GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

George the cat has a habit of going missing for a few days at a time . Either locked in a shed, or voiding his DNA stamp.

Yesterday he was not here as normal at 07.00 for breakfast, he is incredibly regular and predictable.

So I walked down to the garage, one of his sleeping spots, and found him curled up, after we had 8mm of heavy rain in the morning.

Curled up under my mobile work table. Weird creature.

I also took the opportunity to check if the paint on the hand rails had dried.

Same as I had used on the door frames before, after the rust converter.

Completely dry.

So we know the culprit was the converter reacting, either due to not being completely dry, or just a chemical reaction.

Anyway, a good result.

Happy.



Roll on the weekend, so I can clean out the interior some more and remove the fabric stuck to it.


.

[Grizz1963]

George last night.


I suspect there could be a few quotes added to this pic.

[Grizz1963]

HOT

HOT

HOT.

Started at 12.00 with removing the fabric.

Spectacularly rubbish job, but needed to get done.





How many times have I cleaned the interior so far?



As @westbay said, I was happy to fetch a bag for the removed interior lining, while trying to breathe.

Fire would have been a better option.



Possibly ready for vinyl.

So many complex folds, tucks, rolls etc.





So I fetched the roll of vinyl and cleaned out the Canta, again.

Measured the first A-Pillar and cut some vinyl.

One of the issues with getting the fit here, was the triangulated bottom.



So a three or four handed job, done alone, no special tools, but I had to find and make some to tuck the vinyl in between glass and body, and body and beading.

Biggest problem with these cars of course is the fact they are built to a very sloppy specification.





Glue in and then carefully started tucking and folding, still got some stuck, swore and pulled apart.

Cut the excess off and tucked in under the beading in the doorframe.



Remember the comment about sloppy tolerances?

So tucking in the vinyl between the body panel and front windscreen it became apparent there is interference.

Kinda disappointing, but you can only work with what you have.



Cut grass, then go back and start on the drivers side, which also has the remote mirror stalk to consider when fitting it all.

I may have to swear a whole lot later today.

Objective: Drivers side A-Pillar

Wish me luck,

[Grizz1963]

Part 2 of the A-Pillar covering.

I was more fearful of this one, because the rear view mirror adjustment stalk had to be kept in mind as it all plays a role in trying to derail a tidy job.

The triangulated base, with recesses etc makes it awkward too, and of course once the glue goes off, you are screwed as I was using high end, industrial strength spray on glue.

So with a lot of careful measuring, marking, masking tape and patiently working at it, I managed to firstly mark the hole, then enlarge it to the size of a wine bottle neck inner diameter so it created a nice snug fit over the base of the grommet the adjuster has.

Once glued down I also tucked it further, right down to the actual body panel where it seats.

So it went down even more than this.

Flappy sides were mostly tucked away between the dash and body.



Because of the terrible fit, this side has huge gaps between the glass and body panels, they are riveted to the steel frame.

I will add something like a strip of high density foam in black, to the gaps to just tidy this all up later.

Result is acceptable, but certainly not what I like, still a huge improvement on what there was.



Being as it was 30’C outside, I decided to call it a day and go sit indoors, reading and sweating, drinking a load of water and eating pretzels.

The only one who really enjoyed the heat was Bonnie.

I found her a Little Tykes sandpit last year, and yesterday, she played in it, and actually just laid in the water when not chasing her balls, or watching Sally work in the garden.




I did so little this weekend, but I am hoping it was the most awkward of the vinyl upholstery work.

I will edit and make up a full video of the vinyl process once it is completed.

It may take a bit of brutal editing.

VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/8yQ6z3doG5A


Have a great week out there.

[Grizz1963]

Modern times are so weird.

We complain about the cost of everything, even air for our tires/tyres at a gas station or petrol station costs from 50p upward.

Yet, this week saw me gain a load of junked lifting straps, ranging from 1 ton to 3 tonnes and a variety of lengths, from a maintenance job.

Expiry dates mean all these needed recertification or destruction.

SO GET THIS…… RIGHT.

They are perfectly fine to be used for another X-period of time.

But the cost of recertification is more than the cost of replacing or repatriating them.

So they were all being cut in half and thrown in a skip. Except for a few that were put aside for me.





What the hell is wrong with people, or the world.

No, do not try to explain it, I do understand, but it is crazy.

Next item, 9 high end, chemical vapour and dust masks, described thus:

3M 4279+ Maintenance Free Organic Gas/Vapour and Combination Particulate Respirator3MΓäó Maintenance Free Half Mask 4279+ is a simple and ready-to-use respirator with an integrated cartridge and filters. A newly enhanced valve assembly helps to reduce exhalation breathing resistance, and the close-fitting, non-silicone, textured face seal is soft and non-allergenic. Includes a resealable bag for hygienic storage and transportation.

Found left over from a previous job, in a store, not on inventories, so headed to the skip.

SERIOUSLY?





Also found in the same pile of now “illegal on site” left overs from 18 months ago, were some of these flame/fire retardant balaclava hoods.

I should have had them when welding the Chevy Blazer a few years ago, had more than one fireball in my ear hole, not fun.





So I was thankful to be able to say yes of course my skip/dumpster is a house, I mean house is a skip/dumpster.

Will I use them all?

Of course not, but a few friends will all get given bits they can use.

My lodger, Andy who is a welder, and helped me previously with the carport post welding during Covid and taught me some great stick welding and Mig techniques has an electric car, and I have not charged him for charging his car here, swings and roundabouts,I guess.

This week he bought and brought me a new welding mask and a grinding mask as a thank you.

Quite unnecessary as a thank you gift, but it does mean the old balaclavas will be used, and I will get my head into tighter spaces.





Have I mentioned recently that life is good?

Nope, work has been sucking the joy out of my life to a large extent.

But life is good, and as long as there is free cash about, I certainly won’t be saying no thanks.

Right, time to go play with contact adhesive and vinyl once I cut the templates for the Canta.

Catch you later.

[Grizz1963]

Canta….. sounds a lot like a rude word.

And I have used a few recently.

Started the vinyl on the two A-Pillars.

Removing the door frame beads made it easier to get a tidy finish.



Contact glue is industrial strength, and goes off in a minute in the summer heat.

If it touches, it stays.

Tucked in on returns and around the edges, then trimmed with a blade.




Happy so far.





At this point, I just wanted to point out to all those who have not tried to do this job, specifically on a ****a, this is what you have to work with and cover.

Also loads of badly joined and riveted panels.

NOW I KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE CARPETING, USED IN CAMPER VANS ETC………..

USED SOME IN THE REZIN ROCKIT.

But the vinyl is paid for, and when I started, I was not aware just how badly some surfaces would be, and the havoc it would create for me.

This sort of thing.



So I carried on, piece by piece, and had to ditch most of my plans for more complex pieces, cut in one, in fact, even having to modify some by cutting them up into smaller sections that were manageable.









So that was Saturdays progress, if you can call it progress.

Sunday I started early.

Thinking I would complete the two sides and rear tailgate frame.

Ohhh how wrong could I be.

This section worked pretty well.

Making me quite optimistic.



Result.



Then the next, big section……

Thought it could be a one piece.

But you need to be an octopus, with more than two hands to hold and lay the vinyl down.

So I cut the one piece into more manageable pieces.



Coffee break between each piece to calm down nd regroup my swearing words for the next.



Eventually I made it this far.

One side done.

I hated it.



So I shut shop and pushed the hateful thing away into its corner for another day.

Video not great, but with added Timelapse, shows my pain.

https://youtu.be/1wog_Rp-8oI

More of this horrible little thing another day.

Got matches and petrol?

[Grizz1963]

Making excuses on a Sunday morning not to go out and get started on the next bit of irritation.

So yesterday, @nickwheeler visiting, weather, looking at an Audi A2 and the heavy humid heat all made good excuses to keep walking away from the Canta.

In the end I closed shop after 18.00 but at least side number two of the body was done.

As much as I really do not like this little car at the moment, I have to keep reminding myself…..

This is not a car in the traditional sense, it is a mobility aid.

Imagine nailing a chicken coop to a Chinese mobility scooters chassis in a shed, somewhere on mainland Europe.

Then bringing a couple of them into England 20 years ago……

No support, no spares stock, no knowledge and certainly not much to work with.

After 20 plus years of very low mileage use, but a flurry of abuse, possibly years of just standing in someone’s driveway or back yard, it is removed and given a really good, short burst of extreme abuse.

Fabrics have perished and aged in the 20 plus years since it was built, plastics are brittle and still most people don’t give a sh1t about a Canta LX.

Enter the weirdos…… why go mainstream when you can try swim without arms or legs ehhhh?


So yesterday I started by trimming a couple of small bits, then ground to a halt when Nick came around (great excuse to walk away and make coffee)

Next job……..

Disassemble and remove the rear light I previously installed.

Including some wires joined by the devils joiners.



Opened area to work.



Measure, cut, shape, glue and fit.





Then the rain stopped play.

So I closed shop, went for a drive to look at an abandoned Audi A2 three miles from where I live.

Unfortunately if you check its current status, it seems a new V5c ownership document has been issued, so someone has a cheap car.



This is the inspiration for a 20 plus year old car being given a cheap but awesome new look.

Thread here: https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-retro-classic





Anyway, later the weather cleared again and I went back to the garage, loaded with guilt at wasting so much time that could have been spent on polishing the turd instead.

So I completed the wheel arch box and shut shop.



Next stop will be to get started on the rear door, then the side doors and roof.



11.00 on a Sunday morning and still not made it to the shop.

Soon…….

[Grizz1963]

I forgot to post the short clip with the last post.

VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/bPWTJDO9NoM

More later.

[Grizz1963]

So Sunday came and went, weather was again a bit iffy.

Bits of rain, just enough to support my overall loss of my normal MoJo.

So eventually I made it out the house by 12.00, where are the days when I would be in the garage by 04.00 to work three hours on the teardrop build before breakfast, a shower and heading out for work.

Today was the rear door, a job I approached with anticipation of failure, based on the job so far.

I now had a “door handle” diagonally across the frame and a lock and opening mechanism to work around.

So I photographed the door mechanism and removed it.





Also removed the number plate light fitting.



Then started cutting in the bottom and side pieces, nothing is straight or simple……



Many curves later, side pieces fit.



And then glued in place.



Followed by measurements for the flat surface and a piece cut off the roll.



After some fighting, it was glued in place to a standard that is aligned with the quality of the car.



Looking at it along with the drivers side interior….. a lot of brown.



Shutting the door, you have even more brown.

But it was starting to look like a unit, if you could even dare say that.



While I was playing with my car, Sally was at home working on her glass pictures.

She collects the glass and pottery shards when walking the dog.

These pictures are sold on Etsy and Vinted (not by her) for £25-35 and if you look at the whole process, it’s actually not a lot of money for what does into it.

Proud of her for sure.



And later in the evening, mate Matt, @pegasus sent a pic of his son, who saw the Vanta, and wanted one too……

So he built his son a Canta.



And before you could blink, the weekend was over again.

Time does fly.



VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/tT5XAqROwrE


Doors next I guess.

[Grizz1963]

Well……

Dreams come true.

I so wanted to see this little car as a burned out wreck.

So..….

Do wishes come true?




This was a Dutch Canta LX, set alight by vandals.

A bit of a busy weekend, mainly avoiding any kind of work on the Canta.

We had wind storms as well, and the wind does not go with contact adhesive and flapping strips of vinyl.

Sunday afternoon by 3.00pm I had done some yard work nd the wind was more of an irritating breeze.

So I opened up and got going.

Passenger door…..



And of course the intended one piece cover did not work.

So I did two strips on the curved sides and then the big surface, followed by the raised section which I had to dismantle partly in order to tuck the vinyl in and get is tightened down.



Starting to look half decent.



And then the final piece, wrapping it up.



I was really pleased with the way this all came out.

Way better than I expected.

Video:

https://youtu.be/60kbzRIMeI0


Remember the burned out Canta?

Last week this was what it looked like.

I am really sorry for the owner, many owners have no other form of mobility or independence.



Back to work.

[Grizz1963]

What?

Saturday after 10.00am

Here goes part 2 of the doors.

Rain forecast today, but it seems I won’t be able to use it as an excuse not to get more done to the Canta.

Coffee first, then head down to the garage and give it a go.

Seem to have run out of excuses now.

https://youtu.be/YbY-lxCH34I

[Grizz1963]

So door number two.

Made one small cutting error, thankfully on a 50mm by 700mm strip, so easy to cut another.



Got as far as this, when rain stopped play outright.

A great excuse to put everything away.

Next few hours rain, but at least I got this far.

Only the smaller, complex section to engineer in.



Later, the rain kinda let up for a while and dragged myself away from YouTube where I have been binge watching Peter Santenello travelling the world.

His style is travel/people/documentary and the great thing is that he lets people talk and tell their stories, getting into many lesser known communities.

So I opened up shop, pulled the Canta halfway out the carport, turned on some lights as the clouds obviously darken things.

And proceeded to cut and fit the last piece on the door.

Happy with that.



And completed with both doors open.

It is coming together now that all the interior surfaces have the same hue of rusty patina brown.



Closed up shop, and my helpful assistant, QA agent was thankful because it meant dinner for him.

He had been hanging around all day.



Came in, fed George and chatted with Craig in Shropshire while preparing some handmade meatballs that I cooked and took to Sallys for a spaghetti and Bolognaise sauce dinner.

Sat there and did a quick edit of the stuff I recorded, including dropping 47 minutes of getting the big section glued in.

Today I am going to attempt doing the roof lining.

ALONE…..

Wish me luck.

Video Link:

https://youtu.be/Tl7Z33e5t8Q

Sun is out at least, so should be a good day.

[Grizz1963]

OUT EARLIER THAN USUAL ON SUNDAY.

Started by 9.30, thinking this will be a quicky……..

Errrrrmmmm… NOPE.



As usual, not calculating the three steps forward and two steps back nature of this job, it took a lot longer.

So I added a 50mm or 2” strip around all the stepped edges.



Completed the rear door close in, hopefully wont need to go back in there.



Better.



Next up, measure, cut and start on the central part.

Managed to get the radio aerial removed, no intention of fitting one again, but may as well leave it there.



Then taped the vinyl to the front edge and started with a 100mm strip of glue to get it to stick to the roof.





WELL…..

That was a complete failure.

Too many curved in the inverted roof meant bunching and eventually I tore it off, much swearing done.

So I had some coffee, custard creamer and watched a bit of YouTube travel video while I rethought it all.

Decided to go back, cut it in half down the length and start at the front…..

Another fail.

So I tried starting in the centre and working outward.

Something like this.

Not perfect.



And for all of you who zoom in….. unless you were helping me fit the vinyl, which would have improved the look and finish, keep the criticism to yourself.

This was as good as I could get it, including a strip along the join.








Next job, after another coffee and cleaning the inside out, was to get the seatbelts and also the grab rails refitted.

Amazing how these bits being refitted changes the look because they do manage to some extent to cover up some of the joints etc.





Grab handles look so much tidier as well with the new paint.



Next job will be to figure out where the screws for the sun visor and broken rear view mirror are, and refit them.

Followed by refitting the seats.

Maybe a new steering wheel too, from the stash.

Lastly

VIDEO LINK:

https://youtu.be/VXEV6t1qjx8


Have a great week

Thanks for checking in.

[Grizz1963]

Ticket bought.

International driving licence done.

Looks like 2023 USA road trip will be happening.

Unfortunately I will be without my sidekick @craigrk this time.

Poor guy is off to a Spanish holiday island with his kids and sons in-laws


Possible plan for week one…….





I have also been offered this camper on the banks of the Mississippi River by Eve, my buddy Ray’s widow, to use as a base for further exploring and travels.

RIP buddy.




There may be food again……. A lot of food, for those interested in food.





It is parked at McGregor Iowa, but puts Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana in reach on the return leg.







This could turn into a killer run as far as distance goes, but more importantly for me is actually seeing and learning more.


.

[Grizz1963]

Road trip dedicated thread link here:

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again

​Youtube reports later.

[Grizz1963]

My younger brother “Dozer” retired in February after more than 41 years in the military.

So being a pensioner means he has lots of time to create random stuff.

Todays creation was a flower and bug, after servicing his motorcycle.





As a first time for something like this, he says most of the time was spent swearing and 25% of it making up and welding it.

.

[Grizz1963]

Canta was short changed and gets no video today.

I heard a collective sigh of relief there.

Spent some time doing yard work, throwing balls and took the Rezin Rockit for a decent drive.

Yard work included weeding, mowing lawns and chatting with this guy.

I always feel so privileged to have a variety of creatures in the garden.



Headed out in the Rezin Rockit……..

Then came home by 3.00pm.

Checked the Rezin Rockit over to see if anything had fallen off on the drive.

All there.

Then found my left over window tinting from the S10 truck side glass, or Not a Project Blazer, or Prozac the Berlingo, I cannot recall.

But there was enough to measure and cut for the Canta side small glass.

The doors have horribly worn Perspex sliding screens.

Cut to size, and also cut a strip that I will try to fit as a sun screen on the front glass.



Before.



After.

Faaaar from perfect, but somehow fools the eyes when you look inside past the badly fitting body panels and glass.



The hairy bum Supervisor on standby of course.



And the other side done.



This is miles from spectacular, but it is another minor improvement, maybe.

More tomorrow.


.

[Grizz1963]

Today was a “Me day” with grass cut, weeding done etc, the took the Rezin Rockit out for a drive.

Not done this for a few weeks.

Popped in to check up on @fordDan68 .

Found him on the drive.

Always busy.

Then around to Sally’s place to throw balls for Bonnie for half an hour.

After that I went for a further drive, popped in to see UncleBob the Hoarder, but he was away helping Mr Hunt the farmer.

So I carried on driving, enjoying the briskness and acceleration of the car while recording some of the trip.

I will try to make up a short video of the drive tomorrow.





Eventually made I home and checked the whole car over, top and bottom, because I am still looking out for anything that may have been missed.

Not had the hood open in anger in months.



Found nothing scary, coolant, oil etc all correct.

So I parked it up and got onto the Canta to get the rear side glass tinted.

Must I sell the car to make space for something bigger?

[Grizz1963]

First preamble or even preemptive post on the trip.

Most of you know Dennis by now, a selfless, funny man and friend, closer family than my own brother, whom I love and have a load of time for.

But as Dennis’ partner told me in 2016 when I met her the first time, Dennis has never met a stranger.

And this friendship has evolved over time.

We chat pretty much every day, and then it is 2, 3, 4 or more times a day.

This morning Dennis, who is 6 hours behind me was chatting, he was headed to a local car show and would have liked me there to see the stuff on display.

A few pics sent:













When at the show, he sent a message……

The number is 1457

In my name.





The prize……..





So who knows….. Road trip in a rough as hell Ratrod?


I know I am stupid enough to take the challenge on head first.


Of course one needs to win first.


ROAD TRIP 2023 LINK https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...023-road-again


Video:


https://youtu.be/GnwIMS87dSw


A while to go before heading out, but yes….. excited already.

[Grizz1963]

So this weekend saw little,Canta action.

Which left me with a load of guilt to be processed, in the shape of using the RR.

I really do enjoy driving it.

The lowered suspension can be jarring on the terrible roads and potholes, but I wanted a lowered plastic car I guess.

Today I went to Asda (Walmart) to buy some groceries and a bottle of Fireball in case I needed it.

When I came out, there was a note (card) on the windscreen, so someone must have clocked that it is not a 4x4





I did quite a lot more driving, went to Sallys place to upload the Rezin Rockit video I edited after midnight last night.

My internet at home sucks big time.

Then I drove over to The Isle of Grain to look at the fruit trees I usually get my plums from, almost nothing, guess it’s been too dry.

Took a couple of photos of the car as well.

Eventually came home, having thoroughly enjoyed the day.



Still enjoy seeing the silly thing.



Video

https://youtu.be/QG8nZMs8DZE

Almost Monday.

[Grizz1963]

So this is a winters weekend.

Rain most of the day.

But I did refit the seats, as well as sun visor, rear view mirror.









And sun visor, rear view mirror.





Video:

https://youtu.be/5akhii7KPDw

Who knows, tomorrow has more rain forecast.

Maybe I can figure out the missing ignition barrel and anything else.

[Grizz1963]

Been doing what I usually do…..

Researching, lusting after a load of stuff.

Missed out (sort of) on that red SAAB last week, or was it two weeks ago.

So tomorrow I will ask the contracts boss for a day off on Tuesday to do a short road trip.

£68.00 for a one way train ticket via London and then up country.

The road route coming back registered as 200 miles.

So hopefully a decent run to show it is good.

With this new arrival, the S10 with 40k miles will be for sale.

RULEZ IS RULEZ. One out, one in to keep balance.

Though I still have to shift another.

Destination: S****HORPE

Excited.







So this weekend very little was done other than much telephone and internet time.

Oh, and cut the grass.

Weekend gone.

[Grizz1963]

Well, still got insurance to get sorted for a day, or do I just bite the bullet and go full year at £240.00

A week is £75.00 which is steep just to drive 200 miles.

In the mean time……

The very important road trip snacks have been bought, a few bottles of beer water/soda to be added.



Oh, and we have a toll crossing over the Thames river at Dartford, collection and management recently went to a new company, so it is a total cluster$£€# as nobody seems to be able to get payments and admin done.
I have tried repeatedly to get the new car registered and failed, despite it recognising it by brand, colour and model.

Modern times, modern tech ehhh.

[Grizz1963]

Sally will be taking me to the station in a bit for the 3.5 hr trains ordeal.

Let’s hope no cancellations.

Last night she came over for dinner and predictably in her usual dry way just said: “YOU WILL BE NEEDING THIS”


Presenting the VAX Wet/Dry vacuum cleaner.

Included a new bottle of shampoo, which it will be needing.





From the very very limited information at hand, I know one of the first stops will be a serious deep clean.

Then the usual new car investigation to make a list of broken, worn, missing bits.

And then the fun starts.

Again.

[Grizz1963]

Right gang.

I got home at 5.15 after leaving at 07.30

This morning Sweet Sally got up at stu-I-0-clock on her day off to get me to the station.

Thank you Sally.

Had a few bits to do at home when I got there.

@Forddan68 popped around to look and took a few pics, including one of me…… GRINNING.

Then came over to Sallys place for dinner.

Now trying to unwind a bit, interesting how you get wound up slowly on a road trip.


So……

Starting with Strood, my local station.




Tickets .




I also grabbed bits of footage for the YouTube channel.

Hopefully edited and uploaded by tomorrow , so be patient.



Then headed to St Pancras Station, followed by a quick walk over to Kings Cross for my second train up to Doncaster.



Super nice, fast trains.





Soooo smart.

Staff were great too.



Got off the fast train, really enjoyed it.

Certainly better than my local services.



Getting to Doncaster it was time for train number 3 of the day.

Next stop S****horpe



Shortest train ever…….

Two coaches.

Diesel.

Loved the sound, the drone and pace.



30 minutes later I got to my destination.

That’s it.

Good night.




Well…….

I walked out the station and saw Colin, the seller drive in.

Perfect timing.

Car was as nice as the photos showed.

So I jumped in, and we headed to his home, 25 minutes away.

Met his wife, the dog (she is awesome) and we moved money and paperwork about.

Then he headed out to get the wife to Hull, to a hospital appointment.

I sat and set up the Satnav, set it for home.

Started up……..

Grinned like a mad man.

Reversed out the drive, and drove off.

Still grinning.