Visit to Finland From US with C-2
 

Hello, my name is Jack Panzica and I would like to thank the FinnShark membership for allowing me to join this forum. Groovyjay, has introduced my to your forum and I hope my posts and upcoming trip will be of interest to you.

With your permission , I would like to tell a little story.

About 50 years ago, there was a US TV program call " Route 66 " It was about two young men " Buzz & Todd " who owned a C1 corvette and traveled along the historic Route 66 from Chicago , Illinois, to Los Angles California.

They would find all kinds of adventure, saving ladies in distress, putting criminal in jail, and just having a great time in a Corvette

As a 12 year old boy, I fell in love with the life they led and more important, the car they drove, a 1961 Corvette

After graduation from University and getting my first teaching position, at 22 years of age in 1969 , I bought a 1961 Corvette for $900

It caught fire in 1970 and I bought a 1966 L-79 327/350 Roadster. 42 years and 300,000 miles later , I still have that car and I still have a passion for driving it.

If you like, I would like to share some of my experiences with the car over the years and with great excitement, the possibility that I will bring my car to Finland this summer.

Groovyjay, has been following my travels on the US CorvetteForum and I have enjoyed his posts on his car and on Finland and its people. It seems that you are just as crazy and passionate about your corvettes as Americans.

I have many "How to fix " posts that I can re post for those who need to fix both C1 C2 and C3 Corvette. I will post them if you like.

Here is a link that you can view on my 48 State Trip. You do not have to join to read....it has about 65 pages and 81,000 views.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...tes-await.html

Here is the post on my European Trip

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...pe-awaits.html

I hope to ship the car to Norway the first week in August, make my way north to North Cape, south to Oulu, & Helsinki, on to Sweden on to Denmark and then central Europe and the leave Netherlands first week of October.

I look forward to meeting the people behind the screen names......that is the most fun.....

Please ask any questions that you may have

Cheers and a picture of my car a few weeks ago



Jack

It seems that you won't make it to our Corvette Meet in Jämsä, Central Finland on the 10th to 12th August. Pity, there should be even over 100 Corvettes...

Anyway, if you are planning on driving from Oulu to Helsinki, Jyväskylä lies almost at the middle of those two and you're most welcome. Just tell, if you need a place to stay overnight. We have a quite active band of Corvette enthusiast here and I'm sure that we can arrange at least some fun for you...

Hello and welcome.

That kind of trip sounds unbelievable, but super great :cool: If you managed to drove 48 states you'll manage to drive Europe. Gotta read that topic about 48 states some day.

Welcome to Finland and we are planning some classic corvette run with You.

Hello,

Thank you for the offer. I will put your town on the map and I am sure to stop on my way south.

I will keep all posted on my trip progress and look forward to some Finland fun.

Jack

Hello Jack, great that you got your regiteration to FS working. Have you desided yet which route you take from Tromsö to Oulu? I look forward to meet you.

(Also more details in PM)

This is really great to have a midyear straight from the states to our small village called Finland ;)

Very Wellcome Jack :)

That plan of yours sounds awesome. It's great that some people have guts enough to do crazy things like that. Welcome to Finland, hope to meet you during your road trip!

Hello Finland
 

I would like to thank all of FinnShark members for their warm welcome.

My plan is to arrive (car by ship) Oslo Norway. Projected date 8/04/12
From Olso I will head west , then north to Trondheim, by the 8/9
Trondheim to Cape North area 8/11 to Oulu around the 8/12
South from Oulu to Helsinki by 8/15 on to Stockholm by 8/17

I hope to spend 3 to 5 days in Finland. I have been offered places to stay in Finland and I am very excited about it.

Here are some pictures of my car before I finished restoration (4th) in 2010 just before my 48 State trip. I had done all restoration myself , but the paint and motor rebuild.

March 2010





July 2010




I live on the coast of Maine in a small town called Cape Elizabeth. It is about 5 miles from Portland Maine, the major city . Maine is very much like Scandinavia, rugged coast line , tall pine trees and a long winter.

This winter has been mild. Here are a few pictures of Maine








Odotan vierailuni Suomessa. Olen varma, että tulen mielelläni ajo ja vierailevat foorumin jäsenille FinnShark.

Cheers ja kesään asti

jakki

Sounds like a great trip.
Maybe the enthusiasts in Tampere region can meet you when you are closer to Tampere. And maybe have a lunch http://www.diner.fi/ :thumrigh:

nice trips in a very nice car! welcome to finland for my behalf too:D
maybe we will meet in your time in finland, hope so:cool:

Hello,

I have put your town on the map. I will keep you posted on my routes and dates. Once the date and route are known , we can plan to meet.

I look forward to enjoying Finland and all the wonderful people who have offered to meet and show me Finland.

Cheers

Jack

Hello Jack, welcome to forum and especially very very welcome to Finland!

Sounds like you will have a great time on your roadtrip on summer! I look forward to meeting you. Maybe we will arrange a little cruise and invite you to come along. I live in Helsinki and I drive C2 myself too!

Pratice for driving in Finland
 

Glad you found us Jack. Like said before, this one is going to be spectacular not only to you but to all of us who can share this amazing trip with you. I'm sure we all will do everything to make you feel welcome and contribute to make your journey a success. Stay in touch as the planning goes on. :driving:

J

Bringing a classic ´66 roadster to Finland ? Planning to drive it crosscountry ? Jack, you must be (car)crazy ! You are most welcome, we :salut: you

Hi Jack,
Welcome to forum and specially welcome to Finland in August.
Your road trip sounds awesome!
City where I live is on Your way, its called Jämsä.
Link to Google Maps.
I think we can make some cruising in Jyväskylä to Kangasala/Tampere.
I know nice curved roads between Jämsä to Kangasala.

Paavo Kolu
President
Club Corvette of Finland

Finland , Here I come
 

Hello Paavo,

I am very excited about my trip to Europe. I am really looking forward to my trip in Scandinavia. My welcome by your members has been overwhelming and makes my feel very comfortable with my trip to your wonderful country.

I have been warned not to accept an invitation to a drinking contest in Finland. It has been said that I will have no chance against the Finns.

One Norwegian told me he is still "under the table" from the last time he tried. Needed lots of Aspirin the next day when he woke up.

See you soon

Jack

Blog Link
 

Hi,

I have started up my Blog: http://jackpanzica.blogspot.com/

I will write more personal information in the blog. Not tech information ,but more personal interactions with Europeans and my thoughts as I travel.

You can also make comments on the blog and become a follower.

I will try to keep it more up to date this time. I was so tired at the end of the day on the 48 state trip, the blog suffered. Hope to do better this year.

Jack

Are swedish girls pretty?
 

Hello or Good Evening,

Some other Scandinavians have sent me this link. What do the Finns say about this. Sorry to British Girls......

http://lostinstockholm.com/2010/02/1...are-beautiful/

Jack

Well, at least they are more beautiful than german girls ;)

That 48 state trip must have been awesome 8)

The Car is Packed and Europe awaits !
 

Hello,
Here are pictures of my car unpacked and packed for my 20,000 mile trip. I was on the road for 90 days with my tent and the hospitality of hundreds of Corvette Enthusiasts.
It looks very neat and tidy, but once I was on the road, it was as messy as a kids room after play time.
I did not take a spare tire, I used the space to pack my tent and sleeping bag and stove.

Ready to go! :rock:

It's a good idea to use the space of the spare tyre for tent and sleeping bag.

Insurance while driving in Europe with my car
 

Autovakuutus ajon C2 Euroopassa

Insurance for driving my C2 in Europe

Hi, I have found out that my insurance company does not cover me in Europe for driving my car .

I have European companies that cover any Europeans I may crash into (they into me) but will not cover my car for damages or theft.

Please direct me to a European Company to cover my needs for the 2 months that I will be in Europe.

Thanks

not an easy task..
i will try to remember to ask about this from my insurance dealer i think he knows what to do
i will return to this after next week because i will be snowmobiling in northern finland the whole week:D
my own guess is that you have to get insurance witch will work in europe at least scandinavian countries from the US.

I'm in! Just let us know, when when date is confirmed. I live in Kangasala and I believe I know route that Paavo means :cool:

Jarmo

Thanks from a Yank
 

Hi Jarmo,

I think your location is on my map. I am really looking forward to my visit to Finland.

I have taken care of the Insurance problem. A forum member in Netherlands has put me in touch with a company that will cover my insurance needs through out Europe.

Seen you soon

Was the northern lights great this past day or so with the Sun flare.

Jack

http://www.google.fi/search?q=revont...w=1280&bih=709

Nice to hear that you got the insurance arranged. I checked and you can get a liability (liikennevakuutus) from the customs office at the border for the time in Finland. But that would only be for Finland and only liability.

Interesting, that they sell liability for foreigners from the customs! What is idea in this arragement? Is it for tourists from east?

I'm told that in the North it's been like this clouds permitting - these photos are taken in Kuusamo in late January.

Hi Jack,

If You want to see the eldest city in Finland, please head to Turku, the former capital of Finland! It's about 1,5 hour drive from Helsinki. I mean if You're into castles and medival things.

http://www.turkutouring.fi/en/turku_en

And if You're a hockey fan, You just might see Saku Koivu from the Mighty Ducks in the town...

Unfortunately I can't accommodade You, but I can make the arrangements for You, if You decide to come here.

Like in Helsinki, there are two different ferries leaving to Sweden twice a day. Two in the morning and two in the evening. And it's cheaper to travel from Turku than from Helsinki.

And Jack, a dinner and a few beers on me! :D

Turku it is ......
 

Hello J-Ho

I had planned to leave from Turku, so I shall meet with you if possible. I will know more in a month or so , As I plan routes and times of travel.

Jack

Mile and Miles How many miles ?
 

On the my 48 state trip the distance was 19,238 miles (30,946k and SebringBill was the closest with 31,390K) ...

Who can guess the Europe trip distance ? The map below is a projected route, not the actual. Who knows where I will go once I get there. But I will follow the general directions of this map.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0...=h&z=3&vpsrc=1

The winner gets a weekend stay at the ocean in Cape Elizabeth.

It's about 6500- 7000 km. But won't you visit on Italian Alps?? For example Lago di Garda or Venice?? And you are so close you must drive trough also Top Gear's one of the best driving roads from Davos to Stelvio.. Hope you don't afraid highs ;)

Also must see place is Grossglockner in Austria, you can drive by your car to 2800 meter high..

And one more close of your route.. River Mosel in Germany. From Koblenz to Trier. Bernkastel Kues are middle of that route and is very beautiful small vine village.. of course Nürburgring is not far of it.. ;)

..Bad English.. yes I know.. :D

Jack if you are driving Sodankylä - Rovaniemi - Kemi - Oulu I recommend to you to drive from Rovaniemi east side of Kemijoki (route 926). It is very nice road from Roveniemi to Tervola. Then over the river to the west side and drive that very boring E75 158km to my place.

Corvette brothers from Rovaniemi recomended that route for me.

If I remember correctly there are some really nice driving roads (while since I was there) up the Norwegian coast.

But back to Finland...I'm not sure about Oulu-Jyväskylä, but on route Jyväskylä-Jämsä-Tampere you can use nice side roads and likely be joined by some local Corvette's. Also from Tampere to Helsinki we can take some older routes to enjoy.

TV Reality Show
 

Hello and Good Spring to All,

I have been looking at several TV productions on Car Travel, Classic Cars and other Car type shows. This show would be shown in US and Europe if made.

Many of you have asked about doing a show on my adventures....

What would you like to see a show that would feature my travels in Europe. The people I meet and host me, car collections and historic places would be shown.

I would travel basically alone and would have to survive on a limited budget as I had in the US tour. Remote cameras in car and one camera man following for distant shots and interviews .

Please list the things that would make you come back and watch week after week. All suggestions are welcome.

What kind of interaction do you want to see?

Your feedback will help me create a show that we all will be proud of. After all the show is about you and your love of these wonderful machines that we give life to........

Jack

Documentary/reality style road movie. You talk with (car) ppl you meet in your way, show their cars and places they show you. Nice roads and scenery.

yep like that nothing fancy real life with real people an their hobby with these cars.:cool:

Jack, have you decided on the date you will be arriving to Finland? I'm trying to make one thing happen, but it might be a bit too early for you, let me know. :cheers2:

Projected dates
 

Hi,

This is all projected but here goes.

Aug 2-5 Oslo getting car off boat, visits etc
Aug 5-6 western Norway
Aug 6-9 heading to Trondheim
Aug 9-11 heading to North Pole Zip corvettes has on back order a new device so I can drive on water

Aug 11 13 heading South Finland for reindeer boots and Helsinki

Aug 13 -15 recovering from Vodka headache and Sweden

Does that sound right.......I really do not know how fast or far I can drive from Oslo to Helsinki. It is about 2,000 miles , I hope to avoid a lot of slow tourists....so help on back roads ? Are there any back roads, or is there only one road :rock:

I will begin to plot the route next month....busy now getting my life in order so I can be gone for 2-3 months

I can't wait......very excited.....working hard on the video part.....

Thanks for the concern.......so many things to get in order

Jack

So you are in Finland at the same time as our Corvette Meet XIX (Aug 10-12) in Himos, Jämsä?

Br. Jarmo

You must either speed up or slow down your speed,I´ll be in VetteMeeting in Himos during 10-12.8,If you want your Laplandboots,I can take them with me to Meeting and we`ll meet there or I´ll come back up north at sunday 12.8 ,and I´ll meet you somewhere during the ride to Rovaniemi.I think that You dont have to use back roads.Traffic is pretty slow anywhere in finland(compared to US),so I think that you´ll have no problems with traffic.

I am looking for a 1962 Corvette
 

Hello All,

I hope spring is on the way. I belong to the US forum NCRS and a fellow named John owns a 1962 Corvette. He posted this to me:

Jack, enjoy your adventures. Not everybody has a chance to do what you are doing.

If you have a chance while in Finland, try to get in touch with the owner of the white 62 that was exported to Finland.

It is car #00015. Since mine is #00029 I would like to get in touch with the owner of #15 to compare notes.

Thanks in advance.

If you know of this 1962 Corvette. # 00015 please let me know and I will past the information to John in USA

Jack

Plans to come to Finland
 

Hello to all,

Plans for my trip are coming along. I have included the UK in my trip. I will take a ferry across the English channel from France , drive and meet fellow Corvette owners in UK, and put the car on a boat for the US from the western coast of England.

It should be exciting to drive on the left side of the road, really exciting :rock:

How is the weather ? I have been looking at the web cam from Nordkapp and have not seen the sun yet....much clouds.....

In August, what will the weather be like on my road south to Finland.....

Should I really make sure my weatherstrip works to keep the rain out.

I have installed a third latch on my 66....it has stopped all the leaks from the bow in the middle of the windshield...I thought of it before my 48 state trip.....I put up with water for 40 years before..

Here are some pictures of how it did it. If you have a c1 or c2 it works great. GM put in a third latch starting in 1968







You can get the latch for about $14 from McMaster-Car online

Jack

Jack,

Weather should be fairly nice in August. Depends a lot on the wind. If it's from the east we'll get really nice and warm weather from Russia (along with who know what). And it's it's from the west there are usually some rain coming from the Atlantic over Norway and Sweden.

Might be some thunder, but generally ok. And if you are here during the Corvette meeting (as it seems) we have order in for nice weather in any case,

This weekend should be nice and good weather for convertible cruising.

Mika

Jack,

One good place to check the Nordic weather is
http://www.foreca.com/Finland/Helsinki?lang=en

Just type the name of the place and you'll get the forecast for NeXT few days.

Temperatures in celcius.

Mika

Which photo do you like the most ?
 

Hi, I need your input....working on logos for 48 state trip and European adventure.

Which one the most , which one the least

Jack

Front Emblem



Rear Emblem



Rear Emblem 2



Gas Cap



Big Sur



Mountain View