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

[Grizz1963]

So the 2022 🇺🇸 Road trip is on.

The full report will be here, please follow the link as I am not going to copy and paste the whole trip bit by bit.

THREAD; https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...p-grizz-report




Here we go again.

Covid-19 screwed up a few years……

So the 2022 trip will be three weeks and a whole lot longer than any previous trips.

My weapon this year, thanks to Dennis again is this Chevy Silverado.



FIRSTLY THE RULES: To all those who objected to my last report and the censorship, please UNSUBSCRIBE NOW

SERIOUSLY, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE

So the link to the censored 2019 trip is here

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...z-craig-dennis

The 2018 road trip with Three men and a Rental car as Part1 followed by Part 2 where Craig and I took a Chevy 5.7 liter truck to go picking in Iowa, Illinois and various other places for another great week was unforgettable.

We have managed to Bully Dennis into joining us again.

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger

This trip had followed a few that I had done before in the USA

Thread links below.

So, what do you do after an absolutely awesome American road trip in 2017 where I managed to break a Dodge Hemi Challenger before the owners 60th surprise birthday party?

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...d-small-update

Which had followed the first trip to meet Dennis and a first trip using his Dodge in 2016

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2016-best-trip

Which had of course come about as a result of my first road trip to America when mate Martin and I had flown into Texas and got to get in at Gas Monkey garage and a load of other amazing peoples garages.

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...chevy-roadtrip


This year promises to be filled with old skool rods, cars, bikes, food, guns, beards, tattoos, visiting a dying friend, some new interesting people and places not visited before including, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nebraska and the bonus ball would be a visit to, or a meet up with a South African bike builder friend in Rhode Island, which would add a lot of miles to the trip.


It should be a good one this year and ideally I should launch a blog where everyone has access and I get to moderate it along with my sidekick craigrk who is sadly stuck in a Seychelles resort with his family


I hope to make it as far as Rhode Island to spend some crazy time with this mate, another South African expatriate.

Some race car action, museums, lifestyle reports, side by sides and offroad fun and of course FOOD.


My 2022 Rhode Island target is this builders shop.












Looking forward to a great trip and meeting more interesting people associated with cars, trucks and general goodness.


Being able to share it on here..


“Buckle up and shut up sunshine” a famous person once said.

[Grizz1963]

The 2022 USA Roadtrip is already coming to life.

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

Was contacted by a guy I saw in Kansas before, where I had planned to stop by……

Always something interesting in a barn, sometimes it takes a while to come out the barn.

He is patient, fair and people trust him.




Wonder if I should hook a trailer as well when I head out.

Just in case ya know.

[Grizz1963]

I thought I would ask the question here as there is a lot of knowledge.

Based on what I see here it is a phone call away from becoming a double door refrigerator.

And making the best decision may not always be the most popular

A Small engined manifold attached catalytic converter with a pair of snapped bolt heads…….

These are meant to keep a pair of springs in place to absorb the movement of the engine, against the exhaust with a cup and ball design.

At 130k miles trying to undo them, the hapless owners managed to have both heads break off with an impact wrench, despite copious amounts of penetrating oil.

Now stuck with a pair of studs protruding from the cat, one threaded into the casting, the other seemingly bolted to a nut……….



Options seem to be:

A) To cut the studs flush, centre punch, drill out and tap new threads, add new bolts

B) To remove the manifold after dismantling half the front end and repeat “A” after snapping half the fasteners along the way, including manifold bolts.

C) Clean up the studs well, clean the catalytic converter face, make sleeves to fit over the studs with threaded ends to take new external nuts to hold the downpipe cup and then weld either Mig or Tig in position, these sleeves and return the springs, assemble the downpipe and refit the exhaust.


The evidence.







This is the general condition down under there.



And “work” prior to me seeing it.

And NO, I honestly have no idea how that was created.

[Grizz1963]

Mailman and EBay made me happy.

New clutch Master cylinder came.

Design is a bit different.

First thing I noticed was the guide at the mouth of the unit where the rod enters to hit the plunger.

It was not present on the other unit, for whatever reason.


Hopefully it is a quick fix tomorrow morning.

Would be nice.





At least the weekend has landed, heat predicted so be careful out there.

.

[Grizz1963]

So the first job back home tonight was to cut the new MC and grind it to fit around the brake booster mounting foot.



Clevis fitted, clutch pumped and bled…..

Car started, 1st and 2nd engaged with the rear in the air.

Brakes tested, clutch tested some more, clevis adjusted, still not quite right….

Shortened and found to not be quite right.

Called out Mr Grinder….



Refitted.

Perfect, gear change smooth…….

Till it went PoP !

Dismantled, and rewelded.

Refitted, works well, clutch pedal too high……

And POP it went leaving the clutch fixed in a position.

Removed the Slave cylinder, and clutch back in position, wheels turning freely etc.

And yes, cleaned up, ground back tidy.



So I removed the Slave cylinder completely and will be buying a new one as @nickwheeler had suggested in the first place.

Lets see what the spares shops have in stock tomorrow.

Hanging loose with the Rezin Rockit.



And removed.





So clutching at straws.

While I have other stuff to deal with.

Friday night .

Drink??

[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.

[Grizz1963]

Checked in on the flight.


Now we just need the rest of the process to go reasonably smoothly, get my butt in a seat and get to St Louis and see more of the 🇺🇸

Then relax.

[Grizz1963]

Another small job was to refit the hood/bonnet last night.

I am really impressed with the fit of everything as it came together.



John and I had a few good chuckles while assembling it.

Nice tight fit.





And the two of us actually gloating and wondering what else we could do.

Celebrate sounded like a good idea.




And a short video of the first time I tried the clutch and brakes out.


VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/JrLxGl6EZAs


A short road test is also planned for today over on the farm road.


More later, hopefully.


Thanks for checking in.

[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.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by sparkplug

For those who want to follow the road trip, a reminder that it's all happening here

:popcorn

So I made it.

Knackered as the flight was long and I got stuck in a centre seat.

Made it to Chicago O’Hare airport for a 3hour lay over.

That was enough time for wings and a Dr Pepper.



Got to St Louis by 2.25 and by 2.50 Dennis and a cooler full of beer collected me.

Always great getting out on the motorway.





Passed on going yo Ethyl’s and seeing Kelly so sttaight home.


The 1966 C10 Dennis had built onto a 2015 Nascar racing truck is even better in real life.

Incredible attention to detail.


More later.

[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.


.