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

[Grizz1963]

And now I guess a post many, including me have waited for.

It felt really bad being to mechanically unsympathetic.

First time I ever tried this sort of thing.

First two attempts done in a straight first gear, the rest, as per @pauly instructions.... put it into D for Devil and try again.

The concrete of the driveway is incredibly coarse and then of course one is on the lawn in moments.

VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/XKjYFTcGac8


Maybe if I can find a slightly better surface than all these private spaces it could be more impressive.

Or maybe I should stop while I am ahead.

[Grizz1963]

Few more that failed to upload.









Also great progress on the wheels

Met a guy on an S10 FB group who offered me wheel nut caps for postage.

Almost the same for postage as the new, wrong items were on Amazon.






And another beautiful cold sunset.

It was even better in real life.






Tomorrow we have @forddan68 over for paint detailing and lunch.

Maybe even get the windows tinted if weather permits.

Oh, and its Friday.

[Grizz1963]

Message from Andy in Oklahoma yesterday.

Progress on the mould positive, for the trucks new name badges that he will be attempting to cast in one piece is progressing.

They will be 400mm long and 40mm tall.

Not sure what level of potential distortion there is on such a long, narrow and somewhat complex casting.

Still, as always I look forward to his progress reports.

In-between he is clearing a large riverside plot, and designing a large house for a friend.

So he is quite busy too.





Furthermore, @forddan68 will be over in a couple of hours to improve the paint on the truck further.

Contemplating removing the stripes as well.

Less to get in the way of his clay bars and potions, plus it allows all the paint to get the same baseline treatment.

And maybe if I reapply the stripes, which I have grown to like, it may be wise to go a bit darker toward the anthracite of the new wheels

Baseline pic taken this morning, it will be interesting to see if there is a visual change in the refraction angles of the paint and a depth of gloss increase.





Lunch will be good too.

[Grizz1963]

So promptly at 10.30ma red van, polished to an inch of its life, stopped on my driveway.



Chat, catch up, coffee, carport inspection etc, and we were off..... well, Dan was off, I just watched and kept him company.

I had washed the truck,yesterday, so he lathered it, and then got going with the clay bar.

Resulting in a load of grime getting removed, despite washing the car.





Also decided to remove the Fleetside badges, which was a bit of a pita.

And grubby as hell underneath



Once washed down, the clay removed the rest of the much.



Another coffee, followed by a hot water and wax shampoo wash.

Then dried off completely.

The next step was hand polishing the paint.



Starting to look real good.

And the smoothness was absolutely palpable.



Dan went around the truck, panel by panel.



And looking over the roof, the gleaming paintwork was obviously an improvement.



In the mean time, I used some Auto Glym, Bumper and Trim gel on the rear vinyl,cover.

By now, the ribs and chicken were all in the oven, with another 30 minutes to go, we went for a quick drive to Allhallows and then to Grain.

Of course Dan got to drive and I got the feeling that he was actually enjoying it.

It was the least I could do after he had spent three hours treating the S10 to nice shiny paint.



Then, Back home and dished up meat, and thick slices of Tiger bread and butter, unless you understand it, you never will.



After lunch, my mate Kevin came over to drop off something and Dan left for home as he actually does have a family as well.

Is ally got in at the same time, so it was cuppa tea, chat etc.

After that I took Kevin’s home to Maidstone, and then typically on the way back took a different route, that was a mistake, as the 4 way traffic light system was so slow I turned the car off altogether, three times while waiting to get to the road works.



Eventually made it home.

And grabbed a couple more pics nearby.



Amazing that despite it being near 5.00pm and overcast, you can still see the paintwork results of Dan’s work.





So I guess the question arises, as to whether I am happy or not.


Absolutely happy.

[Grizz1963]

In the mean time.....

Last night this happened.

No idea how, but the brain dead lodger came home and managed to toss his electric bicycle against or on the truck bonnet.

No idea how, and of course it would be my fault in his world, as I happened to own the truck.

To date he has not taken responsibility for any of his screw ups.

Some are not published yet.



To say I was pisssed is an understatement.

I just told him to get out of my face nd go to bed when he offered to paint it over for me.


Seriously?





Weekend over of course.

[Grizz1963]

So after Dan and I had dealt with the truck I still felt the stripes need to be replaced, as the tailgate pieces were damaged, both from age and when they were fitted.

So yesterday I went out and took a wheel to get a better idea on the colour match of the wheels anthracite and the stripes.

I was shocked at how close the match is , and the stripes are metallic as well.





Lodger came home with some clear and hardener as well.

I still don’t want him near the truck, but thought if I just fill the scratch and chip in with clear, it oiled at least halt degeneration somewhat.



However, hearing the feedback (no idea on costs) of chip repairers, I am now intrigued as well.

Need to investigate more.

[Grizz1963]

.

Today my back made me scream like a girl just as I got into the truck, well, I tried to get into it.


No more burnouts I think was the idea.


OK.........


So I lied.


https://youtu.be/1vTUmoU3kCY


So indoors we have a new pile after the final burnout on the Cragars.





Sweet skinny assed Mickey and the luckless lodger changed the wheels for me as I was truly crippled with pain and pinched nerves in my back.

I have called the GP surgery to ask for help, got told to call again at 08.00 to see if I can get an appointment.

Fingers crossed. I am screwed right now.



So bloody skinny, 76 and nothing stops him.





After fitting the wheels, I checked the nuts were tight and added the centre caps and wheel nut caps for a few photos.







And of course lastly.

A very happy guy, this has taken a while to get to, and to be honest, we are not yet home dry, but soon as the caps land from Katy, Texas, we are in business getting the centre caps secured.



Happy Chappy.

[Grizz1963]

Random update.


So every year around this time, Dennis and a gang of friends and family head down to Mexico for 10 days of resort holiday, seeking the sun.

This year, with COVID-19 etc, they decided to go to Arizona, which is still reasonable, with a day booked in at Barrat-Jackson Auctions to see some beauties.....

They got to see expensive stuff being auctioned, ate some good food.

However...... this has been the week.



I saw this Gen1 S10 on FB.

Crazy?

Of course, but love it regardless. Marmite for sure.



Spring is here.



Mickey is fetching a shed for someone tomorrow

He came to swap license plates....

No, he was just getting up.




I had told him I needed to get someone clever to wire in a trailer socket for the S10

He came back with this quick fit kit.

Had to explain that it made him the devil.




In the mean time, I have started on some meds for my back that has me stoned and gives blurred vision.

Fingers crossed.

[Grizz1963]

Few random pics.

Remember the Fiesta I polished formSally’s son?

He turned 21 on Sunday,.

Added some side skirts to the car, for his birthday.

Now how do you drive this? Could not go over a cigarette packet.



On Sunday, I also had to get to a shop and then the post office to get some emergency English PG Tips tea to a friend in Holland as the Retro Rides Gathering had been cancelled of course, so he could not stock up on his favourite brand.

When I came out, this CBR 600 was parked on the side of the building.

Absolutely immaculate for a 13 year old bike.

Some vehicles just seem to have the right genes for not aging.




After this I drove down to Rochester and stopped for a few random pics of the truck.


Rochester Castle.

Note that it has 3 square towers, and one round one.

Thanks to Oliver Cromwell



Rochester Cathedral



Castle.




Rochester marina.



And Rochester bridge, much better pictures available online.



Then home.

Mate Darren and Tammy came over later, around 3.00pm and as always it was great seeing them.


Darren collected the Cragar wheels and tyres for his Dodge van build.

All in.



All too soon, the weekend was over.

[Grizz1963]

Can you say Beer Truck in Russian.

My friend Vladimir sent it, was tempted to hiJack it, he likes beer.



This morning @craigrk went to see Steve, who sold me the ZQ8 wheels to collect some more GMC parts.

When he got there, Steve was ready and waiting as the road is a busy road.



Looking forward,to seeing what’s in the box nd bag.

Could be interesting.

[Grizz1963]

.



So, in other news........


Lodger is headed to Exeter, possibly for a new job there, living with his mum.


Busy deep cleaning and disinfecting his room, he was not a fan of soap and water.



My back has completely given up on me, so struggling to do pretty much anything.


Yesterday, Sally and I managed to prep one side window tint sheet before my back called it a day.







Once cut and marked, I -it it away, safely in a cardboard tube.




Nothing else done the weekend.

Except for scouring the personal registration plate sites.

Still not found right and cheap together.

Sooon, I hope.

[Grizz1963]

Random posting.

More for the record, as I do intend to get something done about it at some point, a good repaint for one.

This colour is quite fragile, and will mark easily.

So just the front bumper seems to have its fair share of scratches, and a ding in the steel bumper itself.

Corners





Front





And the big ding.





So it will be either a Dent specialist or maybe a paint shop.

What is the general experience and opinions?

[Paul Y]

Doesn’t look that bad Grizz.

If it is a forever truck why not go the chips away route and save the money for a respray.

Or just put the marks down as a badge of honour.....

P.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Doesn’t look that bad Grizz.

If it is a forever truck why not go the chips away route and save the money for a respray.

Or just put the marks down as a badge of honour.....

P.

Actually seems like leaving them alone is the best option.


There will be more after all.



My friend Nic, who runs a Turkish tour company and is not averse to Turkish retros......

Has obviously been hit hard by COVID-19 closing his shop.

So in the mean time, he and his wife started to volunteer in Greenhill Gardens in Weymouth where they live.

They go to Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust, which is where the srone for St Pauls Cathedral in London, came from.

Anyway, he was given a beginners piece to create and carve, sculpt, not sure what you call this work.





Meanwhile, his wife, Sally was allowed to continue with this, maybe she is the more artistic of them.



Progress, starting to look like a Budha.



And Nic’s spider progressing more steadily.



And a bit of a personal piece.




In other news, yesterday morning it was rather chilly here......


Frost.




And a pic, pulled off Facebook.


Now this would float my boat, as an ultimate vision for the truck.


Just need to find a complete, intact Extreme bodykit to fit, and a power hood or whatever it may be called.


Guess that did not take long ehhhhh.





Anyone got any leads on a full bodykit?


Here in the UK preferably.

[Grizz1963]

So, as a follow on, on the body kit posted yesterday, another one,

Remember, taste differs and we are all entitled to our interpretations and applications








Some randomness........

Yup, I know. WTF?

But hey..... someone had the balls, the vision, the cash.



Kids bed in the bed.









Yesterday a redelivery by Royal Mail.

All the way from Texas, thanks Brelen.



Yup.....

Lug nut caps.



I need to get the Anthracite paint, and redo the centre caps, then add them to the truck.

Also need to check the wheel nuts as I have now done about 100miles on the new wheels and ryres.

.

[Grizz1963]

So. Yesterday’s little trip was in the S10.

I find myself using it whenever I can find an excuse, though it is a bit of a pain with my back right now.

I was really chuffed to have Sally along for the ride as well.

She is a good girl and good company, always putting up with my random flights of fantasy.

Roads were absolutely easy at 10.00am





First time ever........

Red lights.... allowing the escort vehicle to follow through on two mobile homes.




Sally on camera duty of course.

Headed under the Thames River.

https://youtu.be/5oqKdiroTOI


And through the other side.......




Headed for Dagenham, with Waze guiding us through some industrial estates.

Into a residential area

Clearly up and coming.


Question is..........


What did the truck have to collect?

[Grizz1963]

So.


Road trip.


What did we fetch.


[
Yup.....

I can say that I struggled to get out the truck after 30 miles to pay the seller.

Her husband and his mate had been forewarned that I wanted it, but could honestly not even lift it into the truck bed.

She had measured it for me. 1550mm x 1280mm

So they loaded the truck for me after we had opened the tonneau cover.






No motor and bits n pieces.












Ideas??


Well, I cannot currently even tie my shoe laces, honestly.

So why not sit upright, my butt would not fit in the sear for sure.







Remember this?

More ideas.



I do have a mobility scooter chassis stashed away.



Something I recently saw on FB.

Could one create this on a mobility scooter?




This morning I went to see what I had bought.

Happy.



When loading the gokart chassis yesterday, Andy, the seller said to me “what caliber were you shot with? And it took a few moments to realise what he meant, the holes where the Fleetside badge had need fitted through.

So this morning I also decided to refit the badges till mate Andy in Oklahoma gets around to casting the alumninium pieces for the truck.



Mate Gary in Florida kniws I love a battle weary flag.

He texted today that he has two for my garage and carport.



And in other news, Dennis in St Louis continues to add parts to his NASCAR truck.



I am so loving the whole stance.

We know it goes now.

[Grizz1963]

Osteopath beat me up really well today with her gentle touch.

Took me 4 hrs + to recover from the pain and walk upright again.

Crazy.

But the good news is that the sunset was lovely.



Currently truck just needs to wait.

.

[Paul Y]

Love the 63 truck.

P.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Love the 63 truck.

P.

Its lovely, and will be a great tribute to his friend.

Dennis has not cut corners, in fact, he has added more corners.



Always something.

Noticed at the weekend that the tailgate retaining cables were not quite as they should be.

The drivers side was held captive by a Nyloc nut, and the passenger side had its original equipment fitted, so could release the slotted cable end.



As fitted.



Whats missing.



Conversely, the drivers side unit had been replaced by this part.

Not ideal.

So with zero chance of finding one here in the UK, I decided that slightly rounding off the corners of the bodged nut would be as good as it gets for now.

Bench grinder to the rescue.

Back on the truck.

Do e.



.

[Grizz1963]

For me, right now, even driving 14 miles to town and back ends up in some serious pain.

Mate Kevin drove over to see me today from Maidstone and picked up some anthracite paint at Halfords.

I had decided after painting the centre caps silver, that it was not the right colour and needed changing, regardless of outcome.

So a reasonable match it seemed.



First of two coats.

Difference apparent



First coat on.

Second to follow.



Then Sally popped in, on her way home and I managed to seduce her.......

Withone of these, before she headed off to do a load of chores

Bacon (loads of it) and egg toasty sandwich.

.

Then she went off and I added coat one of clear to the anthracite, which perfectly made it a touch darker.



And much later, a second coat of clear





Have to say, I am really pleased with the outcome.

Fitting when I get a chance.


.

[aggie91]

The little truck is coming along nicely. You need to get back on the '66!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by aggie91

The little truck is coming along nicely. You need to get back on the '66!

Thanks mate.

I will...... eventually.




Remember this little guy?



Seemed highly unlikely that I would find one randomly, but then randomness is often what drives the fun factor in our hobby.

Just think of the set of ZQ8 wheels that landed in my lap, sold to me by a guy who had no need for them, and did not realise how desperate I was to find a set to put the truck back to standard.

Crazy stuff I know.

It happens.

Yesterday morning when I woke, a Messenger message from a good friend, Ric, in Chandler, Arizona.

Asking whether I had found the rear tailgate pin yet to replace the stud and Nyloc nut currently fitted.

Of course I had not.......

So he offered to post one out to me, taken from his previous race truck, he is a keen Auto Cross driver and has a few other interesting cars stashed away, awaiting his attention.

As he says, at his age, this is an affordable, reasonably safe, and skill improving sport to participate in.

He does compete against all sorts of really powerful and capable kit, being that his truck is s along wheelbase, slow, slightly modified vehicle and his daily. He still works as an auto mechanic.



So the previous truck had two non fault accidents, the second one being part of a 34 car pile up where he was car no 7 in the action.

Leaving Truck No 1 looking sorry for itself.



In the pile up the rear end got bent too, so he bought an identical truck to build the race parts over onto.




So my day yesterday, other than my niggly back, actually ended really well, and another nice sunset.




So much to be said for living rurally.

Centre caps to finally be fitted later today, once they have been in the sun to harden the many coats of clear I added.

Looking forward to this.

[clemdaddy]

Thanks for sharing... you sir, are having a wonderful life.
Rock On Rian!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Thanks for sharing... you sir, are having a wonderful life.
Rock On Rian!

Hey Clem,

Thanks for checking in and posting up here.

Life is good, even when we struggle, there is someone who has a bigger struggle.


Carrying on.

Three coats of clear.



Colour really is alive in this choice of Anthracite.

Tried the wheel nut covers.



And amazing how different it looks indoors, on a white dogs duvet cover.



On my way back from the osteopath I did a 200 meter detour to check up onthese trees.



Back to getting home, I needed to keep. Moving in order not to seize up.

What better way, than to fit these long overdue and now correctly painted centre caps.



I was walking around the truck after fitting them..... swearing, just repeatedly saying “Dang.... this looks good, this is so right”



And a side shot.





To say I am cuffed is an understatement.


I am so chuffed.


It was the right choice to go with the new wheels.