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Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
As part of the road trip Report was the 1000 mile Kansas run.
RIGHT, A SERIOUS REQUEST, OFFER, CALL IT WHAT YOU LIKE. Having been to Mike Kellers BIG CREEK RESTORATIONS he gave Jerry and I a tour of the shop. And it is a shop anyone liking restoration and rodding would love. His story also starts small, really small……. To now building cars that hit and pass the $500k level as he delivers for his selective and selected clients. When you start to decline $300k builds because you do not feel you can/want to work with a client, or won’t be able to deliver for them, you are certainly maintaining the highest expectations and standards for your business. I want you guys to go take a look at Mikes website and work, to expand on what we were privileged to see. I took no photos, no video of this part of the trip as he has builds there that have not yet been unveiled, but suffice it to say that a guy who over 20 years has won a variety of AMERICA’S BEST Awards in various classes and shows, the website will show you how good this part of the trip was. Click the link: bigcreekrestoration.com [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjtvMmEz4SBAxVgrYkEHWCWAZQQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A %2F%2Fbigcreekrestoration.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw32v97FUFZk6k0w5tUFaWDB&opi=89978449[/URL] |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
That sounds interesting,
I can't open the link. I wish you lots of fun. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
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Just Google Bigcreekrestorations Thanks. Still doing this….. https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Funny the stuff, unnecessary as it may be, that runs through your head at stupid-0-clock when U.K. and USA time has not yet meshed together. Had a suggestion from @sparkplug Fil iirc to go with a cartoon paint theme. But I am,actually still not sure if one should even mess with what is there. Not a great fan of this theme, though the pic has me wondering, or is that wandering. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Need to get on and order that surround for the radio and dash. . |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
So today I spent 2hr 15 minutes in McDonalds.
Took that long to upload this one…… ENJOY https://youtu.be/MlJZ8I6M-Dw?si=BBJ341uLIxCapwO3 |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Another 5 minute time lapse clip of hummingbirds and sunrise.
They fly so fast, the time lapse captures their movement a bit. And the sunrise is so slow, time lapse speeds it up. More real stuff later. https://youtu.be/mIBqUjyclHg?si=vUY7qdsmNtcswYV7 Busy uploading at Starbucks. WiFi cost: $5.21 (bought a grande latté) At least it is happening. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
There are two 34 Ford videos left that I struggled to upload.
This one from Ellis to Kansas City. https://youtu.be/u3vm4QgDPTk?si=AaHxjdJc7O9T5RMM One more to go. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Bit of bouncing around on timelines here due to lack of internet etc.
Remember how hot it was when I came on Thursday, by Sunday the weather had at last broken the heat wave, with rain dropping the outside temperature by 30’F Much more bearable. Dennis likes stainless steel fasteners, and sometimes two trips as day to different hardware shops happens as progress comes. So, working on the Chevelle meant we went out twice…… But despite the current spaghetti of wires, pipes etc, we started it up. And a video of last Sunday. https://youtu.be/S6rUHv7ECiM?si=qEL4LkYsOzlTGKgJ Off to St Louis today to watch a baseball game Not sure how I feel about that. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
A nice report, the Hardware Store flashed me, we don't have anything like that anymore.
Nice that the Chevelle is running. |
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Hardwares store is modern, with lots of traditional things. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Right.
Last part of the 34 Ford fetch uploaded. https://youtu.be/PPX48CXeXfI?si=LIsI8XXroJGvMYQN Dennis and I did 470 miles today, Mexican dinner at 400 miles. Motel 70 miles later. Nice place. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Still no luck finding a surround but one more online option to chase later today.
Just crossed from Kansas back into Missouri. Pete and Jakes hotrod shop next. https://youtu.be/CrkcRY8QnaE?si=Y7qNZwBthdy5ucb4 Could be interesting. . |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
3 States
350 miles 5.5 hours in total. Landed in Fayetteville at Clems place. Tuba Trucks Restoration is fuller than ever. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
So today, up at 04.25 and on the road by 04.50
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Got to Clems place at Tuba Trucks…… We went to a prop shaft builder to have propshaft shortened by 1.5” for a truck he is building with a modern trans and longer tail shaft. After this, back to Tuba Trucks Restoration. Clem gave me his phone and computer after he had called the GMSpares supplier who had the dash surround on their inventory. Seems it was discontinued and made obsolete a few years ago. Poop !!! So I called some vehicle breakers. Amazingly, the first ones I called, Junkyard Dog Auto Salvage in Rogers, Arkansas, said they had a few Astros in their yard……. Rogers has a few claims to fame. Rogers is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. Located in the Ozarks, it is part of the Northwest Arkansas region, one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country.[8] Rogers was the location of the first Walmart store, whose corporate headquarters is located in neighboring Bentonville. Daisy Outdoor Products, known for its air rifles, Think Daisy BB gun, part of American history , has both its headquarters and its Airgun Museum in Rogers. The city houses a popular shopping center, the Pinnacle Hills Promenade, and a music venue, the Walmart AMP, that has housed performances by big-name artists and local performers alike. [9] Seriously?? So I drove over there. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So I got to Junkyard Dog and spoke to various staff, till Sam, who I had spoken to 0n the phone, came in. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds He took me for a junk yard tour, 4 failed Astros, and then a 95 model, when the face change happened to them…… Jackpot. Also gave me a heater control knob Found one, and dismantled it…. Not the easiest thing to find in the U.K. Two screws. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And a few easy clip switches to I clip. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Done…… in the truck. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Blower knob. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Dash panel came with a bonus. Mud dauber wasp nest. Bassstards. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Cleared out in the end. Once I got home, I celebrated with Clem and had a Sailor Jerry and Coke, followed by cleaning the whole surround that had cost me a whole £20.00 or $25.00 This is the most awesome win for me. Finding an obsolete part a long way from home, constitutes a major win when rebuilding a 30 plus year old car. I feel vindicated. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Cleaned up. Did I mention that life is good? |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Congrats on the find Rian. Pack it good for the trip home.
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Yes, absolute highlight of my trip so far. Obsolete parts are just that…… obsolete. So finding a part for a 30 year old van in England while over here is a win. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Congratulations on the find.
A great trip. Wasn't TubaTrucks looking for new employees? That would be a chance. |
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Yes, Clem is looking for reliable staff. |
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Video of dinner at Rogers and Debs uploaded.
Also Free Sun Diagnostic machines and car rotisserie collection from the widow. https://youtu.be/5x9V2SWQUjc?si=TRZuEVYmI5zPDNkZ Still in Arkansas. Chicken wings last night. That makes for a good road trip. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Got this message from a guy on www.astrosafari.com
Grizz, If you have any interest, I have a goid condition stock Chevy steering wheel for an Astro. Doesn't match my GMC... Yours for taking if you want it. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So now I need to orchestrate this. It is not a “sport steering wheel “ as fitted, but I like the idea of putting things back to standard. Let’s see what happens. |
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Bonus
Eureka Springs classic car parade yesterday with Clem Johnson https://youtu.be/lG5UW0XIoMU?si=8WunJp-b1p-N79Kg |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Eureka Springs is a neat place in Arkansas. I had to turn around at that post office on the corner from where you were, when delivering there because the truck I was driving was too big for the narrow streets and corners. There used to be signs about how big the RVs and trucks could be to go into town.
Nice parade, thanks for sharing, |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Looks like another wonderful set of experiences Grizz.
Enjoy! P. :D |
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Pleasure sharing. Quote:
Thank you. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
The day I have feared for the last two years came today.
I have lost my job in another restructuring. Not much I can do about it. Will worry about it nonstop now but do nothing while in America..…. I will be told formally next week when I get back to work. But will just have to get my Sh!t together when back and go find another job. Yup….. Sucks. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Nice crap and finding out about it while on vacation wasn't very nice.
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They were only going to inform me next week. But we do talk as a team, so my calendar showed a big meeting and two sub meetings. I saw my name in a sub meeting……. 2+2 = 4 for sure. Called the contracts manager and asked her…… she was embarrassed, but told me. Road Trip stuff….. Sunday was Baseball day for the whole extended family. Never been to a game. Interesting. But before that, I got to chat to Andy, a racing friend of Adam. He is busy training his 8 year old son in a scientific way to drive sprint cars. This sort of dedication and drive always amazes me over here. Everything he does is for Ryder’s racing career. Neat truck too…… video to follow. Well……. Video loaded fast. https://youtu.be/ISvar3LNsPI?si=-WZog15LBJEDsJOR . |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
So sorry to hear about your job status. There is a better one out there for you. Will be praying for your job situation.
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I make peace, despite the extreme stress it causes me, with these things. Life does go on. Another bit of typical American style. Home built. And registered as a pistol. Also licensed for personal carrying in public. Unless you are part of it, you,will never understand. I tend to accept it as part of a country of extremes. Miles of anti-abortion billboards, repent and live, and many other themes….. Then open and concealed carry laws. Still love this place. https://youtu.be/Yfcr4EmtB7M?si=CmMSzKnPpniTxUwl . |
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Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Well that was a fast three weeks.
Ending with a bit of a bump. Packed n ready. Tomorrow https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds |
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Wow, this is a dream, inspiration for my new project.
Come home safely, it's been 3 weeks? No, right? |
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Amazing time as always. George the cat is happy. Cardinals home game. A great day out, we all need one. https://youtu.be/ns7C3jeopLc?si=Br6ZUqDuMSdERQ-4 |
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Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
BACK TO REALITY…..
3 weeks in America gone in a flash. https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again My planned trips completely aborted and rewritten. Saw some of what I planned and saw, a lot that I had not planned and saw made this a much more rewarding trip. Only did about 3800 miles or 6100km but that was enough to keep me very busy and out of sleep. Driving 500 miles to buy a 1934 Ford, with an 81 year old veteran driving the tow rig, sharing many stories, only to find after loading the 34 that nobody remembered to bring the pile of cash sitting on a shelf in a garage in St Louis must be the stuff of road trip movies. Driving 360 miles to go meet strangers, then another 40 miles to have dinner, followed by taking them back home and then driving many more miles before settling in possibly the best $80.00 motel in all my road trips for the night before heading to Pete and Jakes in Peculiar, ending up with 800 miles for dinner…. More great memories. Driving 350 miles to Fayetteville to visit friends Clem and Kim, only to call a scrap yard in Rogers, Arkansas (go Google BB Gun history) who said they have a few Astro vans, when nobody so far had even one in their junk yards……. Seriously?? Then getting there and finding a 1995 face lifted model with the right dash piece I dreamed of having….. for $20.00 -PRICELESS. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Yup, the trip was different to the plan, but it was delivering like the goose laying golden eggs. Once again life was kind to me, in a curved ball kinda way. The kindness of complete strangers always amazes me. (Admittedly, I have done the same kind of thing many times before as well, but it always humbles me) While I was there in Arkansas, a member “Opelbits” from AstroSafari.com forum reached out and offered me an original steering wheel for the van, FREE for the taking, should I want it. I do not like taking stuff just because it is there, but I prefer the original to the sports steering wheel fitted. Logistics seemed a slight problem as he lived some distance on the other side of St Louis, same state as Dennis, but still a long way away…… I accepted the offer of a free steering wheel, offering to pay shipping etc. supplying him with Dennis’ address and contact number. Turns out, Tony, who had offered the wheel, likes to drive his Mustang as well, and unbeknown to me, he and Dennis agreed to him driving all the way to Dennis’ place to hand deliver the wheel……. As if that was not enough, he came with a load more stuff for Dennis and me. What Tony brought….. Treasures. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds TOTALLY (relatively) UNOBTAINABLE GM MAINTENANCE MANUALS. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds Every possible fault, identified, cross referenced and then answered between these manuals. I cannot even describe how Dennis went on about the amazing value these three books add to owning one of these vans. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds And of course the original NON-AIRBAG steering wheel, which I love the idea of fitting back in the van. I absolutely love it, and it is an immaculate example as well. Along with repairing the dash….. What a win. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds One more thing he brought from his personal treasure stash ( I love this stuff) was an original steel, embossed Disabled Parking sign. I had been looking for one for Andy the welder, my repeat lodger whose wife is ex-military and disabled through service. But Andy will not be getting this sign…… I decided to give it to Dennis, as it goes much better with his replica Gas Station and the age of his collection, so we traded a newer one for the original. The one Andy will get, was left with Dennis as my baggage was on the limit, well, over and I had to swap out some stuff at departures, so it may come back next year, should I make it there with having to find a new job and start saving up vacation etc. https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds So that brings us back to today, back in the U.K. I am looking forward to seeing if these parts all fit my van, and then of course fitting them all. . |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
If it's not the positive, great unexpected encounters that make this road trip, you've experienced enough to keep the evening campfires happy.
Great trip and welcome back. |
Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
Glad you made it back Rian. Hope all goes well with the other issues also.
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