The QUEST for a working V20

[TunaHead]

There is a point at which the effort to attain a thing becomes more than just work... it becomes a quest. I can't tell you at what point that line is crossed but I feel confident in saying that it is now well behind me.

I decided to tow the V to Central Point, Oregon on Saturday where a guy by the name of JD (Jack Daniels?) had cut me a great deal on the new Suzuki 140hp I ordered last week. This is not a simple drive. It'll take ya 3 1/2 hours, much of it through steep winding coastal hills covered with ancient redwood trees. I knew my 1992 Ranger was undersized for the task but I did it anyway. 20 miles short of my goal the 15 year old clutch burned out. I was able to get it in gear and travel the last 18 miles down the highway in 2nd gear with logging trucks, other assorted 18 wheelers and Winnebago's passing me like I was standing still. I made it to my offramp and stalled just after getting off the highway blocking one of two lanes with the V. Someone yelled "Get off he road a$$hole!!!" (Jeez, that hadn't friggin' occured to me...)

A towtruck driver (Jesse, a man not unaquainted with methamphetamine) transported the V the last 2 miles to Fish Rite Marine and then took the Ranger to the Ford dealership a few miles away. As for me... I rented a 2008 Kia Sonata with a GREAT stereo sytem and XM radio and listed to National Lampoon comedy all the way home and then had a couple of shots of JD.

Next week is anybody's guess.