Hi! Jim Aust from Sport Truck and the Circus Wagon is BACK!

[CircusWagonJim]

I have lots of Circus Wagon stories I can share like the time I thought I killed a BIG dog with it that belonged to the tough dude I was going to meet the FIRST day I drove it- and how it got it's "other" name Suavacito!

[19seventeeCustom]

Looking forward to many "wagon" stories Jim!!

[CG]

Reborn here and on the HAMB, I hope 2011 treats you better.

[Palf70Step]

Welcome back. Loved following the circus truck build.

[57larry]

are you still building that 55-57 big window that you had on the hamb?

[Mike C]

Welcome back Jim. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Stano]

Welcome back Jim. I was building my 67 bout the time of the circus wagon phenomenon. I LOVED that truck, still do. I was wondering a few weeks ago what ever happened to you. Glad to see you back where you belong with all us other truck nuts.

[72BlckButy]

Welcome back to the board Jim.

Unfortuantely I missed your initial articles about Circus Wagon, but know how they have affected the trucking community since they were put into print. Here's to a turning year for 2011!

Best of luck with the new project, we can't wait to see what you have in store.

[KevsClassics]

Hey Jim, Welcome back.
I remember you from back in 2000 I met Rick Amado & Kevin Lee did a photo shoot when Sport Truck did my first full feature on my Blazer you were Associate Editor. Also followed your work with GGs.

[CircusWagonJim]

It's been a clean new start- I had about 6 '55-'59 Big Window trucks (one '57 Cameo) and a CHERRY '58 Suburban at once a few years ago, but had to sell them all to keep my business alive.
Look forward to sharing my stories with you all- and maybe talking one of the magazines into covering the next chapter in the Circus Wagon saga- what's everyone think about that? Would you read it?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by CircusWagonJim

It's been a clean new start- I had about 6 '55-'59 Big Window trucks (one '57 Cameo) and a CHERRY '58 Suburban at once a few years ago, but had to sell them all to keep my business alive.
Look forward to sharing my stories with you all- and maybe talking one of the magazines into covering the next chapter in the Circus Wagon saga- what's everyone think about that? Would you read it?

Yes!
I think it's time for Circus Wagon II.
What a better time to duplicate the original idea.
The economy of this country is terrible right now.
Building a low dollar project truck is a great idea.

Maybe start with a clean lwb truck,... and build it just like the original.
(build a swb chassis,... while you are still driving the lwb truck)
Quick weekend jobs,... done in the driveway or a 2 car garage.
Tell StreetTrucks Magazine.
I think it would be a hit!

[Scottshotrods]

Jim
Glad to see you on the site
Justin

[CircusWagonJim]

Originally Posted by Scottshotrods

Jim
Glad to see you on the site
Justin

Hey Justin- remember when I got to cruise up to your shop and hang out a little? Still amazed at what you guys could get done in one day! More than I could do in a month or months!

[CircusWagonJim]

Here's my "new" truck as she sits today. Like I said- I found my original Circus Wagon sitting in nearly the exact same spot in 1999. This truck was GIVEN to a good friend of mine while I was building the Circus wagon- this truck sat outside the same shop I was building the Circus Wagon inside of. He is the local South Bay '67-72 guru who has been building killer trucks since they came out in '67. His Red '67 Step was on the cover of the maintenance manual in the '70s and '80s if you remember that.
Anyway the brown longbed had belonged to a guy who at the time of his death was living in the 12 foot camper that was on the back- also he had been a CLOWN and there was a "BEWARE of Clown" sign on the back of the camper I still have that was hanging in my Sport Truck office. We took the camper off and it was so bad it literally crumbled in on itself. The truck ended up being totally clean, no rust and unmolested under the heavy layer of packratter junk. I remember we changed the cowl panel because the old one had big camper jacks screwed to it. Inside is totally original with A/C and parchment interior and stock radio. Under the hood is 100% original with all the A/C stuff intact and even the fan shroud. We were all surprised when we changed the fluids, plopped in a battery and changed the ignition switch (no keys) and it fired right up after sitting for MANY years as living quarters. We were going to convert it to a shortbed a decade ago, but Kevin & I both left Sport Truck magazine unexpectedly and this truck has just sat patiently waiting it's turn. I was supposed to buy it a few different times in the past- but I'm so stoked it's still there now waiting for me to get at it! It's been sitting again for over a decade- but I expect it to still fire up after a new battery and fluids.
The bed is perfect inside from the years with a camper (I'll be selling this bed) and shortening the frame if I can't locate a clean SWB unit. I'm still on the fence on the front clip as I have both styles, and as much as I prefer the slantnose I have never had a clean '72 (had a decent yellow '72 short step once). Also we have a brand new '72 surround and insert still in the box from the never completed magazine build Kevin started. Probably going '72 since there's a black lower body molding kit too! Have a PERFECT pair of short fleet quarters, a bed wood kit and new header panel and a nice GMC tailgate I can add Chevy band to.
Always tempted to do a big block as there are a couple lying around the shop and definitely would be adding buckets, tilt and tach.
The last thing is WHAT COLOR? I'm thinking I need paint on this next one-

[Tim Christian]

Hey Jim, Welcome back I remember a bunch of us sittting in Pigeon Forge at the Bel-Air Restaurant at one of the very first Board gatherings we ever had!!!! I did finally got my truck done and it did make Sport Truck Sept. of 06 I think.

[Shane]

quick question Jim ... do you happen to remember the backspacing you were running on the 20" TT-II's when you had the stepside bed on the CW?

p.s. your truck is the reason i now own a primered & bagged 67-front end truck.

[special-K]

How about doing something with the Dark Gold Poly? Nobody does that color. Browns were used a lot in the '70s,so it's really retro...man.

[k5hart]

Welcome back Jim. I've never met you but read a lot about the Clown phenomenon. I still love the look and can't wait to see what you build again. Looks like you have a good start.

[wild4wheels]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Yes!
I think it's time for Circus Wagon II.
What a better time to duplicate the original idea.
The economy of this country is terrible right now.
Building a low dollar project truck is a great idea.

Maybe start with a clean lwb truck,... and build it just like the original.
(build a swb chassis,... while you are still driving the lwb truck)
Quick weekend jobs,... done in the driveway or a 2 car garage.
Tell StreetTrucks Magazine.
I think it would be a hit!

EXACTLY!!! In fact- do something different! Keep it a 3/4 ton! hehe

[invicta455]

Hey Jim good to see your back on the truck scene man oh man did i love the the build in sport truck mag followed them all the way untill you left still have my mags from the build,i must say thank you for inspireing me for my two builds love the circus wagon build going to look at the mags again

[Bennett68C10]

Welcome back Jim, I remember CircusWagon from back in the day, one of the main reasons torq thrust wheels are my favorite. They just looked sweet on your truck. Can't wait to see how your next build turns out.

[wkends]

Hey Jim, I am glad to hear things are getting better for you. I have a 67 stepper that I have had since 79. I still have the sport trucks mags with your truck in them and plan on working on mine. After building 32 an 33 fords for the last 20 years or so I drug my truck back out. 32 ford coupes are cool but they don't have a bed on them, so its back on the truck. Keep us posted on your truck and I'll see you this summer some place. Joe

[CircusWagonJim]

Hey Joe! I remember we talked about trucks in Columbus- it's CRAZY how many people remember that old truck. But I always like to give credit for who inspired me and it was two main guys- 1 was Sammy Head our local '67-'72 guru. He's built more of these trucks than anyone will ever have a chance to. His cool '67 was in the first Sport Truck Challenge I worked on and featured in the same magazine the Circus Wagon was featured in. 2 is Pat Barnhardt from Texas. I hadn't met him before I built my truck, but we have become great friends after. He built one of the first beater hot rods during the height of the billet smoothie era and drove it EVERYWHERE! It had beat up old paint- NO gauges, interior or any glass other than a windshield, but it sat PERFECT and was totally refreshing during that era.
That old truck made me a lot of great friends and hopefully will continue to make a few more.
Does anyone know Gary Donegan with a really nice metallic red '72 short step- I featured his truck and he was another great friend I haven't seen in a while.

[nibs]

Where at in cali are you located? Maybe we will see each other at some local shows!

[CircusWagonJim]

Just updated my location- Corona currently- born & raised in Redondo Beach.