UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine

[IronAndHeart]

Hi all,

My name is Mike - I used to be a huge Jap car lover and drifter, and ran a UK forum with about 4000 members - I gave all that up a long time ago and now prefer the quiet life with my girlfriend Carla and my 4 1/2 Month old baby Elvis (Costello not Presley).
Some of my car history is

1990 Ford Ranger American Truck
R32 GTR Skyline
RX7 TT Bathurst
Supra Mk 4 TT
Several MR2 Turbos
MX5 Turbod Mk1
Audi TT Mk1

And lots of other tinned junk (love them all really in their own way)

My job and my passion is custom bikes, tattoos and loving life

May as well start a build thread for the 3rd love of my life as I intend to keep my truck for a long time. So much character, I just love it.
I bought this from a guy in the UK who had it for a couple of months after it was imported from Cali. Its a 64' 327 SB Fleet.
She runs a two speed auto box, has no handbrake, has dodgy wiring, no heaters etc - does have a switch for air con though

Here are some pics from the advert I found state side (It had a manual box then - that was swapped by previous owner, leaving me no hand brake)
Spec is thus in the USA advert

C20 Vintage Camper truck Long Wide Bed. The engine is a Good Running SBC 327 V8, with 12V wiring, New12V battery, New 80 amp one wire alternator, New HEI Distributor with plug and wires, Rebuilt 4 barrel Quadrajet carburetor on a stock manifold with chrome air cleaner and steel valve covers.
Original bed (with a couple of holes) This half ton truck sits on new 16” Radial Fat White wall Tires with 8 lug Gold Steelies and drum breaks in the front, 8 lug Gold Steelies and drum in the rear. A lowered ride with 1/2 Ton lowering coils in the rear, 1/2 Ton Lowering coils in the front.

First impressions - the brakes SUCK (But getting used to it now)
fuel leaks into the cab
+ the issues I mention above.







She now looks like this:












After a good clearcoat over the patina (I like old and ratty), new interior, hurst shifter (that im cutting as its not a good fit) and small wheel (so I get a work out at the same time as driving)

Im about to put a nice coffee sack roof lining in her this evening. And then onto a load cover which I will custom make and reclaimed wood storage box in the back. I love it. Here in Brighton Uk I have had people taking photos etc.

My boy Elvis loves it and fell asleep in it within 5 minutes of being on-board - so that's good. Just need to make it louder, safer and cooler haha

Hope to post regular updates

Mike