![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kccadillacclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250626_174908-1-1-scaled-e1752792621535-685x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>We’ll see you in Reykjavik, Guy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kccadillacclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image0000027-1-1-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>The beginning of the journey did not start without its challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
I Only Have Myself to Blame<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
The Basic Idea<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What possesses someone to ship an 86-year-old car across the Atlantic and drive nearly the entire length of the continent–north to south? Honestly, it was just a crazy idea. I did try to back out. I told my family and fellow CLC members about the idea, but they were unanimously positive. Go for it, they said. Can I get a reality check? However, this is not the first American car to be put into service in another continent. In fact, similar odysseys have been undertaken. You may know of Australian Ken Moss’ trek across the USA in the 1960s. Ken and his family drove their 1912 Cadillac, Mabelline, from Southern California to Detroit to visit the Cadillac factory near where his car was assembled. Mossie and Co. drove 7,600 nearly trouble free miles on their visit to the States. The only hiccup was a failed condenser.
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The Players<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, there is Guy himself, an 86-year-old veteran of the road: A formal limousine with a mysterious, mostly unknown history. Don\u2019t ask him about his past, he\u2019s much too discreet. He\u2019s all business. Twist the key, and let\u2019s get on our way. He\u2019s dependable, spacious, comfortable, and\u2014just ask him\u2014always right. Don\u2019t try to face him down on a narrow lane. He won\u2019t yield.
Tom has been at Guy\u2019s helm, and under the hood, for 25 years. Just as bossy and practical as his black car, they\u2019ve established a bond that goes beyond owner\/auto. Tom understands the needs of maintenance and repair. He attends to the fluids, filters, and spark plugs, but he also knows the old guy has his fragilities. He may not always be cooperative. Tom will let Guy putt along at 40 mph, smoke or drink excessively, but when the whip comes out Guy understands his role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lynn has spent probably just as much time in the cabin as Tom. She\u2019s been a great traveling companion, and hardly ever complains about sucking up gas fumes, or waiting for a tow truck in the 95-degree heat. Her organizational skills are legendary. She\u2019s an excellent planner, chronicler, and navigator. Artistic, outgoing, and brimming with style, the party begins when the big suicide door opens, and she exits her luxurious cabin.
Kevin, Lynn\u2019s brother, is new to this whole long-distance-travel-in-the-old-car business. It is harder and less comfortable than it looks. Throw in a few mechanical problems, an overheated cabin, and some language barriers, and a lesser man might become discouraged. Brother Kev, however, has met these challenges, and managed to put his own spin on the journey. He orchestrated a visit to Legoland, and is looking forward to the genuine \u201cbier garten\u201d scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Bureaucratic Challenges <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not surprisingly shipping your car from Kansas City to Iceland is not without its challenges. I did of course give myself plenty of time to get the ball rolling, but that in itself caused unforeseen problems. Suffice it to say the endeavor required mounds of paperwork, dozens of phone calls, and a computer-clogging number of emails. Much that could go wrong did go wrong: important emails lost, misunderstandings one both sides of the Atlantic, and, finally, Iceland changed its customs forms July 1st, so the forms I submitted were not accepted.
Timing is Everything <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My plan was to fly to Reykjavik August 4th contact the shipper, and collect the car before August 7th. The 4th was a state holiday (commerce day), so we enjoyed a dip in the Blue Lagoon, and settled into our cozy Air B&B near the port. Reykjavik is a colorful town, sporting gobs of bars, restaurants, and shops. There are plenty of tourist activities such as whale watching boat trips, helicopter rides, and the requisite Ferris wheel. We spent an afternoon visiting a few art museums and dodging rain drops. If you\u2019ve never visited Iceland before, don\u2019t count on good weather. You\u2019ll be lucky to get one sunny day a week. Temps in the 50s, spitting rain, and howling winds are the summer norms.
The Clock is Ticking<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following day we visited Eimskip, the shipper, who finally informed me about the new customs forms. They would be emailed to me. Twenty-four hours later still no email. By now I\u2019m calling everyone in the company looking for answers. I can see the car sitting in their storage area\u2014so close! Kevin suggests I check my spam folder. Voila! It takes one minute to fill out and send the declaration, and by 1pm I get the call to pick up the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driving an 86-Year-Old Limousine in Iceland<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rules for driving in Iceland are like anywhere else: keep to the right, don\u2019t speed, and, yeah, no right turn on red. The maximum posted speed limit is 90 kms, roughly 55 mph. That\u2019s perfect for the old black car. Guy Noir doesn\u2019t like to go much faster, he\u2019s geared pretty low. The roads appear normal, and not too chopped up by the inclement weather. But that\u2019s an illusion. Think of the ruts created by the wagon wheels rolling west in the 1800\u2019s. Some of these swales are still visible today along the Santa-Cali-Gon routes. In Iceland the rutted highways make a perfect trap for the tall bias-ply whitewalls of the \u201839. Constant attention must be focused on keeping the car going straight, and on the right side of the road. Reykjav\u00edk roads are the worst, perhaps because of the traffic. The farther east you travel, the less cars you\u2019ll see, so you can release the banjo-wheel death grip, a bit. However, the northern route across the country runs along the Arctic Ocean ,and produces white capped fjords, and gale-force crosswinds. You\u2019ll have both hands on the wheel again anticipating an oncoming holiday camper van getting blown into your lane. Not to mention Iceland\u2019s Route 1, the Ring Road, is about as wide as your average suburban driveway. There are no shoulders, and precious few spots to pull over, unless you want to take your chances in the lava strewn tundra. Settlements are few and far between, but that\u2019s doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll be alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sparsely populated, but lots of tourists<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Thirteen years ago Lynn and I traveled this same road in a rental car, and we pretty much had the road to ourselves. Now the popular tourist sites are overwhelmed with buses filled with retirees, camper vans for the more hardy, and hundreds of rent-a-cars racing among the admittedly few points of interest: waterfalls, geothermal areas, and scenic overlooks. Akureyri is also home to an inspired botanical garden, and an expansive public swimming center heated by geothermal energy. In fact, you\u2019ll find heated swimming pools in nearly every town in Iceland. Swim laps in the 85-degree water, or soak in the 102-degree tubs. How about a sauna, or a steam bath? No towel? No suit? No problem! You can rent it all, and it\u2019s cheap. Just remember the pools are not chlorinated, so showering is mandatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, however, your local swimming hole may be the only cheap thing you\u2019ll find along the way. Lunch for three will set you back $120.00, dinner $160.00. Of course, you can buy a hot dog at a food truck, or stock up on groceries at the local market. But there you\u2019ll have to squeeze around the backpackers who are in no rush to return to their wet tents, and the hoards of Italians chattering in the aisles. If you\u2019ve got the dough, though, you can book yourself into some stunning accommodations, and enjoy gourmet meals. No surprise, gas is not cheap, either. The \u201839 loved the 95 octane fuel, and sucked it up at its usual 7 or 8 mpg. At ten bucks a gallon, our 700-mile crossing cost about $700.00 in fuel. Saying Our Goodbyes <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the car and its occupants survived mostly unscathed during their Icelandic crossing, there were some issues. First, a lightbulb change went south when I dropped the glass turn signal lens, shattering it into several bits that had to be Super-Glued back together. Also a driver\u2019s side wiper-arm shaft popped loose rendering the wiper inoperable. This made crossing a 2000-foot peak in a foggy mist a bit tricky, to say the least. Our last two days found us in yet another charming seaside village: Seyoisfjorour, where all hands boarded the ferry to Denmark. As we lined up to enter the massive hull of the Norrona, the old black fellow continued to make friends. Other travelers stopped to ask questions, and take photos. If you want to make friends, drive your Classic. The ship did, however, further challenge my driving skills. There was little time to waste loading the hold, and some tricky turns awaited us as I negotiated the wet and steep, steel surface of the car deck. Quickly, however, the able crew loaded our car and 800 more. One hundred forty trucks also made the voyage, along with 1600 passengers and crew. The ship itself feels more like a cruise ship than a ferry. On board you\u2019ll find beautiful restaurants, a movie theatre, library, gym, sauna, and even a swimming pool that happily sloshes below the water line. Our cabin was pleasant. Meeting up with the Cadillac Kids for the BIG MEET in Kremsmunster, Austria<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BIG MEET is a three-day event in Kremsmunster, Austria for all Cadillac owners regardless of their club affiliations. In its 15th year, the activities include a driving tour, car show, and, of course, good food. This year 70 Caddies, and 150 people from 11 nations are in attendance. The weekend is a prelude to the Grand European which will take place in Munich Germany. While our initial plans saw us spending a leisurely few days driving down to Austria, an invitation came to join a group of Cadillac lovers who were planning to travel to the BIG MEET from southern Germany. How could we resist being part of a five-Cadillac caravan? The only catch was we had to hot-foot it 500 miles in one day. The Drive to the BIG MEET<\/p>\n\n\n\n We arrived at the home of Anja and Klaus Deisinger that evening, in the little south German town of Bahlingen. Klaus is a professional mechanic as well as European CLC liaison. He has played a crucial role in organizing this year\u2019s Grand European. No time to waste, we were whisked away to an enjoyable dinner at a local restaurant. Here we met the traveling companions we\u2019d drive with for the next week. Dave King, a CLC member and his wife Becky would drive Klaus\u2019 \u201856 Sedan deVille. Rick Payton, Palm Springs Chapter founder, was behind the wheel of the \u201867 Coupe, Jeff and Becca took the blue \u201868 Fleetwood, and Klaus himself drove his impeccably perfect\u2014all original\u2014\u201858 Fleetwood. Taking turns at various helms were Tom from Austin, Texas, and Jay and his wife, Sami, also from Palm Springs, California. Big Deal at the BIG MEET<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Guy Noir certainly has a presence that folks in the States can appreciate. At car shows and Grand Nationals he attracts attention and curiosity. So I was prepared for the old guy to be welcomed in the olde country. I did not, however, expect the car to be celebrated and adored as if he was George Clooney at the Academy Awards. \u201cPlease park your car on top of the hill, so all may admire it,\u201d suggested George Pfeiffer, MEET organizer. Many BIG MEETERS\u2014and there were 120 other Cadillac owners\u2014had never seen a V-16. All were fascinated by the car and our journey. Why did you come? Why do you have this car? Where else will you go? How did you ship the car? We were questioned frequently, not only by fellow participants and residents, but Austrian media. TV station ORF used part of my interview in their broadcast, while one of Austria\u2019s newspapers sent a reporter. In addition, MEET organizers also set me down to ask questions. I can\u2019t think the car has ever been more photographed. If iPhones used flash bulbs the black paint would have been bleached white!![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kccadillacclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250804_133951-768x1024.jpeg\")
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This is not to say the island country shaped like a duck is without its charms. The rugged landscape offers beautiful vistas of volcanic history: black sand beaches and crunchy lava moonscapes. Multitudes of waterfalls spring from black hillsides, and green meadows are dotted with white sheep. Deep fjords, ringed by formidable cliffs, harbor an abundance of sea life. You would be remiss if you didn\u2019t avail yourself of a whale-watching cruise, or at least sampled a plate of fresh cod, or arctic char. Larger towns, though few and far between are tidy, colorful, and inviting. Akureyri, for example, has a lively art scene with galleries, and an art museum. Folk artists also proudly display their talents. Strolling the residential lanes we came across one home surrounded by a wonderland of handmade fairytale characters. The skill and effort reflected in these works was extraordinary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/a>
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Even more pleasant was the warm weather and sunshine that greeted us in Denmark. Gone were the cold misty mountains and the tour buses. This northern part of Jutland sports white sand beaches, with towering dunes, and swimmable ocean temps. It\u2019s a vacation destination, not an international tourist Mecca. Most visitors are Danish or German, and you will not find road signs or menus automatically translated into English.
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Remember the old tune: Fun, fun, fun is the Autobahn\u2026? Well, when you\u2019re driving an old car at 55 mph hanging with the trucks in the right lane while the speed demons wiz past at supersonic speeds, you\u2019ll rethink the joviality of that tune. Kevin and I switched driving every two hours to keep alert and the sunny weather helped make the eleven and a half hour journey bearable. Besides, the old sixteen didn\u2019t seem to mind, as long as the dino juice was topped up. This ritual was performed at alarmingly frequent intervals at some pretty sketchy rest stops. Our only automotive failure was mental: I left the gas cap at the fuel stop! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>
Before turning in for the night, I was able to use Klaus\u2019 wonderfully equipped wash bay to bring the \u201839 back to some semblance of its former glory. My efforts, however, were all for naught as rain peppered the motorcade for the next two days. On the bright side, Klaus, of course, had a replacement fuel cap.
As expected, BIG MEET organizers arraigned a weekend of luxurious activities. Imagine dozens of Detroit beauties cruising through sunny Austrian towns on our way to a fabulous buffet at a lakeside mansion. Surprised Teutonic townsfolk who witnessed the parade appeared slack-jawed and mute with disbelief. The next day, a visit to an exquisite chocolatier ruined everyone\u2019s diet. Finally it was time for the display of Cadillacs at the Kremsm\u00fcnster town park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a>
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Not surprisingly we were awarded the Long Distance trophy. This was especially touching as the Austrian team has dedicated the this momento in honor of German CLC Member Torsten Loth who died suddenly of natural causes. Lynn and I have fond memories of Torsten, having spent time with him at the Swiss and Australian nationals. He and his father restored a 1959 Eldorado Brougham, and wrote an article about the work for the Self Starter. We hoped to see him this trip, and only learned of his passing when we received the award.
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