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

[Grizz1963]

Been a great weekend, spent 29 great hrs with Miss Katy

Chatted to Dennis a few times.

Remembered that I am really interested in these V8 Sprint cars his son races.



Been chatting to various people behind the scenes who I have to deliver monies for services rendered in the US, collect parts, get parts delivered etc.
And then there is all my bits, some of which I had managed to forget I had bought for the truck.

Amazing how fast it all accumulates.

Recognise this.....?

A gift from mate Dennis to a genius here in the UK. (Keeping people's names quiet unless they decide to go public themselves.

May get packaged and courier ex here, or else it may find its way inbetween my clothes.





And then this, optional clock for another very good friends car. Getting delivered to Ta2Donz place.



There are some electronic components that have been delivered to Clems, for me to collect and bring back.

I have a few bits to collect in various places, from Tulsa to Fayetteville for my own truck build.

And then some bits and tools I have been offered as well.

I refuse to do extra baggage this year, it's hard work and the risk of you get pulled by customs.

But these radiator wings that Bret Johnson bought me as my truck have none, followed very closely by Mr Clem Johnson offering e a pair as well, plus the of course this front bumper overriders that I bought with Chad in Tulsa's help.......

]

They should look like this on the blue truck.



As you can see, my truck is missing them.



Overriders





And then there is of course the pivotal dates around which my visit is anchored.

Clems Shindig up in the Ozark Mountains.



I have no idea just what sort of weight I may end up at, but like before...... Who,needs clothes.....?

[flashed]

You know you will find more cool stuff while on this side of the pond to take back with you .

[Palf70Step]

Keep on smiling Rian, the time is almost here!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

You know you will find more cool stuff while on this side of the pond to take back with you .

Certain I will find some stuff.

Just need ti be sensible mate.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Keep on smiling Rian, the time is almost here!

You have no idea how broadly I am smiling Bill.



Well.......

Life can get better.

It just did this morning.

Got this message from my friend Steve in Arkansas.

My friend Danny got back from the GoodGuys road trip last night and we talked a few minutes ago. Unless George sends him off with the truck unexpectedly he will be able to go down with us on Tuesday the 11th.

Looking forward to your visit. We are not formal people and neither are our friends. The operative words here are relax and enjoy.

Belinda is in Tunica, a casino location about 20 miles south of Memphis for a girl's outing with her best friend from grammar school and her daughter who is also our god daughter. Kathy, the friend, is a retired Arkansas State Police Trooper and she "packs" most of the time so I don't worry about them running around without manly me to protect them.

See you in a week!

Steve.

So it looks like George Poteet is happening. Just how good can life get??

Below, From 2010 mainly quoted as I love trucks.
And six years on, still fresh, I would love to own and drive a truck like this.
Dreams do come true. Even the fleeting thought we have reading a magazine or watching telly, internet or going to car shows.

"Early Truck of the Year award, prolific hot rod builder and financier George Poteet took this year’s award with his “Miller Hauler Special” Indy-inspired 1932 Ford pickup that debuted earlier this year at the Grand National Roadster Show. Brian Stinger designed the truck while the Rad Rides by Troy team assembled it."


Specification:

The truck has what seems to be a million thoughtfully placed louvers and mind boggling amounts of milled aluminum, chrome and custom fabbed parts and pieces. The focal point is the polished custom grill built by Steve Moal. The body features a wedge chop, stretched cowl, custom hood and hood sides by Stinger and a custom box out back. The engine is a 201 cubic inch Donavan 4 banger linked to a Tremec T5. The truck rolls on a genie deuce frame with custom front horns. A Magnum 5 inch drop tube axle insures a killer stance. The Brakes are 12-inch Bendix style with custom machined fins which stop the 19 inch gold Dayton wires. Sitting in the custom Stinger-built seats gives you a birds-eye view of the immaculate Diamond T dash featuring Classic Instruments gauges and MG steering wheel.




Other cars in George Poteets stable of over 200 turnkey cars (from what I know, and I know very little) includes "Sniper" a 1954 Plymouth Savoy built by Troy Trepanier.



And one of Georges cars out on the salt flats.






I think its needless to say, but this road trip may just have kicked into high gear.

More as I find out or do stuff.

Hang on, its going to be a good ride.

[Palf70Step]

Looking forward to your trip reports.

[65sub]

I'm looking forward to following along again this year

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looking forward to your trip reports.

Just you stand by Bill.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 65sub

I'm looking forward to following along again this year

See you on the road Dale.


Amazing the way we are all connected.

Love the fact VIP was in the Petersen Museum last week and saw Sniper.

And Chandler had a shop a mile down the road from where he car was built.

All I can do is report on my experiences and what I see.

I am sure it will be great and happy to share.

Just had a Dr Pepper last night, last year I drank gallons of the stuff while driving all over the place, in those massive containers you get at the gas stations.
Looking forward to it again this year.

So just a practice run this.



And of course the Arkansas flag, probably the state I will spend most of my time in this year.




Today while packing, Harley was all over and around me for most of the day.

Tonight I picked up,the cat sitter who along with the lodger will,have to manage her...... Seems she likes them both, however, unusually, when I came to bed, as it's an early start at 02.30 she came up too.
She is a cat that rarely gets up on work tops or top surfaces, yet tonight she was sitting on the bedside cabinet....... Just staring.



Right.

Sleeps time.... Next report will be from Detroit, Michigan when I land there.

Later dudes.

[NevEno]

One Mans epic journey to a faraway land begins on a dark road, Coming to America!



Watch out he drives on the wrong side of the road!!

[flashed]

Harley knows you are leaving without her .

[Palf70Step]

[Modges'66]

Wow Rian, I didn't realize that you fly into detroit!!!
Clem has my e-mail address and phone number, so hit me up!
Weather permitting, I would love to meet up with you to show off the '66!

[Grizz1963]

21.30 in St Louis, Missouri.

Yup....... tired for sure.

Been awake 25 hrs straight. At least I got to watch three movies on the plane, including Dead Pool. Brilliant movie for the flight and unwinding.

Entered the US in Detroit, Michigan. Customs, Passports etc and a transit of my bags, which included my large bag that the airline managed to break open. No idea what got lost in transit. Used airline duck tape to secure the case for the last leg to St Louis, Missouri.

Bloody hot day here too.

Picked up by Dennis and driven via his buddy Roger and Debbies shop where I had three beers in a short space of time and some stunning smoked sausage from Rogers stash.

I will post Rogers cars later.

This is the sunset view over his self built lake in front of his house. You drive over the dam wall on the way out.



From there we came to Dennis and Debs place, got the mini tour, more beer and then out to dinner after he introduced me to my car for the next two weeks.

I can only say a massive thank you tonDennis for hospitality and generosity.



Must get to sleep soon.

Tomorrow promises to be interesting.

[Grizz1963]

So an uneventful flight with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow to Detroit Michigan.

Miss Katy had packed me a Goody Bag with all sorts of snacks n treats as well as travel sized hand wipes, ear plugs and tooth paste.
Just how thoughtfull.
She flew out to LA as well yesterday for a holiday with other friends down the coast.

Found these in the bag, with special message added while waiting in Detroit to get on to St Louis my final destination.

Frog reference in our Nomance is about kissing too many.



Modern Short Bus??



Low sun messed with pic but you get the idea.



Once Dennis picked me up at the airport at 4.30 we hit afternoon traffic and the residual of an earlier wreck on the motorway.

So it was easy cruising, windows down. Chatting, catching up.



He decided that as the traffic was a bit rubbish, we would swing by one of his friends, Roger and Debbies place for a few beers and to look at the car he recently painted and is helping Roger build.

Hell Yeah !!!

Beer o Clock.



1970 Baracuda was a hacked out shell when Roger found it.
Dennis did the bodywork magic.

Work in Progress.



Motor??

440ci Mopar stroked up to 471

WTF !!!? Sounds perfect to me.



Nobody knows what Roger has spent on this car so far but if you look at the lake he built in front of his home, you get the idea.



Love ke herding cats this photographing people.

Left to right.

Dennis, Debbie with moustache and husband Roger. (They were headed to a "Moustache Party" later)



More of Rogers cars to come in a bit.

He likes wide tyres.

Bye Bye ..........

[realvc]

Welcome back to the U.S.A. Rian. Glad you were able to make the trip.

Looks like a nice ride to cruise around.

[flashed]

Im in to see the rest of this adventure .

[dwcardfan]

Glad you made it!! As of right now I am off work Monday. I will give Don a shout and keep him updated. Enjoy the trip!!!!!

[Grizz1963]

So part two of Thursday 6th October when Dennis and I dropped in at Rogers place.

He also has the following cars.

"Kiss my butt" this one seems to say.



39 Ford with Blown motor and very wide tires.

Loads of custom touches inside and out.

Verrrrry shiny



Yellow 36 anyone?



34 Dodge pickup with suicide doors.





Once we had drunk his beer, we headed from Rogers place back to Dennis' place.

It all just stepped up another notch.

Dennis and Deb built this place themselves 96-99 and moved in in 99 while living in a trailer to make it all happen.
This is again a home filled with tasteful touches and loads of Debs love and vision.

Dropped the bags in my guest wing and straight out to his workshop.

More beer.

Then onto his 1966 NASCAR C10 Chevy truck.




This motor from one of his three Sprint Cars is going into the truck.

Bring it on !!



Motor currently waiting in here.




Back in the garage this motor made my eyes pop as well.




Photoshopped pic probably says it all.



Today Dennis took me to 5 different shops and we also got taken to Mittler Brothers factory by Mike Mittler the owner.

Here we got to spend time with him on a personal factory tour, after which he introduced us to Jamey Jordan who has amazing metal bending skills and he hand builds phenomenal seats www.handmadeseatcompany.com We also got introduced to Josh Bulloch another magical metal shaper from Cedar City, Utah. www.truemetalshaping.com and on FB and Instagram. He is here to do a workshop for customers tomorrow.

We spent a few hours there again, just drinking it all in. There are some amazingly skilled people out there.

Tomorrow morning we will be up at 06.00 for 07.00 departure to Philo, Illinois to visit the COTU

Now off to bed it is 03.15 in England.

Hope you are all still on board.

I will get todays photos loaded and write it up tomorrow some time if I get time.

[Palf70Step]

Enjoy bud, catch up when you can...but ENJOY first!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Enjoy bud, catch up when you can...but ENJOY first!

Thanks Bill

Insomnia helps me get caught up.


QUICK N DIRTY ENTRY.

READY??

Have slept 10hrs the last three days. Woke at 03.00 again this morning.

Dennis the insomniac was up as well. The result of a well spent youth.

So yesterday morning after we got up and had coffee, Dennis and I along with the dogs went for a drive around his property and the new land he and his son had bought.



Sunrise is always a good time to see and hear stuff you normally don't.





This is deer country.

One of many hides and assisted by technology in various motion detected cameras, Dennis and his neighbours manage to keep an eye on their game.

The game sausage I have eaten so far is just awesome.



Back on the property one more thing I loved.

How many kids have a NASCAR tire swing in a tree??



Back home, do you remember this truck Dennis brought home?

Waiting its turn.



Quick tour of the yards beaters.

Ex Police spec Ford Crown Victoria that Rogers mum who drove to age 95 had before Roger gave it to Dennis' son Adam who races the Sprint cars.

136k miles only now. Has only used oil in last 4 years and new tyres.



Adams 2014 Chevy truck we used yesterday.

What a truck. I do need one in my life.

He is trading it on a new one next week.




Lastly, Dennis' favourite Banger.

Bought for $1000 three years ago with 75k miles on the clock, now on 93k miles. Its his second one. The last one, a 1998 model Debbie bought new, in which he did 285k miles on and never even changed the oil or plugs on it. Only tyres and starter plus a battery and two fanbelts over its life of about 16 years. Dennis then donated it to a charity demolition derby but got $200 and an antique streetlight for it.

Comfy sofa with a V8 motor is how I would describe it.



Once we were done at the house, we left for the most mind blowing day I had yet. After breakfast at Pete's Restaurant in Wentzville which is known as "The Crossroads of America" due to Highway 40 and Highway 70 crossing there.

Old skool breakfast with orders taken, called through and delivered at your table or car outside on a window tray.

Bottomless coffee served with a smile.

Pete has owned and run the restaurant since 1966
It used to be an A&W restaurant until he gave up the franchise.




05.45 here in St Louis now. Time for coffee, shower and then hit the road for Thomas and Chris' place in Philo, Illinois.

Breakfast will be at Pocahontas, Illinois at a roadside restaurant, in case anyone wants to join us.

Google Task: Gretchen Wilson check her out to broaden your general knowlege. Its her home town.

[ibrown50]

Great stuff Rian keep those updates coming

And in all the excitement remember those of us less fortunate than you

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

Great stuff Rian keep those updates coming

And in all the excitement remember those of us less fortunate than you

Will do mate


Just a quick, out of sync posting.

Mainly to get the pics into Thomas and Chris' thread.

Dennis and I spent 6 hours on the road today. Diving up to The Centre of the Universe.

We met up with Chris and Thimas and spent around 6+ hours with them.

Full report in a day it so.

Massive thanks to Dennis for having the idea of popping up to see them and their restored 1930's workshop and new home.

THREAD HERE.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=51567

A massive thank you for everything.
I will do full update when I get time.

Chris, Thomas, Dennis and myself.




Ando ne of many highlights.

The restored 1928 pillar lift.

[Grizz1963]

From Pete's Diner we went to the NASCAR shop.



After fighting my way through this lot.
Scrambled egg, hash brown casserole, toast and the awesome American bacon that I cannot get enough of.



Tough country to fill your car up in.

Price per gallon.



Loads of railroad crossings. I love these massive diesel electric units and their air horns.

Must be honest, Dennis and I crossed one last night and got horned at......... imagine that. Splat Grizz on holiday.



Love some of the names on road signs around here.





So headed out to the Race car shop after a big breakfast, I was unprepared for what was coming next.

[Grizz1963]

Part 1


NASCAR TRUCK RACING SHOP UPDATE.

The team is Owned and run by Mike Miittler of www.mittlerbros.com who makes a wide range of American made machines and tools (Go look at the website) He has about 12 trucks that are built for various tracks etc.

Situated in a small shop in Foristell, Missouri its a bunch of magicians making magic.

I will not pretend to know anything about the way teams are run. So its a bunch of pics and a few comments.

Hope you enjoy.

Greeted by Kindel who is one of the long serving members, knowing his way around the shop and a great host, he showed me around enthusiastically, encouraging me to look, touch, ask questions and take pics.

So you can thank him for these pics.

Currently being rebuilt is this truck that was thrown into the wall at well over 100 mph by a guest Japanese driver at one of the tracks, the safety technology used these days is enduring drivers mostly walk away with not even a headache. But what would you expect from a carbon fiber race seat valued at $10 000 ?



Business end.

It is all very snug.







Front tyres.

Can you say Girth? Can for size perspective.
Interesting wear patern.



358 cubic inches of enthusiastic V8

Power: 700 horses.



Horses turning into angry Lions when they exit here.



You will see the air dams are all differently set up for different tracks, note the difference in supports as well.





Race trailer is a fully kitted workshop that carries two trucks plus all the stuff needed to do a race. One truck is a spare in case thevfirst gets bent.

This trailer belonged to Richard Petty "The King" before Mike bought it for his team.

[Palf70Step]

That is a great start to a day!!