702 GMC V-12 powered '62 GMC 1-ton

[cayoterun]

I've been considering this for some time. Started working on arrangments yesterday to take "Balaur" to her first "Show and Tell" and new permanent home next weekend. If all works out, she will be on display for future generations. For those who have followed this thread, the truck kinda' evolved, but the motor was the major focus for preservation purposes. Hope to add closing pics and video to this thread next week.
Cayoterun

[wwhijr]

I think that is great. Especially if they make it a working exhibit. It would be great to be able to see it running in person.

[cayoterun]

"Balaur" is now officially in her new home. Wife and I took her to Boise City, Okla. to their annual celebration of the Santa Fe trail, which was a major route from Independence, Mo. to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the late 1800s which passed near there. The local people established a Cimmaron County Heritage Center a few years ago. The county is 40mi. wide and 68mi. long. County population is less than 2,800. Largest town is Boise City, with a pop. of 1,200.
The steel dinasaur is built to scale determined by bones that have been excavated in the area and sits in front of the museum. I thought "Balaur" deserved to have her pic taken in front of one of the critters who used to roam there.
We ran her in their parade, then in their car/truck show Saturday afternoon. Had a lot of questions and interesting comments made about the old V12.
Tranfered her title to the Heritage Center this morning so the old motor would never be abused and have a good home that would be saved for future generations to see and enjoy. She will be cranked up and run occasionally to keep her limbered up, maybe even driven in their parades.
We hope to add a few more pics and video in the next week or so, but for now a brief "Thank you" to all who have offered advice and support in bringing her to this point.

[jonzcustomshop]

great to see it perserved, hopefully for all time!

[Old Yeller 1970]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

great to see it perserved, hopefully for all time!

Ditto. It's been a pleasure watching your buildup.

[wwhijr]

Awesome to see it will be a working display and not just sit and rot under glass. Great work.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice build! Atleast you'll be able to go visit her and know she is in good hands. Do you plan on building another vehicle with a V-12?

[cayoterun]

I don't know what I'll try next, if anything. I've lost one eye as the result of a stroke, now have a catarac on the good one. May take a break until the catarac can be removed. "Balaur" was my 12th project since the early 80s, so seems strange not to have one in the shop. I keep saying this is my last, then my family will say, "Why?, what better pastime, or harmless hobby could you have"? V12?-- Maybe? On page 6, post 138, Stormchaser did a photo stretch on an old Jalopy that has bugged me since I saw it.
I think an old fat-fender sedan from the '40s set up like that would be fun. Run the 12 stacks and completly exposed would be different.
On page 5, post 114, Mickey-D suggested "Balaur" as a name. That name has sure created alot of conversation and questions too. Thanks, Mickey-D, wherever you are.
I sure didn't build this truck alone. All you folks on here that offered help and suggestions and the support of the local people here that helped me get parts from their junkers made "Balaur" possible.
Hanging out here with all you wrench-heads with wild imaginations, who knows what will develop, whatever, it will be fun.

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm sorry to hear about your stroke. Just do what you want to do and try to stay healthy too. Good luck, Ryan.

[watahyahknow]

whell over here we say "rest rust" , you need to stay busy to stay limber , its a good idea to get another project but maibe reduce the scale/weight of the work .
we have a guy here that buys old beat up pedalcars out of the 40s 50s and redo them
maibe do an old motorbike or one of those midget racecars

[cayoterun]

Hello, watayahknow: You offered lots of good input on this, Thanks. I don't think I'll ever overcome this addiction, and don't think I want to. Smaller stuff would probably be better, tho.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
What would this be like draped over a chevy single wheel truck frame, maybe with a 12 if I could find one? Don't paint it, put glass and a presentable interior in it. Ridiculous, but different.
Would I be banished from this site for using a car body? Never hurts to dream.
Cayoterun

[jonzcustomshop]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=140
^ thats the spot on this site for off topic builds...we could hang out with you there!

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by cayoterun

Hello, watayahknow: You offered lots of good input on this, Thanks. I don't think I'll ever overcome this addiction, and don't think I want to. Smaller stuff would probably be better, tho.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
What would this be like draped over a chevy single wheel truck frame, maybe with a 12 if I could find one? Don't paint it, put glass and a presentable interior in it. Ridiculous, but different.
Would I be banished from this site for using a car body? Never hurts to dream.
Cayoterun

i once seen a fourdoor version of that car , they had gut a section out of it and welded the front half of the frontdoor to the rearhalf of the reardoor then they chopped the roof , it made the car look like a bodybuilder with a shrunken head it was a car of the editor of chrome and flames a custom car magazine in france .......... come to think of it , he also had build a trike with a V12 in it from jaguar
http://www.gatsbyonline.com/main.asp...d=441&cat=auto
the trike is on top the olds lower down on the page lower still are stills of the trike from all sides

[cayoterun]

I guess Americans are not the only ones who are tinker crazy. He made his Olds shorter, we'd stretch ours out.
Jon: never looked at that section before. Interesting stuff.

[cayoterun]

Haystack came over today and posted the only video we got. Really not very impressive, but there goes the result of 2 yrs and 10 months of enjoyment. The best part was having our 82 yr old buddy along who bought the pickup new in '62. Tried to get him to drive, but he wouldn't. He sure had a big 'ol grin on his face, tho.

YouTube- Balaur First show and tell

Again, a big Thank You to all who helped with this.
Cayoterun

[cayoterun]

We are in the process of printing all posts in "Balaur's" entire build thread, encased in plastic, in a binder for permanent history documentation to leave with the truck at Cimarron Heritage Center, North Hiway 287/385, Boise City, Okla.
We want to thank each and everyone of you for your imput on helping put the old truck together. It has been a pleasure and great help, not only to us, but other hobbiest who are interested in the preservation of the V-12s, regardless of how they're displayed.
I would like to acknowledge each and everyone of you individually, but would be impossible to do so, without risk of overlooking someone.

If any of you disapprove of your posts being included, for whatever reason, PLEASE, contact me and they will be removed.

Please know that everyone involved here, or future museum visitors who enjoy "Balaur", do/will appreciate you. Please accept this post as a BIG THANK YOU.
Visit her at the museum if you are ever passing thru the area. There's much more interesting stuff there to see for all ages and members of your families.

Cayoterun

[Dieselwrencher]

And thanks to you for seeing the build through to the end! Congrats again for both of you!

[Old Yeller 1970]

I've read and enjoyed every post. And I've really enjoyed watching your project come to fruition. When you print out the posts please put my real name next to Old Yeller. James Taylor, Crosby County, TX

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Dannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cayoterun]

There's been several commented to us on the last post that thought it was a very fitting ending.
Thanks, 1bad62pro/street

Done deal, Old Yeller, your in da' book on your last post with the truck.

Cayoterun

[cayoterun]

Out of hibernation one year later. Couldn't miss the annual party.

Pic. 1: Favorite pic furnished by original owner's daughters of motor was added to papers left with truck. Original owner and wife now deceased.

Pic. 2: Preflight checks and adjustments on launch pad.

Pic. 3: Midflight and all systems check out normal.

Had alot of fun at their little car show, lots of good visiting, and still many people who hadn't seen a V-12 before that were interesting to talk too.

"Balaur" is now back in hiberation at Cimarron Heritage Center, Boise City, Ok. for another year.

[wwhijr]

This has to be one of the most amazing builds I have ever followed. Great work on preserving an historic old engine and building an historic truck.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Ha ha....
How much oil ya got to put in there bud?

[cayoterun]

Originally Posted by 1Bad62Pro/Street

Ha ha....
How much oil ya got to put in there bud?

Lucked out----Only about 1/2 pint ps fluid.

That was in the Ford part! GM parts done goood.
Cayoterun

[cayoterun]

Originally Posted by wwhijr

This has to be one of the most amazing builds I have ever followed. Great work on preserving an historic old engine and building an historic truck.

Thanks for the comment: That's the advantage of having lived thru 60yrs of changes and preferences of the hobby. From the "stove-bolt 6s and flatheads" to the modern ones.
I've had the pleasure of having purty ones, fast ones, and anything in between.
"Balaur" set out with the purpose of motor preservation. The now '46 V-12 is just for the heck of it.

Without a doubt, the people on this website are the most knowledgable, helpful, and considerate of others ideas of anywhere. They can disagree, offer suggestions, but are always supportive.

Great bunch all,
Thanks,
Cayoterun