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

[Grizz1963]

Saw this great rebody…..

Must be an amazing engineer, or a policeless state or something like that.

Over here…. Not sure it would make it off the driveway








I am still gutted the 2CV van seller never came back to me, or read my messages.

He is a FB non-entity it seems.

With some effort, this could have been a cool, silly build.

Day off today, so headed out to have a few things professionally done.

[Braunschweiger]

For 6 months is sufficient and monthly insurance ok. It's quickly extended.
If we didn't have the historical registration in Germany and therefore only had to pay €190 in tax per year, it would be almost impossible to afford it at around €800-900 per year, depending on the cubic inch.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

For 6 months is sufficient and monthly insurance ok. It's quickly extended.
If we didn't have the historical registration in Germany and therefore only had to pay €190 in tax per year, it would be almost impossible to afford it at around €800-900 per year, depending on the cubic inch.

Over here the newer cars are more taxed.

I believe in just paying, as I see my road tax work every time someone has an accident, getting it all fixed.

[Grizz1963]

Ultimately an uneventful day.

Alignment guys could not help, booked in for next Friday.

Fronts balanced. Rears are getting some wider 215/65-15’s I am buying from @pauly to replace the 195/60’s fitted on these 8J rims.











Today @craigrk is coming down via Pauls place to play and see the new for 2023 build.

Chilly outside though.

[Grizz1963]

Rezin Rockit passing it’s MOT successfully was the trigger point for launching and exposing the new MEGA BUILD on here.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...in-rockit-pass



I am a bit busy today, but suffice it to say that the new project has been acquired.

It will be a bit of a slow burn this as I have a real life to deal with outside of YouTube, Blogs and forums.

Today being a case in point, 4’C out there but a few small tweaks need doing on the Rezin Rockit including wiring, which has never been my strong suit.

But having mate Craig down from Shropshire, it is a good time to get it done.



So here goes: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1……..

How to screw up your life in 26 miles…..

Do not drink and drive, do not drink and Ebay , do not drink and surf Gumtree or Marketplace. Do not do drugs kids.

Or else.

26 miles……..




5 Star entertainment

4 Wheels

3 Doors

2 Seats

1 ….???




I will get back to this thread update later.

Got stuff to do.

Later.




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[Grizz1963]

As a follow on to this amazing team effort build……

New for 2023 GRIZZMAKES build here.

Link: https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...build-acquired

Click and laugh to your hearts content.


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[Grizz1963]

Sitting on a Saturday night at Sally’s place, surfing the web, while she cooks……

Looking for the next crazy build, I saw something silly.

A 2001 European import.

So I messaged the seller, after seeing that he had other stuff for sale, mostly automotive parts etc.

No reply.

Sunday morning Sally made us bacon and fried egg sandwiches for breakfast.

No reply.

And clicking into the Marketplace ad, I saw the message below and that the seller had not seen my message.

GUTTED.

ABSOLUTELY GUTTED…….

So I sent another message, but as an offer, because I am like that, I will always try again and again, just in case I do get a second shot.

So I said to the seller that if his buyer pulled out for some reason, to let me know.



Around 10.30 a message pinged in.

Yes, the car was still for sale…. He did not understand why it had listed itself as unavailable.

Who knows.

So I agreed to go racing over there to look, and got a postcode and address.

Off I went.



Video made as well.

Of course.

[Grizz1963]

So when I got to the

So when I got to the sellers place, there were three of these outside……

I do not know the classes in banger racing, seems this is a non contact type with an emphasis on winning and finishing, not destroying cars.



The seller and a friend came out and greeted me, while I was a bit taken with the sheer size 0f the car I had come to look at.

While chatting, it became apparent that I had landed in petrol head paradise.

I knew his fathers car……..

I had looked at it and drooled before.

@forddan68 had previously valeted these cars……. So though not directly connected, these were known people.

The dads Lexus powered Ford……

https://youtu.be/OMymMUciaac

And then getting to know more, the sellers weekend toy, hand built from an imported, left hand drive shell blew my mind.

https://youtu.be/LYEfc1vsfTA

After an hour or more chatting, a price was agreed.

Including delivery 26 miles away.

I left them and drove home.

I had Not yet told Sally.

Excited for sure.

No idea why.

5,

4,

3,

2,

1…….?

[Braunschweiger]

You dig up interesting projects, a Sierra has become rare here, and a Cosworth even more so.
I am excited.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You dig up interesting projects, a Sierra has become rare here, and a Cosworth even more so.
I am excited.

Harald, I love strange things.

Never the normal.

All my life.

This project may disappoint some people, but it really is not important.

I like it.

[Grizz1963]

So Sunday morning 11.00-ish sees me headed out, using SatNav as I am going places I have never been before.


https://youtu.be/Ny5UZP65TU8


I get to the given address, it is chilly out, frosty.

But the reception is not chilly.

What made me hit the “Buy it Now” button, is even smaller, and leaves me chuckling and feeling the madness completely consume my inner being.

This is too wrong, too right, I WANT IT.

Chatting with the seller and his mate, it is clear these guys live life fully, grabbing every day by the balls and shaking it vigorously.

You know the type….. the guy at school who would poke a wasps nest.

I wanted to be that guy, just that I never even came close to it.

So what have we got…..???


5 Star Entertainment

4 Wheels - Only just.

3 Doors - OK yes

2 Seats - Albeit tight in there.

1……….?


The 1 of course is the biggest surprise.


1 CYLINDER - I kid you not. 160cc with CVT belt drive.


And it is small..


CANTA LX





But I am smitten…… we do the “Dollar Boogie” and seller asks me what I want to pay, I throw a price out…… He declines.

I ask him if he could deliver as that is another logistical issue. As I have no towbar, no trailer, no flatbed recovery, no Sprinter or similar van to try shoehorn it into for the trip home, that I know it has to make.

Yes, he can get a delivery truck and deliver.

I ask him if it starts, because the ignition barrel is damaged, the alternator belt is missing, and it looks pretty sorry for itself, much worse than stuff I have seen cross the scrapyard weigh bridge. .

“Yes, it starts” is the reply, but there is no fuel in it. Again I feel my heart drop, sounds like the sort of reply you expect……

Seller still eager, gets his mate to go find an empty 2 litre lemonade bottle and some pliers…….

Goes to his daily car, a Mazda 3 MPS (I did not know it is a performance model, you learn every day) whips off the fuel pipe at the injectors, cranks over the motor till he has 2 litres of fuel……

Dumps it into the diminutive fuel tanks.

Opens the fuel cock, choke, buddy on the throttle (This thing has no foot controls, only disabled use, hand controls) and pull starts it in the front of the engine bay.

THIRD PULL and it bursts into life, and promptly settles into an asthmatic idle……

Seller and his mate nonchalantly revs it a few times, while I stand there with a foolish grin on my face, wanting it at home.

Yup, now I know I have to have this thing.

Revving it up again, he is about to take it for a drive down the road to demonstrate it goes, when it splutters and dies.

So he tries to get it going again.

NADA.

So we get back to the price and I ask him how much he wants to deliver it to my house, postcode.

Seller says a price…….

I agree.

Delivery will be at around 4.00pm

Shake hands and I head home.


I had still not told Sally, just that I was going to look at “Something”


Back home, the rest of the day took a long time to drag by, and I continue with the Rezin Rockit fettling.


Eventually at 17.47 there is a text to say they just turned up my road…….

This is so that I can get in the street to film the arrival of the car……


When they arrive, I hear the Canta LX engine running on the back of the recovery truck.

Yup, he started it and drove it onto the truck and just to show it works well enough, had left the motor running.


I am grinning madly……


Seller takes it off the ramp, and @nickwheeler in his usual dry way is certainly underwhelmed………


But I don’t care.


I have my little thing, not sure what to call it, except what the factory called it.


More chat, and the seller and his mate leave, they delivered two cars and had not yet had lunch, despite it being 18.00 on a Sunday evening.


Closer inspection shows just how bad this thing really is.


But I love it.

Remember this question thread…..??

Still looking.


https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-wheels-offset








So Nick and I walk around, he is probably having a meltdown, wanting to whack me with a tyre iron for buying this thing……

Me……….?? HAPPY.


This thing is bad, really bad.











If you take the time to go look up the registration, you will see the full name.





Eventually I calm down, Nick and I push the little guy back into the carport, next to the Rezin Rockit.


It really is small.





In closing, all I can say is that I told a few people, and those who came to see it, like Fil Sparkplug and @craigrk both fell for its quirkiness and wanted it based on photos, and after meeting it in person, still wanted it.


More information as it unfolds.


Welcome to the latest madness at Grizz Towers.


It will be recorded and reported on my YouTube channel and probably on the blog, once I figure it all out.

[Grizz1963]

Copied from Lanes Motor Museum write up online:

Dutch manufacturer Waaijenberg introduced this two-seat microcar, the Canta, in 1995. With its low step-in height and the availability of hand controls, the Canta was specifically created to ensure the independence of people with mobility restrictions. At only 44” wide, this car is narrow enough to be allowed to drive on bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways. Advertised as “transport from door to door”, the Canta is classified as a mobility aid; a driver’s license is not required to operate it. One trim level, the Inrij Canta, or Ride-in Canta, is designed so that a wheelchair user can enter by a ramp at the rear and can be driven while seated in their wheelchair. The Canta can legally park anywhere free of charge on the sidewalk, helpful on the congested streets of Amsterdam, where parking is scarce and expensive.

After 22 years of producing the exact same car, Waaijenberg partnered with Dutch design firm Steketee Design to create the second generation, which launched in 2017. While the basic size was kept, the exterior and interior were updated with LED lighting and modern infotainment systems.

In 2012, the Dutch National Ballet premiered a ballet expressly written for dancers and cars for the disabled, and featured the Canta in the piece. All in all, there were 55 Cantas on stage with 50 ballet dancers performing. The centerpiece featured a special guest prima, or chief female dancer: Dutch disabled-rights activist Karin Spaink. Although Spaink has multiple sclerosis, she was able to perform a pas de deux, or dance for two people, with a partner using the Canta. De Canta danst! is possibly the only ballet ever to feature choreography between a dancer and an automobile.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Waaijenberg Mobilitiet B.V.
Country of Origin: The Netherlands
Drivetrain Configuration: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Engine: Honda, air-cooled, 160cc, single cylinder, 5.5hp
Transmission: Centrifugal clutch, forward and reverse
Top Speed: Governed to 45 kph (28mph) This can be altered with derestriction.
Years of Production: 1995-2017 (first generation)
Number Produced: Few hundred a year
Original Cost: €11.500 – €17.000 ($12,755 USD)

[Grizz1963]

Right gang……


Back to work.


I was talking with buddy craigrk in Shropshire about wheels.

And specifically 10” trailer wheels

Wondering what is out there in 10”

Not too wide, they start at it seems offset 0

And we were saying that to make it look better, they wheels need to probably stay under 145mm wide.

This is what is fitted currently.

80mm between bolts and 115mm diagonally.











Any ideas, any stock, locally to try on, like 10” Mini steels, or Quad wheels ?


Worth asking everywhere.


I like the idea of a wider wheel and tyre, probably only 3.5 to 4.5 inch max, but needs to be tyred up as well.

Though.I suspect one will find something with a 50km/h or 60km/h rating somewhere.

Lets see what pops up from various searches and sources.


https://youtu.be/RzIwB-rlmdU


Later gang.


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[Grizz1963]

One of the good things about people looking beyond the obvious on these forums is the fact that a few people, including @kevins pointed out that this car is registered as a 337cc model.

Compared to the original 160cc motor with 5.5hp I had thought this was fitted with, this has nearer double that, which may be why it feels as brisk (that is a relative term) as it does…

So to be confirmed once I figure how, but it seems this is a “Big Block”

Probably also meaning it can be modded a bit differently.

To be investigated at a later stage.




This weird creature is starting to become more interesting as it unfolds and exposes its secrets.


Onwards…..

[Grizz1963]

Bit of silliness.

Enjoy

https://youtu.be/MPU6kOCNoVc

Bed time soon.

[Grizz1963]

Very cool pic posted by JoeM on Retrorides.



Weather has not permitted much progress on anything recently.

Maybe tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

So…….?


Where were we with the little Canta LX?


With all the chat going on, on various forums, and the day job keeping me busier than I like to be, it certainly is a slow burner project.


There was still work to be done to the Rezin Rockit before taking it for MOT, and I really did not want to get too distracted by the Canta before completing the Rockit.


Then the big 1979 Chevy Caprice V8 Wagon from Manchester that nearly made it onto the drive, but aborted as it sold so fast, at £3750.00 advertised, it was never going to hang around. And the soonest Craig could collect for me was the 18th.







Back to the job at hand.


It came loaded with a lot of abuse, damage, wear n tear and loads of junk in the rear and on the floor, like it was used as a skip/dumpster for a gardener or builder.

The rear glass is missing, no doubt smashed when overly enthusiastic driving put it on its side.

So I need some glass, or possibly to find out what the glass was sourced from.

Any information will be appreciated.



So the cleaning out was started.

Video below shows a bit more.

Please do excuse my terrible attempts at censoring the word Sh!t repeatedly.

My editing will get better.



Removed the passenger seat, followed by the drivers seat later.



Also ably assisted by George who seems to like the car and slept in it when he can.

Cats are weird.



Wearing thick gloves, because you just don’t know what you find in this sort of mess, I cleared out some of the rubbish.

Three bags full as the nursery rhyme goes.



And at some point, after scraping and brushing the worst together, got my garage vac out, I have had this for nearly 20 years, inherited from my first house I bought in the U.K.

Seller left it in the garage, along with his furniture etc, which helped me a long way in getting on with getting that house sorted.



One of the mysteries at the time of buying was the broken rear tail light, being a European import, of course the fog and reverse lights were switched.

But I managed to “buy” a light from a member, at the price of a decent donation to a charity of his choice.

Perfect result, still needs fitting of course.



So that is where I got to.

Inside soaking wet, cleaned out as best I could.

Parked up.


Video of what I posted.


Once again, apologies for the terrible swear filter, I think it won’t happen again.

https://youtu.be/s1XjvST4yi4


Have a good weekend.

Well, Sunday afternoon.

[Grizz1963]

Sunday fun.

My day was less than perfect.
Wrote up a bit of Cantaloupe and posted a video and pics.
Then moved cars about and took Rezin Rock-no-go for a drive to see Nick up at the farm. I used his trailer originally to recover it and he is currently struggling with his wifes real CJ7 he built for her, he is a good builder. He was impressed as well with the whole build and MOT result.
I then drove back to thr main road, ostensibly to go for a drive to go do some photos of Rockit if I found a decent spot.
Poop, the thing died 500 meters from home. Refusing to restart. Thankfully it’s downhill all the way from the farm, well a slope really. Back home it still refused to start. Not sure if a wire has slipped off or something bigger.
So I just rolled it from the kitchen down and dumped it in the carport.




Thought it a good sign to take S10 truck for a run as I really enjoy using it and pop in at @forddan68 to see if he has bought anything interesting lately.
As I got to the truck out on the front drive the new neighbor landed and asked if I could come help him swap roof panels around on his wifes summer house (he says its a shed with glass doors and French windows)
Perfect distraction. So I reversed it back and parked the truck, saving myself £10 in fuel, made myself a coffee and got some tools and went to help him.
Ended up doing roofing felt and trims.
Perfect afternoon for me as I did manage to distract myself and forget about the dead car parked over the hedge. .




Horrible bitumen paint to help seal and secure overlaps.

I never use it.



And once done, along with fighting the wind that was making it a bit awkward, it looked OK.

Next job for his wife, is to paint it some variation of green.



Suddenly is was 4.30 and I went home, shut shop and went indoors to cook dinner as Sally had been at work and I had offered to feed her.

I will look at the Rezin Rockit when I get time.

This week is a bit hectic.

[Braunschweiger]

That's a shame with Rezin Rockit.
I think that's part of making the project better and better.
I'll have that in the future too, it's running perfectly in the yard until you want to do a lap,
I'd almost bet on it.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

That's a shame with Rezin Rockit.
I think that's part of making the project better and better.
I'll have that in the future too, it's running perfectly in the yard until you want to do a lap,
I'd almost bet on it.

You are right.

I said to a friend when he asked what is wrong with it, this is a female car….. nothing is wrong, it just does this to test me.



ITS A MIRACLE…..



So tonight after work I walked down to,the carport where I dumped the car, tried the ignition……

And it fired up instantly, ran at 2k rpm for a bit, hunted then died.

Started it again….. lots of smelly, oily smoke, like before, some hunting, revs up and down and died.

Third time I started it, smoking loads, but fast idle, so I revved it blipping the gas, to close the choke, and still smoking.

Turned it off.

Came indoors to put some mini pizzas in the oven.

Then went back and started it again…….

Resulting in this.

https://youtu.be/BMDwiYqiywo

So many reasons, so many answers.

Just a matter of which one.

[bigmoe]

Carbon or varnish deposits on the IAC valve?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

Carbon or varnish deposits on the IAC valve?

Problem of course is that the donor stood for many years in a barn, and despite the low miles, there is clear evidence of limited maintenance over time.

I will get to it all bit by bit.






So, based on the input from various places, it seems a name may have fallen out of a hat.

Based on @therascalking suggesting this, which does appeal to my twisted sense of humour, and the fact that someone made an attempt at humour before……

This works.








Day job is a bit hectic.

Weather sucks, rain all day, or at least unpleasant enough not to motivate me.

Took the day off in the hope to get a few things done outside, but that’s not happening.


Took a few interior photos.

Some of the clever guys on here may recognise that parts and where they are from.

And also got a problem to solve.

Ignition barrel and keys are unavailable and destroyed.

The seller suggested it was Opel/Vauxhall

I still need to figure what, then buy an ignition and keys to fit into this hole.







Instrument cluster shows how low the mileage on this was.

And just how badly stuff can be abused at times…… leaving so much to fix, repair, replace.








Lights, fog lamp etc switches.





And lastly, a distinctive style and shaped stalk to the left of the steering wheel.





So there you go, a bit closer to, and more detail of this cars parts bin roots.


.

[Grizz1963]

Having joined a small Facebook group that mostly seems to be for buying, selling, finding Canta and micro car related stuff, I saw this one advertised.

A few things became apparent.

First;y, they seem to really retain their value……



Then, the mileages they do are actually quite high, this one has done 28784km which is 17885 miles since 2005

Does not sound like a lot, but actually, for a small country and the design purpose, this is a well used example, claimed to run beautifully.



And the third observation, knowing these were custom fitted to the owner/driver is that this one is a two pedal model.



Once agai, weird as it seems, this little car and what it represents, has me smiling.

Miserable day here, and the rain means I will not be doing anything constructive to either the LLAMAGHINI CANTACH or the Rezin Rockit but maybe I should edit and create some content for the next YouTube episode .

Where is the sun?

Another question elsewhere……..


[quote author="@dodgerover" source="/post/2775138/thread" timestamp="1679086408"]Would the MOT man have issues if you did away with the steering lock and just used a normal plant or tractor key set up on the dash?
Is it tested as a light tricycle or quad or something equally strange?[/quote]

Yes.


Being an unknown quantity, I suspect that anything that has safety, form and function, would be acceptable.

Remember, these were customised to each buyer, so if you only had a right arm, why put the ignition on the left etc……

Hand controls vs Foot controls, all,were acceptable as they were adapted to the individual needs of the user.

Most 16 year olds kids, who were also permitted to drive it, were probably able bodied.

https://youtu.be/OCvgFwV-mBw


And to take it a bit further……


In the Netherlands, at 16 you can drive a microcar, nd buy beer…..


Watch this cutie.



https://youtu.be/FKpkFH73_pM



.

[bigmoe]

I see they have a CVT type belt drive transmission like my snowmobile.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

I see they have a CVT type belt drive transmission like my snowmobile.

Exactly, possibly even the same supplier.






Quick update again.

Time to get a closer look at this little car.

Try get under its skin.

Small.



And just nasty.



So the time had come to see just what is under this thing.

Easy to lift.



While preparing for the days work, Mickey came around, completely blown away by the car.

He just wanted to take it home.

Perfect fit.



Once Mickey left, I got the jack out, lifted the car…….



Front and rear views.






So at this -pint the question was….. what have we got here….?

Rear drums.






And the front end, discs.






Of course the question now arises as to what these were from originally.

Quad bike parts?


Though it was a cold day, I decided to carry on.and pressure clean the ting….. using my broken pressure cleaner, rather than the brand new one I had in the garage, because I had forgotten about it.


So I parked the Canta with its rear end up in the air, up on the ramps and got to work.







And eventually it was done.

Wet and cold




Video for those who prefer not to read.

https://youtu.be/iqsU1PVWfM4


Enjoy and share.



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