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

[Grizz1963]

I have had a weird fascination with the older “New Beetles” for a while.

So here is what a bit of imagination, some work and cheap (£350.00) New Beetle can get to look like.

But keep in mind, it is a specific style, ethos, group and person who likes and drives it.

​Static lowering is pretty hardcore in many cases, in order to get the look.


https://youtu.be/W7tW2-PyefY


It may not be everyone’s pint of bitter.

[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]

Austin 1800 Landcrab…….. Ever heard of them over in the USA?

VR Landcrab

Not VR as in Virtual Reality, but as in Verkürzt Reihenmotor


A VW VR6 engine in a Landcrab. How about that eh? In a way it's kind of an obvious choice, big capacity six cylinder designed to fit in to small FWD engine bays.


Just seen this elsewhere, thought a share was worthy.

So if ever there was a true sleeper, this has to be one of them.

And listen to the engine note toward the end.


https://youtu.be/kaSwRBZWCjc


Yes, I believe that I could live with it.

[Braunschweiger]

This is probably due to today's times, nobody has respect for other people's property, you can form an opinion about this vehicle, for some it is everything to be mobile. But lighting it up, no.
You do this with great patience and it looks good.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

This is probably due to today's times, nobody has respect for other people's property, you can form an opinion about this vehicle, for some it is everything to be mobile. But lighting it up, no.
You do this with great patience and it looks good.

Agreed Harald.


Thank you. My problem mostly is that if I start something I need to finish it, even if it ends up frustrating or in this case, actually kinda boring me.





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.


.

[realvc]

Looks like a great plan to me. You have a lot of folks wanting to see you again.
It's funny how many people I feel like I know through your posts on here, even though some I've neer met. Happy motoring through the states!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

Looks like a great plan to me. You have a lot of folks wanting to see you again.
It's funny how many people I feel like I know through your posts on here, even though some I've neer met. Happy motoring through the states!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vince, we only met in 2015.

But as you say, many people become part of our extended family.

I am hoping to expand my horizons this year.

New roads, new people.







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.

.

[realvc]

I really like your brother's art project. That is my favorite kind of art, welded sculptures.

My plan was to restore my truck and take care of my other vechicles when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Then this past Feb. I started passing out for no reason. After many doctors and a couple of hospital stays they implanted a pacemaker on June 9.

Since then everything is better but the heart surgen said no welding and being around altenaters on running engines. So now I have a new wire welder that may not get used and a new plasma cutter that may not get used.

Anyway all of that is to say I'm still going to do shop stuff that I can, but probably not any welded sculpters like I planned, and all these old parts to sculpt. with.

I'm getting other opinions what I can and can't do with a pacemaker.

Also I've gone old school and will learn the weld and cut with oxyaceylene.

There is hope for some art anyway.

[Braunschweiger]

A beautiful piece of art,
I also like these welded pieces of art.
I'm sorry about your illness, but if the medical art gets you back on your feet,
that's also a chance to start something new, you have the ideas.
One of my friends died of a heart attack at the age of 62 last week,
and he still had big plans.
Everyone stay healthy and enjoy life.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by realvc

I really like your brother's art project. That is my favorite kind of art, welded sculptures.

My plan was to restore my truck and take care of my other vechicles when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Then this past Feb. I started passing out for no reason. After many doctors and a couple of hospital stays they implanted a pacemaker on June 9.

Since then everything is better but the heart surgen said no welding and being around altenaters on running engines. So now I have a new wire welder that may not get used and a new plasma cutter that may not get used.

Anyway all of that is to say I'm still going to do shop stuff that I can, but probably not any welded sculpters like I planned, and all these old parts to sculpt. with.

I'm getting other opinions what I can and can't do with a pacemaker.

Also I've gone old school and will learn the weld and cut with oxyaceylene.

There is hope for some art anyway.

Dang Vince !

I was not aware you had more than the average bucket of issues to deal with.

I guess there are no medically proven ways to circumnavigate the welding threat.

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

A beautiful piece of art,
I also like these welded pieces of art.
I'm sorry about your illness, but if the medical art gets you back on your feet,
that's also a chance to start something new, you have the ideas.
One of my friends died of a heart attack at the age of 62 last week,
and he still had big plans.
Everyone stay healthy and enjoy life.

Thank you Harald.

I have passed your message to Deon.

[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]

A good friend, Bob Heine, in Florida found these…….

He suggested the following Rian, the Canta has come so far. I know you mentioned alloy rims a while back but have you considered wheel spinners? While on your road trip, you might be able to source a set. These are meant for a VW but the description sounds like it might work:




Simple Photoshop and it does change the look somewhat.

I do like it enough.



No more Canta action this weekend.

But the Rezin Rockit had more than its fair share of attention and use.

[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]

I’m was chatting with Dennis Over the weekend about a load of stuff.

He has just sold off his whole sprint car racing setup, a load of engines, frames, trailers, specialist tools, race cars etc.

And it reminded me, before I had my “New YouTube Channel “ I had a channel where I loaded some stuff.

This is mainly just for some of you guys, girls who have not seen these clips for Lake of the Ozarks racieway.

Startup and preparation.

A typical Missouri Friday night.


https://youtu.be/BDuAjh1JQ1s




At the track.

https://youtu.be/rlbJoXj-BVM


https://youtu.be/p70y8zpR628


https://youtu.be/LfrF0c4FZh4


https://youtu.be/tH1LVazhdMo


https://youtu.be/0jUTFGEGSJM



.

[Palf70Step]

I remember those vids. Been a little while. Never even paid attention it wasn't on your current channel.

[Braunschweiger]

Yes, that's really great

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I remember those vids. Been a little while. Never even paid attention it wasn't on your current channel.

I actually forgot, and did not realise.

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Yes, that's really great

Thank you.




So I am interested in a 1990 Chevy Astro shorty van.

Currently for sale over here, they seem to be rare.

This one seems to also have had its interior done by “THE DROP SHOP” (one registered business in Mission, Texas)

Looks like the air bag steering wheel is changed. Old corvette bucket seats and homemade interior.


It seems to be pretty in the photos.


Details: 1990 model, 4.3 V6, alloy wheels, repainted. 77k recorded miles. Temperature gauge fitted under dash.

Any opinions on this specific model, year and engine that I could or should know?


Thank you.