Geo Metro Attempts Cross-Country Cannonball Run
A 1992 Geo Metro convertible with a three-cylinder engine is driving 2,800 miles from New York City to Redondo Beach, California.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Car Maintenance
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Mitchell Kohrmann is driving a 1992 Geo Metro LSi convertible across the United States on the Cannonball Run route, starting at New York City's Red Ball Garage and ending at the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach, California. The trip aims to beat the previous sub-one-liter engine record of 48 hours, 9 minutes and 53 seconds.
Why it matters
The attempt tests whether a small, low-power economy car can complete a long-distance endurance run that is typically associated with much larger engines. Roadside repairs and weather challenges along the way show the practical demands of keeping an older compact car running over a 2,800-mile route.
The Geo Metro's three-cylinder engine produced 43 horsepower on a dyno before the trip, and the car was prepped with a new timing belt, ignition components, fluids and tires. The 2,800-mile route must be completed faster than the previous sub-one-liter record of 48 hours, 9 minutes and 53 seconds to break it.
The players
Mitchell Kohrmann
Mitchell Kohrmann is the driver attempting the Cannonball Run in a 1992 Geo Metro LSi convertible, performing roadside repairs during the trip.
The details
Before departure the Metro received a new timing belt, ignition components, fresh fluids and new tires. Along the route a disconnected alternator charge cable left the battery dead in Iowa, which the driver fixed and then bump-started the car, while rain leaked through the convertible top and the air conditioning was switched off on Pennsylvania hills to preserve speed.
Timeline
The article about the Cannonball Run attempt was published on November 3, 2026.
The route runs from New York City's Red Ball Garage to the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach, California.
Roadmap
The attempt follows the tradition of the Cannonball Run, the cross-country endurance event that has long tested how far and how fast production cars can travel. Pursuing the existing sub-one-liter engine record places this small 1992 economy car within that historical lineage of endurance driving.
The trip shows that a tuned small car with a new timing belt, ignition parts and tires can cover long distances, but it also underscores that charging systems and weather seals need attention on older vehicles. Owners of similar cars should check alternator cable connections and convertible top seals before any long journey.
The takeaway
Routine checks of charging connections, timing components and weather seals can make the difference between a smooth trip and a roadside stop. Reviewing these items before a long drive helps an older car stay dependable.
Further reading
For more on keeping older compact cars running reliably, browse our Car Maintenance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GM Authority.
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