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

[Grizz1963]

So I saw the van advertised a while ago on the tightly run ship that is “Unusual cars for sale”

I have always been kinda into Commercial vehicles, trucks, vans, anything practical.

And this was the ad.



But of course I already had the Rumblegrizzkin Chevy S10 in ZQ8 spec with its 4.3l V6 auto and extra cab.

This is an amazing car/truck.

Small, for an American, and actually has 4 seats, the front buckets are also a bench, when you lift the armrest, and the midget seat in the rear folds down for a skinny 10 year old.

But as much as the truck is a great thing, at times my butt itches for a change, and weirdly, with work insecurities etc, the best fix is to buy more cars. IYKWIM

So I got my head around to deciding to reduce the fleet significantly, including the Rezin Rockit should I get approached randomly (which has happened)

The van is well known in certain circles and everyone wanted it, but nobody bought it.

So I did my research and found out what I could, based on a few photos, and later a short start up video.

I also approached a complete random stranger on GarageJournal.com whose avatar showed he lives in S****horpe (10 miles from the van) and after a long, enjoyable conversation with Vaughan, who turns out to be 70, just recovering from cancer surgery, and still rides a KTM 990, he agreed to go take a look at the van, and go for a short drive in it.

This all happened last Sunday, and when he called me later in the day, there were no punches pulled, and his feedback was that is was a 33 year old van, and it had the bones of a good car. It needed a few bits tidied up ( I like to polish turds) and that if faced with the dilemma of buying or not, at the stated price, he would buy it.

So I called the seller ( who was going to buy the truck off me, but ended up buying a 1972 Toyota Crown wagon on Saturday) and asked if there was any movement on price, which there was not.

So I asked if I could still have a go at squeezing his bits, and he asked what I wanted, which I said was taking delivery of the van with a full tank of fuel.

Monday was spent insuring, getting recovery sorted and generally trying to fit the day job into my schedule.

By 3.00pm I had Green Flag recovery switched from the S10 for a total increase of premium of £2.48

Here is a video of my total motivation, and information on the van before buying it.

https://youtu.be/ewf60bR00k8


I will add a few more pics and observations of the van later for those morbidly interested.

In the mean time, having been an underused, 78k mile van, the battery gave me a load of solenoid clicks after I got back home last night.

I went to Sallys place for dinner and to show her the van, which of course needed a jump start.

So a battery is first on the list of items.

I see that as a longer term wear and tear item if a car is not used much.

[Grizz1963]

So on having bought the van and setting off with it, a few random observations of the first hour, well, 5 hours really.

When Colin picked me up as S****horpe station, he just came rolling in, and there was other nois in the background that the camera on the phone picked up on.


https://youtu.be/WYSLvCNGBO4


But the van was shorter, and stockier than I had expected. ✅

The rumble from the twin side exits - OOOOOFFF ! ✅

Having been built and professionally lowered by THE DROP SHOP in Mission, Texas, the road holding, and drive is amazing for a van, being short and low, it can be thrown into roundabouts with gusto, and never wallowed like a typical American car or truck. The further I drove, the more confident I became and far from pushing it, I was assessing it all the way, and it gets a big ✅

Colin filled the tank as part of the deal, and I doubt he zeroed the trip meter, or filled it to the neck, but even in the most unscientific way possible, it used less than an indicated 1/2 tank on the 200 mile trip home, a mix of motorways and A-Roads, so another apparent ✅

Radio/CD/USB/Starship control desk has been cut in by an angry badger, so I need a new/used original dash filler panel to get back to standard as I could not figure the radio out, YET. So a certain ❌

Driving position in what is believed to be Corvette seats is good, but maybe 150mm or 6” too close for me. I will address that soon. ❌

Cubby hole fitted to the “Dog House” engine cover has someone’s old art airbrushed on it, replace or repaint ❌

Door speakers of unknown origin, vintage, ability, and missing a screen one side needs replacing ❌

Comes with a removable tow hitch, in my world that gets ✅✅✅

Load body has remnants of amplifiers etc cut into it, if they work, reinstate and use, if not, remove and cover holes ✅❌

Getting home was a pleasure, simply because it was an unknown quantity to grab and drive 200 miles ✅

Going down the side of the house down my narrow alley necessitated folding a mirror in, it is that wide @ 77” and driving out, I just folded both in, wound the window down and kept my eye on keeping the drivers side 6 inches or 150mm from the concrete posts of the fence, naturally, the other side would be good enough. So size gets one of each too as I would have it despite the size. ✅❌

Due to overall limited use, the battery made it home, then left me in the lurch a few times in quick succession at home, new battery getting collected later today £60.00 Certainly not a seller problem, but a cost ❌

Service records, despite low mileage non existent so no base to work from doing standard maintenance, so need to get a full fluid, filters and ignition service,,again, part of ownership, so neither good nor bad, but possibly bad due to previous ownership ❌✅

Overall impression, looks, first drive gets ✅✅✅✅✅ of these and ❌of these.

Time will tell what else needs doing.



THE DROP SHOP lowered it in the 90’s

They are also on FB and if you look at their builds, there’s some neat stuff.



Approximate collection miles.

I had done 10-20 miles already.



Tow hitch is a massive win in my world of practicality.



Driving position in what is believed to be Corvette seats is good, but maybe 150mm or 6” too close for me. I will address that soon.



After collecting me, the last pic of it in S****horpe with Colin driving.





When I got home I took some photos.

I will do the interior at the weekend with before and after etc.

Against the S10 it shows a bit of comparative size, keeping in mind the S10 is a mini truck.






And on its own.

Chunky tyres on 15” wheels fill the arches nicely.








Bringing it out, shows a tight fit.




@forddan68 came around and took these pics for me,




A very happy man I guess.

Already liking it.





Thanks for stopping by and all your comments, advice and input as always.


.

[Grizz1963]

My friend Bob Heine in America made a comment and observation on how,clean the rear is, along with the spoiler on top, compared to a more standard van.

And that spoiler really works in this case.

And I am not a great spoiler fan,

The smoothing, shaving handles, roll pan…… Absolutely improves the look.


Did a quick screen grab rear end pic and found another custom van with more original equipment on Google.







Lots to like about this van.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@metalshapes" source="/post/2792437/thread" timestamp="1691608900"]"The smoothing, shaving handles, roll pan…… Absolutely improves the look."

It really does.

Big difference.

I'd be tempted to do a little smoothing & shaving to the front to complement it... [/quote]


Your suggestion is honestly at the top of my list, since I saw the van.

I did the same to the S10.

Clear lenses £65.00



Massive improvement to this……



Either new or good used will go on there, but I think new will just look better than partially faded.

Watch those spaces.

[Grizz1963]

Just did my first possible “repair” on the van.

When I got back on Tuesday evening, and later tried to start it for @forddan68 and my neighbour who is a fan of American cars, there were a few clicks and then it took.

After dinner at Sallys, she had to jump start me as well, and the same thing happened, but once the jumper cables were on, it started instantly.

Last night, due to a huge truck fire on the A2/M2 the roads where I had planned to go buy a battery, we’re gridlocked as people seemed alternative routes home. So in the end I turned around, still 1.9 miles from my destination.

Came home and went to look at the battery again and take a few pics of the engine bay.

So I wriggled the terminals, and the earth which is tucked away under the fender, was loose enough that a bit of wriggling would see it come off.

So this morning I grabbed a very small 13mm socket and tightened it, and it took quite a lot of tightening.

Tried the ignition and instantly fired up.



Could the clicking start up be solved?

No idea, until it happens again and something else proves to be the issue.

Fingers crossed as always with a new toy.

[Grizz1963]

So when I collected the car, the seller said only one key.

Kinda disappointing as it means a £10.00 key purchase adding to the cost of buying and fetching the car.

Remember, all the peripheral costs are costs, not magic.

So train, a potential key cut, a day off work are real costs I add to the purchase price calculations, then of course there are these, insurance, road tax, recovery insurance adding up to about £800.00 yes, really, the cost of reversing off the driveway at home for the first time. These are yearly costs, so you could split them by 12 bringing you to about £67.00 per month, or £2.00 per day excluding fuel and repairs/service costs.

So a pleasant surprise when I was driving down the motorway was a spare set of keys falling from the sun visor, onto the floor by my feet, £10.00 reduced.

When I got home I noticed a Haynes Manual and original owners manual on the floor. So more moneys saved as I had intended to go buy these.







Last night I did a quick video and also got a couple of engine bay pics.





Quick video:

https://youtu.be/9WubHv51_gE

Tonight after work I washed the S10 as I want to park it on the sidewalk with a for sale sign on the screen, and clean sells.

The Astro was pretty dirty when I took it, well….. it was no worse than the S10 or my company car tbh, but washed and vacuumed made a difference.

I was standing looking at this in the back yard earlier…… even before I washed it, and it really made me smile.

This is a good looking car for sure.



So pleased I got lucky to find it.

[Grizz1963]

Right…..

Back to our normal transmission.

Time to clean out the inside, vacuum the interior, and wash the outside.

So reversed down my reasonably narrow alleyway.

Parked up and cleaned the interior, well, first phase.



Grubby as heck and after removing all the junk from inside, as per video, it was clear this is a mess.



At some point, the van, which started life as a white commercial vehicle, became yellow.

Look at the old colour sticking out on the rear door.

I need to make up a strip to cover and close that all.

I do wonder if the yellow phase was associated with when it was lowered and the interior all done out, including the “pink and blue” graphics.

Anyway….. another job to get to.



Little jobs.

Like finding and replacing the fuel filler door release.

Currently an old pair of pliers.

Surely, some sort of improved version of the pliers cannot be that hard to make.

Think hand grenade pin and slip over the nipple in some non return way type design.

Not that hard to make and fit.

Another job to get to.




After vacuuming the interior, I needed to,was the van, because I like them,clean, and had driven at least an hour on the motorway in the rain.

This pic was taken, still dirty.

Possibly one of my favourite photos so far.



Not sure if one can see the difference afterwards……

I had moved it back, down into the garden a bit.

But it is cleaner.



Then I brought themS10 through and washed it as well.

Mickey had told me off for parking it out front, FOR SALE but dirty, covered in spiders cobwebs.

So it was cleaned as well.



Next job on the van will be to try get the rear loadbed floor carper a bit cleaner.

Rust, grease, and whatever else after 30 years must be able to get changed.

Wet vacuum job to get to next.

Thanks for checking in and all those who take the time to post a reply or response.

It is the weekend.

Cheers.




.BONUS VIDEO.

https://youtu.be/y7V5X01h7Oc

ENJOY.


.

[Grizz1963]

[quote author="@93fxdl" source="/post/2792671/thread" timestamp="1691783556"]Currently enjoying the video on the tv, a suggestion for he front sidelights, since you intend to fit clear indicators, why not pair them with switchback leds, white for sidelight, but flashes yellow
Ttfn Glenn [/quote]


Very good thinking Glenn.

I will certainly investigate that.

One of my clever mates can possibly help, and prevent me spending days figuring it all out, like I did on the S10.

https://youtu.be/jdIu7KdpWs0

That was a great modification to remove the amber front indicator lenses.

If the clear indicators for the Astro allows it, that would be the best way to remove those horns from the front.

[Grizz1963]

Next job after the vacuum cleaner was to get the carpet cleaned.

Even small jobs take time.



So I started with Vanish, clothing bleach type stuff.



Wet the carpet and worked it into all the stains and marks.

Then left it to react for a while.



Followed by the wet dry VAX cleaner.



Resulting in this.



This morning I opened all the doors by 06.30 for it all to dry out some more.




Happy with the improvement.




The 6 litres of water I used probably only returned 2 litres of very dirty water.



And for those who do not read words,……..

VIDEO HERE.

https://youtu.be/80Uv9CkK5l0

This morning once I opened the van to dry out the carpets.

I had a QC inspection.

Passed the security muster as well.




George suggested another road trip.


.

[Grizz1963]

So……….

The front end, lights etc.

I had a suggestion from a friend to get an ally grille, to go with the clear side repeaters. Not sure about that.

Had it on the 79 Blazer and replaced with a new old stock original, which I preferred

Also, need to see if there are smoothed/closed in headlight bezels out there, that could work too.

Along with a clear lens side repeater and possibly deleting the current side lights, followed by installing switchback LED bulbs as suggested by a few guys and @westbay.

@zeberdeewesty did a couple of photoshop deletes…..

I like that, compared to the current look.












Yesterday, Mate John, the driving school instructor was over for a few hours to look at the van.

We checked all the lights and found one bright lamp out, and also the reverse lights had been replaced with yellow bulbs as indicators, a great idea IMHO as red indicators are often not seen clearly on American cars.

So I need to go find a correct light bulb, either in the garage or shop.

[Grizz1963]

Took a quick pic of the rear view mirror, trying to show the black with blue metal flake paint on there.

Kinda lost unless you look for it, in bright sunlight.

Still, pretty too.

[Grizz1963]

Busy weekend.

The van has a ton of things to address and keep me busy.

And as I have gotten to know it more and more while washing, cleaning and touching and feeling it, I am realising that I lucked out again.

Keep in mind, there could still be 101 surprises hiding out of sight somewhere.

Mate John, one of my old lodgers and driving instructor, who helped with the electrics of the Rezin Rockit, came around yesterday.

He is a tech fan and bit of a guru.

He really liked the van, casting a critical eye over it.



Also got straight into tuning the intergalactic radio for me



One of the jobs I had identified after washing the van at first, was the Center Line billet alloy wheels that needed to be brought back to life and shine.



Up close they looked really tired.



So I got some Autosol metal polish and some rags to just try it out……

John had the camera.

Test spot looked much better.



And 35 minutes later….



Autosol all the way round.





And then a lovely pic, possibly my favourite so far.

140 plus minutes well spent.

Another hour to be spent today.



So that was a great result.

Overnight I remembered how the Poorboys wheel sealant added to the S10 wheels I had refurbished.



So this morning I got the tub, some rags and started again.

Clearly this sealant polish was still improving the work as it took more ally from the surfaces.

Elbow grease time.



And the RESULT IS AWESOME.





It really is rewarding when you see the changes, day to day.

And the photos allow you to look back and SMILE.

Again, video for the lazy traveler .

https://youtu.be/uBvvhqyndCk

More tomorrow for those who still want to see what is changing.

Weekend over.


.

[Grizz1963]

Another weekend gone.

Got loads of bits done, had a few visitors as well.

Drove the S10 around and went food shopping in it on Sunday.

Got stopped by a young guy and his lady in Morrisons Carpark to tell me he really liked the truck.

He was driving a 22 year Old Ford Puma on nice wheels, fitted with ST170 brakes and a few other modifications.

Nice when younger guys know what you are talking about. He also knows his endurance racing cars, right down to the model numbers etc.

Also showed him a pic of the Rezin Rockit, and he instantly recognised the RX7 seats and liked the fact it was MX5 in there.


My old lodger, John who is a driving instructor, came over on his full power Yamaha V-Max powered Trike on Saturday.

He wanted to see the van of course, and had helped a lot with morale boosting when I built the RR as well as sorting some wiring issues out for me.

One of the jobs I was doing just when he got here, was making a little temporary release handle for the fuel filler door which had long since lost its tab.

Being replaced with a small pair of side cutters the seller showed me how to poke it into the hole, pull the cable and release the filler door.

What a terrible solution.



So I took some welding wire, made a finger sized loop and a small tab to crimp onto the nipple on the release cable.

This is temporary until I can find a correct part to purchase either online or on my road trip to the USA.

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

Shaping it.





Fitted and crimped in place.



John is like a Magpie, not much goes unnoticed or misses his scrutiny, so it was a pleasure having him there.

Rear door stop, one missing off the drivers side door.

Anyone got one to sell or donate?





Aircon/blower controls missing a small button.

Got one?



We also tested out some Autosol on the alloy wheels, that was reported before, so John cost me 3-4 hours of my life.

For the better though.

I crawled, well, poked my head under the van, as it has been professionally lowered when “The Drop Shop” built it originally.

I will just post a bunch of photos of the undersides.

The lack of rust, and even just minimal surface rust attests to the fact that this was a show van, and pampered for most of its life.

Removable tow hitch is a huge bonus as one can use the van as a real tool.

Also never seen a leaf spring quite like these……..














Looking at the sills as well…….

Starting to feel at this point, like I may have got lucky again, like the S10, only 78k miles, and a body that is hard to believe the condition of.

Yes, it was a Texas van before it came here, but it is good.

IMMACULATE SILLS TOO.



Last task for yesterday was to use some Auto Glym bumper and plastic restorer gel on the small lower lip/spoiler.

Result was again even better than expected.

Before.



Result shows in the video.



VIDEO HERE:


https://youtu.be/JF-kFzSQlFs


Thanks for checking in.

Now back to work.


.

[Grizz1963]

Well………

Any road trip sees me “IN”

This time……

I was the destination.



As David Bowie sang……..

Ch-Ch-Changes.

Today part of a multi vehicle churn started.

@glenanderson , @craigrk and I were initiating a multi vehicle trade and swap around.

Todays phase was Glen returning a lawn tractor that came though here a few years ago, that his son has used to earn his Duke of Edinburg award.

The Lawn tractor, along with the one I fetched from @frankenhealey last year, or was it this year, will be headed to Craigs home in Shropshire.

He originally wanted the Canta, and had first refusal on it, but also realised that his wife has a glass jar on the kitchen window sill that is reserved for his testicles.

So choosing to not walk like John Wayne, he let Glen take the Canta on as a new father and son build, continuing with what I started (I just cleaned it up a bit)

Mate Fil, “Sparkplug” had to step out of the race, having had second refusal as his Sprinter camper van blew up its engine.

So Glen and son Fin have a Canta, and Craigs collection of lawn tractors continues to grow.

I have gained a bit of space. Which will increase once the Rezin Rockit is sold. And then the Blue Van will be stored in the carport as it is in such good condition.

Hopefully the S10 finds a good home as well.


Video to be edited later and uploaded even later.



But suffice it to say that as always, having Glen pop over was a great pleasure.

His,Son Finlay was very taken wit the S10 and Rezin Rockit, as he should be.

But the Canta had both of them laughing like madmen when they saw it, got in it and drove it.


This little car really does bring a load of joy for what it is.

So the tractor as delivered, used to be red……..

Perfect name too.



While,Glen looked the van over, he remembers the rear door stay, opened it and poked a finger in the hole…….



Producing a door stop……

Like magic.



And of course Fin was taken with the van as well, I let him start it and rev it on the driveway, though, given a choice I suspect he would have the truck.

Happy chappie

.

All too soon it was time For them to head home……

Glen to face Mrs Anderson, who is not impressed.

But I am sure she prefers him tinkering, rather than drinking or doing silly stuff.

Happy team, headed out.



Looking forward to seeing how Glen and Fin progress and proceed with the Canta.

[Grizz1963]

Speaking of paint……


Another 75 minutes of my life, taken by the van.

With Amazing results.

@braaap had done some pointers toward the worst damage, done by someone removing songwriting and not completing the job.

I love washing cars and sometimes just sitting next to them in the sun and shade, to identify damage, marks, things that you miss on photos, or even when excited to make a purchase.

Once washed and dried, I saw more marks all the way around the van.





Looking at the drivers side with the sun behind me.

Clearly not a good thing.



And from the other side, looking toward the sun.

Part of the van was in the shade,,so it also shows how well this paint reacts with light.

Damage



I have two bottles of polishing compound.

Went with the G3 as I have used it a few times before.



Then Started to polish by hand, again a two finger job, much repeating, back and forth.

First section looking a load better.



Took my time and got many many passes over the damage, also broadened my strokes so as to blend with existing paint.

Passenger side has been painted over, the masking lines wire never buffed back or blended, so I did that as much as I could, and the improvement was vast, though one will always be able to see that there is a line, fortunately, being high up, it misses most scrutiny.

I also did the lower side on both sides were careless box moving, driving, parking too close to whatever caused scuffs, left marks, which now are gone.

Side panels both look a lot better.



Drivers side front fender seems to have had some wet and dry over it, but not cut back and polished either, so I gave that a go with great results.




Final result.

BOOOOOOMMM…!!






After dinner the sunset was amazing, and I wished the van was out front.

It plus have made a great photo.





And for those following on YOUTUBE

VIDEO.



https://youtu.be/BKX3Q-QOJMA


Thanks for checking in.


.

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes the camera does not quite capture the changes.

Went out after work last night for a few minutes.

Polished the indicators and side repeaters with some G3 as I was on a roll.

Both actually showed an improvement.



And after of course.

Still convinced I need a pair of clear lenses.




More small jobs waiting.




.

[Grizz1963]

Just how small has the world become.

My buddy Stas in Siberia sent mr this pic.

He was watching my youtube channel.





A friend, JB Math in Oklahoma gave me what I regard as a lovely compliment yesterday, saying that I have an innate ability to find those little imperfections that when corrected, make a nice impact.

To me, some of the bodges and repairs I see, make me wonder why people did not just do it right in the first place, as the effort is the same as doing it right.

Yesterday’s small jobs would have @nickwheeler rubbing his hands together in glee.

The black gloss paint came out…….

A few small jobs to do, necessitated some masking up, and also dismantling weather seals in the door frames, but with a nice impact.

First job, mask up the cut and shut Recarro seat bases. Welded, ground and left like that……

Nice job mr Craftsman.





Masked and painted.



Surely looks better already.




Next job was the A-Pillars, weirdly missed when painted blue and so obvious.

After poking and prodding, realised I could remove the door seals on both sides, passenger side is a long one including the sliding door.

Then washed many years of accumulated dirt and muck from there.



Cleaned up.



Painted.



At the same time I prepped the rear door, that is missing some trim.

The other door needs its upholstery to be fixed back neatly as well, maybe a weekend job.

But plans include driving and enjoying the van, and making up for forgetting Sally’s birthday.



Left the masking tape in place till this morning and was pleasantly surprised at the changes.

Looks much better imho.



Doors….

I had to look twice at where the yellow was sticking out so obviously before.

Really pleased with the result. Seals back in place.



And the rear door needs me to make up a piece of trim, probably in black, or dark grey to go with the upholstery trim.

For all the zoomers, yes there is damage to the rear glass tinting and some genius sprayed some black aerosol paint on it.

Not ideal, but a good solution, especially looking from the outside, until,I get to replacing the tint.

Possibly both sides at the same time.






As I get the small jobs done, I am getting to like the van more and more.

Realising that it has essentially had a very good life to date.

Friday…….. last day of the week.

.

[Grizz1963]

After work a quick few small jobs.

WD40 in the lock barrels, got all three doors to lock. In a secret sequence.

Also went back to the garage and fetched the G3 and some cloths.

The rear end, roll pan and lights were not as tidy as I would like them.

So rear end paint polished, followed by the rear lights that were less than good.



After quite a bit of buffing, the results were satisfactory, or a bit more than that to be honest.



Plan is to go out for a drive with Sally tomorrow.

No idea where to go really, and @glenanderson will possibly have advice on Dover and Folkestone, I hope.

Not really interested in Dover castle, expensive and done recently..

Any ideas for greater Kent gang?

No tight car parks of course.




.

[Grizz1963]

Took the new van and Sally for a ride today.

One of the places we ended up was on the Isle of Sheppey, at good friend Darren’s engineering shop.

Always one to look for other avenues of revenue, and also liking a project or two on the side.

This is current with great potential.



After making a full round of his newest car, engineering and fun stuff, I searched his massive dumpster/skip in case there were treasures in there……

No luck.


But, associated with one of his current engineering projects, was this……..

We got into a quick negotiation and a sensible price was agreed.

This may end up being a fart in a wind storm, or it could become real thunder.


SO ANY INPUT, PAST EXPERIENCE, PHOTOS, DESIGNS, WARNINGS ( fiscal and H&S) are welcome.

At this point Sally just said OMG, Really? And carried on on her Instagram.



So we were discussing me taking ownership of this beauty after it has served its purpose here……

And turning it into a 4 wheeled drivable vehicle.

If Barstools, Ammo cases, lawn tractors and mobility scooters can…… then why not a Jetski.






Steering wheel, rear view mirrors, comfy seat.

WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?





So right now, it is just an idea fuelled by a lot of cannabis and beer.


Input welcome.


Don’t be negative, get with the madness.

[Grizz1963]

Up early, as usual, then went to fill the van up to its neck, suspect 75 litres or 15 gallons, too lazy to search Google right now.


Local gas station is still running a manned forecourt, so you may not fill your own car/truck.



Likes the Dino-Juice.

Let’s see how much it likes it.



Once Sally got here, we set off.

She took a pic of me because of my silly grin most of the way.




One of the places we ended up was on the Isle of Sheppey, at good friend Darren’s engineering shop.

Always one to look for other avenues of revenue, and also liking a project or two on the side.

This is current with great potential.



After making a full round of his newest car, engineering and fun stuff, I searched his massive dumpster/skip in case there were treasures in there……

No luck.


But, associated with one of his current engineering projects, was this…….. Check the last two entries https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...-real?page=179


Once we’re done at Darren’s it was off to some shops.

Now we all know the saying, “If you don’t look back at your car when you walk away, you bought the wrong car”

Well, I never expected to hear the words from a usually reserved, noncommittal Sally.

Half way to the shops, she stopped and looked back, saying “You,did get lucky finding such a nice looking van”

High praise indeed from the Queen of Yeah, it’s OK.

Coming back, I felt compelled to take another pic of the same blue van, these colours really do love a bit of light.




Lastly, an early morning message from Dennis……

Looks like it is going to continue being hellishly hot in the USA.




I don’t really care, as long as I get there.

[Grizz1963]

Small jobs.

They keep on popping their little grubby heads up.

Today, after taking the day off yesterday to do a very belated and apologetic birthday BBQ, Sally went home to clean her already clean house and various other tasks.

This made her a lot happier than a fist full of cash I gave her as an apology for forgetting her birthday.



So this morning I got going early because time slips away quietly and quickly.

Steering wheel has irked ,e from day one, just the way paint had flaked over time.



So I polished the ally boss, masked the plastic section and flatted the ally section.

Then wrapped most of the interior in T-shirts and an old sheet in order to apply some satin black.

Result.

Improved.




Video.

https://youtu.be/GXNDFWaGBW4


Once again, not a 5 minute job, but a small one that makes for the right result.


Back to work tomorrow.

.

[Grizz1963]

Remember the USA Road Trip ?

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

I am looking forward to three weeks away from work, though I never stop thinking about it.

Dennis just sent this, this morning.

40’C when I get there on Friday.

Add in some humidity, and it seems I will be flying in shorts and flip flops.

I know how the heat hits you in the face as you step out of the buildings.



Luckily even the workshop has air conditioning

And beer.

[Grizz1963]

Seems Someone used an angry badger to enlarge the radio hole.
Fitted is a unit I want to remove as I do not understand it, and also the bottom of this dash surround has been cut.
I will be in the USA soon, with a very large case. And scrap yards are always included in my road trips.
But I was wondering if anyone knew someone who was stripping a Mk1 van, this one is a 1990 short panelvan Astro.

Any pointers are much appreciated.

.

[Grizz1963]

RIGHT

NEXT SMALL JOB, WITH A BIT OF RISK, THAT BUGGED ME FROM THE DAY I COLLECTED THE VAN, WAS THE DOORS.

Sorry, caps lock.

After all the years the van has been on the road, the fabric used is actually incredibly well preserved.

But it is grubby, more so to the naked eye, than the camera lens.

So I decided to use some fabric and carpet cleaner, along with a nail scrubbing brush, at the risk of messing it all up.

Before.

Dirty, dull.




After.



Graphics, faded and dusty.



After, certainly much better.




Another job, one I usually do the day I wash a new car, is to clean the interior surfaces, knobs, stalks, controls and all grooves with an ammonia based cleaner like Jif/Cif/Handy Andy whatever, and then using some form of plastic or leather or even wax based wood polish.
This time it was Auto Glym, because I have bottle I bought previously.

Result is a distinct improvement.




VIDEO

https://youtu.be/qxjT2TBaXq0


That is where we are up to today.

A cleaner van.

[Grizz1963]

After Glenn commented about the dash, and after I cleaned it up, I was wondering if there was anything missing here.

It looks like there should be a mesh grille over the 6 holes, but there are no mounting holes, clips or grooves.



However, I was thinking, if I cut to shape painted some of this scrap plastic mesh I found on a discarded laundry drying rack, and just dropped two long strips into the groove, one each from the centre, it could look factory and be a slight improvement.




Of course I have no clue what the original Mk1 vents looks like up front.

Any pics out there?