November 22 2009
Took the truck on its maiden voyage today. Drove about seven miles before running out of gas. I still need to get some fine tuning on the gas gauge done because it was still reading a little over empty when I ran out.

November 03, 2009
It's getting really close now. Need to paint the rear fenders and install the wood in the bed. The new picture if from a month or so ago, please stand by.

August 22, 2009
Today the "Fried Green T'Mater" made its first car show. It did not win anything probably because it is still too incomplete. pics of the show are posted on photobucket at
http://s621.p...niors%20show/

July 26, 2009
The height problem is sort of solved. we need to move the mount down an inch or so. I think we will go two and use shims to allow for wiggle room. Scratched the paint installing the rear window so we will be repainting the white in the next couple days then it's interior will get some attention.

July 22, 2009
We have run into a little snag, the front is too high. We put it all together before paint but we never took the time to make sure the hood would close. we are going to have to cut off our radiator support mounts and lower them so the hood will line up properly. they are welded on really good so it will probably take a couple hours just to cut them off.

July 13, 2009
reassembly begins with the front fenders and the radiator. It is now driveable.

June 15, 2009
repainted the top and interior over the weekend. check out my photos on photobucket. http://s621.p...chevy%20truck

May 29, 2009
Thanks to my friend and his dad and uncle, the cab and front is primed and most of the body parts are painted. Will be repairing the cab corners this evening and finishing up the primer. She should be about ready to paint for Saturday.

May27, 2009
The truck is stripped of all old paint and we will be painting it in the next couple of days. Stay tuned for pictures.

May 12, 2009 08:09 am
Big improvements and progress is in the works. I have put together another engine for the 53Monster and will be installing it soon. want to get the frame clean and painted first and probably get the firewall at least in primer. Look for new pictures later this week.

Mar 16, 2009 12:00 am
As of today the album contains the pictures starting from two old frames sitting in the yard to something resembling a truck. We started it yesterday and it sounds really good. We will be installing the controls, brakes, accelerator and clutch pedals this week and hope to test drive it by the weekend.

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I have a new friend who is more excited about the Buick than I am. He came over last weekend and got me all motivated to get it ready to cruize. We rebuilt all the wheel cylinders and master cylinder so it now stops. The fuel pump started seeping, so I have a rebuild kit on the way for this coming weekend. We are looking for a welder we can afford so we can do the rocker panels and I noticed a small hole near the gas pedal when we were doing the brakes. I want to break out the power washer and get it cleaned up for some pictures weather permitting.

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Do you believe in the Jack-a-lope? This is an un-doctored picture. It sure looks like a Jack-a-lope.........
CHECK BACK TOMORROW, AND I WILL REVEAL THE REST OF THE STORY

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Wed. Oct. 21, 2008
Windy cold damp morning. We got our first spritz of snow in Colorado Springs last night.
Spring has sprung, Fall has fell,
Winter is here and it's cold as ......

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I am pleased to announce the latest addition to my family at 3:15 pm Colorado time today. This is the 10 digit model with sugar and spice and everything nice. Her name is Sanaia (pronounced like Shanaia Twain without the H) She is 20 3/4" long and weighed in at 6lbs 11 oz. We are so proud and happy.

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Need a little public opinion input. I bought this car las November and still haven't got the title. should I
1. Part it out?
2. turn it into a drag car?
3. find a way to get a title?

The car is very solid and mostly straight, the engine turns and fires with starting fluid.

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I have a new carb ordered from Michigan. It's running as well as can be expected on half a carburetor. Next week I'll be driving in style.
This picture is a sunrise from Oct. 2002 in my front yard.

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I have been driving the Valiant without gas or temp guages so I have undertaken a repair solution I found on the MOPAR sites. It consists of installing a voltage regulator in the instrument cluster. See the pictures.

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For the first time the Valiant has let me down. It has been getting temperamental about starting lately, I turn the key and nothing happens. Until yesterday I would just keep trying and it would work after a few tries. Yesterday it gave up completely. Now I have to find a new or used ignition switch for a 44 year old car, what a challenge.

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I have checked out the stuff since I posted it here and the Stove/oven works except for that one bad burner, the fridge works on propane and electric, the furnace blower works but I didn't get the pilot light lit to see if it actually works, and all the lighting works on house current. I can't seem to get the 12v lighting to work, probably a blown fuse somewhere that I can't find. Mechanically it is pretty sound, it runs a little warm going up steep hills, I found documentation of a recent tranny rebuild and other maintenance repair information.
time to sell the camper. Everything works, but it will need a new propane tank and probably a new deep-cell battery. Mechanically it's in good shape, tires are very good, recent new exhaust, oil change and tuned. Needs a new ignition switch, has a push button for starting, and the camper door lock doesn't work.

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6/02 finally got all the little knick knacks back on the truck, now maybe I won't get drowned when it's wet out. Those drip rails actually work. no pictures yet.

5/23 Painted the whole thing last weekend and started the wet-sand for second coat yesterday. I have some serious adhesion problems on the left rear quarter, did I forget to wipe down? Too sick in the gut to take pictures. looks like I'm starting over.

didn't see this nice feature before I edited the main blog, did a little taping last night, but no pictures yet. I'm thinking this paint job will look real nice from twenty or thirty feet away. leaves a lot to be desired from close up though.

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It's cold and gloomy outside so I just sat here and voted on all challenges available as of two minutes ago. Can anyone else accomplish this feat?

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Currently I am driving the Valiant daily 27 miles one way to work every day. when the weather finally stabilizes I will wet sand and polish the paint and probably have to add another coat to get the shine I want. In the meantime I am stripping my 89 suburban for a trick paint job that will involve the colors green, orange, red, yellow and maybe blue and black. I have several ideas for flames, fading and striping, I just haven't come up with the final inspiration yet. The last paint on it was a boring two tone shades of brown, foolish me didn't take any before pictures, but I will get some of the sanded down condition before I add any paint or finish the primer.

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