Brent's Van (uante)

Leaving Easter Brunch at Postino in Gilbert AZ 2016. The Smilie Face Ball on the antenna was my Girlfriend's idea

https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t25697-texas-john-s-1963-mantique-van

I was looking back at TexasJohn's thread about my van when he owned it. Great source of before pictures and a little history.

Finally got the entry picture back from the car show last month...Looks like I'm giving the Vulcan "Live Long and Prosper" sign!

Cool pic!

This is the best part of all your hard work. Time to ENJOY!!!

Duane.

Drive to Breakfast with a few friends! When we first got there, the van was parked next to the Cobra... (unfortunately in poor early light)...a significant shot, Why?

Sweeeeet! Cobra isn't bad either!

The Cobra and Van picture is significant in that in the old TV show "Honey West" they had a "Spy Van" which was a Econoline the guy normally drove and Honey drove a Cobra...a somewhat more tame Cobra than this one, but none the less.

So I thought it was cool to get these two vehicles next to each other for a picture.

This weekend I finally got around to installing the Kick Panels I bought a long time ago. They are certainly a nice addition. The originals were in the van when I got it, but unfortunately they weren't in the greatest shape...53 years of being kicked will do that to even that dense cardboard stuff!



I'm going to leave the steering column original. I like the patina of the foot wear marks and the worn off paint of the shifter. Gotta leave something as was!


Also got extra door handle Escutcheons and modified them to work behind the window cranks. To me it gives it a finished off look having them on both handles.

Just keep getting nicer, and nicer. Now you need to find yourself a dash skirt.

uante wrote:This weekend I finally got around to installing the Kick Panels I bought a long time ago. They are certainly a nice addition. The originals were in the van when I got it, but unfortunately they weren't in the greatest shape...53 years of being kicked will do that to even that dense cardboard stuff!



I'm going to leave the steering column original. I like the patina of the foot wear marks and the worn off paint of the shifter. Gotta leave something as was!


Also got extra door handle Escutcheons and modified them to work behind the window cranks. To me it gives it a finished off look having them on both handles.

It's amazing how much the new kick panels really clean up the front of the van. Looks like a million bucks!

I'm going to build a wall! Unlike Trump's, mine will actually get built! lol It'll be behind my front seats!
First cut today...I've got a feeling this is going to take some figuring!  

Looks like you've got a good start on it (even using a level!!! ). Are you going to leave some sort of access panel for the battery box?

I hope someday I'll be to the point where I can start to think about the interior. I really love how your flooring turned out. It looks well protected.

vanny wrote:Looks like you've got a good start on it (even using a level!!! ). Are you going to leave some sort of access panel for the battery box?

Yeah Vanny I'll have to leave some sort of access panel for the battery, I'd be sorry later if I didn't. At least enough to get to the seat bolts so I can remove the seat for battery access.

The plan is to make a wall similar to this one pictured here and make it so it's easily removable with 10 to 12 bolts. Like I said, gonna take some figuring

I been wanting to make a removable wall to for the wintertime.

Finally put the shoulder belts in! Pretty easy installation. Certainly feels a lot better, but I'm keeping the lap belts just in case these get annoying.



Also took my rims off my Gran Torino and put them on the van. I was curious about how 15" rims would fit and was like, "Hey I got some Ford rims right here!" So although I don't want this style of wheel on my van, it gave me a good idea of what size I'm looking to get.  


Side View of 8.5 x 15 in rear, 7 x 15 front


Side View of  7 x 15 front and rear


Back View of 8.5 x 15 in rear, 7 x 15 front



Back View of  7 x 15 front and rear


Front View of 8.5 x 15 in rear, 7 x 15 front


Front View of 7 x 15 front and rear.

I think I like the same size all around and with the 7" rims I'm able to get the beefier tire I want. I'll probably just try and find some stock 15" rims and keep the original hubcap and ring look.

LOOKS AWESOME!!! Might get some fender rash with that rear size though by the look of it. What size rubber is on the 15x7's up front? I went with 15x7 w/ 225/60's all around so I could rotate. I may have gone 235's but could only get them in BFG T/A's and didn't have the $$ for that.

The tires on the 7" x 15" rims are 235/60/R15. I think you might be able to get a little bigger tire on those rims, but even as they are...they look better than the ones I am using on the van now which are 205/75/R14 on the original rims.

Brent your van is looking awesome. I'm really looking forward to see it when you get it all done.

I like the slots.

Duane

Thanks Guys.
I kinda like them too, but my GF says they made the van look like, well, never mind what she said...they had to go back on the Torino anyway. lol

She does like the white wall look on some of the other vans, but I think that's a carry over since she's a vintage VW lover.

Went out to Bill's, "AZSupervan" and picked up a set of 65' style bumpers on Saturday. I was going to drive the van (Clyde) out, but early thunderstorms in the morning canceled that idea. So today Amy and I took him on some errands. To her Mom's to water plants, couple stores, a stop at "IN-N-OUT Burger". While out we went by the Salt River/Red Mountain area since we were near there and took some cool pics. Now it's starting to get cooler out, we want to do more fun local trips like this. Clyde ran great today and didn't overheat even though it was close to 100 degrees.

Taking "Clyde" Off Road!


Thought he might tip over at one point!


He's eyeing the road, wanting to get back on it I think...


On level ground again


Back in the urban jungle Clyde tries to hide in the palms while we sneak a burger at IN-N-OUT!


Then later trying to blend in with some Sears Van descendants!  

Like that pic with the Sears vans! Someday, someone will dig up this pic and put it in an Old Skool vans at work thread...hee, hee, hee!!!

As my lower back and sciatic have been feeling better, I'm continuing work on my cab wall. I took the passenger seat out and while temporarily storing it in the back, I placed it on the wheel well like it was up front. Seems to fit there pretty nice. I was wondering if anyone on the forum has put front seats on the back wheel wells for passengers?

Fits nicely and could use lap belts attached to the rear mounting bolts.   ?

Or you could use a set of the mounting brackets to support a bench seat of your choice or as a mount for a bed etc...you've got the ideas cranking out now!!! You woke up the voices in my head...nice going, Brent!