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

[flashed]

Looks like a good time had by all.

[Chevy Apache]

Looks like great fun finding all those goodies been looking for a Pontiac hood ornament myself as I think the Indian is great lol looking forward to see more pics.
Ps hi to Clem for me

[Grizz1963]

Monday morning and I was leaving St Louis and Dennis behind.

Having landed late Thursday afternoon, it was hard to believe I was only starting on day four of my 2016 trip.

Through Dennis' contacts, multiple beers and plates of great food, even if I went home now, I would have had a better holiday than most people pack into exotic resort holidays.

I felt pretty pumped getting into the Hemi Challenger at 07.15 and reversing out the garage.

The road trip was really kicking in now. It was just me, the Plum Crazy Purple Challenger and Miss SatNag out on the roads.

200 yards from Dennis' home I stopped on the bend.........

My view.



Then I headed down the service road next to the motorway for 5 miles as the phone I had bought at Walgreens the day before to use as a backup in the US was dead before I started using it. ( This was my welcome on my UK phone: Welcome to USA . While you're here, calls within the country and back to the UK will be £1.10ppm. Receiving a call will cost 90ppm. Texts are 40p to send and free to receive. Data is £6 a MB.
Or sign up to O2 Travel and for just £4.99 a day, get all the data, minutes and texts you need in USA . And you'll only be charged for the days you use it.
To opt in, text TRAVEL to 23336. Prices include VAT
Want more info? Visit www.o2.co.uk/travel, Usage terms apply. Call 112 for emergency services. To stop texts call 2220.)

At Walgreens the help was minimal and I ended up walking away knowing McDonalds WiFi was the way to go, using Whatsapp and Messenger.





After wasting some time at Walgreens I hit the road.

Perfect.



Clear roads, no police or idiots saw me making good time.

I also stuck to the speed limits and enjoyed the views.

The USA has the most amazing big skies.



Race track........





Eventually stopped three hours from St Louis at a McDonalds for internet and a coffee.

Rested for 30 minutes, surfed the web and chatted with Katy, Ta2Don and Dennis then headed out for Strawberry which was my first stop to see Donnie Wilson who I had met last year at Clems place.

I had told Dennis the car was returning 24.1 mpg and his response was "You are driving like a pu$$¥" clearly not driving it like it could be. Hey, I was enjoying the views.

Outside I saw this machine.

I would love one of these name plates to weld in elsewhere on my truck or a toolbox. Clearly it would not go in the Challenger, or else.....



An hour later.....



And about a mile from Donnies I pulled over for a pee.
Another photo opportunity.



I will get to my visit at Donnies and what we got up to later or tomorrow.

Now its party time in Fayetteville.

[Grizz1963]

Got to Strawberry and Donnies place by 12.05

I had overshot his place by one farm and by the time I had asked the neighbour he was already down at the County Road to rescue me.

This truck with its modern motor has been built to an exceptionally high standard as a real world driver with all the mechanicals from a late model 5.3 Chevy.



Greeted by an always smiling Donnie and killer protecion dog Booger I felt instantly at home.
Booger is a pretty smart dog as he even has the garage cat under control.
But not that smart as he befriended me immediately and now has me under his mind control too.

Good coffee brewed, a long chat, catch up at the house, a walk around the property which included a discussion and explanation on his wood fired power generation unit.
I forgot to take a photo of the chicken run which was a gift to his wife.
Then on to the tractor he uses around the yard. Time to clown around a bit. I do love tractors, especially the green ones.



Next up garage and man cave.

Hmmmmmmmmm.....?

Not sure where to even start.

The man like to hunt ducks etc as well as vermin.

And though my collection only spans about 15 or so pen or pocket knives, Donnie had a few more than that.

Case xx knives. Thats his thing.

Showed me some of his favourites that have their own Case case.

I commented and he let me touch some of them.



One particularly got my atrention and when I handed it back to him he shut the display case door and said it was not going back in the case.

SPEECHLESS !!

I now have it in my pocket.

Finding it in my hands at random times, even when I am driving.

Thank you Donnie.



"Wanna go for a drive in my Truck?" Donnie asked.

Well, only one answer.



So we went over to Jummy King's place.

Jimmy is retired. But is now in the chicken business.

He also continues to build stuff. Some mad, some crazy.

I took a few photos when I was not tripping over my jaw.

Dukes of Hazzard anyone?

74 Satelite on the back burner. Made me smile.
Keep in mind, the man has a lot, and I mean a lot of cars etc stashed away too.



Hunting car.



Subaru power and drivetrain anyone.



And a longer term project belonging to their buddy Scott Pounds.
Getting a modern blown motor too. Looked perfect to me though.



Another of Jimmy's personal cars.





And one of his dailies. Blown 54.
Painted by him. It is just stunningly detailed. Ohh and not for sale.



From there back home, another coffee and then at 4.30 off to Jonesboro a bit more than an hour away. Through villages with populations of 78 and 200 with tri-Chevys in the yard, trucks and loads of 70's metal parked up waiting to become barn finds.

All the way the Challenger kept putting a smile on my face.

Despite its power reserves it is such a gentle and comfortable car to live with.

[flashed]

Wow ,I am loving your adventure .

[Mjminino]

[Modges'66]

Outstanding!!!

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Rian, thanks for the updates. You're definitely getting "rockstar" treatment. Its nice to see that there are such awesome, generous people in this world!

[bj383ss]

Man what an amazing trip. What a cool knife. Those are the little things that make such a big impact on your vacation here. My grandpa carried his Case knife with him everyday as long as I knew him. I now have it in my possession. Look forward to more updates.

Bret

[67cheby]

I have been reading through your trip....it is AMAZING! Great to see you again and thanks for all the goodies!

[flashed]

If I had known you had a John Deere fetish I would have sent you a hat .

[Grizz1963]

Interruption to the regular schedule.

Seems we have a sub-road trip road trip today.

Off with Clem and his trailer to go fetch his 1939!Ford Deluxe Racecar from a tuning shop a couple of hrs from here.

This could be good.

[Grizz1963]

Been real busy lately.

Not sleeping much at all. Quite tired and my back is killing me too.

Headed back to St Louis via Backroads America today so probably 400 miles to go.

A massive thank you to Clemdaddy and Kim plus all the cats and dogs for their generous hospitality. You really do make the difference.

Updates later when I get time.

Clem, myself (tired) and Bomp (Greg) this morning. You can see who needs sleep.



Todd Robert Johnson on the other hand......... wide awake.



Off in a bit. Later guys.

[Low Elco]

As per GJ protocol, a giant YOU SUCK! You got to see Thomas' and Chris' Garage! Awesome! Hope you're still having a good time, I wnated very badly to come down to Clem's, but I had some long pushed off commitments I couldn't get away from. Glad you all had a good time!

[Modges'66]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

As per GJ protocol, a giant YOU SUCK! You got to see Thomas' and Chris' Garage! Awesome! Hope you're still having a good time, I wnated very badly to come down to Clem's, but I had some long pushed off commitments I couldn't get away from. Glad you all had a good time!

Yeah, What he said!
I was so worried about getting stranded, that I couldn't be convinced to make the leap!
Kickin' my own a$$ right now...

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

As per GJ protocol, a giant YOU SUCK! You got to see Thomas' and Chris' Garage! Awesome! Hope you're still having a good time, I wnated very badly to come down to Clem's, but I had some long pushed off commitments I couldn't get away from. Glad you all had a good time!

Originally Posted by Modges'66

Yeah, What he said!
I was so worried about getting stranded, that I couldn't be convinced to make the leap!
Kickin' my own a$$ right now...

Thanks guys.

You are absolutely right. Mm

[Grizz1963]

Now back in St Louis at Dennis' place.

Back to the road trip story.

Got to Steve "Bib Overalls" and his wife Belinda and Lulu the most awesome dogs place in Jonesboro late afternoon.

Steve had a load of stuff lined up for us to do from hotrod shops, home garages and restaurants etc.

So after I relaxed a bit we got back into the Challenger and drove accross Jonesboro, Arkansas to one of his friends Marty Lilly and his shop U-Wish Hotrods.



Car talk, beers, liquor, Kettle Crisps and sweet and salt popcorn on a Friday night. Hell Yeahh !!!





Quite liked this Farm truck. Being built "in secret" for a customer for his dad.



Later we went out for dinner and then home. Chatting till late.

Next morning up early to get out to breakfast





Scrambled eggs, crispy American smoked bacon and pancakes with loads of whipped butter and Maple syrup.



When we finished breakfast and left, this regular was out front as well.

Only in America.

Daily driver.





From there we headed off to pick up Steves friend Larry Henderson of Trumann, Arkansas.
He is a fun and funny guy with a home shop as well.

He would be joining us for the trip to George Poteets place.

Next part soon.

[Grizz1963]

Steve, Larry and myself.

Great trip.





Juvnile himour again.





Bedtime now. Its been a long day.

[RockTonka]

What a great trip Rian!

Thanks for taking the time to share the details as you live them...very cool!!

We look forward to seeing you again one of these years...you know you always have a place to stay in OK.

[flashed]

Glad your trip is going well ,thanks for takig us along .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by RockTonka

What a great trip Rian!

Thanks for taking the time to share the details as you live them...very cool!!

We look forward to seeing you again one of these years...you know you always have a place to stay in OK.

Thank you Phil

I was really desperate to make it to Norman and Ada but my timing was out by two days.

Your invitation still stands and Austins bed is ready for him.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by flashed

Glad your trip is going well ,thanks for takig us along .

An absolute pleasure John.

I ride shotgun on many peoples road trips too.




So a few hours in the truck with two old rodders later we arrive at George Poteets Ranch.

No idea how Steve finds places. But the man has an innate ability to memorise routes from a single exposure or simple notes. He proved that a few times while I was with him.

He also has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all sorts of stuff and his list of contacts and real heavy hitters in the industry that he counts as friends scared me. The man is connected and people want to know him. I have known him for many years now and never knew just how impressed I would be.

All the buildings are numbered. Several houses, workshops and all the hangars all with air being circulated constantly.

George has several cars (maybe dozens?) that are on loan to various displays and museums etc. But the cars here were staggering.

My first photo was this one.

Wish I knew the story behind it.



Tom Dulaney, who was one of Georges school teachers is now caretaker on the site and lives in one of the houses.

What a gentleman. Truely. Sharp as a whip too.





Loads of interesting stuff, stock, tools and parts. Much of it NOS.









And then the Million Dollar car.

The Moal built piece of art.

Its an older car and builds are worth millions these days but it has history and many neat touches.





From the small shop we are sent a mile accross the property to find Bobby Madden the resident me hanic who looks after the fleet as well as Hutch who is to be our personal guide at the brand new shop.



The old workshop along with a bunch of cars was destroyed by a Tornado. With cars, four post lifts etc being picked up and thrown about. Some large benches, toolboxes etc were never found but in their place the storm left some transmissions/gearboxes.

Not sure if people have fallen asleep yet or moved on but I need to go shopping now so a further update later for those still onboard.

[dwcardfan]

I am still here. Awesome trip!!!!

[flashed]

Im staying tuned in .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

I am still here. Awesome trip!!!!

Glad you are still along for my ride Donny.

Its guys like you that have made it as crazy good for me and all the other followers on various forums I contribute to.

I posted out some English tea for Mrs dwcardfan and mum in law this morning. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by flashed

Im staying tuned in .

John thank you.

Also opened the licence plates you put out and sent my way this morning.

Spectacular !!

Thank you.

Every one is one I needed or wanted.

Motor cycle, New Hampshire, Disabled....... man you got that right.