Martin's mi-STRESS, 1965 Long Fleetside C10 "Rebuild in ENGLAND"

[mjh1965]

Thanks Vince . I guess this Covid19 has had its advantages and disadvantages .
I have had loads of time off and fortunately I am still getting paid , well up too now anyway.
I was hoping to get back over to the states this year . I can't believe it's been five years since I last visited. But I guess with everything that's happening that's very unlikely. Mind you the more I get on with the truck , the bigger my shopping list seems to get . So if all goes well a trip next year may be on the cards .

[Grizz1963]

Having been over to Martins place on Friday, I can report that his work sucks big time..........!


He has set the bar so bloody high with fit, finish and attention to detail that it’s pretty much a show truck he is building without the show part, that I will not be able to come even close to what he is delivering.

COVID has certainly allowed him to get on with stuff.

But he has built a few kit cars I. The past, and his technical knowledge has certainly allowed him to select the right parts to make this a BLOODY AWESOME TRUCK !!!

I am both impressed and a little envious.

I suspect Sally his girlfriend is thankful too, as it means they can see the progress right there.

Waiting to see the cab back on.

Well done.

[mjh1965]

Thanks Rian. I guess the biggest incentive is .
I WANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN !!!!!!!!!’
Each step closer it gets the more incentive I seem too get .

As for Sally I think she’d like to see the taillights working probably as someone else is driving if away . Due the time I have spent working on it .
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[mjh1965]

Well the time had come to put the cab back on to the chassis. Fortunately I had a couple of friends coming over on Saturday morning. So it was time to attach the cab lifter myself and Rian made 6 years ago .to my engine hoist.

So with everything ready and my mates Dave & Steve arriving it was time to get the show on the road .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/250fD2

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/n80T1s

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/714iDF

So with the cab , all fitted back on the chassis. I had to try the bedsides on , after changing the rear springs from 2 inch drop and with 2 inch drop blocks for 5 inch drop springs. I wanted to see what it looked like . Obviously with only one fitted and no wood or tailgate I know it will drop a little more .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/a800u4

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/9549T2

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/21p4RW

So after taking Sunday off .

Monday morning I decided to finish flat and polishing the inside paintwork . Then I painted the floor black ready for the sound deadening silent coat tomorrow.

https://flic.kr/p/2j7RZCz

https://flic.kr/p/2j7TpQX

https://flic.kr/p/2j7TpQB

https://flic.kr/p/2j7Ts13

https://flic.kr/p/2j7PsbC

https://flic.kr/p/2j7S144

So it’s finally starting to look like a truck again
Thanks for checking in more to follow
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[Palf70Step]

Looking very good Martin!

[realvc]

Once again I'm very glad to see your awesome progress.

[Grizz1963]

Nicely done Martin.

All of it.

I know mostly, the guys elsewhere in the world have loads more space to build, while your space is incredibly limited and often clever photography makes it look much bigger than it is.

One needs to keep in mind, you are totally solo in your build, except when you need extra muscle or even just an extra hand to safely attach or remove items when you are able to get someone to come to your place. At 15 miles, people like Steve and I are the closest help you have. Your challenges are pretty real here in England.

You have certainly moved the mountain here.

Well done !!

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looking very good Martin!

Originally Posted by realvc

Once again I'm very glad to see your awesome progress.

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Nicely done Martin.

All of it.

I know mostly, the guys elsewhere in the world have loads more space to build, while your space is incredibly limited and often clever photography makes it look much bigger than it is.

One needs to keep in mind, you are totally solo in your build, except when you need extra muscle or even just an extra hand to safely attach or remove items when you are able to get someone to come to your place. At 15 miles, people like Steve and I are the closest help you have. Your challenges are pretty real here in England.

You have certainly moved the mountain here.

Well done !!

Thanks Bill and Vince it’s great to be getting ahead at last

Rian what more can I say . You know how tight the space I have to work in seeing as you help me build it . Luckily my mate Dave rode down on his new BMW any excuse to get out and ride it . Mind you as you said Steve Is about 15 miles each way . But Dave did a Hundred miles each way to help . So I was really great full.

Just a little update as I have had to start sorting out the tools and van ready to return back to work . For me Covid 19 and the lockdown has really helped get ahead with the build .

So as for the update I used silent coat inside the cab after painting the floor and behind the seat .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/r01p66

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/64f8Qy

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/T30o34

Thanks for checking in

[mjh1965]

Just a little update. I finished off the Silent Coat . Then I dropped the bed rails off at the sand blasters, on the Friday afternoon , and arranged to pick them up Tuesday morning, as my neighbor has a unit next to the blasting company. He wanted me to drop some parts off to his unit with him and collect my parts . Knowing this they got them done quickly for me .

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/D26P17

Once I got them home I painted them with POR15 to match the chassis

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/8S5po5

https://www.flickr.com/gp/187478294@N02/VzHEnx

So with the inside the cab all finished with the Silent Coat next job will be to get the pedal box back in . I have purchased a new pedal rubber . So hopefully that will arrive by Friday so I can widen the brake pedal to suit . My truck was originally manual now it’s an auto I have more room .

More updates to follow after the weekend thanks for checking in

[Modges'66]

Things are looking pretty amazing Martin!

[Grizz1963]

So many things on this truck, which really was meant to just be a get in and drive it type of ownership project has changed.

Typically things changed.

And then, little by little it started to open itself up to me, allowing me to discover its secrets, its quirks, its character, ZQ8 factory build.

Things have kinda fallen in place, sure, I made some effort too, in fact I probably made a lot of effort in some cases.

And one of the things that happened so randomly was being offered for sale, a 20 year old set of factory ZQ8 wheels with tyres.

I never got to see them and still have not looked at them for real, but was told by Steve the seller that they did not have any kerb rash.

That I will check out when I get to wash and clean them for inspection possibly tomorrow.

With the current restrictions of travel, I had anticipated only getting my hands on them at some point when the house arrest is lifted.

Step up mate Martin who is restoring a 1965 C10 truck

His day job is working and converting all sorts of cars for disabled people, from paraplegics to amputees and everything inbetween

Today he had a job up the street from Steve, so by 09.00 he had already stopped, picked up and driven off with the wheels.

Always good to have a mobile job with a van.



Loaded.

Steve also sent me a very good GMC S15 Sonoma Grille to use as a garage hanging.



After work I shot out for food shopping and stopped by to pick up my goodies and help Martin lift his 65 hood into place as he is moving house in the next two weeks.

Again, sensibly he had prepared it all by the time I got there.



The hood is LARGE, really lARGE.



Job done.



And wheels loaded.



Looking closer, but not fully inspected, they will need repainting.

So QUESTION TIME........

Powder coating, anyone do me shadow chrome on any wheels before ?

Please show me and report on durability etc.






One for a few of the guys, @pauly included, is the replacement, swapped out, 20 year old rear light lenses.

They will be getting some serious attention from G3 rubbing compound to revitalise and shine up the lenses.



Also in the bag were the good centre caps for the wheels, GMC items, unfortunately, available to trade for good Chevrolet items.

A few wheel nut covers in plastic, need another 10 of them, and also 20 special wheel nuts with an external thread for the wheel nut caps, they in turn hold the centre caps in place.

Lastly........

The BONUS item

A spare gear shift lever from Steve’s truck, which will be a floor shift manual in future.

I wanted one that I could modify, while retaining the original for refitting if ever needed.



And to close out the day, a nice sunset again.



Life is good, I may have mentioned this before.

[uber cool]

Martins C10 is really coming together nicely

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by uber cool

Martins C10 is really coming together nicely

Thanks Andy . Unfortunately it’s come to a stop as I am moving house . The good news is I will end up with a double car garage when I move so it’ll be easier to finish it off .
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[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by uber cool

Martins C10 is really coming together nicely

Originally Posted by mjh1965

Thanks Andy . Unfortunately it’s come to a stop as I am moving house . The good news is I will end up with a double car garage when I move so it’ll be easier to finish it off .
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Not exactly ideal space for a big build ehhh.