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

[Grizz1963]

Well, Denmark was hard work, but I got to realise I have joined an incredibly focussed, capable and driven team with one mission only. To win at what we do.
Americans, Brits, Germans, and a variety of Nordics make for an amazing European, team, led by a fearless, spirited and driven Chinese American. I am honoured to be included with them.
My primary training, preparation is now complete and thankfully I passed all the tests, exams, and practical validations we need to do in order to be released to start working and "learning" So Monday it starts for real.

Every now and then stuff happens that makes my heart smile.

I have always loved these cab mounted spot lights.

This week a member on www.67-72chevytrucks.com offered one on the Pay it Forward thread.

I saw it advertised but thought I would leave it alone, even though it's one of those things I could never justify myself to pull the trigger on.

Then mate Martin and Don suggested I ask for it as it will suit the style of my truck as I am building it.

So a quick message from Ta2Don to Jonathan and agreement that I would PayPal the postage to get it to Donz place for collection in October when we do our road trip means my truck will be getting a period correct spotlight.



Weirdly, last night another PM on the same thread to Pappyx3! Resulted in another great score for the truck.

I had previously managed to buy an ashtray front from the U.S., but never managed to get hold of a Bakelite handle for it.

Especially in the UK where spares just are not available........ Think Rocking Horse Poop.

Anyway, Frank will be posting the ashtray to Don as well.

And I am happy as a happy guy.

[clemdaddy]

all the pieces are falling into place. congratulations on the job challenge, helps you keep the edge. and congratulations on the rare parts, helps build the truck you want... i am so looking forward to october.
and your martin, he's right as rain.

[Ta2Don]

Cheers mate… Congrats on the Job progression and the Parts Score...

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

all the pieces are falling into place. congratulations on the job challenge, helps you keep the edge. and congratulations on the rare parts, helps build the truck you want... i am so looking forward to october.
and your martin, he's right as rain.

Rare parts indeed Clem, and tell you what, I am as pleased as punch.

Yep, also looking forward to October.

The new job will take a few months to get under control as there is no prior track record or data, so I am digging around, creating new data sheets and XL spreadsheets, all of which have to make sense to my boss here in the UK and to his boss in Seattle.

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Cheers mate… Congrats on the Job progression and the Parts Score...

Thanks Don

I guess that with Fac Time and all our chats, you are almost ahead of the news curve.


Today I was up at 06.00 as usual and then after the usual morning stuff, and making Mrs Boss a cuppa tea, I was off by 7.30 to help mate Martin swop his garage and carport .
This included getting the garage emptied of a load of stuff like engine, doors etc to get to the chassis which was propped up on its side against the wall. Followed by clearing and cleaning out the garage and getting the cab and everything else back in there.

Lunch was Pizza and Garlic bread....... Nom!!

The back home by 13.30 for some more housekeeping here.

Got in to find a parcel from Ta2Don which included a 20 year shop anniversary T-Shirt for Nicola which she was very chuffed with, and some stickers and Slow Poke candy for me.

Thanks mate.

[67cheby]

Hey I LOVE all the Arkansas stuff, that's where I am from also !

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

Hey I LOVE all the Arkansas stuff, that's where I am from also !

Does that mean we will be seeing you at Clem's or are we driving by your shop when we are there in October?

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Does that mean we will be seeing you at Clem's or are we driving by your shop when we are there in October?

What he said
It would be great to see your wife's truck as well . I have seen the build in the magazine and it would be great to see it Close up .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

Hey I LOVE all the Arkansas stuff, that's where I am from also !

PS. Then I suspect you recognise this shirt....??



Seems there is a lot of real nice people in Arkansas.

Saying that, I continue to be amazed at my world, often surprised by random acts of kindness, always hoping I can keep the flow of kindness going.

[Ta2Don]

67Cheby was at Clem's last year... Got to see the Cloud 9 truck in person, Very Cool!!!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

67Cheby was at Clem's last year... Got to see the Cloud 9 truck in person, Very Cool!!!

I keep saying it, and Martin and I chat about it probably every second day when we chat while driving to jobs.......

Sooooo looking forward to this trip and meeting up with a load of like minded folks.

Truck came out the garage today.......

Sounds promising ehhh?

Only to get the bike out and go for a ride, as I needed some head space.

Also took some stuff over to mate Martins place.

Bike is due its yearly MOT next weekend.

These pics were taken today by mate Martin.





Amazing how one forgets just what a big grin a bike can put on your face.

[Ta2Don]

Bike ride = Head Space!

Cheers mate!

[Ta2Don]

I'm posting this on Rian's thread as it pertains to his build… He scored this ashtray for the handle to use on his truck...

Here is a pic of my ashtray on the left and the ashtray Rian scored on the right…
IMG_3861 by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Here's the handle removed to check the overall condition…
IMG_3864 by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Good condition, needs some cleaning and maybe some white paint for the lettering…
IMG_3866 by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Bottom shot - No Cracks...
IMG_3867 by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Cheers Mate!!!

[Grizz1963]

Thanks mil Don and Frank.

Popped around to Martin's place on the way home tonight.

He had asked me to come and help him make a video clip of the latest X-Box adapted hand controls for a different Paraplegic friend.

So good to see this sort of thing happening.

X-Box controls for paraplegic driver. - YouTube

Delivery and setup hopefully next week.

[Grizz1963]

Spent 25 minutes on the phone with a less than bright British Airways helpdesk assistant tonight
Found out that to bring back a 2 meter ski bag, will cost me an extra £65 which is probably less than shipping to the UK.

I also called Mar-K in Oklahoma City and spoke to the lovely Vicky about buying the side trims and the possibility of a small factory tour for Martin and me.

Due to Health and Safety the tour in not possible, unless one of you guys out there knows someone who knows someone, who can get us a small tour.

Collection for cash is possible at the factory though, so now just need to wait for a 10% discount day between now and October. Any discount on the $482.00 for the trims, will be welcome.

[ibrown50]

I got t-boned by a 17 year old driver on Wednesday so had to ring insurance, hire car etc etc, I must say I have found the term "help desk" to be a little mid-leading

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

I got t-boned by a 17 year old driver on Wednesday so had to ring insurance, hire car etc etc, I must say I have found the term "help desk" to be a little mid-leading

Insurance is a pain.

[Grizz1963]

Fresh MOT today.

Ham Street Swapmeet and show near Ashford tomorrow, then Flames and Frames show near Maidstone later.

Outside Chatham Dockyard Main Gate this morning.



Yup......

Life is good.

[Grizz1963]

A very busy weekend.

Bike MOT, BBQ for 12 in Whitstable and a bit of random garage time on Saturday.

Today was boot fair, with great results, then off to Hamstreet with Nicola and Martin on the bikes to a bike show and auto jumble. Followed by a run up the M20 to Wateringbury near Maidstone for another car and bike show, which was more of an excuse for a huge party and tons of Harley's together together.
Home by about 4pm and swopped bike and truck about.

Boot fair threw up quite a few bits today.

All garage and truck related.

Except this doctors bag, at £2.00 it needs the handle leather renewed and good clean, leather polished and then it's my work bag.



13 imperial spanners and a 1/4" ratchet to replace my welded one, 50p each. So £7.00 the lot.



Seven G-Lamps £5.00 and a mini vice £2.00

Love the little vice.




Martins Eddie Lawson Replica 1100cc Kawasaki behind Nicola who was being a clown all day, when we were filling up this morning.




Nicola snapped this pic of me headed to the Swapmeet...... She said I looked like a man on a mission. Weirdly, without planning it, I was wearing Clem's T-Shirt from last years party, and Nicola was in one of Don's PIIIIIINK Tatooz 20year anniversary T-Shirts. I also got two compliments on Clem's shirt from random people at stands.




My bargain of the day........ Been looking for something heavy duty like these for some time, found them on a traders stand at the bike swap meet.

Managed to get a deal on 10 of them, 4 for my truck and 6 for Martins long bed to tie his V-Rod down once the truck is completed. Paid £3.20 each in stead of £4.00 each.

Once countersunk and bolted down with countersunk head bolts in the rear bed, it will make the truck even more useful.

[Ta2Don]

[Grizz1963]

I got some scales off Freecycle today, the lady was apologising because of the state of the whole lot,my eights and scales.

I just said thank you, popped the lot in the dishwasher after removing the balancing ballasts.

Then after it was all cleaned, I sanded backe everything, and gave it three coats of Poundlands best Matt black. Perfect for this job.

Nicola already claimed them for the kitchen, moving the cooking/postage scales to a less prominent position.

No before pics, but this is after.





Pleased with them, as my brother got my mums very old scales when my dad died.

[flashed]

They cleaned up very nice ,never seen any like those .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

They cleaned up very nice ,never seen any like those .

Thanks buddy, I really love to fix stuff that other people see no hope for.

See my entry below, I saved a steering wheel out of a 70-80's Show Van today that is headed for the crusher.

Hope to bring it back to life, probably in a different guise as the original white leather is quite damaged and distressed.

[Grizz1963]

Well, another Saturday gone, but a good day it was.

Martin and I jumped on our bikes, thankfully as the A2M2 was backed up from J5 to J3 and we ended up using the old A2 to get to Darren's place on the Isle of Sheppey.

Martin wanted to go discuss V8 engines and gearboxes with Darren, and I always find his and all his gang who hang around at his workshop and factory hugely relaxing. Real people, no pretence or Horse Poop. Just Horse Power.

Darren's friend Stuart was servicing and fine tuning his 1953 V8 Ford Popular. They had all been to Europe for a couple of weeks, including a hot rod show in France, where the laws are incredibly strict on rods.





Later he left for normal family duties. He has owned this car for 18 years

1953 Ford V8 - YouTube

Also got to meet Darren's latest acquisition....... A '32 Ford Coupè with V8 motorvation.

As purchased.






Colour selection is from a hardware store colour chart.

Test paint on the body.



Sadly, this is what remains of an 70-80's Show van.






I managed to rob the steering wheel and boss from it, plan is to restore the steering wheel, just because I can.



Also found this old Hazet tool box for my Imperial sockets inside the van.



Today I also ordered a set of V8 exhaust hangers in laser cut Stainless steel from Darren for the truck. Not sure exactly how I will use them with the side exit pipes, but they are irresistible.




Lastly, I managed to shove this down the front of my bike riding trousers..... Quite a difficult feat in this heat....... Then managed to convince Darren to sell it to me if it fits, for the truck, needs a boss that fits the column I previously bought. Not cheap in my book, but absolutely gorgeous, a highlight in the cab when it is done.

A bit extravagant in my normal book, but as Nicola said to me, we work hard, I do not smoke or drink, (there is the odd rum or brandy from time to time) so why not a treat from time to time.

Nicola and I love these Pinup type girls, and the detail on this job is rather pleasing. The White of the wheel will go with the Mercedes Benz off-White I am doing the roof and side flash.

I may just take the steering wheel to bed with me tonight.






I am verrrry happy tonight, yes.

Learned a few things from Darren, including the fact that I will need to make up a new rose jointed Panhard rod for the rear end as it was dropped 4"
That's one of the nice things about this hobby, all the sharing that goes on.

Boot fair in the morning, and hopefully some garage time in the afternoon.

[clemdaddy]

congrats on an outstanding show with your pals. we here are celebrating our independence from… well, you know who. but it did seem to work out pretty good for all of us. right?

the 53 v8 ford popular is what i believe we call an anglia. very hot drag car platform during the 60s.

we need to talk trim. pm you later.

[Ta2Don]

What a great day!!!

Love the looks of the Popular..

Nice Score on the wheel...