Project "Black Betty" (bam-A-lam)

[darkhorse970]

Congrats on the new baby boy and the new job Phillip! I'm glad he's doing well.

Id love to see some pics of your grandfathers cars and that '75 GMC.

[clemdaddy]

Thats a fine looking boy. Love the pic with the bow tie, too cute. Congrats on your growing family and newly acquired projects...

[greg65]

Congratulations on the birth of your son and the new job.

[Grizz1963]

Thats a helluva update Phillip.

Congratulations on the birth of Webb.

He looks a happy chappy.

Cars n trucks will always wait for you.

Good luck on the new job and keeping your head above water.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Thats a helluva update Phillip.

Congratulations on the birth of Webb.

He looks a happy chappy.

Cars n trucks will always wait for you.

Good luck on the new job and keeping your head above water.

Thanks Rian, yeah lots going on lately. I know the cars & trucks will wait, but I'm so ready to get a move on something. My '66 has been sitting for almost 6 years now, which is almost unbelievable to me!

Originally Posted by greg65

Congratulations on the birth of your son and the new job.

Thanks Greg!

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Thats a fine looking boy. Love the pic with the bow tie, too cute. Congrats on your growing family and newly acquired projects...

Thank you Clem! I'd say we were definitely blessed with a handsome little man. He gets compliments all the time.

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

Congrats on the new baby boy and the new job Phillip! I'm glad he's doing well.

Id love to see some pics of your grandfathers cars and that '75 GMC.

Thanks Keith! I'll link you to the only pics I have currently of the vehicles, all which are several years old. I plan to take plenty of new ones once I get back down there & start sorting through things.

1961 Nash Metropolitan:

These pics were taken inside the shop without great lighting, & it was dark outside as well. So they're not the greatest but give you a decent look. Plus, I think we used the 1st gen. iPhone.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskm9TJFb

It's the only vehicle completely restored. Not sure why my grandpa bought & restored it, except for the fact that it's unique. Many years ago while visiting a friend in Texas, he came across it sitting in somebody's yard under a tree I think. After some negotiating, he ended up bringing it home. It just sat in the shop, but he did keep it cranked. He was a fairly hefty guy & could barely fit into the thing, especially once he couldn't get up/down good. He told my wife that it could be hers, & we could take it over once we had a house & somewhere to store it inside.


1950 Ford "Shoebox"

This one he's had since around '71 based on documentation I found. I know it will crank & run, but I have no clue when it was last driven on the road. These pics were taken at the same time as the Metro.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskyg8BLp


1975 GMC Sierra SWB/Fleet:

He bought this truck in July 1976, according to the paperwork I found. It has always been an occasional driver but always parked under the carport. As a result, it's in very solid condition. Sometime many years ago, my dad & his friend painted the lighter blue color you see. I wish I still had it, but several years ago my grandpa had the original engine swapped when it started using oil really bad. It still has a nice running 350 though. It's basically just an ole grandpa truck.

Again, these pics were taken at the same time as the Metro & Ford:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskyg6J4Z


1972 Lincoln Mark IV:

Lastly, there's the '72 Lincoln. He purchased it in 1974 after a local doctor traded it in at the dealership in town. The story the neighbor relayed to me is that he parked it after getting mad. Apparently the hood flew open when he was driving one day, causing damage to the roof & hood. He had that fixed, & sometime later the transmission seals started leaking. So he just parked it inside the shed. My earliest memories (I'm 33) of this car are of it sitting exactly where it does today. It has always been covered. Aside from what looks to be mildewing on the leather interior, the car is in great shape. I think it only has 60-something thousand miles on the odometer. I have no clue when it last ran though, but my guess is when it was parked.

I don't have any good pictures of the Lincoln since it's in tight quarters inside the shed. Once I can manage to get it out, I'll be sure to take some. Here's a couple sneak peek shots until then:

https://flic.kr/p/Ga43bW

https://flic.kr/p/Gidc1X

[likaroc13]

So, I figured I'd update you guys again & share a few pics from this Fall/Winter. "Black Betty" has a new resting place. While not inside anymore, she's under cover of a shed/carport at my late grandparents' house in Northeast Mississippi. I was down that way for the first time in a long while last weekend, & I must say it broke my heart to see the truck sitting there like that. I vow to get it going again in 2017, & I'm on the lookout for someone to help. I contacted one local shop, but they're full until at least Fall/Winter 2017. I'd really like to get it back on the road by Spring/Summer. So, I'll be checking around for other options. I have both mechanical and cosmetic things I'd like to have done. If any of you have suggestions, I'm open to anyone I can trust that's not too far away in the Southeast.

Here's a link to some pics from a show the local UAW held this past October. It was a Chevy-only show:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskQHFytj


Here are a couple truck-related pics from this past October at the pumpkin patch/corn maze:

IMG_0664 by likaroc13, on Flickr

IMG_0662 by likaroc13, on Flickr

IMG_0680 by likaroc13, on Flickr



This is a plate I found at a local store while shopping last year (2015) at Christmas-time:

IMG_1245 by likaroc13, on Flickr


A sweet truck in the Franklin, TN Christmas parade:

IMG_1036 by likaroc13, on Flickr


And here are some Christmas fun pics with the little guy:

IMG_0976 by likaroc13, on Flickr

IMG_0983 by likaroc13, on Flickr

IMG_0978 by likaroc13, on Flickr


Hope all you guys have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[northern 85]

Nice pictures! Merry Christmas!!

[likaroc13]

So, I was down at my late grandparents' place this past week sorting/cleaning/organizing. I got some pics of Betty, which is something I haven't done in a LOOONG time! Proof she still exists. If you read my previous post, you'll notice I mentioned looking for someone to help me get her back on the road this year. I've been in conversation with someone willing to tackle the job, & now I just need to figure out the best way to get the truck transported to him. I hope to have it to him by the end of January.

From Betty & my family to yours, wishing you all a Happy New Year!


Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[Grizz1963]

Hallo Phillip,

Happy and Prosperous new year to you.

Good to see your truck, and even more importantly, hearing there willl be Progress again for you.

[greg65]

Happy New Year Phillip.

[Palf70Step]

Good to see Betty again Phillip. Good luck on getting here up and running again.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Hallo Phillip,

Happy and Prosperous new year to you.

Good to see your truck, and even more importantly, hearing there willl be Progress again for you.

Originally Posted by greg65

Happy New Year Phillip.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Good to see Betty again Phillip. Good luck on getting here up and running again.

Thanks guys. The past year has been quite a ride. I'm hoping for a bit smoother sailing in 2017, but I know the Lord will guide me no matter what obstacles arise.

[likaroc13]

Well, it didn't happen quite as quickly as I was hoping. It was quite a chore finding someone to haul Betty for me, but that void has been filled finally. It should be picked up from my late grandparents' place tomorrow & headed a little north of Knoxville, TN.

So, my main goal is to get her running again & all mechanical things in order. Hopefully I can afford to do a few cosmetic fixes afterward. It's been a long time since I updated with any progress pics, but I had a chance to paint/primer a few things in anticipation for installation a bit later.


Transmission flywheel cover for the Powerglide painted:

flywheel cover by likaroc13, on Flickr

flywheel cover by likaroc13, on Flickr

flywheel cover by likaroc13, on Flickr


New brake calipers painted:

VHT caliper paint by likaroc13, on Flickr

VHT caliper paint by likaroc13, on Flickr

[likaroc13]

New Stewart water pump primered & ready for paint:

Stewart water pump by likaroc13, on Flickr

Stewart water pump by likaroc13, on Flickr

Stewart water pump by likaroc13, on Flickr



And here's an interesting find I came across. These were included in a bag of bolts, & I believe they were original color. I had to snap a pic for reference before they change color.

OG bolts by likaroc13, on Flickr

[Palf70Step]

Glad it is working out. Be good to see progress again on Betty.

[62 short step]

Glad to see some progress!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad it is working out. Be good to see progress again on Betty.

Thanks Bill!

Originally Posted by 62 short step

Glad to see some progress!

Me too! Hopefully a lot more to come soon.





When I was down at my grandparents' a couple weekends ago, I let Webb sit in papaw's old truck ('75 GMC mentioned earlier). Maybe one day it can be his.

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[greg65]

Start them out early. At this point I ask my fourteen year son questions about the newer trucks. Good to see you are making progress on Betty.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by greg65

Start them out early. At this point I ask my fourteen year son questions about the newer trucks. Good to see you are making progress on Betty.

Thanks Greg. Yes, if he's not a fan of cool, classic/custom trucks (& cars) when he gets older, it won't be because I didn't try.

[likaroc13]

Here are some pics from last Monday, Feb. 20, when the guys picked up Betty:


David seeing what lurks under the hood

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Ready to load:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Strapping it down:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Loaded and ready to go:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[greg65]

It's only a matter of time now.

[likaroc13]

So, this past Saturday we drove up to David's place which is a little north of Knoxville, TN. I went to look over the truck with him & talk about a game plan. While I want to make a few cosmetic fixes, for the most part we'll be sticking to mechanical stuff. David asked me how long it had been since the truck last ran. I told him over 6 years. I was pleasantly surprised when he informed me that he hooked up the battery & it fired right up! After all that time sitting, I was definitely not expecting that to happen.

Here's a pic I took of Betty sitting in David's shop:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[jcramsey]

Six years and it fired right up....that's awesome!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by jcramsey

Six years and it fired right up....that's awesome!

Yep!

[Grizz1963]

All good news in its own way.

Funny how a pic like the one you took of Webb, can become a yearly photo to show his growth, development and become part of the self fulfilling story of the trucks next life.

Glad the truck fired right up, but then you could expect that in a way.