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

[Grizz1963]

Still not bought travel insurance or booked a taxi back from the airport…..

Probably should get my finger out and get to it.

Packing?

Last minute job.

Chatting with various people around the States, it seems there may be a fair distance travelled this year.

I am going to try make it to Jonesboro Arkansas to see my old friend Steve Hansen (Twice awarded the Purple Heart &#128156 and also to see if I can track down a State Trooper I want to speak with.

BRING A TRAILER has been mentioned. Still contemplating that.


I was chatting with Dennis’ son last night, he is travelling a lot for work right now, but like his dad, he is a funny guy without knowing it.


One of the things I enjoy about the travels is getting dirty with the people I meet, sometimes more than other times.


Part of our conversation made me chuckle.





I am so ready for this trip and the planned parts, as well as the unplanned.

[Grizz1963]

20 years ago I was transferred to the UK as a corporate reward after winning a global incentive.

Load of stuff has happened. Some good, some awesome, some forgettable.

One constant has always been having an old car around, also when I lived in SA there was a successions of old cars including a 105E Anglia super, a Baywindow panel bus camper, 63 and 59 Beetles etc.

My first UK retro was this 1977 Audi 80 GLS Estate.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-german-museum

Apologies for the watermarks.

The wheels. 14inch with 185/60's


Centre caps..... I need one more, or more than one, as one is damaged.


RIMMMMZZZZZZZZZZZ




With those centre caps....... Opinions ??






Sold that and bought the 63 Ford Taunus Transit van with the help of @oldbus which was a great car.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...raulics-downnn

Known as the Grizz-Mobile after Dave marked it before delivery, it has disappeared from the scene, halfway through a radical change by Rayvern hydraulics and a V6 being fitted. No further news.

While I had the bus, I built a 5x10 foot Retro-styled Teardrop trailer to tow behind it.








Just how low can you go ?








HOVER BUS



Washed and sparkly





And alongside its stablemate. Myrtle to 1959 Anglia 100E




As seen last.





During the time I had the Transit, I met Nicola who was a gearhead too.

Bought her an Anglia story below.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...100e-youngdans

Right...The story as it is....

Up at 4am, after going to bed at 1am, Oldbus, Alex and I went up to Branston to fetch the Anglia. Based on 2002Gimps 2 viewings, it was worth the asking money.

We were there at 07.05am, viewed it, and while Dave and Alex loaded, I did the payment and paperwork.

That done, we hit the road, had a great Full English brekkie on the M42 , at some services, and got home to my place by 11.30.

Offloaded the Anglia, drove it around the block while Dave loaded the car he had fetched,
At this time Nicola just got there, after fetching Dave a pair of lower suspensian arms and ball joints for the Capri that I had got him over in Hoo.

She was straight into Myrtle, and around the block, afterwhich we all had a brew, chat, relaxed for 10 minutes, before Dave and Alex shot off to Dover, and the texted me from Osnabruck b 9.30pm, home, safe and sound

ONCE AGAIN, A public thank you to Dave and Alex for helping me out getting Nicola's car home fast.

The car has done less than 20 miles in the last 3 years

Yesterday we took it for a 30 mile drive, and I have to say,she drives like a dream.

Today we spent over 8 hours valeting and T-cutting her.

Let the pics tell the story.



Note the rubber mats, cleaned in place, as they are soooo perished and hardened, half and half before and after.


Contortionists heaven.



Inside the boot.... how clean is that ?






Engine bay, cleaned up nicely.



I just love this dash.


Like a kid, all day.


The saddest part of the car, is that the chrome side trim is missing, seller thought he had them, when I got there he said no.

Electrical tape over the holes, removed, cleaned, and awaiting new tape with different design.

Anyone got a full set of trim to sell ?



T-cut on the front fender.... at this point it became apparant just how dirty and dull the paint was....


8.30pm, getting dark... just finished.

Note new "side trim" stickers.








[size=HAPPY..... VERY HAPPY... !][/size]




Once we got married, I got made redundant and one thing lead to another……

Sold the Transit and Anglia in quick succession to replace with a 1966 Chevy C10 that Nicola had chosen.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...etside-brickin








Taken apart for full restoration 7 years ago.

Still in pieces, pushed aside by many excuses.






[img src="https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/redratbike/cecba24968cd.jpg"]



In the mean time I needed a tool to move stuff about.

£250.00 bought Prozac, the totally unassuming 1400cc petrol Berlingo.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...ngo-multispace

Certainly one I should have kept. Brilliant car, Period.

A bit of customising…. NASCAR anyone?




Prozac strikes again




It worked well and hard.





Replaced by the totally uninspiring Galaxy 2.4 Auto

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...te-wanted-0808

Galaxy did not even manage to get given a name.

However, it “made a lot of money” towbar, trailer and a ton of free stuff, furniture etc moved with it. Rough calculations show it clear-profited around £7000.00 just in being available to fetch stuff.

Berlingo vs Galaxy.






Blandmobile.




Interior all over needs a clean.







In-between I bought another one of those cars you see at the wrong time, that resurfaces……

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-stranger-2022

Seen in 2016.

1979 Chevy Blazer.

Rough as a Badgers Butt.

But would you?

V8 Auto


This is how I saw it in June 2016 on a driveway where it had stood for 13 years.





Bought it.

Spent a lot of money and @pauly ‘s time on it.

By the 1st January this was the look.


And then the Money Shot.




SOLD OFF IN AUGUST FOR A NETFLIX FILM ROLE.


NEW PAINT REVEALED MARCH 2020




The Blazer ended up in a new series of Netflix




.
Best of all.......








Chuffed a heck !!!


Sold on the day before I headed out on the 2019 USA road trip.


Then the Galaxy was replaced by the Chevy S10 with 4.3 liter V6 Auto.

A dream car that I wanted for 10 years, but never managed to find just the right one.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...te-wanted-0808

I spent a lot of money to get it back to it’s actual Factory Spec ZQ8 specification.

Still not done 40k miles and a pampered pooch on my drive.

Fleetside badging, rear step bumper may hide a tow ball fitting space.

[

Cragar wheels fitted, they will be gone ASAP.

Truck comes with a set of lowering springs as well.

Stripes are also opinion dividers. I am not yet certain.maybe remove and replace with ghosted type stripes




Front end is nice, orange indicators will be going and getting replaced with clear units.




So after PaulY and I spent time on our knees and crawling around in the wet, thanks Paul, it was time for a run down the motorway, grab some fuel and return via the local village, which gave me a feel for it in all conditions.

Even the load bed, which comes with a cover, has actually never been used.
The Raptor liner was applied in Missouri, and is still unmarked, no dents, scratches etc.

So I bought it.



I decided not to pay the government for a months road tax for five days of use, which would be about 100 miles.
So collection agreed for 01012021
Nice way to start the new year.


Happy yes.


Loads of jobs to do, new wheels n tyres.





Happy place.




And later...... new centre caps.





Personal plate added.





Which almost brings us up to date with the Rezin Rockit build.

Stupidest build to date, but seems to have people interested, with around 475k views just on RetroRides

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-clutch-straws

Had an idea for years……..

Not too clever.

Got two pics from the seller.






As it was delivered










Engine and transmission out, the rest to follow.







Mid January 2022 headed in the right direction. Down.




But it makes me smile.



Roll bar getting wrapped was a big milestone.






[font size="6"][font color="e619c5"]START UP VIDEO 06/08/22[/font][/font]


https://youtu.be/26uEIRMZdrk


So that brings us up to date.


Well, almost.


The Microbe awaits its turn in the wings.


Thanks to all for watching, reading, advising, sharing over the years.



.

[Braunschweiger]

You have experienced a lot, great stories from your life. Have fun on the USA trip

[Grizz1963]

Postman knocked, no signature needed.

New Slave cylinder



Got fitted tonight, bled the system…….



All good.

Clutch worked.


I also set up the handbrake and made sure it is up to MOT Standard.

Locking nuts ensure a decent handbrake.



Job done.

[Grizz1963]

Who remembers this far back??

On delivery, cleaning and bleaching it became apparent that the bonnet/hood has some old damage.





So a plan was hatched, to buy some covering stickers via a member on here, who is most welcome to make himself known, he has been involved in previous builds.



Too many choices, but in the end I committed to one.

This will only happen after a successful MOT test.

Looking forward to it.

[Grizz1963]

Seems true…….

Another role in film.



Certainly beats getting broken for parts.

Glad I managed to help rescue it.

[realvc]

"Not a Project" making it in the movies. The "Rezin Rocket" could be next.

[Braunschweiger]

Wow, it will drive. Have a nice time in the US

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Wow, it will drive. Have a nice time in the US

Thank you.

FIRST SHAKEDOWN ROADTEST


Took it to the farm for a first shakedown run.

It is light, skittish and the front end tracking etc all need proper setting.

However, being as light as it is, this thing feels plenty fast, a bit of Sh!t off a shovel brisk.

VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/RXpSpILkwuU

I am really pleased with it at this point.

A few more bits to complete, then MOT

I must be honest, I would have loved to hear my dad’s comments on this, both seeing it and driving it.

[Grizz1963]

For those who knew Ray Sparks aka Indian113 from Monroe, Iowa, I am sorry to announce that he passed away this morning from terminal cancer.
It was the 4th time it came back to him.

Ray also had a 60-66 Stepside

Ray always had a friendly word of advice, and was generous to a fault with all he met.

He leaves a wife and 4 daughters behind.

Last time I visited we went to Des Moines in his Caddy.

A great day with him and his wife and buddy CraigRK.






RIP Big Guy.

[Palf70Step]

Sorry to hear the loss of your friend Rian.

[Braunschweiger]

I am very sorry, a devilish illness, My condolences to the family.

[realvc]

Welcome back Rian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad to hear you made it over again.
Enjoy your time in the USA in 2022.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Welcome back Rian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad to hear you made it over again.
Enjoy your time in the USA in 2022.

Hi Vince,

Thank you very much.

My happy place this country

[Grizz1963]

The Rezin Rockit is so near to completion

So Jack Daniels bought a car.

I can hear you sucking through your teeths…….

If you know it already, sit on your advance knowledge please.

What’s not to love.








It reminds me a a CSI crime scene, so much DNA and chaos to deal with.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@jonny69" source="/post/2745714/thread" timestamp="1660918648"]Pretty bad dose of skin cancer on that mirror.

Zafira?[/quote]

Nope

[quote author="@creepycooper" source="/post/2745757/thread" timestamp="1660933449"]Nasty - Fiesta?[/quote]

Nope

[quote author="@maf260" source="/post/2745763/thread" timestamp="1660935430"]Micra?[/quote]

Yup

[quote author="@flingstam" source="/post/2745766/thread" timestamp="1660936050"]Looks like a facelift K11 Micra to me...[/quote]

Yup Yup YUUUP !!!!


Certainly needed a decent clean.



Imagine this…..







Certainly has its place in the history books of infectious diseases.

.

[Grizz1963]

Well then.

This mint green really is the metallic equivalent of pensioner Beige in my opinion.

So how to mess with it and use it’s disadvantage to it’s advantage?


Sally and I were driving and I saw this colour on the road, Sally managed to grab a pic for me, and the cogs started turning.





Hope you like it, because you better start to like it.


.

[Grizz1963]

So in 2008 this happened in Daytona Beach.




A dream was born.

To add one of these to what was left of the Nascar truck.




This was the result.






The rest of the story on page 6 here:

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...p-grizz-nascar


More fun than a bag full of rattle snakes.

[Grizz1963]

[Grizz1963]

Headed out on this weeks loop.

It includes a pilgrimage to see my friend Ray’s widow, sadly he died last Wednesday before I got here to see him.

Remember the Caddy he gave to take down the motorway ?

RIP buddy.






A few other stops, including JB to go for a run in his Godzilla powered Cobra and a few other stops.





Off down I-70

[Grizz1963]

So after agreeing to buy the car I had to arrange transport for it.

30 miles on a flatbed as it has no exhaust, no MOT, Tax, Insurance.

Loaded.



Unloading.




Underside is reasonable.

Needs a bit of bilateral sill welding.







Anyway

I am hoping to be able to get it fixed.

[Grizz1963]

Back to the 2022 Road trip.

Listed here:


https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...p-grizz-nascar



So JB told me he had a surprise for my visit……

And the only clue was that it has wheels, knowing him, it could be between 1 and 18 wheels.

So I drove down from Kansas to Oklahoma to visit.

Thanks for lunch and the rides JB.

I feel pretty privileged and honoured you let me in there.







Of course preceded by a long ride to the state line in this beast.

I can only say that the GODZILLA motor kicks like a mule.

And the ride is incredibly smooth for what should really shake and break the passengers.

And this is no different a smooth ride than other open tops I have driven or been in.

A job execution way beyond expectations.













And a little video.


https://youtu.be/8df0VG81INA


Yup, much horsepower on this trip.

[Grizz1963]

Soooooo.


Lunch in Oklahoma with JB.



He had told me there was some surprise with wheels.



But knowing him, it could be anything between 1 and 18 wheels.



So the video tells it all.



https://youtu.be/9_ABb3E69N0



So we went off for a Mexican lunch and the largest Margarita in history.



A very comfortable ride for sure.



Got messaged today that the rear silencers may have fallen foul of the impact wrench too.



This may be raucous.

[Grizz1963]

Having bought the Microbe completely “Sight Unseen” getting it delivered, starting it up without any silencer or exhaust was interesting.

The delivery guy is a bit (read lot) of a petrol head. @mercdan has bought from him before as well.

His tattoos made me smile.

Guess the ride.





I did a drive by after agreeing to buying the car, and kinda just shook my head.

It was a rough little thing.







Once it was home the idea was to park it up and leave it alone till the Rezin Rockit was done and MOT’d

But then I realised that MOT, Road Tax and insurance would lose me almost two months of unused time if I got it done before leaving on the USA roadtrip so plans changed.

I started to clean it up, getting to know it.

Realising along the way there were going to be some serious challenges, including the broken off exhaust.

Still, as @pauly says……. Onwards.

[Grizz1963]

Thought I would share a quick, easy fix on here.

I have done it on a few cars before and it works like a charm.

Raw, unpainted plastics tend to go grey and dull over time.

Something the sun and oxidation does.

So you can use raw linseed oil, other oils, or plastic refresher in a can, elbow grease or paint the plastics…..

I found a heatgun works well, controlled and kept at a safe distance, moving constantly, you will see it change as you go along.

Door handles.

Before:



After:



Light surrounds……





After



Bumpers come up in a similar way.

Adds “value” by making cars look cared for.

Well, fixing it up is caring, Innit?

Bumpers Before the heat gun.






Halfway there.





And after, does look a lot better.




A lot of cleaning ahead still.

More later.