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

[Grizz1963]

Back home in the Olds 88


Calculator says about fuel consumption

216 miles and 29.6 liters

UK Gallons - 33 MPG

US Gallons - 27.5 MPG

Metric

11.7 km/l

8.5 l/100km



BLOODY HELL !!!!


Sorry to tell you guys…….



I am chuffed with this.


Should I be??





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[Palf70Step]

WE averaged upper 20's to low 30 with my daughter's. 28-29 MPG at 75 was normal highway mileage. We occasionally saw 30-31, but normally that was at 60MPH average speed. I always thought thta was prettyt good for such a large/heavy car.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

WE averaged upper 20's to low 30 with my daughter's. 28-29 MPG at 75 was normal highway mileage. We occasionally saw 30-31, but normally that was at 60MPH average speed. I always thought thta was prettyt good for such a large/heavy car.

The more I drive this, the more I like it.


​
Wanna see part 1 of my collection road trip to fetch my new American Hooptie?


https://youtu.be/_aKNLTM-q6Q?si=HU2wq1wskKESJxSt



Click link above.
​

[Grizz1963]

Remember the Key issue I had previously?

Having had the car handed over with instructions that there were separate keys for ignition, doors and trunk.


I also found in the last week that the door hinges and locks were all tight and uncooperative in some cases.


So today I investigated and I guess solved to some extent these problems.


I also got in under the hood a bit.


Outside temperature was 4’C with a breeze.


A quick video for anyone interested in watching videos.

https://youtu.be/zY9d4plR7XM?si=Vrxm4DcaWOWk1Nyh


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[Palf70Step]

Glad she is working out for ya.

[Braunschweiger]

Fine Car.
Greetings Harald

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad she is working out for ya.

Super underrated car.

Glad I got to snag it.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Fine Car.
Greetings Harald

Thank you Harald

I am very happy with it.

[Grizz1963]

Those little jobs nobody else does.


Done a few jobs


Watch this



3 min.


https://youtu.be/QSoCVafMoIs?si=0bKS1iCBRPAyQ9Fg



.

[Grizz1963]

I do love a bit of before and after.


Dennis’ Chevelle.


https://youtu.be/g6TQYk5x7H4?si=QGNwJgzuTQn80vTI

[Grizz1963]

28 days and 500 miles later I thought a short video on my impressions of this 34 year old car, with the legendary 3800 Series 1 motor, would be interesting to share with some of you guys on here.


https://youtu.be/fer4D31_Q3g?si=ZG395ti7_-667BBH


I am sure to have missed some important points.

But feel free to add them in.

[Braunschweiger]

You've got yourself a fine cruiser there, just the right size for England's roads.
We foreigners manage our cars well on the roads.
The first time, I worried a lot, but then I was thrilled and had a lot of fun.
The large roundabouts were a challenge;
I wasn't used to anything like that in Germany.
You should definitely pay attention to the traffic control signs, that's true.
But back then, I found English traffic relaxing, not the aggressive, hectic pace we have here. Enjoy it!
Best regards, Harald

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You've got yourself a fine cruiser there, just the right size for England's roads.
We foreigners manage our cars well on the roads.
The first time, I worried a lot, but then I was thrilled and had a lot of fun.
The large roundabouts were a challenge;
I wasn't used to anything like that in Germany.
You should definitely pay attention to the traffic control signs, that's true.
But back then, I found English traffic relaxing, not the aggressive, hectic pace we have here. Enjoy it!
Best regards, Harald

Good morning from a wet South of England Harald

I agree with you on this new to me car.

I am finding that I prefer driving it to my modern (21 year old) daily.

It’s certainly easy to navigate anywhere that I need to go.

[Grizz1963]

Raining on and on.


So not a lot going on.


Yesterday I was chatting with a very frustrated friend. Her mum unfortunately is a ways down the dementia road, also a cancer survivor. To the extent of them now having to make her world safe around her. Julie is 68, so you get the idea.
She was looking for a way to get the medication safe in the house as her dad cannot control everything that happens.


She was online looking for lockable boxes or cabinets. So I told her I had quite a few boxes in the garage. From tool lockers to key cabinets.


After deciding on one, I went and cleaned, sanded and painted it for her. Added a really cheap Chinese lock (just to keep mum out) and some trim stripping and pink vinyl.


Saturday morning I am heading to Colchester, Essex to meet up with PaulY to deliver his box of steel and brass I collected last week, and then meeting Julie for some lunch and a chat with her black box.


Painting in the garage with a temperature of 5’C and rain outside, my bargain Dewalt heat gun (remember that bargain buy?) was perfect for warming the box up after sanding the surface to key it well, and wiping it clean.


So between coats I gently applied more dry heat.


Result is very satisfying.


But I need to do more careful and DIY stuff,,without the weather getting in the way.


Weekend soon.
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[Grizz1963]

Fake Police Cruiser centre caps made

Glooped onto the rims.

Masking tape to keep them in place for 24 hours till hardened.
Then remove the tape, take a few pics.
Go food shopping in town, inspect to see if we lost any.
Nope.
All there.


Short Video.


https://youtu.be/zXlOJJr95v8?si=cIxj1cFycH0DfWeW







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[Grizz1963]

Weather has sucked for the last few weeks.

Yesterday I got the Oldsmobile up on the ramp and made a short ( well, almost) video of the underside and condition of the sills.


https://youtu.be/XsNTuEtEVN0?si=OuAtw1E-0Z6f6Skd



While I was under there I did discover that the rear silencer, which is a massive 24x10x5 inch box, is at the end of it’s useful life.
Also, there is only a catalyst up front, the rest is just 2.5 inch straight pipe.


I would be surprised if this is not the original pipe. No joins etc.

So last night I ordered a £40.00 rear silencer in stainless steel to fit, which I will use clamps for.
It is an 18 inch unit with 8x5 dimensions, so smaller than the original.
It claims to be straight through, so hopefully it will make the V6 sound a bit more pronounced.


I also went out at 8.00pm to collect a couple of 200 litre drums for my friend Sarah (purple lawnmower) to create two upright strawberry growing tubs.
I will process them soon with a load of cuts and then using heat and wine bottles to create the pockets for the plants.


https://youtu.be/E4Yj8ANR04A?si=jOh28mjU5H9tDAyQ


When I got home the rain was still coming down and the car showed 2’C with a breeze. Lucky I wasn’t working out in that mess.


At 9.00 pm Pedro got in from work (he goes every night for an hour to serve all the machines on site) and brought gifts.
When contractors visit site, they often leave behind unused, partially used materials when jobs are completed. Pedro is a magpie……


Also spoke with Craig

He had been out in the dark, down farm lanes to collect the Freelander alloys and tyres for me



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[Grizz1963]

Those little jobs that take time.


I noticed one of Pedro’s rear lights was not working.
So a quick lightbulb change meant removing the complete unit (Torx screws) to unplug it.
New bulb fitted, tested before reassembly.
Works.
Reassembly…. No Worky. Bugger.
Disassemble.
Inspect.
Fault found.
A part of circuit broken.
Now go to garage.
Soldering iron, melt plastic and reassemble.
Refit, Test, Success.




Back to my next job.


Vertical Strawberry planting for Sarah.

Her 92 year old mum is struggling in the garden now to go to ground level and then getting up again.
So why not raise the beds up to her level.


I also have collected and traded a load of scaffolding poles and fittings so that I can create a upright space with wires like a washing line for the canes to be grown on.

I got two 200 liter drums.


Plan, Measure, cut, Melt, Ream, Shape, Repeat.


VIDEO.

https://youtu.be/KhtSgBRSQUQ?si=ZCeThQDVs0rTTnGh


Second drum to be done later as other jobs are also in line.

Messaged Sarah with Video and photos.

I had two empty containers to put inside the drums to displace some space so she doesn’t need as much soil inside drum

She needs to find some more surely I don’t have to do everything

Happy girl.


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[Grizz1963]

Bit of a slow week.
Two steps forward and one step sideways.

Got a box hand delivered by my local (dare I say Good, Evri courier)

Swapped around my vehicles.
Astro parked in “Pedro’s parking”

Scenic over the street but up the alleyway afterwards.

Oldsmobile reversed down to the garage.
Up onto some ramps and off with the original silencer which had a few leaks.

Then test fitted the new silencer.

It was a fail because I need some pieces to connect the new silencer to the original pipe and also a new exit tip.

Ordered off Ebay.

90’ bend £13.00

Short 65mm dual slip over connector and clamps. £23.00 delivered.

Delivery hopefully Saturday.

I made a 90 second video of engine sound with leaking original silencer and then engine minus silencer.

I loved it there for a few moments. Not sure a road trip would be fun though.

VIDEO

https://youtu.be/f2G2OaD2kQE?si=Uhs9fMdHwwNnv8pO


I also started another job which I guess you guys can guess already.

More about that later.

Happy Friday



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[Grizz1963]

Remember the silver paint and rattle cans that I bought last week?

Wednesday was 16’C outside for a short while. Opportunities ehhh?

Took some 600 grit to the roof. Got old damage sanded back, removed silicone above the front windscreen, paint hates silicone.

Cleaned off, masked car, panel wiped, mixed paint and painted it by 3.30pm with a gun.

Big mistake? Well, yes and no.

More work generated.

The wind (breeze) blew up plastic onto the C-pillar wet paint. So I fixed it too good with more paint �� So I will have to fix it differently with some lowrider paint technique.

After 4.30pm the temperature dropped enough to make some of the silver paint react on the roof. I will have to repaint that.

The total cost of paint, cans and mixing cups was under £50.00 or $52.00

500ml of Silver paint was £38.00 including tax.

I used 250ml with 20% thinners/reducer.

Pictures below.


VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/Q2fUs7WAK4E?si=8cC-r-o-G8a0maTA

On Thursday, Kevin came around to visit.


I wanted to check what colours the rattle cans were, so created a Silver backdrop, masked some bands to show silver contrasting stripes. Thanks to Kevin suggesting that I should do that.

So now I know what’s in the cans.

I will probably use some of them for the lace painting too.
After all I have already paid for them.


The first 6 colours are definitely useable for this paint project. That last two are lovely Olive green and a cammo desert sand colour. I will use them another day.




.

[shp4man]

I especially like the Reb flag emblem on the trunk. LOL.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by shp4man

I especially like the Reb flag emblem on the trunk. LOL.

LOL.

Thank you.

Two of them, Elvis and Rock-n-Roll under them.

I used to be the kid who beat the hornets nest and run.

If I could find a good Buc-ees logo it would be on there too

You see…… serious guy.

[Grizz1963]

New battery and exhaust fitted.

Battery had been sitting behind the passenger seat since I bought it. But after sitting around for a week, I had to use a jump pack.
It took 5 minutes to swap them around

Car is really happy with the new battery. It really kicks over strongly.

Then I had ordered the stainless, free flow silencer the week before.

So I removed the original Oldsmobile item, tried fitting the new unit and failed.

Ordered some parts to make it come together and fitted it all on Sunday.

I did a video.

Scroll through to the last 5 minutes if you don’t want to watch the process.


https://youtu.be/naPn0rDOwXM?si=BnlFfge49ovbd3Lk

I have not driven it down the motorway yet.
But it sounds really good.
If I said exactly what I wanted, it really is just that.

So total cost around £85.00 or $100.00 excluding my labour.

Old cars certainly are fun.

Make me happy

Seriously.
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[Palf70Step]

Has a good sound for a 3.8. Nice work Rian.

[Braunschweiger]

Great sound, that's fun.
Cheers, Harald