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

[Palf70Step]

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

That's how I felt too.



Mate CraigRK was baby sitting this weekend with his wife out in the Canary Islands getting pampered and eating salad.

I had made good progress with Prozac for the Soul and decided to take in the alloys to and get the tyres to be switched over this morning.

I always use KwikFit in Stroud as they have always treated me well.

While I went there, Craig and his daughter drove over and let themselves in at my place.
The wheels took a bit longer than planned, but I got home by 12.15 and then we had a good time, garage and other stuff.



Sticking the standard 175 tyres on the VTR rims meant a bit of stretch, that actually looks good to me.



Came home via the carwash, weather was a bit dull, but very pleased with the outcome.



We also removed the side strips with the intention to add the checkered stickers down the side but found that it is only red and blank, so I need a strip of white to add under the checkers.

Also found some great repairs under the side trim...... part of the cars history and the signature of a top flight body shop.
It really is quite rough.



Craig left early by 4pm as he had a viewer coming over for his ML that is up for sale.

So I went to the garage later to gloat as I am still pleased with the car and the change appeals to me. Minus side trim and with the wheels.



I am looking forward to the rest of this coming together.

It will certainly be a Marmite car once done, some of you will laugh, some cry and some will outright hate it.

Weekend over again.........

Thanks for looking in.

[Grizz1963]

Question time.

This has bugged me from day one.

Obviously a replacement unit from a breakers yard. Keep in mind, this is a 16 year old car so the old guy who had it for 15 years must have broken a corner.

Looking at the top of this light unit, drivers side only......



What is the meaning of this hole in the top.

Clearly factory, does not look like there is anything missing, like a cap.



Been away since yesterday morning 07.30 for two days training.

Thankfully they let us go early today as we sacrificed tea time and worked late yesterday.
So on the way home I stopped in at a sign shop in Medway City Estate to get some while vinyl custom cut.

Got home, unpacked, dealt with Harley who was very unimpressed and vocal about me leaving her alone with a tin opener and cans of tuna.

Then down to the garage to start offering up the white strips I had cut.

Wind and cold, late afternoon, meant I only got one side done.

Initial mock up.



Keeping in mind the rear door needs some slight adjustment inward, the outcome was better than expected.

You will also notice that I put a slight rake on the line......




Little by little.

[Palf70Step]

I am thinking a drain from the door seal for water to run thru. I would guess there is another hole/opening near the bottom or where the light or light assembly is.

Start for your stripes/checker thing looks good Rian

[flashed]

I dont have a clue about the light but Im liking the stripe and wheels .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I am thinking a drain from the door seal for water to run thru. I would guess there is another hole/opening near the bottom or where the light or light assembly is.

Start for your stripes/checker thing looks good Rian

It turns out that the light if off a 2 door van, and it's where the lights and rear wiper harness goes through.

Originally Posted by flashed

I dont have a clue about the light but Im liking the stripe and wheels .

Thanks again John.


Bloody freezing tonight.

After the attack in London yesterday, my boss emailed me last night to say that I should avoid my London bases.

On television this morning it was clear that St Thomas' hospital was really a no go area. Just not to add to the stress that the services were under.

So when I came home from work tonight Mickey came and helped me get the passenger side White vinyl down, then he scarpered as well, saying the cold in the wind was killing him.



After Mickey had left, I trimmed the ends how I wanted them.

Then offered the red checkered strips up with masking tape.

The wind was soooooo not helping.

So I will have to go back to this over the weekend if the weather plays along.

For those who do not read all the words or follow it all, the red checkers came with no white background, so I had to create a base for them, while also closing the holes where I had removed the side trim.



That was tonight's quick bit of therapy.

[flashed]

That is going to look great .

[65sub]

Looking good Rian. I like the red stripe wheels

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

That is going to look great .

Originally Posted by 65sub

Looking good Rian. I like the red stripe wheels

Thank you guys.

It is still making me smile, a lot.

[Grizz1963]

5 weeks......

And that includes time away from home etc.....

But 5 weeks and the car is pretty much done.

Tailgate needs some more attention.... soon.

Another night of minimal sleep, thanks to a small chainsaw next to me, that had me leaving and seeking cover elsewhere in the early morning hours, followed by feeding Harley by 05.00 and then a cuppa tea by 05.45..... story of my life.

Chainsaw woke at 08.00 and wanted a cuddle.....

As did this bloody thug.



Anyway, eventually I got to starting on what I have been orchestrating to do for a few weeks.

As you guys mostly know, mate Dennis does all the body and paint work on the 13 NASCAR Racing trucks in Mittler Brothers' team.

When I bought the Berlingo, he offered me a load of team sponsors stickers to create the Berlingo as a support vehicle which meant a reasonably cheap way to a lot of fun.





Of course the VTR alloys I had bought were part of the plan from day one, as they actually look like a set of truck wheels in black. The red line adds to this look.

The box of stickers and other gifts landed less than two weeks after I had bought Prozac.

Some of it had to be kept out of sight and a bit secret. So this was the pile of stickers that landed.




Dennis had also asked me for the dimensions of the drivers door on the car.
He then had his signwriting company make me up a set of custom door numbers appropriate in size to the door.

The number 63 is one of Mittler Bros' race numbers, but also my year of birth.......

Perfect.

So today Katy and I worked together to get the car done.

Some of the planning and actions I had to do alone but having the wind still hammering through here, past the house, meant her extra hands and eyes helped a lot.

Once I had laid the checkers, I overlaid the numbers.
Due to the checkers being only 2.0 meters long, but me needing another 200mm of checkers, meant that I needed to harvest some of the blocks from under the numbers where they would not be missed.





Numbers going down over the checkers..... Katy making the difference.



Both sides done........

At this point I was really chuckling a lot.

I was loving the outcomes and where it was headed.








So this is where we stopped and had a coffee break, also had cake, not one but two cakes that Katy had baked.
Victoria Sponge, which I love and Teacake that I had never had before I met this girl.....
Very yummy cake too.

After lunch we were back to part two.

Trust it is not yet Marmite for most.

There is still time.

[flashed]

Love it .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Love it .

And then there was this.....


Next job today after lunch was to start adding the sponsor stickers in some sensible way.

I was going to leave the tailgate as it is or a while as I have a few ideas on it, that still needs to be thought out. May be nothing much, but we will see.

The badges still need to be prepped with automotive double sided tape and then applied.
After which the left over space can get used for the final push.



Been chatting to Dennis all day, and a couple of his texts had me drooling, really DROOLING !!

Message from him:

Back from St Louis, not too bad about 2 more exits past the Airport. I bought 15 lb's of crawfish 5 lb's of shrimp. Stopped at Sams and got all the other stuff Deb wanted, corn, potatoes etc. Car looks great, when you get all the stickers on it will really make it pop.

He also raised the Union Jack over his shop today.......... I guess it's as close as I will get to spending the day with them.



The next hour and a half Katy and I raced through the stickers in my collection, trying various layouts, and combinations as not everything looks right.

Once I got the last sticker down on the top edge of the front fender, Katy went indoors to start cooking an early chicken curry dinner for us, as her younger daughter was coming back from Bournemouth University to surprise her for Mother's Day. Tonight they have gone to the local pub to meet some friends for drinks.

In the mean time I went to two different farms local to me.

One looking out over The Isle of Grain and Medway Estuary and the other looking out over the Thames River toward Essex.

So a few photos.

I found it really hard to choose what to delete and what to post, so here they are.

I hope there is still some Marmite Love here.

The Eagle Eyed amongst you will notice there is a difference between left and right sides.







And then up to the other farm, overlooking the Thames River.





And lastly, next to some hay bales.



And one final photo, I needed to add my buddy Bomp's sticker to the windscreen as well.

We have travelled around the USA together a bit.



Well..............

LOVE IT OR HATE IT.........

BUT YOU CANNOT REALLY IGNORE IT. (Yes I know you can ignore it)

Now I need a New Beetle to give a different version of the same treatment.

Or something else unloved.

[Palf70Step]

in the NASCAR winner's circle!

[ibrown50]

I have to say it made me chuckle this morning, looks great

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

in the NASCAR winner's circle!

I am very pleased with the result.

Makes me smile, a lot.

Originally Posted by ibrown50

I have to say it made me chuckle this morning, looks great

Perfect Ian....

Mission accomplished.

[Grizz1963]

Quick Sunday evening update.

Was having a chat with friend PaulF over the weekend and he sent me these pics...... after asking if I knew where my old 1963 Taunus Transit van had gone??

BUILD THREAD HERE: http://retrorides.proboards.com/thre...it-fk1250-sams

No idea I said. Never heard from the new owner, despite having some spares for him.

Pics followed........ interesting.

V6 on air.





Chatting with Dennis in St Louis this morning, he sent this pic with no comment.



Need I say more than "Nommmmm"

First bootfair of the year today, and our clocks. Over forward to British Summertime. So went to bed too late and woke too early.
Thankfully the bootfair delivered.
My favourite purchase was a fully functioning pressed metal motorcycle with rider in great condition for only £2.00 or $2.50

Love it.



Got home after a great English Breakfast at Sainsbury's and filling the Berlingo at Morrisons.

After 344 miles, mostly at top legal speeds it needed a refill of 46 litres right up into the neck.

Stuart from next door brought around a parcel that he had signed for on Friday...... a prezzie from Eddie "PedalcarJoe" who owns the yellow fire engine in my lounge.
Beautifully packed T shirts and some cool keyrings...... Harley approved and plonked herself on it before I could take a pic.



Being that it was a great day today, I had the roof back as well on the way home and when I parked it up, I forgot to close the roof, which I noticed when upstairs, so another photo opportunity.



I prepped the Chevy decals with double sided automotive tape and then applied them.



I am 99% certain that I will be removing the Grizz NASCAR Racing sticker on the rear glass. It does not suit the rest of the car in my opinion.




So that brings to an end my weekend and most of what will be happening to this little smile maker.

Thanks for checking in.

[Ta2Don]

Looks Great Rian!!! As for the difference betwixt the sides, you're a Champ!

As for our mutual friend, here's one to go along with yours...
Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Cheers Mate!

[Grizz1963]

Thanks Don.

Yes, a Champ indeed.


Came home tonight thinking the van was going out to Martin's girlfriends place loaded with tools and chainsaw..... but we missed each other in comms as he had a load of work stuff to do so it will wait for another day.

So I started in my own garden, need to clear up a load of stuff in the beds that has been here since Nicola left, get a shed empty and rolled over before remaking its base as it has been listing over just enough to prevent the doors from closing completely, then painted and reroofed before moving it 18 inches over to the side.
After that I will dig a serious hole into the side of a garden bed, so that I can build the new shed with the timber I was offered a few weeks ago when I bought the VTR wheels.
Any offer for a small free petrol/diesel digger, or muscular digger accepted.

After that I went to the little van and mocked up an idea my buddy Herb "BugThug" in Winfield, Kansas suggested yesterday.

I guess it falls in line with the 2.0 turbo transplant

Offset.....



Or Centre position



Lastly I removed the sticker from the rear glass.

Looks better of course.



Lastly, I have had a few questions on the sticker on the front screen from non-USA based guys who do not know Camping World as we have a Camping International chain here in the U.K.

Main sponsor to the series.



Quicky over.

[Palf70Step]

I am not a big sticker fan, but that little box rocks!

The scoop just took it over da fence! Oh yeah, off center.

[aggie91]

Love the look of the little van! Looks like a fun vehicle !

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I am not a big sticker fan, but that Little box rocks !!

The scoop just took it over da fence! Oh yeah, off center.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Love the look of the little van! Looks like a fun vehicle !

Thanks guys.

We have a saying "Mad as a box of frogs"

But this little box certainly does rock

Well.......
It seems there is always a surprise up the sleeve of an old car.

Brought Prozac in for wheel balancing today where tyres were changed (and I got told it could not be done)

Unfortunately the operator who got the job called me 5 minutes afyer the car was pulled on the ramp.

Seems it is wanting a new tyre.

Never noticed when tyres were changed and certainly not hit a pothole etc

Burger !! £60.00 fitted plus £22.50 for balancing the other three. With special adaptor.



Anyway. Got to be done. Still no regrets.

Some other random fun.

Photoshop by Munkey made me laugh.



Car will be working hard over the weekend as well.

Later guys.

[flashed]

I love the look of the van and the toy motorcycle is too cool.

[clemdaddy]

[QUOTE=clemdaddy;7775733]Was that a truck in your shop? I thought I saw one stuffed back in the corner kinda covered in cobwebs.

Time to get back on track and focus my friend. Life has taken a turn for the better and now its time to walk over to the tool box and grab some wrenches…


My friend, this was back on page 98 in November '16… I don't like to repeat myself, buuutttt… it's time for a old chevy truck update. Drag the girl out of the shop, give her a bath and take a few pics. Maybe write a 'little need to do, want to do and will get done' story that we all have grown to love about you. Bro it's time to get back to the reason we live in this forum… don't you think?

[Grizz1963]

Bias valve spring arrived yesterday.

Signed for delivery...... really?

So today I went to the post Office Depot 8 miles from home, 70p for parking and time wasted.

At £22.00 for this I suspect the seller is laughing all the way to the bank.

I suspect it's a total of £2.00 in there.......



Old vs New.

Took a while to get it out with Torx screw and WD40 to be negotiated.



It was mentioned somewhere that you needed pencil thin 4 inch long fingers with double articulation to remove and fit this spring.

I removed the spare wheel to increase access and visibility.



The job was not a 5 minute job, though it would be if access was better.

Anyway, did a quick test run up to the farm, not sure if it is better, but it felt a bit different..... imagination?

Anyway, another job done.




Finally, the one sticker I actually liked a lot, turned out to be a paper sticker, so tonight it was removed and all the glue removed with white spirit.

Then raided my special sticker file, some that I got from friends around the USA.



That's it for today.

Pleased for sure.

[Grizz1963]

My turn to visit Katy this weekend.

I had some jobs to do for her, mostly gardening and yard maintenance.

9 years after being laid...... they had never been cleaned.

Pressure cleaner to the rescue for Katy's front drive and parking area.



Driveway cleaned and resanded as well as a repair on a section that was worked on by the gas company, and subsided after their "repairs."

Rear garden concrete and paving, walkway etc cleaned up as well.



Also planted a butlers sink after embedding some railway sleeper offcuts into the lawn.




Yesterday and today Prozac proved itself worthy.

After redoing the rear brakes and the bias valve return spring, I had him loaded up last night, but today was a tour de force of overloading.

Seven 25kg bags of pea shingle, two 25kg bags of kiln dried sand. 100 litres of topsoil and 50 litres of compost.
Add to that some bricks, plants and a few other bits n bobs meant the brakes were really working well.
The suspension and drive really settles down.
This car works better with a load than it does empty.

I continue to be in love with it.




Prozac for the Soul indeed.

Life is good.