfort, I found the seats in my car offer great support.
But yes please post some impressions, photos or whatever, when you can. Enjoy the trip.
Absolute minimal spares would be:
Fuses
Fan belt
Top hose
Heater hose
Minimal prior to departure service:
Bleed and flush all hyraulics
Flush radiator and fill with fresh coolant.
Check all oils in gearbox, diff and of course the engine.
Pity you have elected to do the coast route as the inland one is where the real Australia talks to you the most and if you already live at the Gold Coast, you may have enjoyed the contrasts. They are the most efficient routes as well as any truckie will tell you.
Great choice of cars..
Hi Andrew
If plan on stopping somewhere for a coffee when you leave Mallacoota give me a call, I'm in Pambula
Don't get many old Alfas down this way
I sent a PM with my number
Cheers
David
I've only done Melb to Syd coast route once and we found the Victorian bit terribly boring not that much to see from the road (sorry, maybe we did it wrong). The NSW coast drive is just too busy and suburban for me. I'm a big fan of the inland route myself (over the Alps to Canberra, then the Newell up), far more interesting.
I don't take spares. Mobile phone, bottle of water, credit card and some cash - it's an adventure and should be character building !!
Having said ^that^ ;D,
... has anybody got a preferred cheap vech. transport company for Melb. to Bris - i've a Shitbox to move :)
(apologies for hijack)
You could drive that SW down and I'll help you get the shitbox reasonable to drive back ... :)
Here is my long-standing favorite GTV 105 route (I go thru to Cairns):
Melborune-Yea-Maindample-Benalla-Wagga-Temora-West Wyalong-Parkes-Dubbo-Goondawindi-Warwick-Gold coast.
there are a number of variations you can take, but the basic route is easy, fast and interestsing, with excellent and entertaining roads. I've done it probably 20 times over the past 15 years.
I made it!
Thanks for all the ideas and support guys, there was no way I was going to have the necessary tools for the problems I encountered. After starting the trip, the hydraulic clutch gave way in Forster Vic (issue with the master cylinder!) - no phone reception either!! called racv off a payphone and was told the car couldn't be looked at until monday. Then had the bright idea of push starting the car and from that I managed to limp the car back to Melbourne (a few bobsled impersonations pushstarting the car later).
The trip was then restarted on monday and due to time constraints I ended up taking the hume hwy instead of the coastal route. The car performed faultlessly, not missing a beat over the 25-ish hours of driving.
I must say, I did end up using the 'camping' function where the seats fold flat - NOT VERY COMFORTABLE!!
Quite a few bumps and slopes in the 'bed'.
All in all a nice drive in a nice car. I believe the car has a 'highway' diff fitted so the car wasn't too stressed.
Andrew
Congratulations Andrew. Sorry we couldn't catch up prior to your departure, but I must congratulate you for your resilience in adversity at Forster. I'll be doing the reverse trip from Newcastle on Friday week and hope that I manage half as well as you have.
Best wishes
Derek