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

[Grizz1963]

So.....

Remember where Prozac joined my random ramblings??

Remember why??

The last few weeks have turned my speed down to an output equivalent to about 30% of my own expectation.

Anyway, Sally and I went to see friends in Maidstone earlier and to look for a Honda CR-V from FB Marketplace supposedly being sold by someone. It seems he is a total timewaster, maybe getting a kick when people respond, wanting to buy the car.

Anyway, still don’t have a replacement for Prozac with more than the 1400cc motor, and fitted with a towbar.

So when we got back home, I reversed the Berlingo down to the garage and opened the shop.

This has has been building up for a while, since I started gathering my thoughts and motivation around getting back on the C10 Restoration.

So Sally helped me load the Berlingo and took photos.

Amazing how large the doors are. Original Drivers side.



Replacement passenger door, original went to Ian Brown with some patch panels for his restoration, already repaired and painted.



Typically being supervised by my assistant.

She makes me laugh, more dog than cat.



Had to drill out the front panel engine bay light switch as it was rusted tight in position



Two doors in, front panel next.



Reconsidering it, the front fenders went in, followed by the inner fenders.



Almost all there.




Pair of good rust free replacement inner fenders bought from Del in Essex from a truck he broke a few years ago.





Then went back into the garage and found and unpacked the front radiator support panel and managed to wriggle it in as well.



Tomorrow morning early I have my pre-work at a hospital 20 miles from here, and after that I hope to go drop off all these truck parts for media blasting and Etch priming at Ashford industrial estate

Hopefully it will save me some preparation time on the welding and painting of the truck parts for the resto.

I believe getting these jobs done in the intricate parts of these panels will save me some time and a lot of effort.

.

[Grizz1963]

Had my Pre-Admission hospital visit at Kim’s Hospital in Maidstone today.

Private hospital, smart, obviously not cheap. All new, not quite the NHS which has been treating me without fault since this silliness started.

Even the patient waiting areas have sexy coffee machines with Mocha, Cappuccino and Latte on offer, plus a host more.

Love the cookies.

Come on..........



And the views from all the departments.



So after bloods, observations, history, advice, information and the rest, I was let go, until 08.00 on Wednesday till 16.00

Headed down to New Romney, 55 miles from home in Prozac to deliver the truck panels for blasting and etch primer.



WE Weld services do a lot of work.

Martin took his cab and doors to them for blasting and priming.

He is a bit of a pita for quality control, and was happy.

Finding someone who can handle a C10 cab is a bit less than easy.






When I got there the guy who does all their blasting was off site for an hour, so I went to the on-site eatery, ordered a bacon and fried egg tiger bread stick and a large coffee, total £5.20
And I can say, NO Regrets.



Lunch.




In the car park was this 9 year old truck.

For those who love bigger stuff.






Fine print on the step.

[Grizz1963]

I don’t always know how to handle generosity

But tonight Dennis sent me these pics and message from Kelly.

She always asks about me and updates Dennis on my behalf about hers. .

So today over lunch with Kent who is one of the two partners, he told her that I was on my way to cardiac catheter lab tomorrow for an Angiogram and she scribbled a little note for a photo that Dennis could send over to me.

Sweet woman.





Then Dennis mentioned she would push up my blood pressure and possibly kill me with the message.

So she said “Wait, lets make him die with a smile on his face at least”

So she sent another pic

And that is in the Roadtrip thread update.

Worth a peek.

[Grizz1963]

Up at 5.15, out by 6.40, at hospital by 7.35 and in theatre by 10.30

All done, no massive screw ups identified, some minor things observed, but no need for bypass, stents etc. Cholesterol and stress management plus BP meds to continue.

Amazing health service again.



Nice hospital entrance.



And for good luck..... Ethyls T-Shirt.



Hope to be discharged by 4.00pm and get picked up by Sally.


Got a message from Andy in Oklahoma too last night.......



He has been walking a lot, part of his own recovery process.

[Grizz1963]

Quick update from Dennis who is of course building a NASCAR Race Truck chassi’d and motor plus Trans, C10 truck.

Supervised by his dad.



Needs a bit of this.....





Some of this.



Lifting and moving.



Welding and altering the frame is the biggest job currently.



Getting the motor mounts sorted.



Hendricks Racing motor.








This seems to be progressing fast now.

[Grizz1963]

ROAD TRIP ??


Awake at 05.00

Sally Slept over, gone by 06.00

Breakfast and a nice sunrise



07.30 Satnav set.



Services stop for coffee from my flask.



And a vital £15.00 purchase




More later.

[Grizz1963]

So two hours later.

Via this view......



I was invited warmly into a house, brew, biscuits (cookies) got to meet dad and an hours worth of chatting, sharing stories, interests and generally putting the world to rights.

We went out to see this......

Yes, this was the last time Dad had taxed it, after which a large Jaguar replaced it as daily, and this one was garaged.

Go do the maths.



1977 Cadillac Seville

I saw this advertised months ago.

It has bothered me, despite knowing that I have so much other stuff to do at home.

So I needed to scratch the itch and go take a look.



Rear view mirror with temperature gauge



Battery long since dead, which is partly why I brought along the jump leads, rather than using them on myself.

Hazard lights on.



Love this rear end, lights on as well.



Lunch offered, then a guided tour of his machine shop, I loved these anvils, there is a forge and full size anvil as well.

Loved it.



Parm also gave me a brand new, unused Farriers rasp.

He makes large Bowie style knives from them.



Eventually left at 13.30 and headed home, two hours on the road via the M25



After a long discussion with @PaulY he recommended that I pass on this car, as tempting it is because the C10 needs to to get back on the road.

A great day out.

[Grizz1963]

Still looking to get something a bit bigger than the Berlingo


Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra are all based on same platform


Went to look and take a cautious drive around the block last night after work.

Then went to see a mate at their factory shop nearby.

Interestingly another guy I met before, was there, knew the car since three owners ago.

Seems this guy had it two plus years, previous owner even longer.

And he was a meticulous owner, keeping records of stuff etc.

Right now though........l

Car is a bit scruffy and needs a decent valet, some TLC with window winder, seat adjuster knob refitted
Some door panel upholstery tucked in and secured.
Needs front brakes serviced.


Driving it, it’s larger, more planted than the 1.4 petrol that is Prozac, never tested motor in drag racing mode, but unlikely to win stop street Grand Prix.

However it is comfy, and rear end is cavernous, compared to the van that can, Prozac..

And vitally, it has a towbar.

At £700.00 plus £325.00 tax plus £300.00/year insurance

It’s within my “Banger budget” and if a similar diesel was about, that would be better.......


So 24 hrs to make up or change my mind........





Interior all over needs a clean.








Ohhh....

And I would love a set of these E-Class wheels.





So......


Comments, opinions, other options?

[Grizz1963]

MAZZIVE COPY N PASTE OF PREAMBLE TO THIS.


[font size="4"][font color="e61961"] Launched in 1995 The first Galaxy was designed as a joint venture product between Ford and the Volkswagen Group. Produced at the joint-venture AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, the vehicle was badge-engineered to create three vehicles: the Ford Galaxy; by Volkswagen as the Volkswagen Sharan; and by SEAT as the Alhambra.

The Galaxy used predominantly Volkswagen Group mechanicals, most notably the 2.8 litre VR6 petrol engine from the top versions of the Volkswagen Golf, as well as Volkswagen Group's 1.9 litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel unit. Initially only the 2.0 litre inline-four petrol version used a Ford powerplant – this derived from the Ford I4 DOHC engine. In later years, this unit was supplemented by a 2.3 litre 16 valve version first seen in the facelifted Ford Scorpio. This engine was transversely mounted (as with the MKV Escort RS2000) as opposed to longitudinal mounting like in the Ford Scorpio.[/font][/font]



HOW WE GOT HERE.


Weirdly

My FB Marketplace and Gumtree feeds for bangeR type money cars have started to push through the VW Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy type cars too, possibly because I have clicked on a few sub £700 items.


Anyway.......


New Squirrel to chase and ask about on here, because I know there are such a range of experiences and interests.



Please tell me specifically about FORD GALAXY 2.3 petrol cars in Auto or manual.

I have read up on reviews, and typically opinions are of users, with varying opinions.


I have been offered a 2001 2.3 Auto, with towbar and 102k miles on the clock for £700.00 by a grandad who has bought a smaller car.

MOT History seems decent on it REGISTRATION: N999RAM



So......


Rubbish pics, bad descriptions and the rest.

Walk away, unless you are a masochist.



Then after work on Thursday after a quick phone call and chat from a car park in Greenwich, I ran down to the Isle of Sheppey to take a look.

First impression.....

Dirty.





And after a short drive around the suburb, reversed up and more poking and peeking.

Not at all perfect.

But.....

106000 miles or 170000 km done.
Great MOT online history showing long term care, maintenance and generally good status.
Petrol, automatic with a 2.3 litre 16 valve engine, offering 145 bhp
Road tax £325.00 per year as it was born post March 2001, vs £265.00 if born before March 2001




Popped in at Mate Darrens shop and spoke to his mate Ross who know the car and it’s registration when I mentioned Galaxy, as a friend of his was the previous OCD meticulous owner, who kept records, monitored fuel consumption etc.

He suggested it would be a great car at the price.

So I eventually went home to do some homework, insurance, road tax, running costs etc.....


One of the things I would love to change on the Galaxy is the 16” alloy wheels for 17’s or 18’s

Saw these E Class alloys on a VW Sharan, love the look.



And these are another style I would love to fit.

Had them on my 2006 C-Class years ago.



Ohhhh, and of course, if really cheap and easy to do...... HIT IT WITH THE LOWERING STICK !!!



Back to the reason for the treason of Prozac the Berlingo......


Trailer for towing and moving bigger items around.



So the decision was made to buy this car as nothing ideal had made its way onto my radar.

If VW Tourans did not keep their value so well, it would be my choice.

Still, this seemed to be good enough and ticked all the boxes, except that I would not choose automatic


More in a bit of anyone is watching or looking.

[Grizz1963]

So bloody sick of this Photophukit thing where all photos come from the same camera, and edit process, yet randomly one will be stupidly sized.


Wish I could fix it.

[Grizz1963]

Saw these 18” VW wheels as well online last night, for sale at £175.00
Add in tyres and fitting and it’s a fair chunk.....

But I do like them too.

Not that common



Woke this morning and fed the cat at 05.30 then snoozed, OK, not really, laid reading forums.

Later Sally made a cuppa and then I had to go look at the car, you know, just to see if it was still there.



Yup, still there, and made me smile, exactly like Prozac and my C10 did and continues to do.



Pretty tidy car I thought.

Took a walk around, getting more of a feel for its failings, and it has some.

Loved these “fixes” as terrible as they are.
Mirrors locked in position out front too.

No idea why all the gloopy bathroom silicone but plan is to dismantle and investigate, unless I can find exact replacements very cheaply.

Passenger side.



Drivers side.



Sally brought her big machine from the loft too last night.

This girl has been absolutely amazing and a star through all of this, challenging me as to the need for a new car, but also ferrying me over to fetch the Galaxy yesterday, then climbing in today helping me with cleaning it etc.

The seats and armrests out front are kinda grubby and need a valet or scrubbing.



Door panels need some refitting and hopefully it will look better after I sort them.

Right now.......

Rubbish.



Passenger side even worse.



Was chatting to Dennis in St Louis, his son married Hanna yesterday and it seems it was a very large, very successful day.

Never seen the man looking so smart, remember, he does not even go to this level for a funeral.




Also chatting with Andy in Tulsa Oklahoma about how good and bad the car is.
The 16” tyres are almost new too, another bonus.

Adds to the feeling that this is a decent buy.

[Grizz1963]

Part of my “Phased Return” to work after that Cardiac event in early October has been working from home, doing a lot of legal online training and other tasks.

Harley has enjoyed my time at home too.

And summer is gone, but winter sunspots still abound if you know where to look.



Today my “Lunch Break” was spent quickly using Sally’s Vax wet carpet and upholstery cleaner to attack the front seats of the Galaxy as they would have given a forensic examiner the horrors, a combination of what looked like incontinence meets McDonalds coffee meets cold weather fishing lunch breaks covered the front seats.

Sadly I did not take any pics before as I was in such a hurry to get done and back to my desk.

The sucked up, after the job water was grey, murky and quite gross.

After the big clean I was very pleased.







A few people have asked about stickers.

I had planned to add a “Not a Project” Chevy Blazer sticker as a nod to this...... http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...y-blazer-paint
but decided against it for now, till I have an idea where to stick it, if I even do.

Rear end.



Up close.......



And then

Last pic for the day.

Inside and outside now cleaned up.

Looking at the wheel arches, 16” wheels in place, but still very tall, so really does need a hit with the lowering stick at some point.



also taxed and on the road, so hopefully use it over the weekend, just because we can.

watching Guy Martins Worlds Fastest Tractor.

Later

[Grizz1963]

Posted a question on a FB owners group.

Funny how there always has to be one.......

Chose not to even reply because he just would not understand


But good news regardless as long as one can get them fitted without losing fingers or eyes.





Looks like stuff is happening here.

[Grizz1963]

After digging around for rubber flooring I found what I wanted.

So bought the 5mm smooth stuff.


On the way home I also got some rubbing compound....

Headlights are dull and need some attention over the weekend.

[Grizz1963]

Headlights.

Not as bad as some, maybe still too much like hard work

Hope they come up a treat.

[Grizz1963]

Next up purchase planned ASAP.

Went out shopping today in the Galaxy for food, firewood and to fill tank.

Had three missed mobile phone calls.

Realised that this car has no telecommunications equipment

So I need to find and buy a cheap/affordable Double DIN radio with Bluetooth for the car so that I can speak hands free.

Advertised 25 miles from here.

Am I over paying at £60.00



Needs one rear door speaker to be replaced too as it crackles badly.

[Grizz1963]

Took a day annual leave yesterday as we lose it if we don’t use it.

Spent part of the morning wrapping, packing away the rear seats of the Galaxy,.

Then moved all of Prozacs “Vanness” stuff over into it, followed by putting the spare wheels, trim etc stored in the garage, back into the Berlingo, ready for sale.




Eventually left and went shopping, getting a massive two arm lift bag pine offcuts from a shed factory for £5.00 which looked small in the empty rear of the car.

Followed by food shopping and a search for 2000 wet and dry paper at two places to use on the dull headlights.no luck.

Did watch this Ford Fiesta get reversed in by its elderly driver, relying on the proximity sensors.......

Yup, 1.2 meters was where he stopped from the bollards.

Technology has so screwed us up.



Eventually made it home, dealt with some work related matters, cuppa tea and a sandwich before heading out to deal with the Galaxy headlights.


Before:




So halfway through light no 1



One done, one waiting.







Both done.

Transformation



Testing




Passenger side “blue light” is dead, so needs replacing.

But this just shows that a small investment of time and effort can deliver big results.

[Grizz1963]

Been chatting to the seller of these wheels.





Lives 10 minutes from Middlesborough.

So logistics of getting the £220.00 wheels down here to Kent comes into play.

3 of the Tyres are almost dead, one is dead.

And they are 235 35 19’s

Just wonder how they would drive in the real world.

I know they will look good.

[Grizz1963]

Flashback..... 2009 Retro Rides Gathering

10 years ago.

This 1963 Ford Taunus Transit was a great car.

Pity I sold it.



Yesterday was the “Start of the festive season” in Chatham.

Sally and I had gone to get some stuff bought, not planning to get caught up in this silliness, but of course I had to grab a few pics too.

Random for sure.

Leaders of the parade. I find this sort of thing absolutely cringeworthy, but hey.... someone won’t



Horses were beautiful






The weirdest combination of characters



From Chatham, over to Maidstone in the Galaxy to see mate Kevin for a cuppa, plan was to help switch his T6 summer wheels to the winter wheels.

I wanted to try his wheels on the Galaxy too, but rain put an end to that plan.

Later on we went to get a few bits at Morrison’s.....

Seriously, why have a police security camera van parked at the front entrance.

I seriously do not get this.

Must cost money.

A lot.





Then we headed home, unloaded the rear.



Leaving only the roll of 5mm rubber to unroll.





I suspect it will take a bit of time to settle out and flatten.



Still contemplating whether I cut it to the floors shape, or just cut a few lines to have it go flat, but tuck up the sides.

[Grizz1963]

Still want to find wheels that appeal to me, and are affordable and a comfortable drive.

It will happen, I am sure.

A few random Google images, some from 2014.












Love bits from them all.

Lowering and wheels.

[Grizz1963]

Got some plates from a friend in NY this week.

Cool addition is the knowledge of where they originate from.

I like stories associated with plates.


your welcome, buddy! The PPC plate is from a 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse that we just loved (before kids), the trailer plate is from my dads old utility trailer, the NH plates are from a well used chevy pick up that we used at Camp in NH for many years, and I don't know where teh BW9 plate is from!

[Grizz1963]

Parts chaser evolution


After a bit of searching on FB, Google, Gumtree and a couple Mercedes Benz forums, I have found the wheels that I like.

May not be to anyone else, or everyone else’s taste, but that’s cool too.

My ride, my way and all that.

Tires are Hmmmmmm....??

But will be fine for a few moments or days or miles.



Wheels need a clean up and mild refurb.

For the function they will be performing, ie going round and round......

Perfect.

I give you my Mercedes Benz ADHARAZ Wheels 17” in staggered size.

Hoping that they will fit and look the way I want them to.

Seller has a Transit van and agreed to deliver them 3 miles from home at around 8.30 pm onward tonight for £100.00 or $130.00

Even with a refurb I feel that they will be what I want, at a price that works for my head.













Hopefully get to them over the weekend.

[Grizz1963]

Collected wheels 3 miles from home.

Seller was only 45 minutes late.

But that was kinda predictable after speaking to her m on the phone earlier

Still, wheels in the back of the Galaxy and headed home.

Will unpack at the weekend and see what I really bought



8.5J rears will be interesting to say the least.

Happy for now.

Bedtime

[Grizz1963]

As you know by now, the centre bore differs significantly between Mercedes Benz and Ford.

66.6 vs 57.1

Ordered some ally items for £8.50 delivered this morning



Long day at work.

Wet in London.

Got home by 6pm. Sally got here the same time as I had texted her an ETA.

So dumped the suit and tie, and on with my garage clothes.

Unpacked the wheels out by the kitchen door.



Checked for damage, and laid out.



Followed by a big scrubbing brush, hosepipe and Cif/Jif/Handy Andy Amonia based cleaning agent.

In the mean time, Sally got dinner started and more importantly, she put out an old sheet in the lounge for me to lay the wheels down on to dry.

Cleaning wheels and tyres



Once laid out for a bit to get the most of the water off, inspect again and then lay out for a pic, said pic taken and all the wheels checked.

Then store upright.

In my opinion the tyres are all beyond function as road tyres, but perfect for mocking up.

Rears 8.5J wheels shod with 245/40ZR17” rubber
Front 7.5J wheels come with 225/45ZR17” rubber.

I am contemplating narrower rears, possibly 235 on the 8.5J wheels, or less if it is doable. Increasing sidewall ratio.
Fronts are good with the 225/45 rubber.

Dead tyres.




Clean up Done.




Very pleased..... still.

[Grizz1963]

Old Skool Photoshop.

Wheel placed next to existing wheel



And yes.........

Could be: