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

[Grizz1963]

I hope this is the right place to post this thread start.

Bucket lists, being what they are sometimes stay just that.

But, in spite of a few setbacks recently, including redundancy, unemployment etc, I have been able to keep busy.

Gutting and rebuilding the kitchen, a bathroom etc.

Nicola, my wife also pushed me to strike out/off some of the items on my bucket list.

One was my trip to South Africa to ride 6500km with my brother on motorbikes, a lifelong dream fulfilled.
Thread link below, main pic report started on page 22.

Grizz & Dozer's Ride South Africa, Ride Report Complete. YouTube Videos.....

I think most of you knew the Grizz-Mobile I bought about 5-6 years ago with the help of Oldbus in Germany.
Then there was Myrtle, Nicola's 56 Ford Anglia 100E again, fetched with the help of the Oldbus transport system.

Last year we had decided to sell both these cars in order to get one car, so that we could go to shows etc together, towing the Grizz-Pod Trailer, rather than in separate cars. Part of the deal was that I needed another job.
This happened while I was in the middle of who knows where in South Africa on a motorbike.......















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So for the last 6 months or more I have been trawling the interwebs around the world, primarily the USA and UK for another item to strike off the Bucket List.

Nicola and I had figured out we could land a Chevy truck of our own description/spec on our drive from the USA for sensible money, compared to what was available in the UK, so were prepared to do the work to find and import one as there is not a lot of choice over here.

What we wanted was basically a 1960 - 1966 Chevy C10/C20 Short Fleetside truck, with as much chrome as possible.
We like the LongFleetside and Stepside models as well, but a Short Fleet would be ideal. Extras like V8, Disc brakes, new paint (not primer or Matte black)power steering etc would be good too.

One of the important points to keep in mind was that we did not want to spend more than the other two cars had brought in.

Over the weekend I got a prompt from Andy "Motorama" on RodsnSods forum. He had a lovely Long Chevy Fleetside to sell, but of course we wanted a Short Fleetside.
So I checked out the link, loved what I saw. Contacted the seller, spoke to him for quite some time and set a time for today to go view.
In the mean time I had loads of emails, PM's and chats with various people about the trucks spec as I know NOTHING.

A Massive Thank you to all who took the time to explain to me the difference between various upgrades etc. You all made the purchase easier in the end.

That brings us to today.

We left home early and got to Rye on the coast by 10.00 and to the seller, Rob's place a little later, after I had messed up on the destination.

Turns out Rob is a trained nurse (my second trade after military)working in Stroke rehabilitation. He and his wife just had a new baby and the truck just is not right for them now, time for a sensible 4x4. He is also a hardcore biker, and allround nice guy.

After two hours of tyre kicking, a test drive (with Nicola grinning like a Meerkat on speed in the passenger seat) and more time crawling about under the truck like a drunk monkey, we decided to buy the truck.

Insurance was £98/year comprehensive, and £36/year for £3000 recovery service, including European recovery. So total cost for cover £134.00

The truck will need quite a bit of work over time to get it where we want it, but it is a good base.

You can see some of the flaws in the photos.

Here is the sellers description, which actually under sold the truck.

It had a full service carried out earlier this year, all grease points are done regularly (there are lots of them!). New battery was fitted about 3 months ago, New steering box fitted 1 month ago (from LMC Trucks US).
Engine;
It is running a period 327ci SBC V8 fitted with camel hump heads, Edelbrock manifold and carb, Edelbrock intake, Hedman headers, Flowmaster side exit pipes, HEI ignition, Carbon leads, Hi-Flo oil pump, Alloy corvette style rocker covers. 3 speed auto, column change with the obligatory 8 ball gear shifter! Also fitted starter solenoid upgrade to eliminate poor starting when warm due to the headers running close to the starter, never had a problem with starting.
Reciepts present for the majority of engine work which was carried out by a previous owner.
The engine block was painted red at this time but could do with doing again.
Body;
Painted in the states before importation, to be fair this is the weak bit, the paint is in fair condition, very thickly applied, and has helped to protect the vehicle, but there are a few runs here and there plus a couple of scabs on the rear quarters of the front wings (pic) and a small crease on the passenger door where the wind has caught it and flipped it open. The repair panels for the wings are between $10-$20 plus p+p from LMC Trucks US so cheap enough to fix.
There are no structural problems, cab corners, floor and truck chassis are solid, pickup bed is good solid sealed plywood with a rubber liner and a tight tonneau to keep the weather out.
Glass is excellent all round, lights all good and working, as are all other electrics.
Note: This is a Big Back Window truck (If you are reading this, you probably know what it means VS Small Back Window trucks)
Brakes are drums all round but have servo upgrade, very powerful.
Fuel tank relocated from inside cab, to under bed at rear, behind axle, sensible filler neck inside bed. Original fuel tank converted to packing space.
Truck has Radio/CD player fitted in steel dash, looks like it was done with a meat cleaver.
Auto Meter gauges in dash, badly fitted, but all work well.
Truck fitted with Chrome Smoothies with good white wall tyres/tires.
Rear Chrome bumper fitted and has built in towbar with American electrics.
The truck has no spare wheel.
The interior has been retrimmed along the line somewhere, bit 70's style, quilted PVC seat and headlining, classic chrome with holes steering wheel, seems to suit the truck.
I have used this this truck as my daily driver for a year, its done tip runs, carted motorcycles about, I even used it to move house, the only problem I had was the steering box giving up a few weeks ago, now the new one is on it, it is driving better than ever.
These C10's are an easy classic to live with, parts available worldwide, easy to drive and maintain.
60-66 Chevy C10/C20's have been predicted to be the next big thing as they are now being discovered. They drive like a car, but work like a truck.
And.......... you can take the BBQ to shows!!!

Truck Freshly MOT Tested on 14 June, so a year of carefree driving ahead.


I guess it is time for a few pics. It is half past
midnight in the UK.


[font size="6"][font color="e63219"]Meet BILLYBOB[/font][/font]

















Where Fossil Fuels are happily converted into Smiles per mile.



Harley the fearless immediately came to mark and inspect the latest addition to the Grizz-Household.



Last pic, Happy man on his truck.





Tim "Bratman" knew that one of Nicola's conditions for getting the truck was to have a "Mexican" Blanket on the bench seat, so when we met up recently in Guildford, he brought me a grey blanket to hide in the car when we went to look at the truck, and then idea was to give it to her if we did buy the truck......
Draped over the bonnet of his '74 C30 Camper Special.

Thanks Tim.



Tim has also sourced us a Chrome towball to go with the rear bumper so that the Grizz-Pod can get around.






[font size="6"][font face="comic sans ms"][font color="52e619"]MEMPHIS FLIERS.......[/font][/font][/font]

A Rockabilly Band who had the truck before Rob had it as a daily.

Their FB page linked below, with some cool pics of the truck.

https://www.facebook.com/MemphisFlyers?fref=ts

I am trying to find out more about the other previous owner of the truck, who I believe built motorbikes and choppers.

Here are some photos of the truck in its previous guise with different wheels.





Future plans for the truck are many, and will be discussed over time.

Please feel free to add info, opinions etc here.

[Grizz1963]

PS: Forgot the Delivery.....

Grizz's Redneck Express. 1966 Chevy C10 - YouTube

Tight as a tight thing.

The future will be reverse down the drive....... a 25 point turn in front of the garage is not happening again.

[Ta2Don]

Posted via Mobile Device
Congrats Grizz!!!
Very nice start, looking forward to watching you Grizzify it!
Gotta love a 327 with camel hump heads... Until it is time to pay for more petrol that is
Have fun!
Posted via Mobile Device

[markeb01]

Outstanding! I am so happy for you, as I imagine are a lot of other members. What does your wife think, and how about driving on the "wrong" side of the road? I think rather than backing down the drive, it might be time for a power steering conversion!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Posted via Mobile Device
Congrats Grizz!!!
Very nice start, looking forward to watching you Grizzify it!
Gotta love a 327 with camel hump heads... Until it is time to pay for more petrol that is
Have fun!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks Don, camel hump heads are worth the smiles per mile.

I could go to a casino and come back with nothing, or buy a bottle of brandy a day and have just a headache. At least we get memories along with a light wallet.

Originally Posted by markeb01

Outstanding! I am so happy for you, as I imagine are a lot of other members. What does your wife think, and how about driving on the "wrong" side of the road? I think rather than backing down the drive, it might be time for a power steering conversion!

Hi Mark, thanks.

Nicola loves the truck. She is always at least 50% of the decission making power in my mad escapades. Often encouraging me more when I am still cautious.

Power steering will have to wait till I have money to throw about.

A lazy final drive is more important to me, so that I can drop the revs and up the cruizing speed to 70mph.
Most importantly, I would love to evolve our truck like you have done yours over time.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Neatbeard]

YES!!! I had a feeling that you'd get it after sending you the link and you said that you were already going to view it.

WELL DONE FELLA. I hope it makes you happy driving like mine does.

For what its worth it looks pretty bloody good from where i'm sitting and doesn't appear to need much...........?

You've got to fill us in on your future plans/wish list for it!

I drove mine to work on Friday and stuck it in the bosses parking space!
Everytime I walked between our two offices there was always people around it, stopping me and asking questions!

Have fun with it.

[bj383ss]

Congratulations Rian. I am very happy for you bud. Looks like you got a very decent truck. A few things here and there to fix but that's what makes it your own right? Love the 327 and damn what a tight squeeze to the garage. No big mirrors for you. LOL.

So is the garage all ready for Billybob. Keep us posted on your work can't wait to see what you do with it.

Bret

[McMurphy]

Very nice purchase !!
That truck looks pretty nice already, just some minor touch ups I think....until you pull up the floor mats I suppose.

Real interested to see what you find now, and what you do with it.

My boss wants to build a camper from scratch like yours.

If you shoot me a PM with your mailing address, I will check to see if it isnt too pricey to send you a PS pump, and at least one, if not both the lines. It is already cleaned and painted. I dressed it up before I decided to go with Hydroboost, now it is waiting to go to the boneyard.

It would help you get closer to installing that Power Steering....

[rusty76]

Nice ride man.

[Low Elco]

Congrats Grizz!

[C/10 King]

Nice find! Now I don't have to worry about my 65' (the Pumpkin) disappearing in the middle of the night.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Nice find! Now I don't have to worry about my 65' (the Pumpkin) disappearing in the middle of the night.

I would not be so sure.

That truck is rather special.
Posted via Mobile Device

[62 Barnfind]

I glad that you got what you have been looking for. i had a 1966 when I was 16 that I did a small build and painted it red. Loved the truck and wished I never sold it. Now I have a 62 to replace it and I love it. I hope that you have fun and some good times with it like I'm having!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

I glad that you got what you have been looking for. i had a 1966 when I was 16 that I did a small build and painted it red. Loved the truck and wished I never sold it. Now I have a 62 to replace it and I love it. I hope that you have fun and some good times with it like I'm having!

Funny thing with old cars. Most of them hold good memories.

I think this truck may just do that as well.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dinos63]

also congrats grizzzzzzz!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Dinos63

also congrats grizzzzzzz!

Thank you very much.

It has taken a while to find something we were able to pull the trigger on, but I think we are both happy.

[bj383ss]

Thanks for all the pics Rian. I feel your pain on the radio install and instrument bezel. The radio hack is typical. Yours looks better than mine. Did they hack up the doors for speakers too. Have you ordered all your catalogs from LMC, Brothers, Classic Parts, Classic industries.

LMC sells the dash lens. But you will need new gauges as well.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/CBE/full.aspx?Page=116

Bret

[Grizz1963]

Went through all the paperwork in the substantial file the truck has generated over the last 9 years since it came into the UK.

About £5000 spent on it by various owners shows that this hobby is not too cheap.

It also tells me why the truck feels as good as it does mechanically.

Cosmetically it will get sorted over time as finances allow, as the purchase price took the whole budget, but the truck needs no work right now, except for the headlights which refused to work the day after its MOT roadworthyness test. Typical of these old cars.

I found a copy of the original California title.



Also made sure I got the trucks security sorted.



When I bought the truck it was obvious that there is no spare wheel.
So the stud pattern is 6 x 140 pcd, so that should be the same as most Japanese 6 stud rims.
Next job is to find a spare to throw in the back for long trips.



So today I did a few things after I got in from work.
I had some spare keys cut, as I only got one set..... typically one works, and one does not.



Then I went down to the garage and got the truck outside, to clean the bed and prep it for paint.
It will stay like this until I can afford to change it all to a wood strip and steel bed.

One of the things I noted when I bought the truck was that whoever did some of the mods in the past, had a very heavy hand.
Some Auto Meter gauges have been fitted, two into the original instrument pod, possibly cutting the holes with C4 plastique explosive or a hammer and chisel. The bottom has also been covered with a piece of ally that seems to be glued on there with super glue.





Loads of cracks in the plastic everywhere you look. Another replacement later type job.



The modern Radio/CD player seems to have been fitted by a mad Badger with a meat cleaver.
Note the edges...... WHY, Why Why can people not do stuff right or just leave it alone if they have no bloody clue?



Then after vacuum cleaning the inside, I turned my attention to the load body.
Plywood, sealed on both sides is better than nothing, but one day when I have some spare cash I will replace the bed with strips and either stainless, painted or chromed strips.

I spend about 90 minutes with a sharp scribe, hacksaw blade and the short end of my garage vacuum cleaner and a brush cleaning it up.
There is also a very nice rubber bedliner which I have removed till I have painted the bed and it has dried.



Last pic is a shot of the old inboard fuel tank behind the seat....... cut open and painted to make some neat packing and storage space. Maybe I will also carpet it, or remove it at some point, for now it is perfect.



Parked up outside the garage, a nice view that makes my heart smile.



Possibly my favourite photo of the truck so far, sent to me by Rob, the previous owner.

[jimmydean]

Nice truck and good looking can.

[McMurphy]

Ok I have to laugh now.... that chopped fuel tank just gave me a fresh set of ideas for a future build.

Too funny

The decisions you are going to face are how deep, how long, and how much do I need to do versus how much can I do versus how much do I want to do ??

Fun times.... I think Coulter can chime in on this one: of sitting and just staring at your truck and day dreaming of the things you could do with it

Great photos, your yard looks very nice, particularly with that old boy tucked away in the back !!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Ok I have to laugh now.... that chopped fuel tank just gave me a fresh set of ideas for a future build.

Too funny

The decisions you are going to face are how deep, how long, and how much do I need to do versus how much can I do versus how much do I want to do ??

Fun times.... I think Coulter can chime in on this one: of sitting and just staring at your truck and day dreaming of the things you could do with it

Great photos, your yard looks very nice, particularly with that old boy tucked away in the back !!

Hey Michael, how true.

Bought a new 130psi pressure cleaner for all our paving, driveway etc and of course the truck when needed.
Tried it out last night, works a treat. Also stripped all the cement overflow/smear from the original driveway where I widened it to accomodate the truck. Cleaned the garage door, paving in front of garage after backing truck into garage. Amazing power, I love good tools.

I just came into London by train and underground tube to work for the day at Royal London Hospital and later at Charing Cross Hospital with a colleague for a Microbiology meeting. Had planned on reading a clinical trial....... Hmmmmmm?? No Siree..... Read a magazine and sat planning my trucks repaint and various other jobs.
The things we can do to our trucks really are only limited by time, imagination and funds.
I will PM you in a moment regarding the PS pump.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Grizz1963]

Got these in the post today from Barney, along with a January 2010 copy of a Hot Rod magazine with a pic of the truck at the 1066 get together being used as a stage for the drummer on the Memphis Flyers Rockabilly band, anyone tell me what they are for ?



Then I pulled this cushion out of a cupboard.

Bought it in South Africa in April.

For the Non-Afrikaans speakers out there, Braaivleis means BBQ.

Years ago there was a Chevrolet advertisement that had the line Braavleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet.

1974 Vintage advertising.

Braaivleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet -...

So this is for the truck and teardrop.



Looking forward to having the weekend to play with and get to know the truck a bit better.

[R_W]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Years ago there was a Chevrolet advertisement that had the line Braavleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet.

Ain't you got no hotdogs?
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[McMurphy]

Those rubber things in your hand are the door stop bumpers.
Just above and below the door latch, in the side of the cab, next to the door seal, there should be one.
Two on each door jamb, on both sides of the truck.

If they are not there already, then there will be holes for them to pop into.

You will want an LMC catalog.
Not only is it a decent source for parts, but the catalog serves as a guide to where stuff goes. Particularly rubber bumpers, seals and pads.

Good Luck

[Grizz1963]

Sunday evening 23.00 here in the United Kingdom.

Great weather all weekend, got some stuff done to the truck as well.

Firstly, went out shopping in it yesterday with Nicola who still refuses to drive it, but I live in hope.

She seemed to enjoy herself all day, sitting up like a Meerkat on speed.

Back home I had a few bits of cosmetic work planned, also a few pics to take to show the relocated fuel tank.

Fuel filler sensibly placed inside, but on the side of the bed, with cap halfway up the side.



No idea what this tank came from, but it fits just right.
Also note the rear lowering blocks.



Next job was to clean up and repaint the rear bumper.

I also removed the American trailer plug unit, to be replaced with a European one.




And while I was out back and under I thought it sensible to try use a jack to push the rear bumper back into shape.



Dully masked up all the bumper after removing the rear number plate.



Result.




While waiting for the pant to dry, I played with my extendable flagpole, as we have an American car show locally on the 4th July.



The next job I started at about 11.30 today, after bootfair etc.

Nicola had suggested that I go and T-Cut (mildly abbrassive polish to remove oxidized paint) the truck after washing it yesterday.

Started with paint on the flat surfaces that looked like this......



Did a whole load of this.....twice.





Ended up with this.


I then went back to the house for a cuppa tea, a sandwich and to research the engine bays in these trucks.

It seems most are black.

My truck has so muuch over spray, it needed to be sorted sooner than later.

So out came all my old painting sheets....masking tape and soon the front end looked like this, after a lot of cleaning surfaces etc.



This is the extent of the overspray, which is something I hate. Just shows shoddy preparation.



Ended here....




Done !!

Result??




After this we went up to the farm to take a few photos.

I will post them up if anyone is interested.