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-   -   Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO! (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=585901)

Palf70Step 10-04-2023 03:08 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
NIce work. Looks pretty clean under there.

Grizz1963 10-06-2023 03:04 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by realvc (Post 9247698)
Progress is progress and since you never sit still it will continue. Did you sell your 66 C10?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step (Post 9247707)
NIce work. Looks pretty clean under there.

Thanks guys.



CLUNK

CLINK

CLUNK

CLINK

CLUNK

CLINK


ONLY SMALL NOISES.


Not currently apparent from the left rear wheel area.

So I got an Allen key set and proceeded to remove the centre Line centre caps

One by one they came off, nothing in there at all

Impressed that the Allen head screws all had copper slip on their threads.

Never found anything loose in the end.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


Went for a drive.

Saw this Mitsubishi L200 shorty.

Makes the van look smaller than it is.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Still smiling.



Still smiling.

Grizz1963 10-08-2023 04:11 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Saturday morning I was out earlier than normal, as we had a BBQ invitation to friends an hour from here for 2.00pm.

Lazy jobs to do, so I started with checking out the radio in the Van.

Still not able to figure the balance control on this rocket ship,radio.

So unable to test the speakers in the rear doors.

But I did find this………

Anyone need it?

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Next up, refitted the rear door retaining strap that @glenanderson had fished out.

Two handed job for sure.

Fitted though.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

While out back, I did an asses,ent of the threshold, not too nice.

So a bit of paint repairing will happen .

I also measured the open section and went to order a 5 meter length of 150mm or 6 inch wide, anti-slip tape to put on the edge.

Whoever the genius put the bit on there before, clearly never loaded a van.

I will apply it o the edge and possibly fold it over the edge a bit.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

At £9.00 delivered it seems a good investment or added peace of mind in preventative maintenance.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

While I was on that job, I looked at the second door (opens after the first one) on the left, it is missing a trip strip of some sort

Does the van doors come with a protective strip?

Or do I have to make one up?

Answers please.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Then back to the floor……..

The rear retaining g strip for the carpeting has missed a few screws since day one, so I thought removing and replacing them all makes sense.

They are screwed through the floor.

Some came out easy……

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Some needed a bit of persuading, and rather than force them, a gentle tape, followed by a more persuasive tap on a Phillips screwdriver made the rust break and then allowed me to get them out.

This really does help, as having the head break off meant that replacing the screws with fresh ones would be a ball ache for sure.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

I had very short replacements , but lucky for me, neighbour Tony at no1 house who does my boiler servicing and electrical maintenance, had some in his garage.

Longer than I need, but a swift cut with a grinder will see that sorted.

Once I have prepared all the holes with some rust preventative, and cleaned the edge strop, I will refit the strip with new screws.

That should make a difference too.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

At this point, I had to walk away to go shower and shave for the afternoon out.

But even small jobs need doing.

So a good day again.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

I need to go shower and then pack a small bag…….

Remember Bill who did the logistics for the Rezin Rockit?

He called me on Friday, offering to come down from Scotland for a few days to help me with anything random that needs doing here.

He is a fireman, so has extended shifts on and off work.

Currently dog-sitting, he wanted to bring his dog along, but of course George would not be happy.

So I declined his offer of helping me with servicing the Astro, and sorting the sound system out.

450 miles is a long way to drive to randomly help someone (of course he gains time away as a break too)

So last night I impulsively called him at 9.30pm and asked if he has a bed for me……..

I have about 10 days vacation time too use before I stop work mid November, and had texted my boss for permission while out at the BBQ.

Anyone near Glasgow? Whitchurch, Shropshire?

Get the kettle going, send me a PM.


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


Life certainly is good.

Grizz1963 10-09-2023 05:19 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Another one of those “I NEED” entries.


I need a spare wheel for the Astro van.

Steel, or alloy, but alloy preferred as it would use the right lug nuts.

15” and 5x5


Tire Rim. Offset. Range mm
OE 205/75SR15 6Jx15 ET13 11 - 15
OE 215/75SR15 6Jx15 ET13 11 - 15
245/60HR15 6.5Jx15 ET13 11 - 15




PM please.

Grizz1963 10-10-2023 08:51 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Here’s another question……


https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...panelvan-value


Any advice appreciated.

Grizz1963 10-10-2023 02:02 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Interesting gift from mate Bill.

There you go, if it works, great, if not, bin it.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Grizz1963 10-10-2023 03:03 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
My trip up to Scotland has been really enjoyable.

Seen loads of stuff, met some great people.

One of Bills long term friends shall we say is a money making machine.

Nonstop ideas and cations keeps money pouring in.

Last week he drove to Norway to strip down this Volvo truck, bringing back the parts to restore one of 6 that were meant to have been exported to South Africa years ago, that he now owns, three rusted away, one is on the road and one unknown.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

The one he has, note the cab floor, and a birds nest in the roof.

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

Anyway….. he is the kind of guy who buys a Porsche Taycan new, drives it a few months and parks it up on the drive because it is disappointing in its range and ability as a daily driver, going back to his Mercedes Vito as daily.
He owns A load of interesting exotics and collectibles, including a beautiful Datsun 260Z , 911, a few Tombstone Benzes, two G-Wagons and then all sorts of interesting smaller stuff.

Moss covered Taycan did not look like this.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Various barns, garages and stables filled with all sorts of future projects.

Just one of the barns, filled with loads, and there were three early Honda Accors and much more stuff.

Nothing for sale here.

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


But this had me calling him on Bills phone to just register my interest, if you know what I mean.


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

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

Tonight is steak…….

Grizz1963 10-11-2023 05:07 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Looks like I have sourced a wheel.

Just need to figure a way to get it from Hereford to Kent.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And then get a tyre on it as well.

And paint would help.

Grizz1963 10-12-2023 05:29 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
While in Scotland, Bill and I took,Blue, his dog for a walk.

Perfect.

Also managed to go see the Falkirk Wheel.

Wikipedia says:

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift in Tamfourhill, Falkirk, in central Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s. It opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project.

The plan to regenerate central Scotland's canals and reconnect Glasgow with Edinburgh was led by British Waterways with support and funding from seven local authorities, the Scottish Enterprise Network, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Millennium Commission. Planners decided early on to create a dramatic 21st-century landmark structure to reconnect the canals, instead of simply recreating the historic lock flight.

The wheel raises boats by 24 metres (79 ft), but the Union Canal is still 11 metres (36 ft) higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel. Boats must also pass through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world, and one of two working boat lifts in the United Kingdom, the other being the Anderton Boat Lift.



Did a bit of a glued together bit of video of it turning nd lifting a longboat from one canal up to another system.


https://youtu.be/1nOVHFwgpL0?si=UnVttmjINJ6IIQFK


Time well spent, both for me and the dog.

Palf70Step 10-12-2023 07:42 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Very cool. Way different than the locks in Pittsburgh where I grew up.

Grizz1963 10-13-2023 03:02 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step (Post 9249794)
Very cool. Way different than the locks in Pittsburgh where I grew up.

An amazing piece of engineering and thinking.

Simple really but loved it.

Glad to share.

Grizz1963 10-13-2023 03:03 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
S10 truck Collection on Sunday.

Truck now back to its original registration number.

Astro issued with GRZ733

​So the story continues.

Friday 13th and today at 11.00 is my final redundancy “consultation” not sure what part of this is consulting, as it is more a “tell you”

It will be interesting to hear what they have to tell me.

Braunschweiger 10-13-2023 03:23 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
What good is that? Do they want to demoralize you even further? The company has decided against you. You are a good one and find a job that you enjoy again.
The report about the lock is very interesting, we also have ship lifts in Germany, but this is very special, great.

Grizz1963 10-15-2023 11:58 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger (Post 9250018)
What good is that? Do they want to demoralize you even further? The company has decided against you. You are a good one and find a job that you enjoy again.
The report about the lock is very interesting, we also have ship lifts in Germany, but this is very special, great.

Indeed Harald, it is all corporate scheisse (spelling? )

The big bosses protect themselves and screw the people who do the work.

Always been this way.

I am not even actively looking for a job……. I am thinking of leaving this health industry altogether and maybe becoming a handyman, or something simple.

I will send you a Private Message in a moment.


The lock is very impressive as well.

Grizz1963 10-15-2023 12:58 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
While I was up in Scotland visiting Bill, I managed to scavenge som plastic trim from a Mazda Bongo van he had chopped up.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Door lock and side needs trim.

This may be a plan.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Not quite a perfect fit, but a grinder, some heat gun action and we may have it looking a lot better.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

During the week, while I travelled to Scotland, some anti-slip tape arrived at home.

So I removed the half-arsed attempt by some brain surgeon, leaned up many years worth of old hardened glue and proceeded to measure and cut.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Pretty messy and messed up.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Cut to length

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Cut to shape.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Up close.

Liking that a lot.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Cleaned up the removable tow bar and removed the original license plate.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Fitted, with license plate in place.

Not ideal

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And replaced the front license plate.

I am liking this.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Next job is to drill the holes for the retaining stip, carefully, in order to get the screws back in to hold the strip down.

Fit the rear license plate, as I had to clean up and repaint the rear plate support.

realvc 10-15-2023 02:31 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Your van is really shaping up. The non-skid tape turned our very nice indeed.
Would you work out of the van or buy another work truck?

Grizz1963 10-15-2023 02:39 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by realvc (Post 9250862)
Your van is really shaping up. The non-skid tape turned our very nice indeed.
Would you work out of the van or buy another work truck?

Thanks Vince, I like it too.

I would not work out of this van, it is just a toy.

The company car goes back 15 November.

Grizz1963 10-16-2023 06:24 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Insurance companies……. Rip off artists.

Just cancelled the s10 insurance, 2.5 months left on the policy.

Zero refund.


Swapped the grz733 plate to the astro.

£46.80 admin fee.


What a bunch of thieves.



Got a quote for a vehicle off the same company recently £578.00 with 3k miles, single driver, personal use only.
Repeated same quote online £337 up to £1000
selected to buy a £350.92 option from carole nash - went to check out…… system rejected purchase.
Called carole nash direct next day to check.
Nope…… price not available, new price now £372.00
i kinda lost it, and by being really nice, insisted on speaking to a supervisor, which did not happen, got the original price 20 minutes later.
It is crazy how they dip their hands into our pockets and steal because it is all legislated that you will have insurance.
And of course all the wriggling to not pay when you have an accident/damage/break in.


This realy is tiring.

Wartch your pockets.

Grizz1963 10-17-2023 05:15 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Saw this on FB in an Astro group.

How I would love one of these models.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Suspect not cheap or available.

Grizz1963 10-20-2023 08:21 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Raining all day.

Working redundancy style…….

They can’t really fire me now, can they.

Wanted to get some rear entry action in today.

Cut, shape and see if it works to make up a blanking panel for the rear door.

The number plate recess has been tidied and the paint now dried, but rain prevents fitting.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Hoped some time over the weekend to get some stuff done.

Grizz1963 10-23-2023 02:42 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
140 miles mini road trip yesterday to meet up with two awesome guys.

One a member on here @sammo, and a younger guy who does 1% social media, only FB marketplace to sell stuff.

Spent an hour at least at Sam’s mums place and would happily spend a day working or chatting with him, got to spend time with his Mums cat, and also met his rescued pet tortoise, another cool creature. Bought and loaded some stuff, he kindly gave me some real winter emergency spares too. Thanks Sam.

Then off to Chertsy to meet up with Curtis a builder (construction sort)

How refreshing to chat for an hour with someone who is massively into cars, but has no PB, IG or other Stalker site presence. I just found him while doing a search for something arbitrary and unrelated, realising he also had some stuff I wanted (rarely about need)

I bought some stuff from him and ended up with having to return stuff that did not fit in the back of the com-any wagon as it was a bit bigger than the hole. Also some bits that did fit.

However, more importantly, he declined money for the stuff I had not gone to buy, citing that he was brought up by a step dad who taught him everything he knows in construction as he was employed by him after school and that being honest (he offered to demonstrate the goods I had bought from him, working, there for me) and paying stuff forward always left him with a full Karma bucket.

What a pleasure.

I drove off smiling and thinking that if I had kids, this would be my template.

Back home around 3.3.30pm after leaving at 09.00am

I was just moving the Astro over the street when I saw @nickwheeler waft by in his silver (actually it is grey) Ford Focus.

So I parked the van over the street nd reversed the company car up into the back yard for unloading.

As I was done and moved the Focus back out front, Nick cruised up and parked.

A couple of hours saw him being able to get his weekly quota of pissstaking with me, and no paint was involved.

A good at indeed, wallet somewhat lighter…… for the greater good.

No Astro work done, except unbox my new Hula Tiki.

Life is good.

Grizz1963 10-24-2023 04:46 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Time on my hands…..

Never a good thing.

Full build will be here.

too much copy and paste and my internet sucks big time, so always a struggle to load photos on every site, as my Photobucket is a PITA.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...d-sliver-dream


please follow there if interested.

Braunschweiger 10-25-2023 02:05 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
I'm happy to follow your reports and I'm excited to see what happens next for you.
The Micra would have been perfect for your current situation, you'll find something suitable.

Grizz1963 10-25-2023 04:19 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger (Post 9253423)
I'm happy to follow your reports and I'm excited to see what happens next for you.
The Micra would have been perfect for your current situation, you'll find something suitable.

Thank you Harald,

Interesting thing with the post-Covid car market is that it has certainly escalated more than historically.

Also pressure and stealth taxes on every move, by our thieving government add to pressures,




I failed miserably at finding something cheap like the Prozac Berlingo.

I guess one of those in a lifetime is a bargain, not to be repeated.


Looked right across to Markplaats and Scout24.de and found the market for cheap cars is limited.


Some real sh!trees out there for strong money.

Considering the price of a scrap car, catalytic converters etc now……

Things are just more expensive..



My current total is £1800.00 spent on it.



More later.

Grizz1963 10-26-2023 06:21 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Right.

Friday the 13th October, I was in Shropshire at buddy Craigs place, after my trip up to see @oxb1l buddy Bill the fireman in Scotland.


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


I had an 11.00 appointment on Teams with my contract’s manager and the company HR representative obviously there for the whole farce of so called “consultation” there was no consulting and the statutory o days were not over yet….. but mehhhhh.

Told that my service/role terminates 15 November at which point the Ford Focus company car, IT equipment including the iPad I am writing this on (I never owned an iPad as one was enough) mobile phone and headset will get collected. Leaving me with the choice of Rezin Rockit and Astro to use as daily. Both are somewhat impractical for differing reasons, and I like them for those reasons, but it became obvious that I would do well having something like the Micra, sold a year ago. So I looked about, including on the auto****e.com For Sale section and saw a car that had previously made me smile, for sale. Sadly, prices of bangers have gone up a lot in the last few years, and when looking at some German and Dutch sales websites, they were even more pricey than the U.K.
so a lot of thinking and a message to the seller followed, including an agreement to leave Shropshire a day early to go view this car.

Resulting in the following.


The New to me, Redundancy Runabout comes from the same retro cars community I am part of.

Firstly, I want to post a link to its previous life in the hands of a gent called Zelandeth

He is as meticulous and OCD as you want someone to be when you buy a car from him.

Weirdly……..

He and I share another link.

He has owned three cars, previously owned by Colin, I now own two of Colin’s former cars, and Zel retains two.

My Chevy Astro that I collected from Colin in S****horpe and the new car were his before.



FIRST INFORMATION SET.


LOOK FROM PAGE 53 IN THIS THREAD FOR ALL THE OCD WORK AND REPAIRS CARRIED OUT BY ZEL BEFORE ME.



https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...ctions?page=53



Of course, as mentioned, the Astro belonged to Colin and is still getting a load of small jobs done by me, just to tidy it up to a standard that I can get along with.


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


So there you have the preamble to the latest vehicle at Grizz-towers.


I had not intended buying anything else when I bought the Chevy Astro to replace the S10 truck.


In fact, the Rezin Rockit was and is also due to be sold to someone who wants to drive it and play with it.


Simply the logistics of having too many cars on the drive taking up space and needing juggling when something needs doing, using or whatever.


I now need to do some corporate work first but will come back in a bit to post up the FOR SALE ad as originally posted by Zel.


Then we can carry on with this ownership story.

Grizz1963 10-27-2023 07:47 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Here is a short random video of just how sweet and smooth a £2750.00 sixty year old Rover P4 110 can be.

When collected to go buy the Caddy.

Salesmen ehhhh.

https://youtu.be/Qgg_Es9G-74?si=sQaAULVPteJHFI5x

Palf70Step 10-27-2023 04:57 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Kool looking ride, the Pope Mobile. I've hear the P4s are nice, but can be not so reliable. Looking forward to your work on the VW.

Grizz1963 10-28-2023 04:18 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step (Post 9254160)
Kool looking ride, the Pope Mobile. I've hear the P4s are nice, but can be not so reliable. Looking forward to your work on the VW.

Right.

Having agreed to buy the Caddy.

The rest was a bit of planning, praying, panicking, pfffft.


Report with words and photos coming up in a moment, or three for those who read.


Video.


https://youtu.be/-NELOe4sfsw?si=cN0iwWBaOzxpxhWq



.

Grizz1963 10-28-2023 05:20 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Having decided to buy the Caddy Van from Zelandeth, the next point of interest was insurance………

That was a surprise as my rant evidenced.

Also ended up for some unexplained reason that management tossed a related thread in the whingebin, which is why people walk away from forums. Like it or not, despite any of the reasons maybe put forward for it. Anyway, it was a shock getting screwed by an insurer based on all their ducking and diving and reasons, none of which are actually applicable to me.

Strange that.

My rant, hopefully not to get censored.

INSURANCE COMPANIES……. RIP OFF ARTISTS.

JUST CANCELLED THE S10 INSURANCE, 2.5 MONTHS LEFT ON THE POLICY.

ZERO REFUND.


SWAPPED THE GRZ733 PLATE TO THE ASTRO.

£46.80 ADMIN FEE.


WHAT A BUNCH OF THIEVES.



GOT A QUOTE FOR A VEHICLE OFF THE SAME COMPANY RECENTLY £578.00 WITH 3K MILES, SINGLE DRIVER, PERSONAL USE ONLY.
REPEATED SAME QUOTE ONLINE £337 UP TO £1000
SELECTED TO BUY A £350.92 OPTION FROM CAROLE NASH - WENT TO CHECK OUT…… SYSTEM REJECTED PURCHASE.
CALLED CAROLE NASH DIRECT NEXT DAY TO CHECK.
NOPE…… PRICE NOT AVAILABLE, NEW PRICE NOW £372.00
I KINDA LOST IT, AND BY BEING REALLY NICE, INSISTED ON SPEAKING TO A SUPERVISOR, WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN, GOT THE ORIGINAL PRICE 20 MINUTES LATER.
IT IS CRAZY HOW THEY DIP THEIR HANDS INTO OUR POCKETS AND STEAL BECAUSE IT IS ALL LEGISLATED THAT YOU WILL HAVE INSURANCE.
AND OF COURSE ALL THE WRIGGLING TO NOT PAY WHEN YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT/DAMAGE/BREAK IN.


THIS REALY IS TIRING.

WATCH YOUR POCKETS.

So the plan, after seeing the car on Saturday on the way back from Scotland, was to take a train on Monday to collect, but having to sit for an extended period trying to deal with the insurance company would mean a late departure…… so I decided to leave on Tuesday instead.
Just as well, because the roads were murder on Monday.

So up early, Mickey next door earned his £10.00 pint money taking me down to the station at Strood, Kent.

Tickets bought. Add this to the purchase price, as well as Dartford Toll crossing and Mickey’s taxi fare.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Strood station wait.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Then I minded many gaps, switching and using 4 trains on my way up to Milton Keynes.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

First train change at Gravesend, broken public toilets and a 20 minute wait for the next train, used the ladies toilets as I identified as a guy needing to pee.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Through to London, over the Thames river.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And into Charing Cross or Charing-X station for the next change.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Then onto the underground and up for air at Euston tube and overground station.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Once I surfaced at Euston overground station, I got onto the Avanti train service.

Interesting to note the price of my connection ticket, online the same item was £8.00 but restricted to possibly one train only. Dickheads.

The intercom on Avanti also warns you, reasonably clearly, that if you are caught on a different class carriage to what your ticket permits it will be another £222.00 fine/ticket.

Very tidy trains, much much better than the stock I am used to travelling on on my routes.

You kinda don’t mind paying the exorbitant fees for quality like that.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Uneventful, 30 minute trip, both comfortable, and without the usual riffraff that often polite South Eastern and whatever the other service is that I am reliant on.

Coming out of the station at Milton Keynes Central station, I had to walk as far as Subway sandwich shop and find my ride.

What a great surprise.

Sublime.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And the interior……… Pure 60’s Britain.

What a lovely place to be.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And just for fun, a two minute inside video.

https://youtu.be/Qgg_Es9G-74?si=qYZs-wd2Wjb5r4ms

Getting to @Zelandeth ‘s home, we did the usual ritual dance of buying old cars.

Time to pay……

Hmmmm…. Transaction rejected in various ways. Barclays Bank proving why Cash is King.

System down, which meant jumping into the Caddy replacement, a Peugeot Partner van, slightly newer, but with the same familiarity as my old Prozac Berlingo.
So we headed back into the town centre to the actual bank branch, only to have the transactions declined repeatedly to the embarrassment of the staff member helping us navigate their future of banking machines.
Ultimately, thankfully, I managed to withdraw a pile of cash and hand it over to Zel.
Thanks for your patience mate.
We headed home to see me off to the motorway and going South on M1 and M25, followed my A2/M2 till I got to the Medway area.

Leaving and mileage as purchased.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Then went via Halfords to buy some VW Reflex silver paint for repairs already in mind.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Then home, and a big grin all the way.

This little van really was proving to be way more than the sum of its parts within the first 100 miles of driving in town and on the motorway.

Got home and parked up behind the outgoing company car.

Happy.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Door to door first trip 104 miles, so just over 160km

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Then indoors, pee, coffee, gloat, walk around, gloat, smile.

And then the big decision, like buying your kid his/her/its first beer/cocktail.

The Caddy got its own front door key.

Not only that, a key ring.

Found in the gutter outside the house.

Honestly.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Later I went over to Sallys for dinner as she cooked.

100% gutted that she took no notice and was not interested in the new little lifesaver.

Well, she does not care for cars, does she?

Went home and to bed later with that stupid grin we have when buying a new to us, car.

Little did I know there was pain ahead.

Braunschweiger 10-28-2023 08:17 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
A nice story, I'm curious to see what happens next.
As far as insurance goes, it's the same with us, it was tiring trying to find an insurance company that would insure a historic truck and not rob you, some didn't even need to respond to inquiries.

realvc 10-28-2023 12:24 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
I like the new to you van.
On your trip to pick it up, how long were under ground on the train and did you go under any water? I hate tunnels and really hate the ones that go under water.

The van adventure updating and cleaning has begun.

Grizz1963 10-29-2023 02:45 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger (Post 9254330)
A nice story, I'm curious to see what happens next.
As far as insurance goes, it's the same with us, it was tiring trying to find an insurance company that would insure a historic truck and not rob you, some didn't even need to respond to inquiries.

I think it is a global response to fraud, and the innocents pay for the rest.

Ever see a parent open a packet of candy, banana for a screaming child in a shop?? Then put the empty container on a shelf before checking out their groceries…..

Yup…..

That is theft, and we pay a premium to replace the stolen goods we never touched.

Quote:

Originally Posted by realvc (Post 9254382)
I like the new to you van.
On your trip to pick it up, how long were under ground on the train and did you go under any water? I hate tunnels and really hate the ones that go under water.

The van adventure updating and cleaning has begun.

No idea Vince.

It’s dark.

Yes, Grizzification has begun :mm:







RESTLESS.


Side glass, great, BUT…..

Security, privacy, Grizzification……

As usual I have/had a few things in mind before even buying the car.

So I ordered dark @95% limo tint for the side glass, and some black vinyl for the small strip of silver between the glass panels.

Only the side glass to go Limo tint, the rear doors will get 35%.

Ideally it gets done on a warm day to help the tint and vinyl relax. So right now may be too much of a hurry.

But I will try later.

Because

May need extra hands to place it on the glass as well.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And my dirtiest of attempts at photoshop.

Just edit with a black marker.

Get the idea?

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


May or May not get to it today.

Lucky to have loads of other jobs to get done on the Astro and Caddy.

Grizz1963 10-29-2023 10:45 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
I know my young friend @nickwheeler will agree and look me straight in the eye, winking knowingly, when I say some people should never be allowed within six foot of a rattle can of paint.

Exhibit no 1

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

So on the way home from collecting the car, I picked up a couple of colour matched cans of VW Reflex Silver.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

By Thursday I had already started to disassemble the car.

Prizefighter look.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And Ugleeee……

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Cleaned off, then repainted Simoniz chrome.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Mehhhh….. Fail.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

So the rest of the grille was cleaned, scotch pad prepped and then plastic primer added.

Cold, wet day out there, so I used a paint stripping gun to add some heat and dryness to the paint drying.

Followed by silver all over , then cut out masks for the grille bars, and painted black.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Looking like this up close.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Tried out together.

Not quite.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Also repaired a tab that was broken before I dismantled it all.

Two pack epoxy.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

So I fixed the wrong sized, curse word grille badge.

Not able to find one yet.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

And next day when red paint dried, I tried it on.

Liking that.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

So glued in place.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Following day, reassembly.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


And of course a short video on the badge getting done.


https://youtu.be/ntRQT9w1wJw?si=RKs4lJavhKxhgCTL


Little things.

Bigger changes,

Whatcha think?

realvc 10-29-2023 02:16 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
That looks so better than the all silver grille.

More Grissification is on the way.

realvc 10-29-2023 02:21 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
That looks so much better than the all silver grille.

More Grizzification is on the way.

Palf70Step 10-29-2023 03:07 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Nice work on the grill. Looks way better!

Grizz1963 10-30-2023 05:06 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by realvc (Post 9254701)
That looks so better than the all silver grille.

More Grissification is on the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by realvc (Post 9254702)
That looks so much better than the all silver grille.

More Grizzification is on the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step (Post 9254711)
Nice work on the grill. Looks way better!

Thanks guys.

Small jobs, but all take time.

Ultimate result will be a car I want to drive.

It has a load of Prozac feeling to it.

Grizz1963 10-30-2023 05:11 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Back to paint……….


It will be an ongoing theme here, for some time I suspect.


https://youtu.be/uXfRv_4nBcw?si=tC35J9Du-CIh8rxn



Funny how small things can become big things.

Sometimes a fix can lead to a second look, and reward the fixer as well.

When I first saw the Caddy on Zel’s advertisement, the one photo that made it look a bit tired (well, a few really did) was this photo……..

Posture and front wheel…. The wheel just looked tired, but my first thought was that a bit of silver would improve it.
Walking around when I went to look the first time, the rears were just as bad, in a different way.
Someone had smeared some silver over the rust scales with a brush, badly.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


So once on my driveway, one of the first jobs to do was to get the wheels all looking the same.

Albeit also with a brush and Hammerite.


So I got straight to it, in fact the first job I got to, 36 hours after collecting, on the Thursday morning, even before the front Grille.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Up in the air.

Axle stands yes.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Sanded them all back, removing flagged lumps of old paint and rust.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Closer up, ready for the next step.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Trusty old Hammerite paint.

Not as good as the bad old stuff, lots of chemicals, carcinogens and poison removed now.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

While I waited for the paint to dry, I also tried the Scruffy Micra’s wheels. After all, they cost me £200.00 get looking this good.

Not at all impressed, they are 14’s so the decision made to sell, and sold within an hour of listing for the asking price of £150.00 and collected next morning by 08.00

This meant the door was wide open to start looking for some other wheels to fit as well.

Of course…….. yes, a cheap runaround suddenly escalating and my wallet draining noisily like a bath in a horror movie.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Once I got over the disappointment of the copper alloy fail…….


I crawled around underneath while the van was up in the air.

I was not shocked, I was more than shocked. Zelandeth had warned that the structure underneath was in a crappy state, nothing was hidden, and even peeping under the van when in Milton Keynes was fine to my eye. Now I thought……. MOT Fail?

Flakes of rust the size of my hand waiting to drop off the rear section that had been added into the floor 21 years ago……

These conversions are clearly done at a budget.

Almost non-existent quality control and certainly no long term pride.

Like the saying “If it’s on, it’s gone”

I suspect the builders motto is “Get it done, grab the cash and run”

So another big job may lay in wait, I did not want to go prod with a screwdriver or hammer.

I also could not really figure out how the rear bumper sections will be removed if I can find an intact, undamaged one to fit.

I really do want to fit a decent one to the rear, currently it sucks to look at.


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


So I went to make a coffee when the paint dried.

Coffee and ginger nuts.

Life savers.

I was pleased with the result of the brush painted steel wheels.

When good enough really means good enough. A temporary fix.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


Once refitted to the van I swapped it and the Chevy Astro around.

Took a pic, stood back and smiled.

Small improvements.



https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds



And of course opinions are welcome.

I had considered other colours.

Silver is just so, well, silver.

Braunschweiger 10-30-2023 01:09 PM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Rims are like shoes, when they are clean they look great.
The subfloor really needs love, you sprinkle a lot of salt on your roads, right?

Grizz1963 10-31-2023 06:03 AM

Re: Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger (Post 9254910)
Rims are like shoes, when they are clean they look great.
The subfloor really needs love, you sprinkle a lot of salt on your roads, right?

Thanks, there is a lot more to get it the way I like it.

And yes, the English salt their roads.

Also….. people do not care about cars, so it is driven on salt roads and parked, year after year.

Cars will die.







Two small jobs done.

Due to the new to me, Caddy vans arrival, focus was lost for a bit.

So yesterday afternoon I got a couple of minutes in there.

First job, wrap up the rear carpet retainer strip refit, with new screws.

Looks loads better.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Then proceeded to mess with the piece of Mazda Bongo trim I got from Bill @oxb1l in Scotland

Wish I had the original trim, that would be better.

But we can make it up as we go along.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Just needs a dry, warmer day and some tiger seal to make fit.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Marked, cut, ground, repeatedly till it was a decent fit.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Heat gun action to reshape and get a curve into it.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Well, sun is out, now may be a good time before the next lot of rain drowns the ducks.

More small jobs to get done.


.


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