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

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Yeah, I am on holiday as you folks say, and where I am at, there is very little to no cell reception.

No worries, we will speak another day.

Originally Posted by 65sub

Hi Rian. I was sorry to here about your separation but as Martin said sometimes its better to move on. For me, peace at home always makes it easier to focus on my trucks. I'm sure things will work out for you and remember you have lots of friends here.

True Dale.

I think I just need to walk away.

Originally Posted by [JP]

Sorry to hear the news man!

been there, but wasnt married, at the time had to sell all my tools (had a double garage, etc) move out, find a place of my own, etc... 3 years down the line and im better off now!

chin up!

Think we all get that some,time mate.

[Grizz1963]

All the best laid plans of men and mice.......


Started at 07.00 with forum catch up and brekkie, then by 08.00 the machines started to work, I try respect people's sleep till 08.00

Loads of rain and sunshine along with massive and long hedges, plus neighbours who wait for me to cut first as thy know I cut tops and over onto their sides, saw me start with these.



Looking up halfway, including down side of garage.



Halfway.



Finished in more ways than one. Knackered as I really burned this non stop today.



Was chatting to Craig after caulking the garage wall cracks and decided to have a shower and shoot over to his place 60 miles away. Perfect antidote to being tired and blowing the cobwebs out a bit.

Packed up some stuff for his garage including some really neat extension plug units.



Got to his place by 4.30 and he already had the fire going, just so we could cook a few snacks.

I had really hoped to hear and smell and feel the Chevy run, but unfortunately, the spark plug leads were next door at Joes place, on this van........

And yes, it runs too, smoothly, despite outer appearances.
Craig is really fortunate to have a petrol head for a neighbour.



As before, I had company, pretty privileged.



There was a load of other food as well, prepared by Lorraine....... But meat is always central.



I left at 8.30 after desert and a drink, desert was fresh sweet strawberries from the garden and proper ice cream.

Got Ho e to find this view over my shoulder when I got of the bike to open the gate.



Yup, not got it all done as planned, but it was a great day.

Thanks for checking in.


In other news........

Dennis bought a new truck.

Yes, never one to do things by half measure.

This is a one owner Ohio grain truck from Toledo.

You know the NASCAR 66 C10 he is building......

So why not build a period correct race car transporter?

GMC anyone?

All I will say is that it was for the price of a cheap Halfords bicycle. Then of course you have to add in the 16 hour round trip to go fetch it.

[Palf70Step]

That is a heck of a lot of trimming. I hate the bushes I have, I would really hate to deal with all yours.

[flashed]

My way of trimming those bushes would only take one time by trimming at the stump ,Im not a fan of bushes but we live out in the country without neighbors that close .

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

That is a heck of a lot of trimming. I hate the bushes I have, I would really hate to deal with all yours.

And in summer they do come back with a vengeance.

Hedges are great as they do kill a lot of road noise, look softer than a concrete fence/wall or even a feather board panel fence.

But they do look nice when trimmed.

Originally Posted by flashed

My way of trimming those bushes would only take one time by trimming at the stump ,Im not a fan of bushes but we live out in the country without neighbors that close .

I also have considered this John, but ultimately decided that they take little enough maintenance over the year.

So they will stay for now.

[Grizz1963]

Good bootfair for Nicola, I only found a new, unused grease gun for £1.00 that Martin may be needing as he does not have one as far as I know, and these truck always need a bit of greasing up.

Pic taken for our American and non English brothers.

Bootfair mobile butcher. You will never buy meat by volume at the prices these guys sell for. This is so British.



So after bootfair we came home, Nicola spent the day packing sorting etc.

I went to the garage.

HARLEY....... My hero. She was sitting down by the garage waiting for me to get down there and get started, so when I tried to take a photo of her sitting there, typically cat, she got up and came charging up the garden path squeaking as she always does......



Anyway, I got on with the cutting in of the paint with my faithful 2" brush, getting all the nooks and crannies sorted.



Carrying on with the brush, thanks to Mickey next door having bought the wrong colour paint a couple of years ago, I ended up with 5 litres of exterior paint at my favourite price of Free.
I have also "employed" Mickey to re-lay some of my paving in front of the garage that has subsided since being laid 5 years ago as sometimes the time vs effort equation just does not balance.

Carried on with the cutting in.



Then a sandwich lunch and a FaceTime call from Ta2Don in Arkansas, going for a drive with him through Searcy...... Gotta love technology

He also sent me some photos on Whatsapp of a rather gorgeous car we had seen while he was on the way.





At one point she had made herself comfortable on a perch I usually make for her on the bikes top box, thought it was typically her and managed to get a pic of my supervisor and companion.



Eventually got that all done.........

Been told I am crazy as I did it all with my 2" brush as I did not want to waste a fresh roller on such a small job once the cutting in was done.

I am very pleased, only problem is that I now have to paint the house to match some time.



After packing up and clearing everything up, I realised there was another small job.......

Look at the final pic above, look at the peak of the roof, it's flat.... The first crest tile was blown off some time ago.

Now to be replaced by a pretty cool Griffn roof finial. Bought years ago, tonight I screwed some flat bar to the underside and then welded some rebar to it to be embedded into the cement that will be used to replace the missing tile.

Very happy with it.



And the other thing, now the painting and cleaning is done.........

My mate Ashley made me this 1.5 meter or 5' wide Chevy chevron a while back, so tonight I pulled it out of storage......

Guess what next.....??





That was the week end then.

All gone.

[Palf70Step]

Good job on the garage Rian. Are you sure Harley is going to want some other critter looking over you?

[Bomp]

You Sir have patience. "I finished out painting the garage with a 2" brush". Crazy.
Well, sometimes its better to have things like painting keep your mind busy instead of life's down turn moments.

Life has given me the finger a time or two before...... "When life gives you the middle finger, give two back with a smile".

Take care Brother and see you in October.

[flashed]

Garage looks great ,cant wait to see the banner put up.

[clemdaddy]

looks like you had a great weekend and accomplished a lot. your yard is fantastic… the lawn, the scrubs and the newly painted garage. all look great. and to top it all off there was a killer meal to be shared. we would all wish for just such a weekend.
relaxing with the pooch was my favorite pic…


have a good workweek buddy.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Good job on the garage Rian. Are you sure Harley is going to want some other critter looking over you?

Nope, she is highly possessive.

But I need help with the mortgage.

Originally Posted by Bomp

You Sir have patience. "I finished out painting the garage with a 2" brush". Crazy.
Well, sometimes its better to have things like painting keep your mind busy instead of life's down turn moments.

Life has given me the finger a time or two before...... "When life gives you the middle finger, give two back with a smile".

Take care Brother and see you in October.

Indeed Greg, it keeps my head occupied.

Looking forward to October.

Originally Posted by flashed

Garage looks great ,cant wait to see the banner put up.

Thanks John, it's actually a sticker, so I need to make a good base for it.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

looks like you had a great weekend and accomplished a lot. your yard is fantastic… the lawn, the scrubs and the newly painted garage. all look great. and to top it all off there was a killer meal to be shared. we would all wish for just such a weekend.
relaxing with the pooch was my favorite pic…


have a good workweek buddy.

Agreed on all your comments Clem.


Week will be busy, but good.


Needed some headspace tonight so walked up to the farm.....l

Lovely skies after the torrential rains earlier. Made me feel both blessed and privileged.

Also realised again, that I would have real difficulty moving back into town.



After work I also found that Mickey had mounted and cemented the Griffin in on the shop roof crest.



Had to go inspect after the rains.

Harley protested heavily as she wanted to get up there too.



Looking good.

Why would you not want to live here?

[clemdaddy]

looks like heaven to me...

[Palf70Step]

So what does Harley think of the Griffin watching over you?

[60chevyjim]

great job on painting the garage and trimming the bushes it looks great !!
the griffin looks cool up there . super view from the roof top.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

looks like heaven to me...

Certainly is Clem.

I would hate to move from here, despite the current financial pressure that is coming.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

So what does Harley think of the Griffin watching over you?

She would happily sit on its head, funny cat.

Fearless and as long as she can hang around with me, she is happy.

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

great job on painting the garage and trimming the bushes it looks great !!
the griffin looks cool up there . super view from the roof top.

Thanks Jim.

These yard jobs all need doing, and right now they are therapy as they require less concentration than the truck and less money too in a way.


Right now I am fighting a daily battle that does range from dark to light, here is what I use right now to keep my head straight.

Part of my job is a 2 hr commute to St Thomas' Hospital for work two or three days a week.

Yesterday this is what I saw, it made me smile and motivated me to just get on and do my job.

Relevance to the truck build?

In most people's world, nothing.

In my world, it may be what stops me from walking away and just selling everything up, it may be what stops one other guy from slitting his wrists, jumping a bridge or gassing himself..... Macabre ? You bet, but it works for me.



Looking closer to myself, I saw this......




And then this........

Gotta be worth a moment of pleasure.



So I will be back on the truck soon enough, just need to muddle through the next few weeks till I can figure out what my budgets are like and get back to focusing on the important stuff like truck time.

Thanks to those of you who have been supporting me in various ways, call, texts, PM's or replies on here.

Trust me, it is greatly appreciated.

[[JP]]

2" brush... you are nuts man!!!

loving the griffin there!

ohh.. and get back to the truck! asap!
when I split up, and wasnt even married, it hit me really hard... but I kept busy, best thing I done was keep working on my motorbikes, those were the times that I was happy and with a clear head.

evenings were the worse and thoughts just kept racing through my head....

keep busy buddy, life does get better!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by [JP]

2" brush... you are nuts man!!!

loving the griffin there!

ohh.. and get back to the truck! asap!
when I split up, and wasnt even married, it hit me really hard... but I kept busy, best thing I done was keep working on my motorbikes, those were the times that I was happy and with a clear head.

evenings were the worse and thoughts just kept racing through my head....

keep busy buddy, life does get better!

Nuts maybe, but even more tight than nuts.

And yes, it all,changes over time.

So all will be good.

[Grizz1963]

Amazing world we live in.

On Thursday and member on VZI reached out to me...... As we all do at times.

Anyway, my friend Craig had an item to collect in Romford, Essex about 38 miles from here, so I thought that Steve, the VW Bus guy and the pickup could be orchestrated and I could pop in at my friend Henry "Rider 51" who lives in Romford as well, while going to meet Steve. So three jobs done in one, as I get charged for use of the Company car, it made perfect sense to,strike three spots in one.

While chatting to Steve on Friday while between seeing customers, I asked him if he would collect the item for me, to which he,agreed.
Turns out, his,dad who recently passed away, worked with the item seller 30 years ago....... You see, there goes Karma again.

Anyway, he collected the item, which meant a visit and a brew (tea for you colonists) was on the cards, and fixed as an appioint,net for today.

So typically, having gone to bed at 23.00 I woke and got up to feed cats and open doors at 04.30 which was not what I had planned.

Anyway, had a cuppa tea, walked around the back yard looking at the garden, then surfed the web, and eventually left at 08.15 to go to Steve's place for 09.10 as he has to take his daughter to gymnastics on a Saturday.
I got there early and saw him drive off to deliver his princess to her training centre.

When he came back, I drove up and parked up, followed by meeting Jenny who was working on some curtains for their restored and extended 17th century home.
I was just soooooooo impressed with what they have done, these houses are really difficult to make work in the 21st century, as people have grown by at least 6-8 inches in height. Steve and Jenny have managed to get the restoration and making liveable of this home, a reality.

Ohhhh, and Steve honestly makes a better cuppa tea than I do for myself, an accolade I cannot even direct at Nicola.

After close to an hour in the house, chatting to both of them, it was time to go to the Shrine......

Steve has what I can honestly say (I owe him nothing and he owes me nothing) is one of the most incredibly detailed restored and updated 1964 VW Splitwindow campers I have seen, with Safari Windows 360' and loads of seriously trick updates and mods, plus a very fruity motor, it is a bus I would be happy to own. Bare metal and TrueType no expense spared..... It kinda made me want my truck back on the road.

I will only post up one photo of the bus, there was too much detail.
When we got into,it's very special garage, Steve turned off the dehumidifier.....call that dedication?



The family had other chores to do and it was a,axing how fast two hours sped by.

Before leaving, I got to meet the rest of the family....... Three hens that earn their keep, as former battery hens that got rescued, it's hard to believe the state they got to Stwve and Jenny's
They were tame enough for me to stroke and "chat" to the hens.
The little Bantam cockerel chief was less trusting.

I give you..... Ruby, Betsy, Daisy.... Fearlessly led by Marvin the Bantam.




While Imwas there, Steve produced this plate, it was off a car he had bought in 1990 when Miss Dora got too old to drive her Mustang.

I feel very honoured that he felt it right to share and give me the rear plate off the car he had imported, I suspect Ms Dora is a distant me,Roy in her children's minds by now.
Still, I have the memories to add to my collection.

Old girl Tabitha, at 16 yeas old and a Royal PITA woke, looked and went back to sleep. She is the reason Harley is stay g with me.



After all my goodbyes, I left to get to Henry's place, but missed him, so went shopping at Lakeside,for stuff we needed in the house, then came home, had a sandwich and carried on cutting the grass, followed by the job Imhave looked up,and avoided the last few weeks.

Cutting and fitting the drainage gutters in front of the garage.



Weirdly, this takes a lot longer than it see,s to warrant.



Once levels were established, raised and set, I mixed some,strong cement and fixed the gutters and paving stones.



Finishing off by filling the one creepers hole, this is where the replica petrol pump I made a couple of years ago, will rest, with the vertical compressor from CraigRK inside.



The dummy petrol pump build thread.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thre...ca-retro-build



Other side......



So that brought the day to an end.

Tomorrow bootfair, followed by a nice ride on the bike with an old friend.

This was another heard job that just needed to be done.

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Rian, nice job on the replica gas pump! I took a look at the gas pump thread... very creative of you using various recycled items building it. You're very meticulous completing all your projects, whether automotive, home, bicycles, etc...

Nice work!

[Palf70Step]

Sounds like a good day Rian. That pump is fabulous.

[flashed]

I followed along with that gas pump build and Im still amazed .

[northern 85]

Very cool stuff luv the rooftop pic!

[clemdaddy]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that pump. You probably have hundreds of past projects like the pump that will now emerge and be a part of your place... sometimes, change is good.

Nice job buddy... life is truly Good.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Johnny_Lamebridge

Rian, nice job on the replica gas pump! I took a look at the gas pump thread... very creative of you using various recycled items building it. You're very meticulous completing all your projects, whether automotive, home, bicycles, etc...

Nice work!

Thank you Johnny, much appreciated.

Surely projects need to be finished.

I do enjoy getting odd bits to work together.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Sounds like a good day Rian. That pump is fabulous.

Thank you Bill, it came out as good as it could, nothing spectacular, but cheaper than a real one.

Originally Posted by flashed

I followed along with that gas pump build and Im still amazed .

It was quite fast, and enjoyable.

Originally Posted by northern 85

Very cool stuff luv the rooftop pic!

Thank you mate.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Oh yeah, I forgot about that pump. You probably have hundreds of past projects like the pump that will now emerge and be a part of your place... sometimes, change is good.

Nice job buddy... life is truly Good.

Thanks Clem, yes I give a lot of my builds etc away, and then sometimes see them years later, thinking they look cool, only to be reminded that I made and gave it away.

[Grizz1963]

On Monday night I made a kiln dried sand and cement powder mix which I brushed and tamped in on the groove from the inside of the garage, leaving it to go off by itself.
Again, happy with the result.



Because Nicola and I are trying to do this whole split with no malice and anger, we are both gathering bits to fill the holes, so the spare room for instance will be completely empty as she brought her main bedroom here when we moved here, so I need to set it up as a spare room in case one of the Americans happen to visit, or my brother pops over for a month.

So on Sunday I found these two bedside units for £30.00 then sent Nicola in for the kill and got the pair for £20.00



Tonight after work I popped in at a village three miles from home to pick up the most awesome pair of solid wood hexagonal bedside units that Nicola had found on Schpock for a final price of £35.00 the pair, I would say they were easily £100.00 each before.

Anyway, the house next to where I picked them up, had a wardrobe outside, ready for tomorrow's refuse collection, so I knocked and asked if it was going out, and if I could have it, yes please have it was the reply. So I came home and offloaded the units from the car, went to my neighbour and borrowed his Toyota Hiace van and went to collect the Tallboy wardrobe, it needs a little bit of attention and a new drawer knob. Brought it home, unpacked and checked it out. Very happy is all I can say, especially after seeing what they do cost.





Harley was very taken with the van too, such a weird cat, loving dirty, dusty, manly spaces. She actually protested when I put her out of the van.



Last thought for the day........

A motto I need to remember more often.



Almost the weekend.