1966 Aluminum P10 Grumman Olsonette

[Corte's Speed Shop]

Hi All! My name is Justin and I live in Bayfield, CO. I'm finally making some good progress on my project and figured it's time to start my build thread.

It's a 1966 Chevrolet P10 chassis with an aluminum Grumman Olsonette body. The wheelbase is only 102" and was originally powered a 250 straight six. Just going to make a goofy hot rod to haul the dogs around in. Would also like to set it up as a tow rig to haul my turbo 5.3 Chevelle to the track.

Plans are to drop in a stock 5.3, TH400, Re gear the 12 bolt, blast and powder coat the frame, air bag setup, cupped lower control arms, drop spindles, front disc brakes, 2600 bags up front, c notch, 2500 bags in the rear, hidden hitch, and somehow finding the patience to polish the body out.

The day I made the deal for $400 lol.





Paint Stripped





Lift Off!





An el cheapo Craftsman box I sanded down, stickered up, and patina'd with a rust solution. Will use this to haul tools to the track.



Cupped lower control arms.



A set of seats I scored at the Good Guys show in Phoenix last month. Also was able to make it to Dino's Git Down. Super cool event for sure!



This will be my first complete build from top to bottom. Never removed a body from chassis, done complete interior, new wiring harness, air bags, etc.
Should be a fun learning process. Looking forward to giving back in some small way to the forum, albeit not exactly a c10.

[CG]

What was the process you used to strip the paint?

[aerotruk63]

That stock fuel tank would be sought after by the pickup guys who want one between the rails as to eliminate the stock in cab version.

[Corte's Speed Shop]

Originally Posted by CG

What was the process you used to strip the paint?

I used paint stripper from the hardware store and my pressure washer. I avoided using any sort of scraper as I didn't want to scratch the aluminum and cause myself more work during the polishing stage.

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

That stock fuel tank would be sought after by the pickup guys who want one between the rails as to eliminate the stock in cab version.

Aerotruk, any idea what that tank would have been from in '66? Was thinking at first it may have been a blazer tank, but this would have preceded that body style. Am thinking about replacing it with the LMC rear mount tank.

[62stepside longbox]

Sounds like a cool build, I'm subscribed. You may want to check this out http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=613242

[65sub]

Aerotruk, any idea what that tank would have been from in '66? Was thinking at first it may have been a blazer tank, but this would have preceded that body style. Am thinking about replacing it with the LMC rear mount tank.[/QUOTE]


Maybe a 60-66 suburban or panel

[Llay R. Rac]

cool stuff!! i bet your dogs will like it.
a friend of mine built real nice living quarters in the back of one.
he mated the top of a vista cruiser station wagon on top, he said he got the idea when he saw one with the top of a suburban.

[Bomp]

Wow, thats a cool project for sure....
And $400,,,,,,, deal of the century.
Im in.
Sub'd

[Captainfab]

Wow, you stole that for $400......that body looks to be in very good condition. This will make a cool rig for sure. That gas tank looks to be the same tank used in the Suburbans and panels. It is virtually identical to the '69-'72 Blazer tank but with an indentation for the spare tire.

[Katrina/10]

The frame looks similar to a C10.

[special-K]

I don't know what they did for frames prior to Blazers, but I believe 2wd Blazer frames were used once those came out. It could be they had their own frames built, since these have been a factory offering for so many years. The Blazer frame thing was likely for cost savings. But I'm pretty sure these have a much shorter WB than a SWB pickup.

[aggie91]

Great score! Looking forward to see how you finish this one out...

[Captainfab]

I'm thinking that Grumman Olson just bought standard production short or long wheelbase frames or even a Suburban frame since it is already setup for the gas tank and shortened them to the 102" WB. You can see where the rear of the frame was extended, but I can't quite see a indication of where the frame may have been shortened. The OP may be able to see something.

Originally Posted by special-K

I don't know what they did for frames prior to Blazers, but I believe 2wd Blazer frames were used once those came out. It could be they had their own frames built, since these have been a factory offering for so many years. The Blazer frame thing was likely for cost savings. But I'm pretty sure these have a much shorter WB than a SWB pickup.

[Grizz1963]

Great deal on the purchase.


Always interested in why people sell stuff at that sort of price.


I will be watching this build as well, as it is certainly another Unicorn on here.

[Corte's Speed Shop]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Sounds like a cool build, I'm subscribed. You may want to check this out http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=613242

Thanks! That's a great thread I've read through it several times now. I hope I can get mine to polish out as well as his.

Originally Posted by Llay R. Rac

cool stuff!! i bet your dogs will like it.
a friend of mine built real nice living quarters in the back of one.
he mated the top of a vista cruiser station wagon on top, he said he got the idea when he saw one with the top of a suburban.

Sounds neat!

Originally Posted by Bomp

Wow, thats a cool project for sure....
And $400,,,,,,, deal of the century.
Im in.
Sub'd

Thanks! I tried telling my girl that and she wasn't a believer.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Wow, you stole that for $400......that body looks to be in very good condition. This will make a cool rig for sure. That gas tank looks to be the same tank used in the Suburbans and panels. It is virtually identical to the '69-'72 Blazer tank but with an indentation for the spare tire.

Thanks Captainfab! It's in pretty good shape, but there's probably 100 small holes that have been drilled in it over the years. The aluminum body is definitely what sold me. You're totally right on the tank too! It has the indentation for the spare tire. Will also be ordering one of your P/S brackets before long. Do you know who has the best price on power gear boxes that are compatible?

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

The frame looks similar to a C10.

From everything I've seen an read, it's identical. Just a shorter wheel base.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Great score! Looking forward to see how you finish this one out...

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I'm thinking that Grumman Olson just bought standard production short or long wheelbase frames or even a Suburban frame since it is already setup for the gas tank and shortened them to the 102" WB. You can see where the rear of the frame was extended, but I can't quite see a indication of where the frame may have been shortened. The OP may be able to see something.

From the short while I've been researching these step vans, they were actually built in a wide variety. The factory would build a chassis and cowl, then ship it to various body manufacturers. Chevrolet also built bodies as well. The variety of parts used is also pretty interesting. The original dash had gauges from '47-'54 Chevy 3100 trucks and the radiator is from '49-'54 Bel-Air's. I have some old brochure photos I'll post when I get home this evening.

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Great deal on the purchase.

Always interested in why people sell stuff at that sort of price.

I will be watching this build as well, as it is certainly another Unicorn on here.

Thanks!

[Corte's Speed Shop]

[shp4man]

You know, I'd be tempted to polish out the bare aluminum like an old DC-3.

[NVS-C10]

Sub'd!!!

[LT1 Burb]

That will be very cool when its done, nice score.

[Corte's Speed Shop]

I haven't made any posts in nearly a year regarding this project, but I have kept busy making progress.

I picked the frame up from my buddy's powder coating shop last week and spent the weekend assembling rear suspension, trailing arm cross member, fuel lines, compressors, etc.

Engine plans changed this summer after I windowed the block in my Chevelle due to a boost control issue. Shortly afterwards I scored a 4.8 from another buddy down in Albuquerque. Thinking I may pull the Comp cam from the Chevelle and swap it in as long as things didn't get hurt in the top end of that motor.

I also came across a deal for a 4L80E that I couldn't pass up and figured it would be the best option since the rear axle has the factory 4.11 ratio. I've got the engine and trans both painted up and almost ready to go. Waiting on an H3 oil pan and a TransGo shift kit to show up before I can set those two between the frame rails.

I set a 27" tire up front to get an idea of fitment. Thinking I'll probably end up going a touch shorter to have things looking like I want them to. Hoping to pick up a set of tires this week and should have a roller in another couple weeks.

So far this has been a pretty budget minded project. I bought the P10 for $400, 4.8 for $300, 4L80E for $300, Rally Wheels for $200, and have been able to use parts from previous projects to help out. Powder coating was a little bit of a splurge, but my OCD won that mental argument. The suspension and brakes will likely be the most expensive portion of this project. Was just thinking about a driveshaft and laughed out loud thinking it will probably cost almost as much as my engine and transmission combined.

[Captainfab]

Looking good

[Corte's Speed Shop]

Scored a set of tires for $50 that were the size I was looking for and was able to get the front end put together this week. Noticed after everything was together that the spindles didn't look like they were drop spindles.

After digging through my receipts, I noticed I mistakenly ordered the CPP disc brake kit with stock height spindles. Thank goodness for Summit's customer service. Should have the correct drop spindles here in another week or so.

In the meantime, pictures!

[Aberdare]

I have a very similar rig to your's... but it is the GMC Version. I presently have it tucked away, waiting for some shop time.

Abe

[Corte's Speed Shop]

Sweet Value Van, Aberdare! Looking forward to following your build thread!

[Corte's Speed Shop]

Before and after with stock height to drop spindles.