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

[Grizz1963]

The hive mind that is GarageJournal.com and other forums, has come up trumps.


The dash, radio and blower surround section that I was looking for could be available new.

@grenade Found a used one on eBay for $70.00 However, Bob Heine in Florida found this……..

Half the price.

https://www.gmpartscorp.com/p/Chevro...oaAkcaEALw_wcB





Now of course the next trick will be to see if they have one in stock and to get it shipped to Dennis’ in St Louis.


Pretty pleased with that.


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[Grizz1963]

Day one of the American road trip reported……

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again

I still need to edit and upload the Youtube video.

So maybe later.

[Grizz1963]

And the real first episode……

From the 2023 road trip.


https://youtu.be/U9reUcSTKT4?si=ksIYZa6vkZ5GgfHt


More as I get to upload as Wi-Fi is a bit slow…..


​Thanks for watching.
​

[Grizz1963]

Well.

It is way deeper.

Up at 4.00am then off on a 480mile trip to collect a pre-breakfast purchase for Dennis.

TURN AND BURN 960miles.


https://youtu.be/NO70poLpNYY?si=l0Fe12WjRE_whlpP


Never boring out here.


‘Merica delivers

Again.

[Grizz1963]

Well, back home, trailer unhooked, unload after work when Dennis gets home tonight.

1000 miles in the end, so a long run.

Knackered.

I am three days behind on the write up, but it has been kinda nonstop.

Update later when I get back from buying a fridge/freezer.

Yup….. chores are chores.

[Grizz1963]

As part of the road trip Report was the 1000 mile Kansas run.



RIGHT, A SERIOUS REQUEST, OFFER, CALL IT WHAT YOU LIKE.



Having been to Mike Kellers BIG CREEK RESTORATIONS he gave Jerry and I a tour of the shop.


And it is a shop anyone liking restoration and rodding would love.


His story also starts small, really small…….


To now building cars that hit and pass the $500k level as he delivers for his selective and selected clients.


When you start to decline $300k builds because you do not feel you can/want to work with a client, or won’t be able to deliver for them, you are certainly maintaining the highest expectations and standards for your business.



I want you guys to go take a look at Mikes website and work, to expand on what we were privileged to see.

I took no photos, no video of this part of the trip as he has builds there that have not yet been unveiled, but suffice it to say that a guy who over 20 years has won a variety of AMERICA’S BEST Awards in various classes and shows, the website will show you how good this part of the trip was.



Click the link: bigcreekrestoration.com

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjtvMmEz4SBAxVgrYkEHWCWAZQQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A %2F%2Fbigcreekrestoration.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw32v97FUFZk6k0w5tUFaWDB&opi=89978449[/URL]

[Braunschweiger]

That sounds interesting,
I can't open the link.
I wish you lots of fun.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

That sounds interesting,
I can't open the link.
I wish you lots of fun.

Just Google Bigcreekrestorations


Thanks.








Still doing this…..

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again





Funny the stuff, unnecessary as it may be, that runs through your head at stupid-0-clock when U.K. and USA time has not yet meshed together.


Had a suggestion from @sparkplug Fil iirc to go with a cartoon paint theme.


But I am,actually still not sure if one should even mess with what is there.


Not a great fan of this theme, though the pic has me wondering, or is that wandering.





Need to get on and order that surround for the radio and dash.


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[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

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