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

[Grizz1963]

Thermostats.









On the way home we stopped at another antique shop, but bought nothing.

Found this guy on the GMC though.





Then eventually home.

Craig seemed to really bond with the little GMC Caballero

[Grizz1963]

Back home as Dennis was doing a BBQ and the kids and grandkids etc were all joining.



https://youtu.be/ttj9UwPF9IQ

Best hugs in the world for me.....



Dennis and Cinch.



Dinner was great, as was the company.

Later Craig, Dennis and I went to sit on the gas station deck again, talking late into the night about the trip and all we had got up to.

Life certainly is good.

[Grizz1963]

1979 Chevy Blazer.

Rough as a Badgers Butt.

But would you?

V8 Auto




Comments, opinions and suggestions welcome.

Talk to me.

[aggie91]

Its a 2wd so sure, I would start with a good Ajax scrub with a green scotch brite pad and some elbow grease to see what lurks under all that mess...

[CraigRK]

Originally Posted by grizz

Maybe not.

But it’s out on other forums already.

So I hope @craigrk won’t mind.


Cigarette lighter

Here you go guys

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Its a 2wd so sure, I would start with a good Ajax scrub with a green scotch brite pad and some elbow grease to see what lurks under all that mess...

Good call.


Been done already.

I took that photo in June 2016 while helping Nicola look for a suitable house to buy.

Loved it then, when I went back a year later, it was gone.


Then Martin contacted me two days ago and screwed up my life by telling me about it, and for sale.




So, if I were to buy this car.....

It’s name has already been given by DarrenH on here.

Tippex.


Guess why?





Quick video around it.

CLICK LINK.

https://youtu.be/sLldCzEizgo





Yup, it is a big thing.



Driving force.

And yes, aircon has been removed. No concern to me.



So now you have a better idea of what I am looking at.

Love the electric rear glass, operated from dash or with key in tailgate.

[Palf70Step]

We, well at least I, call it idiot liquid. I need the spray can size . Does look like a decent Blazer. How is it underneath all surface? Poor ole Prozac, I guess gets kicked to the curb if this comes home.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

We, well at least I, call it idiot liquid. I need the spray can size . Does look like a decent Blazer. How is it underneath all surface? Poor ole Prozac, I guess gets kicked to the curb if this comes home.

Morning Bill.


Mickey next door has wanted Prozac since I bought it.

I have already agreed to sell it to him for the same cash as I paid for it if I do, and if his wife lets him.



I have been looking at another vehicle to replace Prozac.......

Absolutely no reason to escalate my private motoring costs at all but the itch is always there.

Now we know that I have the 1966 C10 Chevy truck in “kit form” in my garage, and it is patient and I will get to it, in my own time.

Yes, really.

When I am ready.


Mate Martin gave me a heads up on a 1979 Chevy K5 Blazer in 2wd form last week (Thanks Mate #sarcastic mode) which I then went to see on the way home Friday night and again for more than two hours on Saturday afternoon. I have no interest in 4x4 cars at all.

Turns out that I saw this car in June 2016 and still have a photo I took at the time as I really liked it then.
But of course life, death and taxes plus a divorce got in the way.




I also started a question thread here: which has generated a lot of comments and opinions, all valid of course and much appreciated as I am the KING OF DITHERERS when it comes to this sort of thing.

Below a quote from Disasterbus with my responses to his points.

[quote author="@disasterbus" source="/post/2450544/thread" timestamp="1538210550"]Personally I don't need it, it's too wide for my drive so I've nowhere to park it, I already have too many cars, I don't have the cash to spare, I don't have the skills to weld it up, I can't afford to run it, it doesn't have 4 seats and it simply isn't practical.

So, following that rational review my decision would be.......

Hell yeah, get it bought, get it home and worry about everything else later!!
[/quote]


It will fit my drive, just.

I have loads of space to park it.

I am selling Prozac, so need a car.

I have cash to spare, banks are not making it worth my while.

I have a new welder.

I can’t afford to run it, or maybe I can.......

It has four seats, technically you can fit 5 people.

The rear converts to flatbed truck, tailgate drops, rear roof comes off.


Where do I deliver it???



And no, it still was not enough motivation to get me to just randomly hand over cash. Even a half an hour on the phone to @kevfromwales had me thinking it’s a great idea. Yet I woke this morning wondering if this little Berlingo that has been running and performing faultlessly for 19 months as an adjunct to my company car Ford Focus for when dirty jobs needed doing, really needed to be replaced with a Big, Dirty, Nasty Fossil Fuel Guzzling Monster that would be costing me pretty much 10 times as much to run and own than the Berlingo.

Not the car in question, though it is American too.




Prozac stood in the background, truly Kicked to the Curb, looking on as I fawned over the bid smelly beast for hours.




Tailgate too drops, turning it into a cavernous skip on wheels.

Love the electric rear glass, operated from dash or with key in tailgate



Inside the rear bench can fold forward or be unbolted too.



Folded forward access via front passenger seat.



I spent about 30 minutes under it, and the only rust was this hole in the corner by the drivers footwell.

The rest of the underside is shockingly rustfree.

Fenders and hood, conversely are rough, rotten but absolutely functional.

This does not scare me. Couple of hours cutting, welding, undersealing and job done.





Where your wallet goes to get raped.



I am sure Prozac will find a new home easily enough and the cash from him will make the purchase of “TIPPEX” as the monster has been named by DarrenH even easier.

So what to do?

[Grizz1963]

Friday morning Dennis went to work early to get things going and came back at 10.00 to collect us with our baggage.

Before we left it was last photo opportunity

Debbie who as usual had mothered us both and gone out of her way to make us comfortable



And with Dennis. Photobombing by Mollie.



Unfortunately the flights in both directions had been greatly altered, so no chance to go have lunch with Kelly again at Ethyls.

Once we said our goodbyes to Dennis it was weigh in and rearrange our significantly overweight baggage. I had 8 pounds and Craig 7 pounds to redistribute to our hand baggage before getting our boarding passes.

17kg of metal and license plates.

I was so thankful to hand that over rather than carrying it about in Philadelphia on our 4 hr lay over.



Ultimately we ended up putting our hand baggage that was inspected by TSA into the hold when we went on board. Pickup was Heathrow



One hour Free wifi for watching an advertisement repeated again and again.



Love this.

In event of your wife kicking off..... shelter here.



St Louis boarded.



And an awesome lunch in Philadelphia





What a great idea.

Rest area for pets.



After taking off for England we settled down fast, skipped dinner and chatted with the staff who again were lovely.

Grizz Craig Dennis 2018 Roadtrip - YouTube

Not much sleep but eventually we touched down in London.

Passport control etc......

Then out.

[realvc]

Why not keep Prozac and buy the truck too?
Just because you can only drive one car/truck at a time has nothing to do with how many cars/trucks you own.

The price of gas is a big deal as well as taxes, tags and insurance but you know you want it and you can justify anything because you are a man. Apply your man logic and all will be well. Go for it, it needs a good home and only can provide the kind of care it deserves.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Why not keep Prozac and buy the truck too?
Just because you can only drive one car/truck at a time has nothing to do with how many cars/trucks you own.

The price of gas is a big deal as well as taxes, tags and insurance but you know you want it and you can justify anything because you are a man. Apply your man logic and all will be well. Go for it, it needs a good home and only can provide the kind of care it deserves.

Amen.

I like the way you think Preacher.

Saturday morning we landed.

Passport control

Baggage claim

Bus......... to the carpark took a while to get there as we must have just missed one.



Craig delivered back home and items swapped out between our bags.

Then headed home down the M25 where traffic was atrocious

Eventually got home.

Unpacked, laundry, greeted Caleb the cat sitter and both cats.

As known by now Dukey was not well but he and Harley happy to see me.

What people waited for.

Treasures.





[IMG]http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm90/niknakpix/bicycles/297D057F-A388-4B59-9B58-499BA0CCB577_zp****zogtp.jpg[/IMG]

Remember tbe KEMP 3 license plate Dennis brought home?

This was traded for the ND Durban plate that came from friend Michael in South Africa.

Now got a place of honour in St Louis.



Typically a photo from Adam, Hanna and Tyler taken in the shop to remind us what we had lect behind.



And one of Andy’s hammers on disply between doing jobs.



Back home after Dukey was put to sleep Harley has been like a little Klingon



This concluded the 2018 Humdinger of a trip.

Thank you to every person who touched our lives, year after year. Meetong up with is, inviting us into your lives.

And of course all the forum members for joining and encouraging us along the way.

I am privileged and blessed

Hopefully Craig will be along to add a few more opinions and observations.

[Palf70Step]

Now back to truck stuff!

I know I am a pain.

Thanks for the trip log Rian and Craig. Enjoyed it immensely.

[flashed]

Great trip , thanks for taking us along .

[ibrown50]

To echo the comments above, great trip Rian and thanks for taking us along

Regarding the blazer, I had a ‘78 many years ago ( well GMC high Sierra ) it was actually very reasonable on gas would do low 20’s. Also for me other big ticks in the plus column; it will qualify for classic insurance so mega cheap and also FREE road tax next year.

Other options for improved mpg would be an lpg kit or even better swap the motor for an oil burner. A mate put a diesel motor and auto box out of a bmw 5 series in his C10 truck, with it being a I6 and 2 wheel drive in dropped in no hassle and was like 40 mpg and still went well. He also sold his 350/TH350 combo for more than the diesel motor cost him :

Go on you know it makes sense

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Now back to truck stuff!

I know I am a pain.

Thanks for the trip log Rian and Craig. Enjoyed it immensely.

For sure.

Even a different flavour??

Originally Posted by flashed

Great trip , thanks for taking us along .

My pleasure John

Thank you as always for posting replies and observations on here too.

Originally Posted by ibrown50

To echo the comments above, great trip Rian and thanks for taking us along

Regarding the blazer, I had a ‘78 many years ago ( well GMC high Sierra ) it was actually very reasonable on gas would do low 20’s. Also for me other big ticks in the plus column; it will qualify for classic insurance so mega cheap and also FREE road tax next year.

Other options for improved mpg would be an lpg kit or even better swap the motor for an oil burner. A mate put a diesel motor and auto box out of a bmw 5 series in his C10 truck, with it being a I6 and 2 wheel drive in dropped in no hassle and was like 40 mpg and still went well. He also sold his 350/TH350 combo for more than the diesel motor cost him :

Go on you know it makes sense

Hi Ian

I thonk that free tax only comes in 2020

Its first registration was 31 December 1979


I would not be looking at LPG, engine conversions etc at all.

Some cheap cosmetics and front end lift on intact parts and rear drop by two or three inches.

It has to be CHEAP V8 Fun only.




Test driving the Blazer truck at 12.30 Saturday after Berlingo had its yearly MOT test.

If its as good on the motorway as it was in residential area then its going home with me.

Berlingo will stay as its pretty much costing me nowt to run except tax and insurance which are paid up till February

Fingers crossed and wallet opened

[realvc]

Can't wait to here the outcome of this ongoing saga. Hope you enjoy it more than you expect.

[Indian113]

I seem to be unable to see the pictures you posted!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

I seem to be unable to see the pictures you posted!

Its PhotoPhuckitt time again.

I see its gone tits up on the loading pics too.

[Grizz1963]

And in other news.

Prozac has a new fresh MOT for the next year.

Tester again commented that for a sub 89k mile car, it was exceptionally clean.

[Palf70Step]

Nice!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice!

Thanks Bill.


In the interest of keeping. The information loop closed, and connecting all the dots.

Here is a copy and paste



Well, it’s raining outside.

The Blazer has been bought and brought home, a name to be decided when it’s made me smile more.

Did a 10 mile motorway drive this afternoon. It is very comfy cruising at 70mph indicated with more oooommmfff left to do overtaking in the fast lane.

Thank you all for the input, motivation, goading and sensible logic arguments put forward the last 12 days that saw me inside and under it three times trying to make up my dithering mind.

Prozac passed its MOT today as well, so a good day in all, albeit with an empty wallet to show for it all.


So..........

How does it feel?

This thing is at least 4 inches wider than the C10, which I used to reverse down the side of the house in one uninterrupted, if tight run.
This thing I had to readjust four times to get down past the house.

It is huge. Believe me.

I went down to the garage 20 minutes ago, just to go look at it again, and to start it up, and to sit in it, looking around, feeling it.

Then I burst out laughing at myself.

After which I proceeded to climb into the rear, going between the front seats, like a kid would..... yes, it’s that big.

Then I sat in the rear fold down bench seat that is actually a three seater, with seat belts, and again started to chuckle.

I saw where the rain comes in between the body and the fibre glass rear canopy, this is a known flaw, even from the factory 40 years ago..... so I may address it some time.


I did realise there are a few little things that can, but do not have to be done to and for this truck to make it nicer. But nothing has to be done, except for driving it and enjoying it. That’s the plan, honestly.


HAPPY ???

ME ??

HELL YEAHHH !!!


After buying it and doing the paperwork, Lee the owner agreed to drive it over home for me, and have his dad pick him up, his dad lives 4 miles from me. He has some spare wheels, seats etc for it.

But no Towbar, he removed and tossed it recently, so I need to find one........


First gas stop and certainly will not be the last time.



I drove ahead and then pulled over and stopped at a roundabout as I wanted to get a nice in motion photo of the Blazer passing by.

Not perfect, but you get the idea.



QUICK VIDEO OF THE ARRIVAL

Thanks Lee.

CLICK LINK.

https://youtu.be/cuhMP80xs8Q


After he went, I then took the truck and reversed it down the tight drive alongside the house.

Parked up awaiting attention.





Thread to be started some time for those interested in following this one.

Later guys

[realvc]

Way to go on your new truck. Glad to hear you're happy with it. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!!!

[ibrown50]

Well done that man !!.

You won't regret it ..........and if you really hate it I might be persuaded to give you a bit of profit on it

[Palf70Step]

Looking forward to another thread full of Grizz antics!!!!!!

Congrats again Rian. Very nice and I love white!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Way to go on your new truck. Glad to hear you're happy with it. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!!!

Silly grins are a good sign Vince.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by ibrown50

Well done that man !!.

You won't regret it ..........and if you really hate it I might be persuaded to give you a bit of profit on it

I hope not Ian.

Started on a small job this afternoon at 3pm and there is some to come.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looking forward to another thread full of Grizz antics!!!!!!

Congrats again Rian. Very nice and I love white!

Thank you Bill.

This thing is all about fun.

It needs attention like everything in this arena.

I think I am going to continue adding the progress on this thread.