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

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Have a safe flight! Maybe it will give you a chance to catch up on some sleep

[dwcardfan]

[Paul Y]

Travel safe Rian and Martin.

P.

[flashed]

Im glad you guys had a great trip over here ,cant wait for more updates and pics and stories .

[Palf70Step]

C U when you get back across the puddle. Have a safe trip.

[65sub]

That sure seemed like a quick trip. I look forward to reading the full story once you guys recuperate.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Im glad you are having a great time ,wish I could have been there .

Originally Posted by ChrisDollins

It was nice meeting you at Clem's Saturday! Clem's place was full of so much cool stuff, no way you could see it all lol. I would have liked to stay longer, but I was with my pregnant wife and my brother brought along Leila, their 3 year old. Hopefully next year the truck will be ready for the long ride.

Originally Posted by uber cool

Me too, very Jealous, enjoy yourselves guys

Originally Posted by 67cheby

Great time hanging out with you guys , thanks so much for the shirts and flag !

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

Rian it was really great meeting you at Clem's this weekend, I had a blast just lessoning to you and martin poke fun!

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

Rian it was great meeting you and all the other members at clems. I hope you guys can make the trip over every year. I will be tuned in on your build.

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Dude you already know....

Originally Posted by joedoh

shoot winfield to el dorado you probably passed the exit to my place. if you get back around here be sure and tell me beforehand!

Originally Posted by flashed

Sounds like you are going to need a vacation to recover from this one , glad you are having a great time.

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

LOL! Don was telling me about the scenic route you guys took. I couldn't help but fall of my chair laughing. Hey Texas is only a couple states away from me. Have fun guys!

Originally Posted by Bomp

Wow, Wow, WOW,
Um, You two don't mess around.
So glad to have met you both,
I remember hearing you had a pretty extensive road trip planned but didn't realize the extent of it. Memories for a life time.
By the way....... have you had to buy tires for that rental car yet?

Originally Posted by uber cool

sounds like you are having an awesome time guys. Say Hi to Richard Rawlings for me at Gas monkey garage.

Originally Posted by MacQuigley

Now Im really jealeous!

Glad you guy's are having such a great time.

Originally Posted by realvc

Way to go dudes, sounds like Martin's birthday was a blast.

Well done.

Originally Posted by SamsAutoParts73-87

Have a safe flight! Maybe it will give you a chance to catch up on some sleep

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Travel safe Rian and Martin.

P.

Originally Posted by flashed

Im glad you guys had a great trip over here ,cant wait for more updates and pics and stories .

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

C U when you get back across the puddle. Have a safe trip.

Thank you all for the interest and replies on the thread.

I appreciate every reply.

Currently been sleepless since U.S. 06.00 yesterday, no sleep on plane but I have to push through till 21.00 or 9pm tonight before I crash out.

I am about to start uploading the 200 photos I took over the last 16 days and nights.

I hope you guys are OK with that many photos of the road trip.

If anyone has questions in the quotes up above, please ask them again as I am dead beat.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 65sub

That sure seemed like a quick trip. I look forward to reading the full story once you guys recuperate.

No time to recuperate really, just got to do stuff that needs doing.

I just finished raking all the leaves and pine needles in the yard as we have fall here too, then cut the grass, did all the laundry, my clean and used clothes, dried the lot and ironed a couple of pieces.
Also unpacked my parts, not I boxed, just unpacked them... Oops, just realised I need to check the ski bag to see if the steering column made it in one piece.

[NevEno]

Glad you made it home safe.

[Palf70Step]

Looking forward to the trip pics.

[bj383ss]

Hope you get some rest Rian. As others have said patiently waiting all the trip pics and awesome story that will go with it.

[tune_1]

It is great that you had such a good trip in our part of the USA. Glad that you were able to see all that you did. It sounds like it was a packed time and glad that you have all of the pictures to help remember it.

Dwight

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by NevEno

Glad you made it home safe.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looking forward to the trip pics.

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Hope you get some rest Rian. As others have said patiently waiting all the trip pics and awesome story that will go with it.

Originally Posted by tune_1

It is great that you had such a good trip in our part of the USA. Glad that you were able to see all that you did. It sounds like it was a packed time and glad that you have all of the pictures to help remember it.

Dwight

Thanks guys.

So am I.

Wanted to post the trip report in the general section, but not going to till I know a moderator is not going to delete or move it into some dark hole.




So for now, here goes.

I guess the first thing to do is to apologise for using the word Epic in the title. There are many more road trips and things in the world that are worthy of the title Epic. But compared to a trip to Tesco, Halfords, Walmart, O'Reilly's or Pick n Pay or Midas (shops are region/country specific to the 10 forums I contribute to) this trip in my small world was Epic.

The next thing to say is that I hope that if you take the time to read all of this, that you are enjoying the randomness of our trip and my writings. My mate Martin cannot be bothered with the sort of stuff I write, photograph or talk about, as he always says, I am the one taking photos while he does all the work. So feel free to unsubscribe or exit at this point. No offence taken.

I guess the story starts in 2014 in two ways.

My buddy Martin goes to America every year with Amanda his girlfriend to Frlorida.
He also owns a 1965 Chevy C10 Fleetside, which is ultimately to transport his motorbikes.
I own what is left of my Red 1966 Chevy C10 Fleetside which is under restoration too.
We met through the truck hobby and happen to live 15 miles apart which is kinda just too far but just close enough to help each other at times.
In 2014 Martin started to badger me to go on a small road trip to the USA (possibly Florida) but Imrefused outright as I could order the parts I wanted from various suppliers and get them landed, albeit with added shipping, handling and import duties and taxes....... Get the idea yet??
It is just not easy or cheap to restore in the UK where we both reside.

Then in December, working as a contractor for Pfizer Corp, I won an award...... Travel vouchers and a bit of cash. NICE I HEAR YOU SAY.....
Well, it would have been, if they were fair. I was a top performer out of 58 people for the year. But being a contractor, my award was worth about 1/3 of the headcount persons, and I still would only be a contractor.

I offered the £1500.00 of cash and vouchers to my wife Nicola, because that's the sort of guy Imam, she than suggested I go on a road trip with Martin.
Tentatively I agreed, as I had never actually wanted to travel the USA. And I certainly did not want to go to Disney or similar resorts, just not my thing.

I had a strong friendship,circle on both the Garage Journal .com as well as the 67-72 ChevyTrucks .com forum and had for years been face timing and sending parcels and presents to friends in the USA and trading number plates etc.

So I suggested we rather look at other parts of the country than California and the usual suspects, and go experience "Real America"

At this point we knew Clem's shindig in Fayetteville was happening on the 17th October, partly to celebrate his wife's birthday. So it became a natural anchor for the trip, depending on where we landed.

[/QUOTE]

Quoting Ta2Don below.

Here's a pic from Clem's the first year I was able to attend…(2 years ago)

L to R Clem, Chad64Chevy, me, Sigshooter (Robert)
DSC_0140 by Donald Olivo, on Flickr


This trip escalated very fast till we went on the 17th January to book our tickets on my birthday, for a holiday trip of a lifetime that would culminate in Martin having a burger in Gas Monkey Garage or Hooters...... Just something very American.




This year the citation looked like this in the end, due to a few Brits joining the party.





Last year on his trip,Martin and Don met in Florida.


Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr[/QUOTE]


I changed jobs in June, with the condition of taking a weeks unpaid leave so that I could enjoy the full time period.

Soon the 10 months flew by and we got to this point..... Selecting seats and taking off.


Booked our seats when online booking opened.

Until we booked, the seats we wanted, twin row, right at the rear, meaning more space and less people crawling over you, were for sale as a pre-booking option at £43.00 per booking.

So by waiting till it opened, I guess we each now have another £43.00 or $65.48 to spend on spares.




Now we can probably say.......

[/QUOTE]


But even on the night before we flew, I was painting rust converter on the chassis.

Typically, I could not leave well alone.

I left out the prop shaft and diff, will do them when I get back and get more Vactan.

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Here are some Pics that Rian sent me earlier today…

So it Begins!!!

Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Celebrating the sendoff and Martin's upcoming Birthday...

Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Pre-emptive road map of the completed trip. Dallas Fort Worth Airport to Dallas Fort Worth Airport. 14-29 October 2015.






So that is it for tonight, it is quarter to eleven and I need some sleep.


Will update further as I get time if you,want to see more.

[dwcardfan]

Glad you guys made it home fine. I can't wait till next year we all should have more truck building stories.

[Palf70Step]

Of course we want to see more. Rest up little ones. big days i truckie land are coming!

[Ta2Don]

Was Awesome getting to meet face to face and have the pleasure of your company and painting skills…

Nice Shirt…
IMG_5690 by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Thanks again to you and Martin for the goodies…
Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Found a surprise in the mug when opened…
Untitled by Donald Olivo, on Flickr

Good talking with you yesterday... Inspection went great...

[flashed]

Yes ,we ,especially me want more when you are more rested .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

Glad you guys made it home fine. I can't wait till next year we all should have more truck building stories.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Of course we want to see more. Rest up little ones. big days i truckie land are coming!

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Was Awesome getting to meet face to face and have the pleasure of your company and painting skills…

Nice Shirt…

Thanks again to you and Martin for the goodies…

Found a surprise in the mug when opened…

Good talking with you yesterday... Inspection went great...

Originally Posted by flashed

Yes ,we ,especially me want more when you are more rested .

Cool.

Next lot coming up.

[Grizz1963]

I will be doing these updates in photobatches of 10 photos maximum as Volkszone only allows 10 photos to be posted at a time.


For the trip we decided it was best I pick up Martin in my company car as I live another 30 minutes further from the airport than he does.

I was awake at 03.30 and headed to his place by 04.25 to pick him up.

This was done as the M25 motorway is totally unpredictable, and with car parking, transfer to the airport and then check in, security etc, we neede to be neurotically early for our 11.50 departure.

All this was achieved, including a massively overpriced breakfast at Terminal 5 where British Airways depart from.

11 hrs after departing London Heathrow we landed in at DFW Airport.

After checking in with our ESTA status verified, finger prints taken etc, I ended up in a loooooong wait to get my Passport checked, no rubber gloves, thankfully, but Martin who had walked straight through to baggage reclaim, had to wait about 45 minutes for me to get there, then there was a second Customs agent station to get through, we chose the wrong Q and ended up waiting for all sorts of disabled grannies in wheelchairs, off international flights to be given priority over us......

Eventually we made it out of the airport onto a bus that would take us to the Alamo car rental depot for a fast check in.

We had opted for a medium sized car at £614.00 for the period, unlimited mileage and a full tank of fuel to startups off.
The agent gave us the options of a Jeep, Ford or a Chevy Captiva.
Obviously, going to a Chevy gathering at Clem's we could not arrive in a Ford and the Jeep just seemed small for the spares we had bought and planned to collect along the way.

So we were off eventually.

SatNav set for Searcy, Arkansas which is where Ta2Don lives, we knew we wanted a few hours away from the city limits of Dallas before finding a hotel.
At this point we had been awake from the equivalent of 9.30pm USA time the day before, no sleep on the plane at all.

So we hit the i30 motorway and drove as far as Sulphur Springs and checked into a Best Western Hotel. $100.00 down, breakfast included.
We crashed by about 11.00pm US time and we're both awake by 04.00 or thereabouts.
Breakfast at 06.00 then to a local Walmart for a mobile phone SIM card that we ended up returning as we could not get it going.

We eventually hit the road from Sulphur springs around 11.00am back onto i30 with mouths agape at just how many old cars were on the side of the road, some for sale, some not.

Of course as tourists, and truck guys we loved all the cars, trucks and stuff flying by, many old cars, trucks etc that the U.S. Takes for granted made the trip already worthwhile, 250 miles in.

Headed into Texarcana we settled into an easy pace on the speed limit.

Then we passed a Body and Hotrod shop, seeing these cars outside, and took the next off ramp and drove back on ourselves along the service road with SatNav protesting loudly........


THIS WAS OUR ROAD TRIP GETTING REAL.



We went inside, shop empty, then through the service doors leading to the rear...... Nobody.

Zombies?

So I shouted a couple of Hallooooo's and got a reply from out the back door, saw a small lady in work clothes come toward us, turns out she does all the body work, prep and finishing on the cars. Enquiring about the lack of staff, she replied "Lunch time"
Can we take a look around? Take some photos? "No problem" she replied, telling us about the cars in the shop and what they built. Generous people these Texans.

So the first photo I took..... (Because I do take loads of photos) was this one of Martin next to a lead sled that was being built. Look at the firewall, and front end with the electrical actuators to get an idea of where they are headed. Much work to be done still, but it will be good with electric flip front, air ride, solenoid openers on all doors, trunk lid etc.



Other cars included 60's Fastback and Convertibles Ford Mustangs, as well as this gorgeous beauty.




We were told Scott, the painter and John the mechanic would be back in a while.

Next we heard the unmistakable rumble of large bore straight through pipes and Scott pulled up.

Niiiiiiiiice...!!





I just Loved the headlights.



Of course we had gone out to the side of the building to take a closer look and met Scott, a super nice guy, again, totally humble and unassuming.

Told us the car had belonged to his dad, who had removed the 4x4 running gear, he then later fitted Air ride to it all.
Next up will be a Big Block.

We then got joined by John with his bag of lunch in his hand, got chatting about mods and the lights on Scott's truck and at one point he looked over to Scott and said "Do we have some more of them there lights?" Which Scott confirmed.

He then asked If we would be interested in a set, Martin and I looked at each other, asked him how much, as we already knew they were 24volt LED, ex military application lights, that would cost around $1000.00 a set fitted when the Hummer was built for service in Afganistan and other places. John replied "How about three?" We looked at each other and Martin asked "How much?" To which John replied "Free, for nothing, you can have a pair for your truck in England"
So the question was of course..... Is the Pope Catholic? Just clarify, when these military vehicles meet their end of service and get sold to civilians and get converted to civilian spec.

Anyway, I ended up with another pair too for my truck. WINNER !!!

I have to say, that when the first set of lights were offered, I popped out to the car to grab a pair of T-shirts and a UK flag for their shop, as I had bought about 15 Large, X-Large and XX-Large shirts through the year and between Martin and I we also had about 5 brand new pink hoodies to give out at various places as well as a load of Union Jacks and Cross of St George flags for people's garages. It's just how my head works. These were litterally just as a thank you for their time, not the lights.

The guys were chuffed to bits anyway.

Martin and I fighting to get the lights off John. We would spend another 3-4 hours with him and his family on the way back. His daughter is seriously big Dr Who fan as well and had stolen her dads" I love London" shirt when he got home.



Lastly, before we left, I had a little go in Scott's sons NASCAR car. I will build a Tot-Rod one day.



My lights tightly clenched under my armpits we packed them in the car then said our good byes



We spent about 2 hrs on this stop, then got back in the Captiva and headed out for Searcy, Arkansas..

To see Don, at his Tattoo shop.

More with the next write up of the rest of the day.

If you are still along for the read and ride.

[flashed]

Im staying along to read and ride .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Im staying along to read and ride .

Cool Beanzzz....

This is the last for today.

After leaving Texarcana we drove on and into Arkansas, always weary of Police and any unexpected surprises on the road.

This was not our back yard of London and the UK.

So RESPECT was paramountm for the people and environment.

We made it to Dons Tattoo Studio at late afternoon as we had stopped and started along the road to look at stuff, fill the car and buy all sorts of bad (irresistible) foods and snacks. America has some seriously good foodstuffs.

When we got into the shop there was a pile of spares both Martin and I had ordered to be delivered to Dons shop since January. This was only a small part of our eventual stash. Included was a complete Harley Davidson V-Rod rear end and light for Martin, an alloy sump, air cleaner and alloy valve covers for his engine.
My haul included an A pillar mounted spotlight for my truck from Jonathan Hall in SC and a handle for it from Herb in Winfield, Kansas. Thanks again to all involved in the success of our purchases, gifts and deliveries made over the last 9 months.

I was almost embarrassed as we greeted Don and Klown one of his artists (a super nice guy, who always smiles and is friendly and inviting) and then proceeded to riffle through some of the bits waiting for us.



I did get to meet Little Boy in Klown's work space.



Martin resisted our attempts at getting him to get a little nipple ring fitted by Don.



While we were there, recently retired Preacher Vince joined us for a while to chat. Photos courtesy of Don.
Another great guy to meet on our trip, thanks for making the effort Vince, much appreciated and good to meet another Garage Journal member in person.



After we settled down and unwound from the tension of driving all day, Don, Martin and myself went out to dinner at Murdocks Catfish Restaurant.



Catfish, Hush Puppies, Fried Ochra, BBQ Beans and a bottomless glass of Dr Pepper.

Just PERFECT !!




After this we went to Dons home and met his wife Saless and of course JoJo who is an awesome little dog, I suspect he is the most therapeutic member of the family, he certainly settled me down.

We went to bed late into the night again,max there was so much to be chattered about, things to be shown, gifts exchanged etc.

And JoJo and I connected fully once he got me trained in just how to throw his ball around the house.

[Ta2Don]

Burn the keyboard up mate...

Very entertaining, reading about the Epic Adventure...

[flashed]

I am really enjoying your trip thru the internet ,keep it coming .

[Grizz1963]

Friday morning we were all up early.

Coffee, tea and taking JoJo for a walk on Don's piece of land, what a pleasure.

I have always loved Ride on Mowers, and especially older ones, those with real,world patina work even better.

So finding Dons dads old mower out back far into the bush meant I had to try it on for size.



Later Don made us breakfast, then we went to town to get a mobile phone "burner" card sorted that would give us a months unlimited everything, internationally including 5gb of data.

Then to O'Reilly's for HT leads, plugs and a variety of other service parts.

After this we went back to Dons home with Vince in tow to prepare his truck for the trip up to Clem's place on Friday night.

We changed tyres and some other jobs, checked out Dons workshop and other treasures including the Patina Stepper he is building, real man stuff.



I also masked up some of the tailgate for some silly painting. For once not taking the photos.




Later in the day we went back into Searcy for a Mexican dinner and and then back home to pack up, Saless, Dons wife had cut him loose to,spend some time,with Martin and I as well as attending the do in Fayetteville........ Thank you Mrs Boss.

We left after 6pm and the trip not the Ozark Mountains was pretty much uneventful.

Getting to Clem's place some time after 10.00 pm we were greeted by some members who had come from as far as Washington state and Keizer, Oregon.
So it was great to meet Bomp (Greg) and Michael McMurphy in person, of course Clem being the awesome host he is, I had not even settled next to the fire when I had a beer in my,hand.
We continued around the fire till much later before we headed uptown to Clem and Kim's house and their four cats. Perfect for me.

Next morning we all got up real early for a full American breakfast and then headed out deep into the Ozark Mountains in a variety of cars and trucks.

This was to be a Jnkyard trip of a lifetime.

TALK ABOUT JUNK DRUNK........


I will leave just a few random pics as it is bed time now......... Off to London early in the morning, as I have to get back to work.











McMurphy after rescuing a Pontiac hood ornament from a Ford.







I will post up some more random pics tomorrow.

Thank you for the replies so far, they keep me motivated.

[flashed]

Love the pics and story lines ,wish we had junk yards like that .