66 SB Step Side- Ex Air Force Base Truck

[aerotruk63]

Well isn't that a bit of luck!

[Grizz1963]

Nice one Neatbeard.

[McMurphy]

Welcome Neatbeard!
I hope you keep us posted, I always wondered about this truck, and the fellow who started this thread on it, we had some things in common in our rigs both being ex-military equipment.

Good luck, and let us know when it arrives, I really dig these threads from overseas !!

Funny you mention finding this thread, I totally plan on putting all the photos on a CD, and then taping it to the roof of the glovebox for someone to find later in this trucks life.
Good stuff !!

[Neatbeard]

Well here it is on my little driveway here in damp ol blighty...

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Neatbeard

Well here it is on my little driveway here in damp ol blighty...

Nice one mate.

I am jealous..... just want to sell our two cars now and buy a truck.

Now you need to start your own build tread for the trucks life from here onward.

Maybe copy some of these pics into your own Photobucket account and post up as a Pre-amble to this phase of the trucks life.

Good luck, and hope this gives you a buzzzz every day you jump into it.

[UK62LW]

My registration was a breeze but thankfully the DVLA didn't want to inspect as, given the mods on mine it could have led to a '77 or Q plate

Went to the DVLA in Ipswich on Tue and had V5 an tax disc back by the end of the week!

Good luck with the MoT - keep us informed..

[Ta2Don]

Being retired Air Force, I've wrenched on a bunch of those Strata Blue painted vehicles... Have fun with it!!!

[Neatbeard]

Cheers guys. I had a chance to get outside and have a proper look and poke around. 'Im really happy, its really solid, got a couple of small holes in the usual areas that I can weld up myself. really solid underneath/chassis. Bit of an oil leak from around the oil filter area so i'm gona clean the engine all up, fill up with fresh oil and see how bad it is as it could of accumulated over time.....

One of my neighbours who lives over the road popped over while I was under the bonnet tinkering. To set the scene, I live in a residential road where pretty much all the residents are retired couples and we're the youngest family by far, me and my better half are both tattooed (she's a tattoo artist), and to alot of the folk we're.... shall we say.... alternative looking...... but we go out of our way to be polite, give them fresh eggs from our chickens etc. in the hope that they 'tolerate' us and me n my vehicle hobby/obsession.....anyway I'd already said to 'er indoors' i wonder what the neighbours will think of this 'beast' on the drive... well today I found out.....

I banged my head as he made me jump as I was deep in the engine bay at the time and didn't hear him until he said:

"Hi there I hope you don't mind me popping over....."

Me: "Hi there, no not all (wiping oil from my hands), how are you, everything OK?"

Him: "Yes, yes i'm good thanks, I just wanted to pop over as I saw 'this' arrive yesterday while I was looking out of the window....."

Me: "Ah OK...."

Him: "Its fantastic! I said to the wife wow look at what he's got now. I love it, are you going to do anything to it? I think it would look even better all done up and one colour....etc etc"

So thats made me feel good. We were chatting for over an hour in the cold and rain about the truck and possible plans for it etc. I love our little neighbourhood, they seem to love our 'alternative' ways.

Sorry for the ramble, it just restored my faith in humanity.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Neatbeard

Cheers guys. I had a chance to get outside and have a proper look and poke around. 'Im really happy, its really solid, got a couple of small holes in the usual areas that I can weld up myself. really solid underneath/chassis. Bit of an oil leak from around the oil filter area so i'm gona clean the engine all up, fill up with fresh oil and see how bad it is as it could of accumulated over time.....

One of my neighbours who lives over the road popped over while I was under the bonnet tinkering. To set the scene, I live in a residential road where pretty much all the residents are retired couples and we're the youngest family by far, me and my better half are both tattooed (she's a tattoo artist), and to alot of the folk we're.... shall we say.... alternative looking...... but we go out of our way to be polite, give them fresh eggs from our chickens etc. in the hope that they 'tolerate' us and me n my vehicle hobby/obsession.....anyway I'd already said to 'er indoors' i wonder what the neighbours will think of this 'beast' on the drive... well today I found out.....

I banged my head as he made me jump as I was deep in the engine bay at the time and didn't hear him until he said:

"Hi there I hope you don't mind me popping over....."

Me: "Hi there, no not all (wiping oil from my hands), how are you, everything OK?"

Him: "Yes, yes i'm good thanks, I just wanted to pop over as I saw 'this' arrive yesterday while I was looking out of the window....."

Me: "Ah OK...."

Him: "Its fantastic! I said to the wife wow look at what he's got now. I love it, are you going to do anything to it? I think it would look even better all done up and one colour....etc etc"

So thats made me feel good. We were chatting for over an hour in the cold and rain about the truck and possible plans for it etc. I love our little neighbourhood, they seem to love our 'alternative' ways.

Sorry for the ramble, it just restored my faith in humanity.

You just made smile broadly here, so chuffed that the neighbours have come over, it always helps.

I had a rubbish day, got "assaulted" by my wife, who is still sitting with red eyes an a face like a smacked arse because I sold her car, to part finance our (My) truck purchase.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/inde...y&thread=60718

Her ex-car thread ^^^^^

[McMurphy]

One thing never occured to me to ask is; are you going to have to convert the steering to the right side of the truck?

I realize it isnt impossible to do, but still.
I would imagine it to be a lot of work.

I have never driven on the left side of the road before, only ridden in taxis that way (in Japan) and frankly it is unnerving as it always seems that merging traffic is going to T-bone you.

If you do the steering swap, I suppose you will have to do brakes as well, I would certainly like to see how you get it done !!

[Neatbeard]

No I won't have to convert it to RHD so i'm leaving it as intended. I don't actually mind driving on the 'wrong' side. I used to have a '69 VW Squareback that was LHD and I had no problems with that at all.

The weather was a bit better today so I had a good poke around underneath and cleaned a load of mud off. Im really happy as everything is super solid under there, the chassis, floors, inner arches, outer arches, etc. are all in great condition. The wood in the bed needs replacing but that gives me the chance to clean and prep all the chassis and underneath ready for paint. Also means I could check out the compressor and air tank and fittings condition too and they're all great as well. Super happy so far!

[Neatbeard]

My other half has just emailed me at work to say that I had a letter from the DVLA (our vehicle licensing office over here) and did I want her to open it for me....?

I said yes and crossed my fingers it was good news.....

I am now sitting here at work with a big grin as my truck is now registered and 100% legal to drive, well it is once i get the plates made up..... YES!!!!

[UK62LW]

Get out there and enjoy (assuming you're not neck-deep in snow, of course) !!

[Grizz1963]

Congratulations.

Its a great feeling.
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[MrBeast]

Cool project.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Time to start your own thread mate...
My family is from the Leeds area Yorkshire...
(Gramps called it ee-by gum land)
I can say I never saw an American vehicle while visiting but my Aunt Edna had a 3 wheel handicap vehicle that was interesting...
Looking forward to seeing your own personal build thread...
Maybe a very angry big block for motivation..

[McMurphy]

I have to disagree, I think it is cool for the thread to follow the truck, not necessarily the builder.
Just my 2 cents, of course!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

I have to disagree, I think it is cool for the thread to follow the truck, not necessarily the builder.
Just my 2 cents, of course!

This is the thread on my wife's car we just sold on two weeks ago.....

http://retrorides.proboards.com/inde...y&thread=60718


The new owner Dan, is 13 years old, he has chosen to keep her name as before, being Myrtle and also posted his first progress report today.

I think an own ego is good, but these vehicles can have a soul of their own.

[Jmorales3181]

Nice project. I am amazed at the locations these trucks end up.
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[Neatbeard]

I debated whether to start a new thread but I thought that it would be nice to keep this one alive for as long as I have the truck as (in my opinion) it is about the truck and not myself.

I think its great to see how the life of this truck evolves.........

Yesterday I fitted the front n rear number plates and unbolted the bench seat ready for the mother in law to recover it tomorrow with the mexi (serpe) blankets that ive already got.

Started the motor up too as its been sitting unused for a couple of weeks, took a few pumps of the accelerator pedal as well as the choke to fire it up and she purred away nicely.

Went to restart it again a couple of hours later and DEAD nothing there....?? The battery seems to be OK (haven't properly checked yet) but when I turn the key the ignition lights come on and then nothing............no click from the starter solenoid or anything? The whole ignition unit seems abit loose in the dash so I tightened that up and tried again but still nothing....... its weird as all i did was spray some WD40 around the engine bay to protect the electrics from out damp climate.... maybe its seeped in somewhere it shouldn't. Will try to investigate tomorrow when I have time.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by Neatbeard

I debated whether to start a new thread but I thought that it would be nice to keep this one alive for as long as I have the truck as (in my opinion) it is about the truck and not myself.

I think its great to see how the life of this truck evolves.........

I have always looked at these threads as documenting what we as builders, from beginners to the pro's, do to the ride to put our signature on the vehicle...

My trucks and their evolution are a testament of the decisions I have made with them... hence.. my build threads..

One man's opinion...

However, like the hot rodding culture, it is all a matter of personal expression both with the trucks and here on the forum..

Your truck is way cool... no matter what path you take..

I would love to see an angry motor in her to scare the locals with..

[jesseo]

I was reading your other thread and didn't put it together until now that this was the same guy looking for a truck. Please keep this thread for your build. It is cool that it shows the history of the truck. I was following the POs thread before it was sold since he lives a couple hours south of me.

Dig the cars you have access too also. Maybe someday I can get an old school Mini shipped to the US.

[Neatbeard]

Right got a bit more done today, cleaned all the old tarboards off the cab floor as I wanted to see how bad they were. I'm really pleased to say that the floor is totally solid and original, untouched factory steel! Not a hole or patch repair panel anywhere!

While I was doing that the mother in law upholstered the original bench seat for us.





Slowly getting there. Next step is to properly clean, degrease and prime all the interior metal work ready for top coat.

[McMurphy]

Firstly, did you chase down your ignition issue, and what did it turn out to be?

Secondly, I must say that I have been on this site daily for 18 months and the perspective of threads following the build or the builder is a new one that I have not seen explored before.

I certainly appreicate both points of view though, as I got to thinking of it from 66-PMD's point of the professional.
For me, being a classic Pontiac owner and being used to the Pontiac Historical Services (PHS) where they track down all existing documentation on your car for you, it lends towards what Grizz said about them taking on a soul of their own too.

I think this would be an awesome topic for community poll, to see what the majority mind set is.
(Not that I am a "think inside the herd" sort of fellow mind you....)

Just curious.

Congrats on your rust free cab. That is definately not common !!

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by Neatbeard

Right got a bit more done today, cleaned all the old tarboards off the cab floor as I wanted to see how bad they were. I'm really pleased to say that the floor is totally solid and original, untouched factory steel! Not a hole or patch repair panel anywhere!

While I was doing that the mother in law upholstered the original bench seat for us.

Slowly getting there. Next step is to properly clean, degrease and prime all the interior metal work ready for top coat.

WOW! that is a clean floor!