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

[Grizz1963]

So today I spent 2hr 15 minutes in McDonalds.

Took that long to upload this one……

ENJOY


https://youtu.be/MlJZ8I6M-Dw?si=BBJ341uLIxCapwO3

[Grizz1963]

Another 5 minute time lapse clip of hummingbirds and sunrise.

They fly so fast, the time lapse captures their movement a bit.

And the sunrise is so slow, time lapse speeds it up.

More real stuff later.

https://youtu.be/mIBqUjyclHg?si=vUY7qdsmNtcswYV7

Busy uploading at Starbucks.

WiFi cost: $5.21 (bought a grande latté)

At least it is happening.

[Grizz1963]

There are two 34 Ford videos left that I struggled to upload.


This one from Ellis to Kansas City.


https://youtu.be/u3vm4QgDPTk?si=AaHxjdJc7O9T5RMM


One more to go.

[Grizz1963]

Bit of bouncing around on timelines here due to lack of internet etc.

Remember how hot it was when I came on Thursday, by Sunday the weather had at last broken the heat wave, with rain dropping the outside temperature by 30’F

Much more bearable.

Dennis likes stainless steel fasteners, and sometimes two trips as day to different hardware shops happens as progress comes.

So, working on the Chevelle meant we went out twice……

But despite the current spaghetti of wires, pipes etc, we started it up.


And a video of last Sunday.


https://youtu.be/S6rUHv7ECiM?si=qEL4LkYsOzlTGKgJ


Off to St Louis today to watch a baseball game


Not sure how I feel about that.

[Braunschweiger]

A nice report, the Hardware Store flashed me, we don't have anything like that anymore.
Nice that the Chevelle is running.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

A nice report, the Hardware Store flashed me, we don't have anything like that anymore.
Nice that the Chevelle is running.

Indeed.

Hardwares store is modern, with lots of traditional things.

[Grizz1963]

Right.

Last part of the 34 Ford fetch uploaded.

https://youtu.be/PPX48CXeXfI?si=LIsI8XXroJGvMYQN



Dennis and I did 470 miles today,

Mexican dinner at 400 miles.

Motel 70 miles later.

Nice place.

[Grizz1963]

Still no luck finding a surround but one more online option to chase later today.

Just crossed from Kansas back into Missouri.

Pete and Jakes hotrod shop next.


https://youtu.be/CrkcRY8QnaE?si=Y7qNZwBthdy5ucb4


Could be interesting.


.

[Grizz1963]

3 States

350 miles

5.5 hours in total.

Landed in Fayetteville at Clems place.

Tuba Trucks Restoration is fuller than ever.

[Grizz1963]

So today, up at 04.25 and on the road by 04.50



Got to Clems place at Tuba Trucks……

We went to a prop shaft builder to have propshaft shortened by 1.5” for a truck he is building with a modern trans and longer tail shaft.

After this, back to Tuba Trucks Restoration.

Clem gave me his phone and computer after he had called the GMSpares supplier who had the dash surround on their inventory.

Seems it was discontinued and made obsolete a few years ago.

Poop !!!

So I called some vehicle breakers.

Amazingly, the first ones I called, Junkyard Dog Auto Salvage in Rogers, Arkansas, said they had a few Astros in their yard…….

Rogers has a few claims to fame.

Rogers is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. Located in the Ozarks, it is part of the Northwest Arkansas region, one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country.[8] Rogers was the location of the first Walmart store, whose corporate headquarters is located in neighboring Bentonville. Daisy Outdoor Products, known for its air rifles, Think Daisy BB gun, part of American history , has both its headquarters and its Airgun Museum in Rogers. The city houses a popular shopping center, the Pinnacle Hills Promenade, and a music venue, the Walmart AMP, that has housed performances by big-name artists and local performers alike. [9]



Seriously??

So I drove over there.



So I got to Junkyard Dog and spoke to various staff, till Sam, who I had spoken to 0n the phone, came in.



He took me for a junk yard tour, 4 failed Astros, and then a 95 model, when the face change happened to them……

Jackpot.


Also gave me a heater control knob

Found one, and dismantled it….

Not the easiest thing to find in the U.K.

Two screws.



And a few easy clip switches to I clip.



Done…… in the truck.




Blower knob.




Dash panel came with a bonus.

Mud dauber wasp nest.

Bassstards.













Cleared out in the end.



Once I got home, I celebrated with Clem and had a Sailor Jerry and Coke, followed by cleaning the whole surround that had cost me a whole £20.00 or $25.00

This is the most awesome win for me.

Finding an obsolete part a long way from home, constitutes a major win when rebuilding a 30 plus year old car.

I feel vindicated.





Cleaned up.



Did I mention that life is good?

[Palf70Step]

Congrats on the find Rian. Pack it good for the trip home.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Congrats on the find Rian. Pack it good for the trip home.

Morning Bill.

Yes, absolute highlight of my trip so far.

Obsolete parts are just that…… obsolete.

So finding a part for a 30 year old van in England while over here is a win.

[Braunschweiger]

Congratulations on the find.
A great trip. Wasn't TubaTrucks looking for new employees?
That would be a chance.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Congratulations on the find.
A great trip. Wasn't TubaTrucks looking for new employees?
That would be a chance.

Thank you Harald.

Yes, Clem is looking for reliable staff.

[Grizz1963]

Video of dinner at Rogers and Debs uploaded.

Also Free Sun Diagnostic machines and car rotisserie collection from the widow.


https://youtu.be/5x9V2SWQUjc?si=TRZuEVYmI5zPDNkZ


Still in Arkansas.


Chicken wings last night.


That makes for a good road trip.

[Grizz1963]

Got this message from a guy on www.astrosafari.com

Grizz,
If you have any interest, I have a goid condition stock Chevy steering wheel for an Astro. Doesn't match my GMC...
Yours for taking if you want it.



So now I need to orchestrate this.

It is not a “sport steering wheel “ as fitted, but I like the idea of putting things back to standard.

Let’s see what happens.

[Grizz1963]

Bonfires and beer in Missouri.

https://youtu.be/MkPnM7sptCU?si=CabtEzcNAVy2UQwD

.

[Grizz1963]

Bonus

Eureka Springs classic car parade yesterday with Clem Johnson

https://youtu.be/lG5UW0XIoMU?si=8WunJp-b1p-N79Kg

[realvc]

Eureka Springs is a neat place in Arkansas. I had to turn around at that post office on the corner from where you were, when delivering there because the truck I was driving was too big for the narrow streets and corners. There used to be signs about how big the RVs and trucks could be to go into town.

Nice parade, thanks for sharing,

[Paul Y]

Looks like another wonderful set of experiences Grizz.

Enjoy!

P.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Eureka Springs is a neat place in Arkansas. I had to turn around at that post office on the corner from where you were, when delivering there because the truck I was driving was too big for the narrow streets and corners. There used to be signs about how big the RVs and trucks could be to go into town.

Nice parade, thanks for sharing,

Yes, it was not a town built for modern times.

Pleasure sharing.

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Looks like another wonderful set of experiences Grizz.

Enjoy!

P.

I has been Paul.

Thank you.

[Grizz1963]

The day I have feared for the last two years came today.

I have lost my job in another restructuring. Not much I can do about it.

Will worry about it nonstop now but do nothing while in America..…. I will be told formally next week when I get back to work.

But will just have to get my Sh!t together when back and go find another job.

Yup….. Sucks.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

The day I have feared for the last two years came today.

I have lost my job in another restructuring. Not much I can do about it.

Will worry about it nonstop now but do nothing while in America..…. I will be told formally next week when I get back to work.

But will just have to get my Sh!t together when back and go find another job.

Yup….. Sucks.

Sorry to hear that Rian. Enjoy the rest of your trip and good luck with the future hunt.

[Braunschweiger]

Nice crap and finding out about it while on vacation wasn't very nice.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Nice crap and finding out about it while on vacation wasn't very nice.

Thanks.

They were only going to inform me next week.

But we do talk as a team, so my calendar showed a big meeting and two sub meetings.

I saw my name in a sub meeting…….

2+2 = 4 for sure.

Called the contracts manager and asked her…… she was embarrassed, but told me.








Road Trip stuff…..



Sunday was Baseball day for the whole extended family.

Never been to a game.

Interesting.

But before that, I got to chat to Andy, a racing friend of Adam.

He is busy training his 8 year old son in a scientific way to drive sprint cars.

This sort of dedication and drive always amazes me over here.

Everything he does is for Ryder’s racing career.

Neat truck too…… video to follow.


Well…….

Video loaded fast.


https://youtu.be/ISvar3LNsPI?si=-WZog15LBJEDsJOR




.