GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Just saw this on the Phoenix Craigslist in a thread on the Chevy truck board.

Car in Mesa, Arizona.

Prices are certainly headed upward for these in 2WD form..

Personal preference means I have one, and it still makes me happy.

Link will die as soon as it sells, but in the mean time.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/f...882041740.html




Pretty much a twin.

[Grizz1963]

So at 3.30 am my night was over, backache and then a chat with Dennis.

By 04.00 a mug of tea and forums.

Sally was up at her place by 05.00 to get her son to work for 05.45 as his car snapped an alternator belt yesterday,

So by 06.00 she came to pop in and bring me a mug of tea in bed.

Perfect ehhhh.

Anyway, once I was up, we made brekkie toasts d tea.

And of course had to use the new bench.

I can report it got approval from all parties.



Once done, I went to the garage to fetch out some hinges for Mickey next door and the cast pieces we made at Andy Martin’s place in Oklahoma last year, plus the cast iron ones bought at various venues.

They needed to be mocked up as part of the bench decorating

But before that, mixing PVA wood glue and sawdust from my wood-shop lathe table, to fill in the holes where all the screws were countersunk.



Filled, needed to dry in the sun, then sanded back to flat and smooth.




Still need to look in my badge pile for a Chevrolet badge to fill the gap where one used to live.



Sally and I tried the stars in various configurations and settled on this.



Once selected, there always is more to be done.

In the mean time, a few hours later, the holes all filled, and sanded back to standard.




Stars next,

Probably some time this week if I get time after work.

Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Continuing with the bench decoration, some of you may remember that we made some castings and copies at Andy Martin’s place in Oklahoma..

I had also bought some cast iron pieces while travelling.



They still needed to be cut, trimmed and processed to fit.



After



I also had 4 doorknobs.

Cut off the rear of each in order to get a flush fit drilled through them and countersunk the fronts.



Once processed, I selected some satin spray paint and got going.





While the paint was drying I also managed to sand all the holes that I filled in the morning.

Lastly, a second coat later.

Then brought to the house..




Next job is measure and fit the hardware to the bench.

.

[Grizz1963]

Another Prozac to the rescue job done yesterday

Picked up some units for @CraigRK

Seller chatted for quite some time. He was very impressed with the sheer capacity of the little van that can.

[Grizz1963]

Postman rang the bell today as a small parcel from Germany needed a signature.



Parcel sender named as Michael

Contents

A pleasant surprise.

Once again, random generosity and acts of kindness

Thank you.





Was off work today as I hurt my back badly yesterday at work.

So spent 98% of the day in a chair with a hotwater bottle behind my back.

By 17.15 I had to move the Blazer up to the house. First time out the house except for a GP visit at 08.30am.

Washed it down as its been stood for 4 weeks, started up on first turn of the key.

Pleased of course.





After the wash, parked and ready to go work tomorrow

[Grizz1963]

Bootfair was lean today.

But bits I got were good prices and even needed.

Love these.



Not cheap. And not at Bootfairs either



Home. Polish and clean next.



Total haul.

Included 6 cans of brake cleaner for Craig and I.
At £1.00 or $1.30 per can, happy to buy them.

Also a can of SAS battery terminal protector for £1.00
I use their penetrating oils which are excellent

Pink camping blanket for Craigs daughter £1.00

Captain America mug. New. 50p

Kiddie chair £1.00

Aluminium VW Bus sign for mate Paul £2.00

Weird hosepipe with spray head for Sally £1.00





Been chatting to Dennis a lot recently

Sad to report that Mike Mittler owner of the NASCAR racing team that Prozac gets its number from, has died of cancer.
I got to meet Mike three years ago and he gave me a full factory tour of their Mittler Brothers factory. A generous, kind man.
A massive loss from any perspective. RIP Mike.

Linked to Mike Mittler, Dennis’ grand daughter Skyler is now 5 years old and Dennis recently did some body and paint work for Mile on his wifes car and they traded in a way they both benefitted.

A new Quarter Midget race car for his grand daughter to start racing in.

Racing runs deep in this family.









She will be racing the car locally at St Louis Missouri under the no 63 as a tribute which was one of Mikes NASCAR racing numbers.





Work on Dennis’ personal vintage Shell Gas Station continues.

With small bits being added all the time.

[Grizz1963]

Spoke to Dennis on Sunday.

He had found a brand new, 1977 year model telephone call box for the gas station.

Never opened or installed


What’s the chance of such a find.



Had a business meeting in Croydon today, got home at 6.00pm and found a parcel from mate Mat “Speedle” who had just returned from his extended honeymoon in the USA.

Some cool leggings for Sally, and a Gas Monkey Garage T Shirt for me..

Sally was quite blown away, and kept saying “You have lovely friends, they must like you, Why? “

Thanks mate.




After I got home, I cut the grass and then at 7.30 started to fit the cast stars etc to the bench.

After the varnish over the weekend, this really is the end of the bench build.

[Grizz1963]

In other random news

Seen In a carpark at Pepperhill.

Citroen DS23 Safari.

Certainly not everyones taste.

Way ahead of its time.







Proud owner 40 years.





Note two license plates.

In order for plate to be legible when lower tailgate is down.

[Grizz1963]

Spent yesterday at @CraigRK helping him and his son build a used, re-engineered shed on his driveway, yes, it needs to be there.

Prozac the Berlingo was also on duty to deliver some furniture to him that came from near my place.

We finished at 20.30 and then I drove the hour home.

No dinner, but a relaxing Rum and Pepsi Max, followed by a late bath after 22.00 to help my back along.

Bed by 01.00 which is massively late for me and Harley alarm clock by 05.22 after which I could not get back to sleep, so got up.

Doesn’t look like many people go to Bootfairs anymore as they certainly are smaller this year and the picking is certainly not as rich as it has been in the past.

Anyway,

Flag for USA
Four lots of screws were £1.00 the lot
Sign £1.00
Toy for Sally’s dog 50p
5 key rings £1.00
2 Portuguese cockerels for 50p
Small pliers 50p
Then at the second Bootfair which had 4 rows of cars only, vs the usual 16 rows, I got lucky, if you are a pipe collector.
5 good pipes for £12.00




5 pipes for £12.00



So pretty disappointing Bootfair.



In news from the USA


Dennis completed the next generation 1/4 Midget build for his very eager to race, grand daughter and took it in to be inspected by the race officials yesterday.

All good.

Today they hope to go let her drive it around the track and start coaching her.

If the weather holds out.






Track.






I hope she does as well as Adam, Dennis’ sone at that age and onward.

[Grizz1963]

Seen at the Bootfair

Radio Flyer airplane.

Great condition and priced at £30.00 vs new price online at £88.00 plus shipping.

[Grizz1963]

Most of you know Mickey next door to my place.

He and his wife were away for two weeks on a caravan holiday.

I looked after Wendy’s greenhouse and 100’s of seedlings and of course cut his grass as it goes mad.

Last night they got back and brought me an unnecessary thank you gift.

Firstly I thought, more clutter for my hoarders house.



But I love it behind this whisky bottle that was a gift a few years ago from a guy with the same nickname as Mickey “Skippy”




Life continues to be good.

[Grizz1963]

NOT GOING TO COPY AND PASTE ALL THE PHOTOS

CLICK LINK.

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...nt-pics-loaded


ITS ALL THERE.

[Palf70Step]

Lots of nice rides Rian. That dude with the Blazer has got the ride though!!!!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Lots of nice rides Rian. That dude with the Blazer has got the ride though!!!!

😬👍✅


I love random stuff.

This Harvard radio controlled plane was in the back of the Blue BMW at the other nights American car and Hotrod meeting.

I noted it was done in the South African Airforce badging and commented.

Growing up in SA they were part of our youth.
Usually in Silver and Orange they had a long career as trainers.

The sound is from the pitch of the propeller and they sounded glorious those days.

https://youtu.be/-hZADmD_p50

Next thing, I was the proud owner of this plane.

It will join my eclectic collection of stuff.





Pleased as punch me.

[Palf70Step]

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Bootfair today.

Saw this, the inspiration for Blazer.

Was £10.00



Sally seemed to be on a roll with her camera.

Digging through a box of flags.



One of my favourite traders, always fair prices.

He had lots of affordable lots.

All of this strawberry glass for £5.00



Only wanted one piece for Debbie in St Louis.



Rummage some more.



All these Lego pieces £6.00



Joblot of planes for £10.00 sooooooooo tempting.



Glass all Cleaned up



Treasures back home.



Couple of cheroot holders and a Mayam clay pipe plus pencil all for £3.50



BBQ with Sally’s friends later.

Les hope it’s not just burgers.

[Grizz1963]

PS. Got a bicycle stand for @CraigRK for £12.00 too.

[Grizz1963]

Long weekend in England meant I could have a few beers and cook a BBQ at a strangers home for 16 people.
One of Sally’s best friends from school.

And yes, I did the cooking to a higher standard than the usual burned offerings they are used to.



Bootfair today, up early and out. Sally declined.

Got lucky, went back to the one trader who had offered me a load of Strawberry Depression glass for £5.00 yesterday when I took the bowl, as I knew there was a cheese dish.

Pleasantly surprised when he only asked £1.00 for it.



The rest of the haul looked like this.

Many were for random others.



Nice 18” wheeled bicycle for @CraigRK for his daughter....... cost £3.00

For the price of a coffee.

And I got myself a post digging spade and I will be putting up some fence posts soon. £2.00 has to be cheap enough.

Next to the deck and Mickeys side.




I plan on going to see a 1983 Honda Civic in a bit, knowing I should not, but really wanting it.


Let’s see what today brings.

[Grizz1963]

Postbox surprise today from Disasterbus to add to my collection of quirky weird and wonderful knives.

Loving it.

[Grizz1963]

Well. What have we here. ??




Yup

Brands Hatch Race Track for two whole days.




Seems the Blazer is headed out to Speedfest over the weekend




Joining the Kent Breakfast Meeting group.


Should be good.


Anyone else going?

[Grizz1963]

Its Friday.

Thank goodness

Washed the Blazer last night.

Then off to gas station to fill up for tomorrow

Does love a bit of fossil fuel.

Parked up.



Hands on, manned (well, its a woman) gas stations are rare these days.



Bit of a shock.

But it only had a 1/4 tank left on the gauge.



Ready to Rock n Roll.



Looking forward to two days at Brands Hatch race track

[Grizz1963]

Funny how things go tits up at times. And then may deliver.

Spent yesterday all day at Brands Hatch with the Blazer and Kent Breakfast Meeting.

Crashed last night by 9.15 but had an on and off night...... only settling by 2.00am

Overslept this morning, and was not able to go to Day 2 of Speedfest with the guys as I would not have made it through the gates with the Blazer.

Anyway, went to only one of the two Bootfairs as I was so late.

Got a few bits, nothing special though.

One for mate Craig, I already have one...... at 50p a must have.



A good clay pipe for my collection, really cheap at £2.00



Also found these.

Amber and Hallmarked silver sugar spoon and I can only assume a pickle fork.







Beautiful carved rose design in the pickle poker.



And bugs captured motionless for millennia



Then..............

Surprise value.



I love knives and what they represent as tools and also culturally as part of a rite of passage.

Bought these two from a guy I often buy from, he keeps interesting stuff at affordable prices.

Miniature knife with tortoise shell shells, and what must have been a farmers fiend for life.
Blades worn away, seeds and lint stuck in the recesses of the handle.
I live it, and imagine it’s life story.




So this was my minuscule haul for the day.

Scarf and Marmite lunch bag plus gecko for Sally, some coins for travels.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ash

Result Rian..

:thumb

Not investigated it yet.



A few weeks ago I bought a box of Playmobil for 50p as there were two items in the box, unrelated, that I really wanted.

Last weekend while chatting to a seller a granny, mum and two kids came by. The seller had a Playmobil Football and rugby set on display and for sale at £3.00

The little boy was clearly interested and straight on his knees and started to sort out and set up the playing field. I pointed out to his mum that it was great to see kids still play creatively. And she replied that he loved Playmobil more than Lego.

So I mentioned that I had a box of it as I had wanted two unrelated items from it, and that he was most welcome to it.
If she wanted to collect it, I would put it out by the front door for them to collect any time.

Got home tonight and found a hand written card through the door.

Made me smile.






Glad its gone to a good home.

Got sent this by Bruce Mysterymachine today.

Could be the Blazers brother from another mother.

[Grizz1963]

.



Right......


You better believe it.


Blazer is now for sale.


I have seen something very interesting, certainly a project, and quite different.




So just a reminder on where we started in September and into the heart of winter, to get this car to where it is a safe, enjoyable drive and smile generator with help from many, including @PaulY



Tyre kicking will commence at £6800.00


Everything you want to know is in the thread. Please go read it.


Located in Rochester, Kent.


Click build thread link: http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...vy-blazer-sale



1979 Chevy Blazer.

Rough as a Badgers Butt. (Opinions vary widely)

V8 Auto


This is how I saw it in June 2016 on a driveway where it had stood for 13 years.








REPORT STARTS ON PAGE 5 FOR REAL.....


FULL SERVICE MANUAL HERE


http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/tech...ice_Manual.pdf


VERY COOL THREAD HERE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=331470



By the 1st January this was the look.


And then the Money Shot.





Best of all.......



Road Tax Free from January !!



Got to be a good thing too


Tea and biccies if you visit. Plus approval from Harley.

[Grizz1963]

Viewing tomorrow afternoon so washed the Blazer

Looks neat even if I say so.





Roll on Sunday.