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Post by ferdyfred on Jun 29, 2013 17:14:37 GMT -5
Got these in the post today from Barney, along with a January 2010 copy of a Hot Rod magazine with a pic of the truck at the 1066 get together being used as a stage for the drummer on the Memphis Flyers Rockabilly band, anyone tell me what they are for ?   Then I pulled this cushion out of a cupboard. Bought it in South Africa in April. For the Non-Afrikaans speakers out there, Braaivleis means BBQ. Years ago there was a Chevrolet advertisement that had the line Braavleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet. 1974 Vintage advertising. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1wvQ7ERXhYSo this is for the truck and teardrop.  Looking forward to having the weekend to play with and get to know the truck a bit better. Panel clips? shot in the dark there, look like some sort of holder flanged and with a pop on sort of end?? Im wrong aint I!! |
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grizz
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Post by grizz on Jun 30, 2013 17:06:42 GMT -5
Rubber door stopppers. Fit into cab to stop door banging metal on metal. Sunday evening 23.00 here in the United Kingdom. Great weather all weekend, got some stuff done to the truck as well. Firstly, went out shopping in it yesterday with Nicola who still refuses to drive it, but I live in hope. She seemed to enjoy herself all day, sitting up like a Meerkat on speed. Back home I had a few bits of cosmetic work planned, also a few pics to take to show the relocated fuel tank. Fuel filler sensibly placed inside, but on the side of the bed, with cap halfway up the side.  No idea what this tank came from, but it fits just right. Also note the rear lowering blocks.  Next job was to clean up and repaint the rear bumper. I also removed the American trailer plug unit, to be replaced with a European one.  And while I was out back and under I thought it sensible to try use a jack to push the rear bumper back into shape.  Dully masked up all the bumper after removing the rear number plate.  Result.  While waiting for the pant to dry, I played with my extendable flagpole, as we have an American car show locally on the 4th July.  The next job I started at about 11.30 today, after bootfair etc. Nicola had suggested that I go and T-Cut (mildly abbrassive polish to remove oxidized paint) the truck after washing it yesterday. Started with paint on the flat surfaces that looked like this......  Did a whole load of this.....twice.   Ended up with this.  I then went back to the house for a cuppa tea, a sandwich and to research the engine bays in these trucks. It seems most are black. My truck has so muuch over spray, it needed to be sorted sooner than later. So out came all my old painting sheets....masking tape and soon the front end looked like this, after a lot of cleaning surfaces etc.  This is the extent of the overspray, which is something I hate. Just shows shoddy preparation.  Ended here....  Done !! Result??  After this we went up to the farm to take a few photos. I will post them up if anyone is interested. |
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grizz
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Post by grizz on Jun 30, 2013 17:23:34 GMT -5
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Post by grizz on Jul 1, 2013 15:42:22 GMT -5
In the ongoing introduction to the truck and all its woe's Because I post on a variety of forums, from trains, planes and automobiles to teardrop trailers, so stuff may not be of interest to all, but I cannot write entries for every forum, so here goes. Tonight I am posting the main dings and dents to the trim. Right, some idiot, at some point had obviously locked themselves out of the truck, and then proceeded to try enter through the quarter light with the help of a crowbar. With the repaint 9 years ago the mirror was relocated and the holes filled with chewing gum, maybe.... The quarterlight rubber seals as rotten too, fortunately the front and rear screen seals are good.  Next up, passenger door flipped open by wind and put a crease all the way down, taking the shiny trim with it. Not particularly repairable in my book.  Front spear passenger side.  Passenger side door and cab trim.  Fleetside rear passenger side. Inbetween the trim there used to a sticker and some idiot removed it with a screwdriver or knife, damaging the paint. You can see how the paint has been damaged.   Driver side, some of the trim had been bent over and pushed back.  Front grille had been struck at some point over the second "E" and repaired with a ballpein hammer. The grille is very scratched from some "attention" it had been given in the past.  There is rust on the trailing edges of the fenders that needs repairing and a variety of other bits to be fixed when the paint gets done. More later. |
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Post by grizz on Jul 1, 2013 16:13:46 GMT -5
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Post by grizz on Jul 3, 2013 16:24:00 GMT -5
Short report tonight. Spent the day reading clinical papers, summarizing them and did some other studying and online training. Postman had dropped of a 8000 pound capacity towball today, it has a 32mm stem, so now I need to have the hole in the bumper enlarged to fit it. Thanks to mate Tim for sending it.  I have also bought a pre-wired plug to fit on Saturday with Scott "Jabbo" doing all the actual work.  By 19.30 I had had dinner (thanks Nicola) and then sneaked out to the garage for some "Wax on, Wax off" action to help me unwind a bit. Took the truck out and before I parked it, Mickey was there..... he loves the truck. On the front bumper I used Wenol metal polish on the right, then mate Jon took a pic showing the left a bit dull. This convinced me to take of the number plate to clean up properly at least once.  Left side not yet polished, it all came up really well, also did the front grille and rear bumper. Satisfied with the results of my efforts.  After this I took my time and polished up the Chrome smoothies..... thought they were clean, polish proved me wrong. Next up I used Autoglym tyre/tire polish for the tyres. Before tyre polish but after rims were done.   Couple of pics to show size perspective of the truck, in relation to my daily Audi A3 for those who are interested.   Next to Nicola's Peugeot 1007  Truck now ready for 4th of July tomorrow :beer: |
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Post by grizz on Jul 5, 2013 2:07:24 GMT -5
After work yesterday I raced about and took the truck, with Mickey my neighbour down to a local industrial estate to see if we could get the hole for the towball enlarged. I had spoken to an engineering shop already who said bring it in after work, but he insisted we go try an old friend he had not seen a few years. Got to where Raj had his shop before ..... Nothing. Turns out he moved a few years ago to much bigger premises less than a kilometer away. Got there and the big guy was not there but "the boys" were impressed by the truck and prepared to give it a go (This is now after hours and Raj allows them to earn "a drink" (English term for a few pounds for a small odd job off the books, a bit like a tip) Out came the Mag drill and some clamps along with a bit of 10mm steel plate. The drill has a strong electro magnet that allows it to effectively clamp onto the job and work as a pillar drill. With Mickey applying the cutting compound we soon had a 40mm hole for the 32mm bolt to fit through, yes I know, but a couple of heavy duty washers will sort that out. Everything still fits correctly.  Many hands make light work.  At this point Raj came back from a job site into the shop and if Mickey was a puppy he would have peed all over Raj's feet. They obviously have good friendship that has stood the test of time. I gave the main operator £20 for a "drink" which he was very happy with. I believe in fairness and this will allow me to go back another day with some niggly job. Job done.  |
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Post by grizz on Jul 6, 2013 16:51:25 GMT -5
Well I had Scott "Jabbo" over here today, he got called out to work last night, so had a quick few hours sleep this morning and then came over by 13.00 Scott had wired up the Grizz-Pod Teardrop Trailer a few years ago for me, I had a regular light board which he then wired up to the Taxi cab lights I fitted to the rear. When it cam to wiring the truck for Euro lighting, I contacted Scott to ask if he was up for a bit of abuse..... to which he thankfully agreed. I had cut and broken some of the driveway this morning and mixed a batch of concrete to redo the bits I had removed, just wrapping up when he got here. Soon we had the truck out, and this was the view.  I decided to mount the plug under the load body, behind the bumper for looks and also to keep it safely tucked out of harms way, so this as the result. My mate Peter "Goose" with whom I traveled in Europe on our bikes last year and his wife came down for an evening BBQ and sleep over as they wanted to join us for bootfair in the morning. We found via Vernier caliper that the US Spec 2" chromed towball is about 1/2mm bigger than the UK Spec 50mm towball. So he suggested stripping back the chrome to get it to fit securely into the trailer hitch. Some time spent in the woodwork shed, gently sanding the ball on my linisher left us with a perfect fitting union.  Of course we needed to get some photos.   Scott and his family had recently moved to a new house and behind the shed he found this...... Seems I have a spare wheel rim now. Just need to get a tyre onto it. Thanks Buddy. Next up I will clean and refurbish the rim.  That's all for now folks. Bootfair in the morning. |
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Post by grizz on Jul 7, 2013 13:59:29 GMT -5
Right, went to bootfair this morning with some friends who slept over last night. Got lots of bits n bobs. Then right at the end, last stall, there was a steel trunk. Asked the price..... Got it for £10.00 Been looking for a trunk to bolt into the rear of the truck to act as seat at shows, safe box for tools, jack etc and another bit of "personal decoration" to add. Brought it home and now have to decide what route to go. Outside is completely rusted on the surface. Inside has been painted at some point. It also has "The Times of India" from 4th of July 1945 stuck in the bottom, fairly messed up, but we want to protect or keep it in there. Advice needed please How do I keep the interior with the paper stuck to it in one piece and what way is the best for the outside? My thoughts are clear varnish inside and clear lacquer on the outside with some pinstriping later when I can afford to have it done. Latches are all brass.    |
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Post by grizz on Jul 7, 2013 15:35:29 GMT -5
A little off topic right now, but we got to see Nicola's wedding car (truck) today at the bootfair. When the guy brought her to where we were getting married, I did not even see her. I was very pleased and impressed when I realized it though. Gotta show her commitment to this whole truck thing.  I spent a few hours in the garage looking for stuff, including fresh nuts and bolts to put onto the towbar and plug plate that is hidden under the body of course. Found some old locks and two had keys. One for the trunk we got today.  Selected this one in the end.  At the bootfair today someone was selling this former First aid box for 10p so about 15 cents. Had a purpose in mind and bought it for the truck. Copies of the insurance documents etc are all in there. And it fits behind the seat as well. Takes a large A4 plastic envelope easily. Of course I had to decorate it a bit more appropriately as I had some stickers saved up from who knows when.  And inside as well.  During the afternoon I had also pressure cleaned and then sanded back the alloy wheel Scott brought me yesterday. Then painted it 4 coats of a random grey-white that I had bought at a bootfair four years ago.  The rest of this week will be very hectic, so I suspect nothing else will be happening around the truck till after the 16th of this month. In the mean time I will start looking for a pair of chrome smoothies with caps for the teardrop trailer as I am going to change the existing wheel adaptors that fit 4 stud hubs to take a set of 6 x 140 wheels and 15 inch white walls like the truck is wearing. |
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grizz
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Post by grizz on Jul 9, 2013 16:39:07 GMT -5
Really nice update tonight. I wrote a generic letter to all the previous "owners" addresses I could find in the trucks history file. Got a lovely email and a couple of pics from the previous to previous owner tonight. Another step in the direction of creating and documenting a more comprehensive history of the trucks life. I was wondering about maybe looking to see if I could contact it's last American owner too. Here is a copy and paste of the email I got. Hi Rian,
Congratulations!! You are the owner of one badass truck! I sold it to Rob over a year ago to answer a calling I've had for a looooong time to get tasked into some vintage stuff (check the link to see see what I'm smoking around in these days)
www.vhra.co.uk/VHRA/Members/Pages/Tim_ORegan.html
I bought the truck off a chap called Mark in Hastings around four years ago - he a Scavenger and plays bass in a few rockin' bands. He bought it off a chap in St Leonards who was the first UK owner. I gave all the import papers to Rob when I sold it but I think it's been over here about 8-10 years.
I had the trans rebuilt and swapped the dreadful slot mags it came with for the chrome smoothies it has now. The stickers on the back window were not my doing, you'll have to blame Rob for that although I did plant a couple on the glovebox and the rear window corners. The paintjob was an American lash up using truck paint - shame they rushed it but the colour's pretty cool nonetheless. The chopper guy you refer to in your letter is indeed me although I only carried bikes on the odd occasion as I prefer to ride 'em. Got a Triumph T140V based ride at the moment. Attached are a couple photos I took of the truck while I had it. Are you heading to the Hayride at the end of the month? I'd love to see the old girl again.
All the best,
Tim  I really love the setting and tone of these two pics. |
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Post by grizz on Jul 14, 2013 14:54:38 GMT -5
Not sure where to stick this in, but here goes. I recently removed a door from the garage and fitted a regular door after closing up the hole. I tried to give the door away, repeatedly, it was 8x7 foot, probably worth over £400 to replace.No takers. Yesterday I had planned on greasing up the truck, but then thought I would clear up in front of the garage and get the door onto the front pavement for the scrap man...... at which point another one of my crappy ideas sprung to mind. Why not cut the door up and use a piece of it as a small roof for the garden tool cabinet etc..... Into action and soon I had this, once I had found some lumber to use for the supports I had visualized.  Couple of hours later this was the scene.  At which point Mickey came around for a play..... Then he was off to clean out his BBQ as his wife had demanded he cook some cow today. Once I had finished clearing up etc, this was the result. Next up will be moving the tool cabinet, painting the block wall, and painting the wood to get a uniform colour.  After clearing up a quick shower and then a bunch of friends over for a BBQ. Perfect weather as well, we only came indoors after 22.00 |
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Post by grizz on Jul 16, 2013 13:45:09 GMT -5
Jerry can sorted. Thanks to Sven for selling it to me without his dad knowing..... 24 litres of precious fossil fuel to go in there. Planning to get it distressed, pinstriped and then onto the rear of the truck some time.  |
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Post by grizz on Jul 18, 2013 17:07:12 GMT -5
Been away at a business meeting for a couple of days, so yesterday Nicola texted to say a large box had been delivered from the USA. Tonight I got home after 3 hours on the motorway and found the box..... bit like Christmas!! Opened it and found the following bits from LT1 Burb. All at the cost of postage. Not just free parts, but parts I need for the truck and most importantly, Parts I would probably never see for sale in the UK. So here goes.....  Some door handles, and window winders. My drivers side lock has been screwdrivered at some point, so these are a great replacement, and will make life easier, rather than lock from inside, slide over and lock passenger side with key.  And lastly, a headlight switch to replace the non functional one.  Thanks a mil LT1 Burb, you have an idea of how much you have helped and how we appreciate it. Lastly a pic of the truck being used in a previous life by a Rockabilly band as their stage for the drummer. I have volunteered the truck as a stage for the Retro Rides Gathering 13 for Tim Baker to use for an acoustic set he is going to play for everyone camping there. THREAD HERE: www.retrorides.proboards.com/thread/154040/saturday-evening-musicwww.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KwtFAezUnf4 |
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Post by grizz on Jul 20, 2013 17:02:11 GMT -5
This weekend we had a 3 year old's birthday party to go to, so time would be a bit limited. However, on Friday night after work, on the way home, I stopped at the Hardware store (B&Q) to pick up some wood.  Should not take much to guess where to next. As always, made it up in my head, as I went along.  Old Mickey was up at 05.00 this morning as well, and when I looked out the bathroom window, he was way up in his cherry tree, trying to beat all the birds to the fruit, so when I went down to the garage at 07.00 to pull the truck out, he was there like a shot, large shopping bag full of freshly picked cherries..... could not ask for much more, could I ? Well , I got more...... A helping hand, he is such a loyal neighbour and always likes to be around when I make stuff, as some of my ideas are just mad to him. Fortunately, he "Got" the latest creation instantly, and approved.  I did not want a plain, two rail bed side but rather a stepped one. So cut and prepped the wood to have it like this, and then mocked it all up before doing the wood glue and clamps. At 11.00 I shut shop, showered and got changed, then we took the motorbike and went to Whitstable for the party, which turned out to be just great.  Back home from our visit by 5.30pm Fearless Harley kept on getting under my feet most of the day as well, and every time I moved past the tailgate, she was up to get a stroke, cuddle or just to sqwauk at me for attention.  Glued it all together in place with Mickey as extra hands. Next job will be drilling and counter sinking all the holes for two brass wood screws per joint.  This brought us to 8.00pm and with loads of daylight left, and Mickey clearly not ready to go home to sleep in front of his telly, I decided to quickly sand back and distress the steel trunk Nicola and I found and bought two weeks ago. Using a pointed orbital type sander, I worked the paint back.  Then found just the right red paint for the lettering of the stenciled words that needed to get onto the trunk. Got going with help from Mickey, again not wanting to miss the opportunity to keep busy.  Stenciling all done.  Time for some more random paint of the top and also to sand back a bit more rust to create this Fake Patina. Next up once dried for a few days, I will sand back by hand and leave little of the red paint, followed by a few coats of clear lacquer. After which I will fit the trunk to the rear bed of the truck.  |
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ehhh back to square one I guess?? 