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Thread: "C3on66" Charity Drive, "Aardvark" FFR build 1st trip

  1. #1
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    "C3on66" Charity Drive, "Aardvark" FFR build 1st trip

    Hi Everyone, I've been gone from the Forums for quite awhile, as family, retirement and life outside the FFR universe kind of took over. However, in recent times I've built another FFR Mk4 Roadster, with a wonderful back story, which we've named "Aardvark". Nicole Smith wrote a cool article about it on the FFR website back in September 2023 at https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/aardvark/ I'm excited to see the finished result, currently in the hands of Jeff Kleiner for bodywork and paint.

    AardvarkDash.jpegCobra-Blueridge.jpeg

    My two cousins and I have planned a trip down the length of famous Route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA, approx. 2400 miles, beginning May 4, 2024. Each of us will drive our own sportscar. We decided it should be a drive to benefit folks other than ourselves, so we're trying to raise money for three charities: Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Team Boomer/Boomer Esiason Foundation . The exact details of the trip are in the final planning stage now, but it's for certain that: 1. We're GOING; 2. Aardvark will be my car for the trip (Aardvark's 1st major voyage); 3. We're asking for some help from the FFR Community.

    C3on66hero.jpeg

    We built a website to give more detail of our project, the charities, and our sponsors. Factory Five Racing and Route 66 Sodas so far have volunteered as sponsors. Now I'm posting blog updates from time to time on our preparations for the trip, some of the people whose lives demonstrate why we're trying to help, and any other interesting stuff we come across. When the trip begins in May, I plan to do blog updates daily. The trip down Route 66 will take about two weeks, plus the time it take us to drive from our homes (Ohio, Phoenix, and Florida/N.Carolina). All the developments can be seen at the "BLOG" button on our website. www.c3on66.org

    What kind of help am I asking from the FFR Community? Well, certainly donations to our charities will be appreciated (!), but there are other ways we could use help. If you live along the Route 66 corridor, and have a space we could crash for a night, that would really help. We might need mechanical help (I think I built a good car, but who knows...?!), so a contact for assistance would be great. We've never done this drive before, and could use recommendations for best sights to see, places to eat, cool car stuff to see or do. Possibly someone out there could organize a local Cobra/SportsCar get together at a diner or bar or etc. where we could meet and hang with some of the FFR faithful along the way. Any ideas how we can spread the word about this fund raiser project? I've never done this kind of thing before so will really appreciate any constructive ideas.

    Thanks for your patience reading this post, and your interest in our project. I'll add more detail as it develops.

    John Phillips
    From 1996 built a Mk1, Mk2, Mk3, Mk4, and rebuilt a Challenge Racer
    Love the Roadsters!
    Last edited by John Phillips; 01-25-2024 at 08:17 PM.

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    John,
    We’ve texted in the past. Pretty sure you have my contact info/cell.
    Looking at your route it looks like you’ll be heading south from Santa Fe on Rt 25.
    You’ll be passing writhing 2-3 miles of my house.
    I can’t put you guys up for the night however I will buy you lunch or dinner when you’re in the area.
    Stop at the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa.
    https://www.santarosabluehole.com/route-66-auto-museum/

    I’ll dig up a few more and update this post in the coming days.

    The outskirts of St. Louis has a great vintage motorcycle museum.
    Click on the Home and Contacts links for more info.

    https://www.themotomuseum.com
    Last edited by JimLev; 01-29-2024 at 11:05 AM. Reason: Added more info
    '33 Hotrod, #1047 Gen 1, delivered on 2/27/18, go cart on 9/24/18.
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    Garage Built, Driveway Painted.

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    On a roll Al_C's Avatar
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    John, This looks like a wonderful trip! Would you like any others to join you for portions of your trip? Please check your email.
    Mk IV Roadster - #8650 - delivered 7-17-2015 - first start 7-28-2018 - first go-kart 10-13-2018 - licensed and on the road 9-9-19: body/paint completed 3-17-2020.
    Complete kit / 2015 Coyote / TKO600 / IRS / Wilwood brakes / Mid-Shift mod / Power Steering / Heater and Seat Heaters / RT turn signal / Breeze radiator shroud and mount

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    Thanks Jim & Al! All your input is appreciated so much, I’m a novice at organizing anything like this. I think we’d welcome anyone who wants to show up or come along with us on some of the drive. Maybe we could meet up with some local FFR guys at one of the classic Route 66 destinations for an impromptu car show, “meet & greet”, whatever would work for local guys.

    I’ll keep posting developments on the Route 66 charity trip here, so we can keep the info & suggestions in one place. The more the merrier! Thanks again to all in our FFR Community who’d like to participate, on-line or on-road.
    Last edited by John Phillips; 01-30-2024 at 09:59 AM.
    John Phillips, Jupiter FL and Waynesville, NC
    Built 4 Roadsters, one of each Mark series
    Rebuilt Challenge Racer
    Customer and FFR Fan since 1996

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    John Phillips, Jupiter FL and Waynesville, NC
    Built 4 Roadsters, one of each Mark series
    Rebuilt Challenge Racer
    Customer and FFR Fan since 1996

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    C3on66 Route 66 drive begins Chicago May 4, with 2 week schedule

    It's ON about three weeks from now. Our first "event" is the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides event in Frankfort, IL at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 4. It's a suburb of Chicago; we hope to have a chance to photo ourselves at the official beginning of Route 66 in downtown Chicago the evening before. The organizers of the event are enthused about having a small informal car show as part of the festivities, so I'm hoping some of you guys will want to come out and support the CF event and show off your FFR machinery...or whatever else you have. It'd be great to meet up with you all.

    First week rough schedule is: Saturday evening May 4 is Springfield, IL; May 5 is Springfield, MO; May 6 is Tulsa, OK; May 7 is Clinton, OK; May 8 at Santa Rosa, NM; May 9 at Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, NM; Friday May 10 at Albuquerque, NM.

    Second week rough schedule is:Saturday evening May 11 is WigWam Motel, Holbrook, NM; May 12 is Scottsdale, AZ; May 13 is Flagstaff, AZ; May 14 is Kingman, AZ; May 15 is Barstow, CA; May 16 is Marina del Rey, near Santa Monica, CA; NO PLANS YET for Friday May 17 near Santa Monica.

    We can use any participation or suggestions any of you would like to offer. Hopefully our trip will be without mechanical problems, but emergency contacts would be welcome! I can't figure how to post a most-recent pic of my Mk4, with some of the charity graphics attached. We'll finish up placing the stickers in Chicago. I'll figure it out later! Come out to hang with us, share a drink or eat some food, whatever works for your area and our schedule. It'd be great to meet some of you in person after years of just seeing posts on the forum.

    PM me here or email me at [email protected] Our website has info too, check out the BLOG and Charities/Sponsors pages in particular. www.C3on66.org

    Thanks to you all,
    Last edited by John Phillips; 04-10-2024 at 04:40 PM.
    John Phillips, Jupiter FL and Waynesville, NC
    Built 4 Roadsters, one of each Mark series
    Rebuilt Challenge Racer
    Customer and FFR Fan since 1996

  10. #7
    Not a waxer Jeff Kleiner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Phillips View Post
    ... I can't figure how to post a most-recent pic of my Mk4, with some of the charity graphics attached. We'll finish up placing the stickers in Chicago. I'll figure it out later! ...
    OOOH! OOOH! I say, sounding like Arnold Horshack while waving my hand in the air! I can post those pictures!









    And for those who may be wondering about the significance of the "65 Roses" meatballs here's the story:

    The 65 Roses Story
    Mary G. Weiss became a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1965 after learning that her three little boys had CF. Her duty was to call every civic club, social, and service organization, seeking financial support for CF research. Mary's 4-year-old son, Richard (Ricky), listened closely to his mother as she made each call.

    After several calls, Richard came into the room and told his mom, "I know what you are working for." Mary was dumbstruck because Richard did not know what she was doing, nor did he know that he had cystic fibrosis.

    With some trepidation, Mary asked, "What am I working for, Ricky?"

    He answered, "You are working for 65 Roses."

    Mary was speechless. He could not see the tears running down Mary's cheeks as she stammered, "Yes, Ricky, I'm working for 65 Roses."

    Since 1965, the term "65 Roses" has been used by children of all ages to describe their disease. But, making it easier to say does not make CF any easier to live with.

    The reality is that cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects 40,000 children and adults in the United States.

    Sadly, Richard lost his fight against CF in 2014. Richard is survived by his devoted wife, Lisa, his adored dog, Keppie, and his brother, Anthony.



    The Weiss brothers: Richard, 5; Arthur, 7; and Anthony, 16 months.

    The "65 Roses" story has captured the hearts and emotions of all who have heard it. And the rose, a symbol of love, has come to represent the CF community.

    Jeff
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Hi Guys, I'm OUT OF HERE tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m., heading to Chicago via "Jeff Kleiner's Hotel and Cobra Bar" in Bloomington, IN. Our 2500 mile trek down Route 66 begins May 4, and ends in Santa Monica May 18. If you're interested in the trip, or want to come out and drive or shoot the bull with us, please let me know on here, and we'll try to connect. I'll try to post a daily BLOG entry on our website, just press the BLOG button at www.C3on66.org

    This will be quite an experiment . Aardvark only has 250 miles on the clock so far. Let's see if I can get home in one piece after 5,000 miles more in the next three weeks!

    Thanks for your interest; hope to meet many of you on the road.
    John Phillips, Jupiter FL and Waynesville, NC
    Built 4 Roadsters, one of each Mark series
    Rebuilt Challenge Racer
    Customer and FFR Fan since 1996

  13. #9
    On a roll Al_C's Avatar
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    Drive carefully, John! A bunch of us are looking forward to seeing you Saturday morning in Frankfort, IL! Weather should be good.
    Mk IV Roadster - #8650 - delivered 7-17-2015 - first start 7-28-2018 - first go-kart 10-13-2018 - licensed and on the road 9-9-19: body/paint completed 3-17-2020.
    Complete kit / 2015 Coyote / TKO600 / IRS / Wilwood brakes / Mid-Shift mod / Power Steering / Heater and Seat Heaters / RT turn signal / Breeze radiator shroud and mount

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    Not a waxer Jeff Kleiner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Al_C View Post
    Drive carefully, John! A bunch of us are looking forward to seeing you Saturday morning in Frankfort, IL! Weather should be good.
    Hey Al!
    I was hoping to come up and join you guys in Frankfort but my car is out of brakes and I won't have a chance to do anything about it. Barring anything unforeseen John should be arriving here in a few hours to spend the night and do an oil change on "Aardvark" then I'll point him north in the morning. Have a great day Saturday!

    Jeff

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    On a roll Al_C's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Kleiner View Post
    Hey Al!
    I was hoping to come up and join you guys in Frankfort but my car is out of brakes and I won't have a chance to do anything about it. Barring anything unforeseen John should be arriving here in a few hours to spend the night and do an oil change on "Aardvark" then I'll point him north in the morning. Have a great day Saturday!

    Jeff
    Who needs brakes??? Just kidding... Sorry you can't join us.
    Mk IV Roadster - #8650 - delivered 7-17-2015 - first start 7-28-2018 - first go-kart 10-13-2018 - licensed and on the road 9-9-19: body/paint completed 3-17-2020.
    Complete kit / 2015 Coyote / TKO600 / IRS / Wilwood brakes / Mid-Shift mod / Power Steering / Heater and Seat Heaters / RT turn signal / Breeze radiator shroud and mount

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  19. #12
    Not a waxer Jeff Kleiner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Al_C View Post
    Who needs brakes???
    Ironically, John just spent the past week seeking the answer to that question! But thankfully after 3 or 4 master cylinders and untold amounts of brake fluid he and Aardvark have come to an understanding and that issue is now resolved

    Jeff

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    Saturday, MAY 4 - Hey is anyone near Springfield, IL with grinding tools and a jack? I have an exterior clutch slave cylinder which is not disengaging the clutch...thus I'm unable to put the car into ANY gear, can't drive it at all. Rode a tow truck flatbed to hotel in Springfield this evening. I THINK I know how to fix it after consulting with Mark Dougherty. I need a floor jack and jack stand/s, and a Dremel-type grinder or something more powerful to grind some clutch fork clearance into the QuikTIme bellhousing.

    Anyone available nearby? Text me at 561-252-9555 or respond here with contact info. Thanks!
    John Phillips, Jupiter FL and Waynesville, NC
    Built 4 Roadsters, one of each Mark series
    Rebuilt Challenge Racer
    Customer and FFR Fan since 1996

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    Recent change in the "EVENTS" portion of our website. May 11, Albuquerque, Police Bike Ride Event: We CANCELLED our participation, we are unable to attend.
    We ARE attending an event at University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. We'll be there from 11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., in support of our Colorectal Cancer Alliance charity. Please come out if you are able, we'd love to meet you and see your machinery! 1201 Camino De Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

    WEBSITE: www.c3on66.org/events/
    Last edited by John Phillips; 05-10-2024 at 09:58 PM.
    John Phillips, Jupiter FL and Waynesville, NC
    Built 4 Roadsters, one of each Mark series
    Rebuilt Challenge Racer
    Customer and FFR Fan since 1996

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