Experience the Power Tour with me and Black Mamba

[Erik W. Treves]

Getting ready to hit the road. Honey Badger stopped by to load up the Mamba and carry it out to the start point for me.... Thank you!

I have 2 go-pros on the car.. one setup for video and one for pics/video....

So this is what I have done so far:

The good news is the car is period correct--- the bad news is the car is period correct and there are a bunch of parts you CAN'T get from Autozone....so I bought 1 front and 1 rear tire (good news the bias ply tires fold up real small), had to get another alternator - cause that is custom too, and the exact same water pump since all my custom brackets bolt to it. Fresh oil change - good overall inspection - re-sprayed a new clear bra on the nose (ran a little bit, but I am guessing all the bug juice will hide that), rain-x and a couple coats of wax.

Rain suit!

The rest, if I need it I will buy it out on the road.

so Day T-3 - Put in the trailer with 2300 miles!

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=54808&d=1465439637

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[wallace18]

Have a safe and fun trip. God Speed to you.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Looking forward to your updates Erik!

Jeff

[WIS89]

Erik-

Mamba looks awesome; and even better with that sharp haircut! ;-o)

Have a great trip, and I look forward to seeing the pics and video. I hope the weather is great the whole way, and it is incident free!

Travel safely!

Regards,

Steve

[Erik W. Treves]

Day T-2

Nothing really to report other than I got home from work and noticed that my car was gone.... I miss my car.... :)

Been checking weather on and off all day.... looks like we're getting wet for the first couple days....all part of it...ALL IN!

Only picture I could take today is of the empty spot in my garage..lol.... we'll see what tomorrow brings!

can't wait.

[Jim Doak]

Well there's a couple of characters.

Have fun. (Sounds like a most excellent adventure.):)

[John Tongish]

Hi Erik,
I am flying in tomorrow to Baton Rouge to link up with Garry Bopp and be his co-pilot for the Power Tour. You and I spoke briefly last SEMA but look forward to a longer conversation. I am also looking forward to the Tour, mainly to see how they coral that many one-of-a-kind cars over 1,300+ miles. I am NOT looking forward to the possibility of rain in a challenge car, but I am told that is what Excellent Adventures are all about?
John
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P.S.: I am the good looking one on the left

[ehansen007]

Represent brother! Have a safe and awesome trip. Wish I was there with you guys. :)

[Garry Bopp]

Tongish,

I prefer to think that we are both good looking! See you this afternoon!


Garry

[Avalanche325]

Have a great time. It sounds like a great trip.

My experience with a GoPro on a rally:

I just did the DSCC spring cruise and had my GoPro set up with my remote strapped to my wrist, extra memory, power cable hooked up, external mic, etc. I took lots of video. When I reviewed it, you could tell that there was a line of cars going down the road and that the next 3 or 4 were Cobras. I didn't even bother editing it to make a video. Videos of cars driving down the road, no matter how nice the cars and road is does not make very exciting viewing. I was all excited about recording, but will never do it again. I will just enjoy driving and save the GoPro for analyzing autocross runs. I would just take some cell phone pictures at the stops.

[steno]

Everybody have a fun and safe trip! And keep us all informed on your progress!
Happy motoring and stay away from the deer!
Sten

[Erik W. Treves]

T-1 .... well yesterday was, but anyway... still funny not seeing car in garage... mowed the yard. Had to get some driving in....lol.... and that's about it..... checked in online...checked weather. .. yep still rain.... my guess it will clear up until I get there and then it will start raining...

Anyway... gotta go grab my flight... day 1 has me on time so far!

[GoDadGo]

I look forward to meeting you and picking your brain with a little luck!
Also, I do remember seeing the the "Green Lantern" when you sold it on E-Bay.
What an insane car that was.

[Erik W. Treves]

Happy to help in any way I can... yeah GL was a beast

[Cavscout96]

Hoping to make it by the stop in Austin. I would love you chat with you about the 289. I've had my eyes on the MkIV for a long time, but started giving the USRRC replica some thought recently. Safe travels!






--------------------------------------------------------------
Aspiring gear head
US Cavalry
SE Texas

[pcww]

I parked by car with the display and had a great time. The FFR folks were very accommodating handing out water in the heat. Met a bunch of nice people who love these cars. Gary Bobb. Tried to wait for Erik but cut out when I saw rain coming. Stephen, GODADGO, thought you had to work? Henry

[GoDadGo]

Hey Gang,

I wanted to give you all an update on the start of the Hot Rod Power Tour.

The cars were plentiful and the Factory Five display was top knotch. The weather turned a bit ugly and the heavens opened up for a while, but that's the joy of being in Southern Louisiana during the summer time. Though I didn't get to meet Eric, I did see his Black Mamba and it is one amazing build. On another note I met a fellow who's name now escapes me now and Gary Bopp who couldn't have been a nicer. Both gentlemen were volunteering for Factory Five and representing the company very well. Hopefully the rest of their tour will be at least a little dryer.

If the Hot Rod Power Tour is heading your way, then go meet the rest family and hang out for a while, even if your project isn't complete or even ordered yet.

Steve / aka: GoDadGo

Note To Henry: I got my office move under control on Friday so off to the event I went, with my son and brother in tow too.

[Erik W. Treves]

So day 1 for the Power Tour , I have no pictures as of yet. My tour started with the airplane ride. ... all was well until I got to dallas..... 3 gates, one tire change, 2 tugs, 2 thunderstorms that shut down the ramp, 1 crew out of duty day, one 76 dollar taxi to the tour.... made for a 13 hour day from huntsville to the start point..... cars are already soaked, so we have that checked off the list! More to come!

[Carlos C]

Erik:

Try to stay dry, be safe, but most of all, have a blast and burn a lot of rubber. Make sure you post a lot of photos and videos for us unlucky ones. Take care, Chief.

Carlos

[Erik W. Treves]

So as my luck would have it ...computer died...trying to up load pics with the phone .... maybe could use some help from you all who can fix my links ....but here ya go...if this works...should be more coming...

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[carlewms]

Erik,

Thanks for keeping us up to date ... so we can live vicariously off your great adventure ...

[Erik W. Treves]

So ... day zero was yesterday...I of course was last to arrive...the rest of guys spent the day trying to figure out how to stay dry.

In my head I thought I would just be wiping down the car as we went...everybody likes a clean car....welp... yesterday pretty much ensures I don't need to worry about that till I get home lol..... roads here, lots of pot holes, full of water and mud and crap....car pretty much stayed wet.. and the driver's stayed in various stages of drying off...

Finally got to the hotel last night about 8 ish...put the cars down for the night. Got about 10 minutes before the alarm goes off and we start our trip to Baytown, Tx.... more rain on the way... can't keep from smiling...only did about 40 miles yesterday. ...today...Looks like about a little over 270 miles....it's a whole new day!!

[Erik W. Treves]

Day 1 begins

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[bobl]

I'm going to come out to COTA on Monday to check out the cars and displays. Do you have any idea of a good time to get there? Do cars just trickle in all day? Any planned activities? Weather looks good, but hot and humid which is pretty normal this time of year.

Thanks,
Bob

[tony chiles]

Subscribed, wish I was there.

[Erik W. Treves]

Will post update after I dry off.... completely soaked... Rain storm like I have never seen...TWICE...front meatball departed the car at about 65 mph in the rain....oh well...order some new ones when I get back... they lasted 2 years..about 280 miles...half in the rain...felt like

[Bad Moose]

I just realized you guys are landing about 3 miles from the house on 6/16/16. Trying to get the builder of the Cobra to take it down there to see the cars with his grandson. Darn harvest is probably make me miss it, but if I have time I'll head up also. Hope to meet up with you.

How does this work I'm assuming you leave OKC in the morning and arrive up here in KS through out the afternoon? How late are we able to see the cars?

[Cavscout96]

Saw the radar and thought of y'all. We're about 1.5 hrs north of Baytown. Just missed us. Thought you might need some James Bond action to stay afloat. SE Texas has been hammered the laSt 6 weeks with rain.

Looking forward to seeing the mamba at COTA tommorow!

[Erik W. Treves]

So here is the pic of miles today...hotel was another 30 ish miles down the way.

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Some pics of the trip... lost front meatball due to some really fat rain...

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[Erik W. Treves]

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[Erik W. Treves]

Hey guys; 530 wake up gotta get some food , see how well the car doing, fluids and walk around check.....then hit the road with guys.....hoping we don't see any rain..... I had to use an anchor to keep the mamba from floating away last night

[WIS89]

Erik-

Did I see a sticker in one of your pics that the Mamba is for sale? I didn't know that... I must have missed that if you posted it.

Sorry about all the rain, but it still looks like a lot of fun and fellowship!

By the way, I don't think you lost your front meatball, just tell folks it's a ghost meatball!

Thanks for the updates, and I hope the rest of the run is enjoyable, rain and incident free!

Regards,

Steve

[Erik W. Treves]

Yes for sale

[Erik W. Treves]

Well leaving early today rewarded us with low overcast sky.... made it to COTA, right as the sun poked through and now it's 10 million degrees out...at least it is not raining

[Erik W. Treves]

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[GoDadGo]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You For Posting So Many Pics!

Everybody on the forum appreciates the updates.

Good Luck & Have Fun!

[Erik W. Treves]

More than welcome.... oh.... in case anyone is wondering ...webers are getting right 17 mpg steady cruise at 70-75...

[rmiller64]

Thanks for the updates Erik Keep them coming

water injection must help the mileage Lol

[bobl]

Great to meet you today, Erik. Lots of fine machines at COTA. Have a safe and dry rest of your journey!

Bob Lloyd

[Cavscout96]

Erik,

Thanks for indulging my questions today and thanks to Dave and the gang as well for showing off all the great rides including the FFR hauler to my daughters today. Great to meet you and talk a little cars and a little Army. Take care. Hydrate. Supposed to be in the 10 million degree range again tomorrow.

Bill

[Erik W. Treves]

Lol...just bought 2 liters of water...gonna be a tough one tomorrow

[Erik W. Treves]

I can confirm that it is 1 million degrees in texas

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So far no more rain... other than the issue with tranny on the MK4... set us back about an hour...performed the required fix... back in game....

Now I have to go find some ice

[GoDadGo]

Glad you guys are drying out from days #1 & #2.

After watching the video of you and Tony playing with the shifter, I think I'll make the top of the trans tunnel removable.

Good Luck & Stay Safe!

[Erik W. Treves]

Yeah mine is removable. ..only cause that how csx 2001 was... so that worked out pretty good in case I need tod do the same.... did just find out the my turn signal flasher unit died.... Rain must have done it in...move hazards unit in its place for now.... will dive into an autozone as some point...

[Erik W. Treves]

Ok... guys .. finally at the hotel and now in the horizontal position... so in case you missed it....0600 at the cars , until 10PM...sleep and repeat....my cold is also hanging tough, but I keep well hydrated cause all of the sun so I think that is keeping the cold in check for now.....you think all you need to do is worry about the car, but the driver is part of the machine...these machines deserve your 100% attention.

So car continues to dry out... today was hot enought that I think things had time dry. Notice latches started to stick, so wI'll apply WD40 at some point as required. Car will obviously need a good cleaning in the end...

The rest of the crew... well... I told Tony already. ... not sure how he / they do it... after half the day on the road, fixing the transmission and the sustained heat .... we get to the next stop.... and as soon as the ignition switches are turned to off, these guys are already talking to customers!! Meanwhile I am walking around trying to find a shady spot to cool off!... obviously I am the novice in the group :) I am in a constant state of catch up... ... and loving every minute...just a great experience and proud to roll through the paddock in the Mamba as a member of the factory five family....

For now... to sleep.... will battle the sun in the morning with the members of " Task Force 10 One Hundred" .... lol.

Tomorrow is a brand new day.

[Plebeian]

Eric, thanks for posting all the pics. I noticed you're not running wind wings. How is the buffeting on your ear without them?

[Erik W. Treves]

I am wearing ear buds and I am short so I am close to the windshield.... all my cars had wind wings and I recommend them.... this car was a tribute car to CSX 2001 which did not have wind wings.... so ear buds installed!!

[Erik W. Treves]

A few from today

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160615_100819_zpsbjtxm4da.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160615_112526_zpsevwilfte.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160615_130823_zpspdihhmlg.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160615_140401_zpsdpcopv0n.jpg

[Erik W. Treves]

Finish of day 6...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_135644_zpss6d2vuw4.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_135644_zpss6d2vuw4.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_104259_zpsothbtayl.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_104259_zpsothbtayl.jpg.html)


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_085630_zpse1kogp7v.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_085630_zpse1kogp7v.jpg.html)



http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_093108_zpsl2ebxnis.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160616_093108_zpsl2ebxnis.jpg.html)

Getting pretty used to the 103+ weather now.... good times... definitely very glad I had the opportunity to do this.

And it's hot btw

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2016-06-16-10-48-53_zpsohxqncem.png (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2016-06-16-10-48-53_zpsohxqncem.png.html)

[Erik W. Treves]

Woke up this morning 0530 feeling the miles under the sun. Might need some extra coffee time to get going... we have a long one today to finish off the last leg. Heat index looks like it's only going to be 98...hopefully all goes well. Will update again at the end point.

[GoDadGo]

Have A Safe Trip!

I'm Thinking A Bikini Style Jeep Top Might Be A Great Future Power Tour Option!

Good Luck & God's Speed To All Of You!

[WIS89]

Erik-

Good luck as things wrap up. Take it easy in the heat, and the liquid recovery that may take place at the end!

Thanks for the updates and all the pictures. I have enjoyed following along!

Regards,

Steve

[Erik W. Treves]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160617_094957_zpsk8tvmvrh.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160617_094957_zpsk8tvmvrh.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160617_102205_zpsz084a7m1.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160617_102205_zpsz084a7m1.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/TREVESK/Mobile%20Uploads/20160617_102221_zpsc7qboqfz.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/TREVESK/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160617_102221_zpsc7qboqfz.jpg.html)

[Carlos C]

Erik:

The Gas Monkey garage looked fairly abandoned on that photo. No people or cars in sight, not to mention that the gates seem to be locked during the middle of the day. Did you notice while you were there if the space was vacated?

Stay hydrated and keep having fun.

Carlos

[Erik W. Treves]

All done..... only things that didnt... front meatball and turn signal relay!!!

1635 miles



https://youtu.be/MlJN3Ap1od4

[Erik W. Treves]

I will load up some more pictures when I get back to the house.... for now back at the hotel for the night... still have to get up in the morning and load up the cars... so ONE MORE TIME.... In the end, what a great trip. Thank you to Factory Five for the invite.... thanks Honey Badger for hauling my car all over the USA and for following us along the way on the Tour....

To the crew of Task Force 10 One Hundred... Tony, Freddie, Ron, Dave, Bill and His Son.... you guys rock. What a pleasure to sweat it out there on the open road with you guys.... it definitely looks and seems easy to do.... but the Power Tour is NO JOKE.... it is hard on the machines and the drivers. Make no mistake about it... GLAD I DID IT... actually still smiling! Not sure I would do it again right now if you asked though...lol...

anyway... like I said I will probably do one more update after it soaks in for a bit.... I will have some major cleaning to do to the mamba for certain...all in all...one more Bucket List thing done!

Thanks to the guys on the forum who offered a place to stay or stop... pretty cool for sure... one more thing that shows owning a Factory Five is much more than owning a car!!

take care guys and see ya out there on the road!!!

Respectfully,

Erik and the "Black Mamba"

[GoDadGo]

Thanks For Taking Us All Along For The Ride!

[CraigS]

I just have to ask, if this one is for sale, what are you thinking for the next one?

[Erik W. Treves]

I am going to build a type 65 next I think...and it will be crazy.... it's the only one I haven't built yet...so I thought I might try it :)

[Erik W. Treves]

Back at home finally, garage is empty.....don't miss the car at all ....LOL..... seriously. ..what a great trip!!! On to the next adventure!!!!!

[FFinisher]

Back at home finally, garage is empty.....don't miss the car at all ....LOL..... seriously. ..what a great trip!!! On to the next adventure!!!!!

Great trip Eric- it was great hanging out and sharing some laughs. See you next week in London��


It's a cooool 65 degrees on cape cod tonight .

[Erik W. Treves]

You too Ron..... I drove home from the airport in the truck with the AC on like 12! Tell Dave I said "hey"... hell of a job as Road Captain!

[Erik W. Treves]

Spent the entire day on the lift.... all clean,... reset.... ready for the next thing!

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55387&d=1466896535

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http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55386&d=1466896534

[Bad Moose]

Looks sharp!