Furka Pass

[Dickie Dastardly]

This summer taking the Tuscan down through Holland, France and Switzerland to the Italian lakes, back via a couple of stops in Germany to Amsterdam, then ferry to back to Newcastle.

During the drive south we're planning on going over the Grimselpass and Furka Pass, between Lucerne and Como; anyone had their TVR over these alpine passes, and if so how did you fair?

Cheers

[Let off some steam Bennett]

I enjoyed all those passes you mention in my tuscan, by far the worse one for me is the stelvio. With the pathetic turning circle in the tuscan it was a horrible drive

[Let off some steam Bennett]

Chamonix is very worth a stop over if you fancy a French ski resort, its stunning

[s6boy]

Not the Furka but San Bernardino a couple of times, looks to be about as twisty in places.
You'll get used to first gear bends going uphill. Pick the time of year and time of day well. I was once caught behind a heaving, sweaty mass of lycra cycling up a col following the route of the tour de France which was starting the following week, the image has lived on a long time! It could have been the Grimmsel but can't be sure
Camper vans are obviously a bit faster but do hold up a good flow and are very common. I found there are more overtaking opportunities going uphill between hairpins than down especially past campers vans, but I'm sure that's going to be road dependant, so if you're lucky can make for good entertainment.
Earlier in the season would be better but check it's open after winter snow.
There are always rest stops, usually near scenic vantage points.
Hopefully someone with direct experience of the Furka will be along.
If you haven't been to that part of Europe before you do need to be aware of the Swiss and their dislike for speeding. I was lucky to go past a mobile trap after a biker had been stopped on a fast bit of road but miles from anywhere, a few minutes earlier and it could have been me.
You mention Como so here's my tuppence worth.
We used to have a flat outside Bellagio on lake Como. I can really recommend it as a destination with some great hotels, the Florence is a particular favourite. For your trip it would make a great stop over as the route you'll be taking from the Furka pass should bring you via Lugano over to Mennagio and from here it's only 5 minutes drive down to a ferry which takes you directly across to Bellagio.
The Tuscan was never troubled by the roads and the ferries were ok as long as there wasn't too big a swell. If there was I learnt to get the front wheels on and wait for the ramp to come back to near level then scoot the back on, the crew directing are used to low cars so will help guide you. Did I mention the cyclists though
The drive down to Como itself on the western shore is fine and you'll see some amazing villas, the villa del Balbianello is a great place to visit. Then a bit further down you'll go past the Villa d'Este. The drive up the eastern shore is also fine. The really tricky parts are either side of the 'wishbone' on the way up to Bellagio from Como, look at a map of the lake to understand the description. Although 40 seater coaches use this route there are certain parts that are a really tight squeeze with traffic in the other direction. My wife grew up around here and still closed her eyes last time we were there.
A brilliant place to travel to and drive around.

[Italian450]

I went over the pass at Andermatt next door to Furka a few years ago with my Chimaera. Had to be careful with the gradient changes on the hairpins - the exhaust kept grinding…. argh

Apart from that, fantastic views and an exhilarating drive.

Not many TVR’s in Italy so you will get some attention.
Have a great holiday

[Dickie Dastardly]

Thanks chaps,very interesting and useful information.

We are over in early July and have just booked accommodation in Strasbourg, Lucerne, Como, Garda, Blaubeuren, Aachen & Amsterdam; so route and dates are in place

Any other comments or do’s/dont’s most welcome though….

Cheers

[Zeb74]

s6boy was talking about overtaking on the pass routes, what is funny there is that on the Swiss side, most of the time you have dotted lines, whereas in Italy you will find continuous lines. And you have few people overtaking in the first case, and few people who don't overtake in the second one .
Enjoy your trip!
And if you come close to Annecy, do not hesitate to send a message.

[Dickie Dastardly]

Zeb74 said:

s6boy was talking about overtaking on the pass routes, what is funny there is that on the Swiss side, most of the time you have dotted lines, whereas in Italy you will find continuous lines. And you have few people overtaking in the first case, and few people who don't overtake in the second one .
Enjoy your trip!
And if you come close to Annecy, do not hesitate to send a message.

Thanks, will do

[Griffithy]

The Tuscan is great in the mountains, go for it.
A warning: Swiss speed limit is 50 mph and they are very very strict and fines are high.
The Swiss don´t like loud cars, TVRs are not that welcome there.
That´s why I prefer Italy and France for mountain hooning.
Very high up in the mountains (about 2000-2500 meters) the Tuscan goes into limp mode, don´t worry about it, it is still not slow.
Avoid weekends and holidays, all the weekend traffic kills the joy.

Have fun!

[Italian450]

I noticed you mentioned Garda… as in lake or town ?

If you are either in Garda or around the lake I would recommend a visit to Verona.

[Dickie Dastardly]

Griffithy said:

The Tuscan is great in the mountains, go for it.
A warning: Swiss speed limit is 50 mph and they are very very strict and fines are high.
The Swiss don´t like loud cars, TVRs are not that welcome there.
That´s why I prefer Italy and France for mountain hooning.
Very high up in the mountains (about 2000-2500 meters) the Tuscan goes into limp mode, don´t worry about it, it is still not slow.
Avoid weekends and holidays, all the weekend traffic kills the joy.

Have fun!

Limp mode, that sounds a bit concerning…..

[Griffithy]

Dickie Dastardly said:

Limp mode, that sounds a bit concerning…..

Something to do with thin air and TVR forgot about mountains higher than Ben Nevis outside UK

PS: YHM

Edited by Griffithy on Friday 6th January 06:59

[Let off some steam Bennett]

I remember driving up the highest pass in France on the way to Monaco in my tuscan, it was just off the route Napoleon from memory. The higher we got the more the car struggled, then the EFI warning popped on, scary moment. I assumed it was the lack of oxygen as we were very high, as we started our descent the car felt happier and the warning went out.

[ecs0set]

s6boy said:

The drive down to Como itself on the western shore is fine and you'll see some amazing villas, the villa del Balbianello is a great place to visit. Then a bit further down you'll go past the Villa d'Este. The drive up the eastern shore is also fine.

After being stuck for about an hour in a traffic jam in a stupidly long, stupidly hot tunnel on the Eastern side of Lake Como, I'd recommend the shore road.

But then I should be grateful that my Griff can do hairpin turns & high altitude unlike these inferior Tuscans!

[CerbWill]

Did the Susten, Grimsel, Furka and San Gottardo passes in my Cerbera without issues. Did the San Bernardino and San Gottardo passes in the Tuscan this summer. Getting it started at the Punto Panoramico at about 2000m above sea level was difficult but it fired up and we continued back to our accommodation via the rest of the pass and the Oberalpstrasse towards Chur.

[Dickie Dastardly]

Griffithy said:

Something to do with thin air and TVR forgot about mountains higher than Ben Nevis outside UK

PS: YHM

Thanks, read it and since looked it up and watched a YouTube vid of someone traversing it on a motorcycle; an incredible road.
I did reply to your email, hopefully you got that….

Edited by Griffithy on Friday 6th January 06:59

[Griffithy]

Dickie Dastardly said:

Griffithy said:

Something to do with thin air and TVR forgot about mountains higher than Ben Nevis outside UK

PS: YHM

Thanks, read it and since looked it up and watched a YouTube vid of someone traversing it on a motorcycle; an incredible road.
I did reply to your email, hopefully you got that….

Edited by Griffithy on Friday 6th January 06:59

Thanks very much, I got it.
On this road I have seen grown men crying. But you drive a TVR and are certainly strong enough.
If you plan to stay in that area I would have some other good road and hotel recommendations if needed.

[Griffithy]

ecs0set said:

After being stuck for about an hour in a traffic jam in a stupidly long, stupidly hot tunnel on the Eastern side of Lake Como, I'd recommend the shore road.

But then I should be grateful that my Griff can do hairpin turns & high altitude unlike these inferior Tuscans!

You are right, the Griffith really feels to fit like a glove.
All the talk of Lake Como reminds me that every single time I have been there, I got stuck in some traffic jam.
As the Griffith runs very much on the hot side, and it is usually very hot there in summertime, this was always a borderline experience. Cooling system and radiator have to be in best condition to get through this well.

For Richard´s trip.
The Tuscan is much better and runs cooler but still you should check your cooling system and radiator carefully before going on tour.
It will be very hot, so you would also want your aircon working really properly.
If you haven´t renewed your fuel pipes yet, it is now the time to do this as well.
You will wear out brakes and tyres in the mountains and you don´t want to spoil your trip with the search for special tyres or brake pads in TVR-nowhere-land.
When you are at the brakes check for fresh brake fluid as well.

[macdeb]

Dickie Dastardly said:

Griffithy said:

The Tuscan is great in the mountains, go for it.
A warning: Swiss speed limit is 50 mph and they are very very strict and fines are high.
The Swiss don´t like loud cars, TVRs are not that welcome there.
That´s why I prefer Italy and France for mountain hooning.
Very high up in the mountains (about 2000-2500 meters) the Tuscan goes into limp mode, don´t worry about it, it is still not slow.
Avoid weekends and holidays, all the weekend traffic kills the joy.

Have fun!

Limp mode, that sounds a bit concerning…..

Fabulous trip to do, envious here. We did it few years ago to watch Valentino Rossi race at Mugello and the Italians LOVED the TVR's. I was in my turbo Chimaera and my mate in his Tuscan and he experienced limp mode when coming down through Switzerland. Parked up, scratched heads for 5 minutes and started her up and all was well. Agreed on the Stelvio pass, not the best but many others.

[Dickie Dastardly]

macdeb said:

Fabulous trip to do, envious here. We did it few years ago to watch Valentino Rossi race at Mugello and the Italians LOVED the TVR's. I was in my turbo Chimaera and my mate in his Tuscan and he experienced limp mode when coming down through Switzerland. Parked up, scratched heads for 5 minutes and started her up and all was well. Agreed on the Stelvio pass, not the best but many others.

Great photos, and the altitude EFI fault is very good to know in advance, albeit there is no fix as such.

Our Tuscan has had a new radiator and hoses within the last couple of years; will also have a new set of tyres all round for the trip. Aircon will be checked at the next service, likely 6wks before we leave.

Info and experiences shared thus far has been great