Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers

[RustyNut]

Since I joined the group (10+?) years ago I have always promoted the idea of all members to try and organize "Mini-Meets". I have hosted/promoted a couple & attended quite a few. There is no better excuse to travel & meet new folks! And the good thing is the folks you meet all have one good thing in common..... They love these trucks!!!!!

I can honestly say that the 20 or 30 members I have met at these meets all seem to be "Good People". Over the years a few of these folks I have met have turned into what I consider real friends.

I hope everyone here thinks about trying to promote/organize a "Mini-Meet" in your area. Throw the idea out there and see what happens. Might be 2 or 3 folks, might get 6 or 10, may be the blow-out extravaganza of the century (Highly doubtful, but hey who knows).

With that being said, Are there any folks in the Midwest that would be willing to try and get together sometime this summer? Depending on response and location I can try to find a central location to try and accomodate as many as possible.


If interested in a Midwest Mini Meet contact me direct at

RustyNut63@sbcglobal.net



Take Care ALL!

Rusty

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I'm in depending on how midwest you wanna get. I dont know how far into MO I can get cecilia but I got AAA so what the heck! Let's do somethin and I'll bring the Powder Puff :bananadance::bananadance::bananadance:

I should look into a new set of tires too, come to think of it. Somethin stock-lookin but still radial...

[RustyNut]

We have our 1st potential "attendee". At this point the site for the mini meet will be either KC or Topeka. Location subject to change as more voice there interesting in attending. Once location is "set in stone" we will work on dates.

Come one, come all!!!!!!!!!!

[Clarke]

My inlaws live in Topeka, so I can kill two birds with one stone. :)

[Ed Snyder]

If you were to have it in Wichita, I'm sure my 89 year old Dad would be there with the one ton Suburban he bought new in 1965. I doubt if he'd spend the gas money to drive it all the way to Topeka, let alone KC. I'd probably even fly in to combine the mini-meet with a visit with my folks.

[RustyNut]

OK folks. Ed is one of the "good people/friends" I mentioned meeting in my initial post. With that being said I propose a "Mini-Meet" location of Wichita. How many folks would be willing to travel to Wichita?

[FetchMeAPepsi]

OK folks. Ed is one of the "good people/friends" I mentioned meeting in my initial post. With that being said I propose a "Mini-Meet" location of Wichita. How many folks would be willing to travel to Wichita?

Sure we can try Wichita! Still in!:thumbsup:

[RustyNut]

After a little searching on the interweb I found what I feel might be a good date for this Mini-Meet. Saturday July 12. Our Mini-Meet would be in conjunction with the 20th Annual Automobilia Moonlight Car Show & Street Party.

WOW I wonder how politically correct that is? Street Party & Car Show? How are all these "party" goers supposed to get home...Oh I forgot....In the Hot Rods they drove to the show.........

Anyway the show is from 6pm to Midnight, but I would hope we could all meet earlier on Saturday and then attend the show as a group. I have e-mailed the promotor of the show and am hoping for more info & I will keep all informed as I learn more.

Rusty

[FetchMeAPepsi]

After a little searching on the interweb I found what I feel might be a good date for this Mini-Meet. Saturday July 12. Our Mini-Meet would be in conjunction with the 20th Annual Automobilia Moonlight Car Show & Street Party.

WOW I wonder how politically correct that is? Street Party & Car Show? How are all these "party" goers supposed to get home...Oh I forgot....In the Hot Rods they drove to the show.........

Anyway the show is from 6pm to Midnight, but I would hope we could all meet earlier on Saturday and then attend the show as a group. I have e-mailed the promotor of the show and am hoping for more info & I will keep all informed as I learn more.

Rusty

for us we'd need to head back around 3 to make it home safe and by the Puff's bedtime, but that's OK. We're not much "after dark" kinda people anyway. You guys take some pics for us though!

[Clarke]

I'm still in.

[Ed Snyder]

I can get one of my brothers who lives in Wichita to find us a good location -- maybe a nearby park with picnic shelters -- something that can be reserved hopefully.

I'm definitely in.

[6066gmcguy]

I already got one planed for next summer too, in Northern Utah.

Howlin' at the Moon Truck & Car Show (https://www.facebook.com/events/1427341004154324/)

Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 5:00 pm to Midnight.

Jolly's Truck & Car Show Page {Facebook} in Honeyville, Utah

This Show Will go on into the Night under the Full Moon. There will be a Vehicle Lighting Contest. To Be Held at the Y-Farm Red Shed on Highway 38, Honeyville Utah Area.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I already got one planed for next summer too, in Northern Utah.

Howlin' at the Moon Truck & Car Show

Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 5:00 pm to Midnight.

Jolly's Truck & Car Show Page {Facebook} in Honeyville, Utah

Id really like to get up there too once my truck is running better maybe summer after next. Id like to see the rescue truck face to face. That sucker is awesome! Might have to take out a second mortgage for gas :lolflag:

[Ed Snyder]

Summer after next (2015) will be time for our 15 year Jamboree at Jolly's place. Let's hope for a big turnout this time! You all have lots of time to save up your gas money.

[6066gmcguy]

Yep, 15 year mark will be 2015, but I'm trying for new show style where we can have a vehicale lighting contest, so this is why I'm going to be putting on the show this next summer, I have the Red Barn locked down for June 14th as of today, and the is only 2 nights after the full moon, which is a good time to have a night show. Should be fun so you should be planning now to come out if you anywere close to Utah.

[RustyNut]

So you planning this in addition to (or insteadof) the 15 yr wing-ding?

[6066gmcguy]

I'm planing is as a General Truck & Car show next summer, 2014, from 5pm to Midnight, the next year, 2015, I could do a a combined 15 year Jamboree thingy and if this works out and General show to follow on the same day, like a 6066 GMC Thing in the morning and then let every one else come later that afternoon.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

like a 6066 GMC Thing in the morning and then let every one else come later that afternoon.

There's something besides 6066 GMCs? :headscratch:
Nu huh!

[RustyNut]

Count me out on the 2014...... But hey, I made the 5 & 10 yr..... Chances are I'll be at the 15. With or without a truck!!!!

[Nate]

I am planning to attend the Wichita Mini-Meet July 12, I am not sure if my truck will be ready by then but I am sure I would enjoy visiting with you folks.
A get together earlier in the day at a park sounds good and attending the show later.


1967 GMC 4500 305E

[6066gmcguy]

Here is something else I'm going to include at my show this June, Valve Cover racing. I have one racer built and the Plaid One just needs the wheels installed.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o612/6066gmcguy/Valve%20Cover%20Racing%20also%20known%20as%20Rocke r%20Cover/GMC%20Big%20Block%20Valve%20Cover%20Racer/vcBuild-004_zps95380a3e.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o612/6066gmcguy/Valve%20Cover%20Racing%20also%20known%20as%20Rocke r%20Cover/GMC%20Big%20Block%20Valve%20Cover%20Racer/vcBuild-028_zps355ca19d.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o612/6066gmcguy/Valve%20Cover%20Racing%20also%20known%20as%20Rocke r%20Cover/GMC%20Big%20Block%20Valve%20Cover%20Racer/vcBuild-029_zpse7611cc5.jpg

I'll need to build a track next. so if you plan on coming out this June, build a Valve/Rocker Cover Racer. Search the web for pics to get you going. I also uploaded pics of my build to the albums section.

[Ed Snyder]

Speaking of valve cover racing, some of the members of our Southern Oregon Chevy/GMC Truck Club sponsor valve cover racing at the annual Rogue Valley Rod & Custom Show which happened to be this weekend. The money they collect for racing gets donated to a children's charity. One of our members is a very talented fabricator and built the track at his home garage. I took a few photos to give Jolly some ideas:

[6066gmcguy]

Thanks Ed, looks great!!

[Ed Snyder]

Rusty Nut (Dave Schlager) is still having problems posting to the forum, so I'm taking over for him organizing the summer mini-meet in Wichita.

So far we have Fetch, Clarke, Rusty Nut, Nate, and me planning to attend. Hopefully we can get a few more of you too. If you can't bring your GMC, come anyway and bring photos of it to share.

My brother in Wichita is recommending a nice park where he's attended a BMW meet before: http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/Park/Pages/PawneePrairie.aspx. He'll check to make sure it's available when we want it.

Now we need to establish a date. Let's rule out Father's Day weekend and 4th of July weekend. Rusty said he can make it any other date as can I. Fetch, David, and Nate (and any other potential attendees) -- are there any dates when you cannot make it? Any particular date you would prefer? Is a Saturday or a Sunday better for everybody? Now's the time to cast your votes!

[Nate]

I will not be able to make it to the Wichita mini-meet on July 12 as I have a wedding to attend that was scheduled (last week) after our earlier discussion. I agree that 4th July weekend will not work.
I would really like to attend the mini-meet but I must go to the wedding.

[Foley]

Ed, et all, I'll be driving from Northern Ca over to Huron, SD and will be there around 25-28th of June. If the date you pick is anywhere in front of or at the end of that time period, I'd be happy to try and scoot down 520 miles to the Wichita area for the meet.

Foley,
Greenwood, CA

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Cecilia's down right now but if she's up and running we're good for any day that's not Father's Day. :thumbsup:

[aphaynes]

Gotta relocate you folks to the Southeast! :lolflag:

[Clarke]

So far we have Fetch, Clarke, Rusty Nut, Nate, and me planning to attend. Hopefully we can get a few more of you too. If you can't bring your GMC, come anyway and bring photos of it to share.

Hello All... Thank you Ed for the PM. Sorry, I've been really busy lately so I haven't had the time to keep up with all the discussions.

Yes, count me in. I'm good with what works best for the majority; I will plan around it. I look forward to putting faces with names. I don't know that I will have my '63 Winne completed by then, but my GMC is on the road.

Again, thank you for coordinating!

[Ed Snyder]

In order to entice Foley to come too, I'm proposing to hold the Wichita mini-meet on either Saturday, June 21st or Sunday, June 22nd. Any preferences out there? This would be the weekend after Fathers Day weekend.

[Foley]

I hope everybody gets a vote Ed. We would just swing down that way on our drive to South Dakota. I would cast my vote for Sunday the 22nd. Foley

[Clarke]

In order to entice Foley to come too, I'm proposing to hold the Wichita mini-meet on either Saturday, June 21st or Sunday, June 22nd. Any preferences out there?

Either day is good for me.

[GMCDAC]

I hope everybody gets a vote Ed. We would just swing down that way on our drive to South Dakota. I would cast my vote for Sunday the 22nd. Foley

I'm looking foreward to a mini-mini meet when Foley passes through Rapid City, SD!

DAC

[Ed Snyder]

Looks like Sunday, June 22nd is a good date for the Wichita mini-meet. I'll check with my brother there to see if this park is available then:
http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/Park/Pages/PawneePrairie.aspx. He said it's near Pawnee and Maize if anyone wants to look for it on Google Maps.

Potential attendees to date are RustyNut, Clarke, Nate, Fetch, Foley, me, and my Dad. If Rusty can come from St. Louis, Foley from California, and me from Oregon, surely there are folks out there a lot closer than we are who should be able to make it too. How about you, Jeannie? OKC is only 160 miles away!

[Ed Snyder]

RustyNut told me he wants to furnish burgers and brats to barbecue at the park. Between now and June 22nd the rest of us attendees should probably figure out what to bring too.

[Clarke]

RustyNut told me he wants to furnish burgers and brats to barbecue at the park. Between now and June 22nd the rest of us attendees should probably figure out what to bring too.

Great idea! I can bring charcoal/fluid and watermelon.

[Foley]

My wife says she'll be happy to supply the double fudge brownies! So that's what we'll bring. Hmmmm, she'd better hide them cause I know I'd be gettin' into them on a four day drive from the west coast.

[Nate]

Sounds like the plan is coming together, I can bring some variety of chips.

[Clarke]

My wife says she'll be happy to supply the double fudge brownies! So that's what we'll bring. Hmmmm, she'd better hide them cause I know I'd be gettin' into them on a four day drive from the west coast.

Ahhh, yeah... Okay, let's just say I won't be surprised when you arrive and tell us your dog ate them. Oh, my wife just said dogs are not supposed to eat chocolate, so you better come up with another excuse.

Safe travels,

David

[Ed Snyder]

My brother Pete in Wichita turned in the application for us to use the park from 10 AM to 4 PM on June 22nd. Pete has a 2003 GMC Sierra short wide pickup.

[Ed Snyder]

I thought the Wichita mini-meet attendees might like a preview of my Dad's 65 one ton Suburban which he'll be driving to the meet.

[Foley]

That's a beast Ed! I like those bigol tires, the dual spot lights, and.......are those the original side windows?

[Ed Snyder]

If I remember right, Foley, the front tires are 12 x 16.5 and the rears are 12.50 x 16.5. Dad had to have the rear wheel openings enlarged to accommodate them. Darryl Starbird's shop in Wichita did that work as well as some of the work converting the rear opening from doors to liftgate/tailgate. If you're not familiar with Starbird, see http://www.darrylstarbird.com/starbird.htm.

I don't remember how Dad managed to find the Young Windows company in 1965, but I see they're still in business: www.youngwindows.com. Dad designed the custom made windows to match the angle of the B pillars. I remember them arriving at the house in a wooden crate. He and I worked on converting the panel into a Suburban with 4 rows of seats to accommodate us 9 kids.

A little more about it: Dad ordered it with almost all the options available at the time -- custom trim, power steering, power brakes, front bumper guards, clock, tach, no-spin rear end, and probably more than I'm forgetting. I think the spotlights were dealer-installed. Before he took delivery, he had the dealer swap out the 305E for a 351C. He also installed an auxiliary 20 gallon saddle tank. The tallest rear ratio available in the 2500 series was a 4.56, so he had an overdrive box installed to drop that to about a 3.4 ratio for better highway cruising.

We went on lots of vacation trips in it, pulling a 24' Avion travel trailer, going to the mountains in Colorado or back to New York to visit relatives. Dad had the truck/trailer combination weighed one time on a truck scales -- about 12,000 pounds. Good memories! I guess that means I've been a fan of the V6 for almost 50 years now.

[Clarke]

We went on lots of vacation trips in it, pulling a 24' Avion travel trailer, going to the mountains in Colorado or back to New York to visit relatives. Dad had the truck/trailer combination weighed one time on a truck scales -- about 12,000 pounds. Good memories! I guess that means I've been a fan of the V6 for almost 50 years now.

That's so cool! What great memories... (even if there was nine kids... LOL)

[RustyNut]

Hope this message works, I have had issues in the past......

I want to thank Ed for more or less getting this Mini-Meet promoted.

I have committed to work/help at a car show the place I work at is hosting on Sat. the 21st. Awards are given out @ 3pm. Debating on staying in Topeka or Wichita Fri night. Really depends on what time I get out of St Charles. 5 hours to Topeka, 7 to Wichita. I am hoping to be out of Car Show by 5...... We shall see.

Also debating on what to drive..... 78 GMC gets 6-8 mpg Family car gets 28-32. 850-900 miles round trip.

Never mind about the debating..... Even though I love showing off the 78, the 80 gallons of fuel difference has made up my mind. But I will bring pics!!!!!! LOL

Looking forward to seeing some old friends and hopefully making some new ones!!!!

RustyNut

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Hope this message works, I have had issues in the past......

I want to thank Ed for more or less getting this Mini-Meet promoted.

I have committed to work/help at a car show the place I work at is hosting on Sat. the 21st. Awards are given out @ 3pm. Debating on staying in Topeka or Wichita Fri night. Really depends on what time I get out of St Charles. 5 hours to Topeka, 7 to Wichita. I am hoping to be out of Car Show by 5...... We shall see.

Also debating on what to drive..... 78 GMC gets 6-8 mpg Family car gets 28-32. 850-900 miles round trip.

Never mind about the debating..... Even though I love showing off the 78, the 80 gallons of fuel difference has made up my mind. But I will bring pics!!!!!! LOL

Looking forward to seeing some old friends and hopefully making some new ones!!!!

RustyNut


Pics vs 80 gallons of gas, that's no contest! Hopefully the Powder Puff and I can make it, even for pics. You should see about trying to post them pics on here too Rusty so everyone can see. I made a video about doing it here (http://6066gmcclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48107). :giggity:


See you there!

[RustyNut]

Jeannie?????

I think this thing is working...... For how long I do not know..... LOL

You gonna make the 3 hr drive to meet us in Wichita?

Rusty

[Jeannie]

Thank you RustyNut, however Tom would be unhappy with me for weeks. I will be looking forward to updates from the attendees....And mind the language on the board please :)

:superhug:

-Jeannie

[RustyNut]

Ed caught my typo/brain fart. I am planning on staying SAT night NOT FRI night in either Topeka or Wichita depending on what time I get out of St Louis.

[Ed Snyder]

You need to get rid of that gas-guzzling 78 GMC, Rusty, and get an economical V6 to replace it. Set up like Rick Rusconi's 62 (lightweight half ton short bed, 3.08 gears, overdrive trans) you could easily double your mileage.

[RustyNut]

Hey All....

I thinks so far we have 5 or 6 committed to attend.

I am needing to start making reservations/plans.

I believe the park shelter is reserved from 10-4. What time are folks wanting to meet @ the park? I am planning on grilling burgers & brats. What time should we plan on eating? How late are folks planning on "hanging out"?

Once I get a better idea of what time folks are wanting to get together and what time they want to be "on the road home" will help me with my hotel reservations.

Looking forward to another "Mini-Meet".

To all others who haven't committed.......

If you there is anyway you can make it to Wichita please do so!!!!!! Don't think you have to drive your truck. Fly in, drive in, **** hitchhike if you have to.

I will refer back to the original post. It is a great way to meet "good folks" who share a common interest.

Take Care ALL!!!!!

RustyNut

[Foley]

Hard to nail it down Mr. Rustynut but I'd say people will drift in maybe 10:30 - 11:00ish? But when you start grillin' they will come!! Then we can eat and hang around early afternoon kicking tires and tellin' lies. We will be traveling and so I don't know the exact arrival time. But I'll have the brownies on the table by grillin' time. The only thing I'd ask for is an address for this park? Tks. Foley.

[Ed Snyder]

I've posted a link to the park before. If you go back a couple of pages, you should be able to find it. Just click on "Map" on that site. The parking lot for the park is really easy to find. From US54, take the Maize Road exit and head south. When you get to Pawnee, turn left (east). The parking lot is on your left before you get to the end of Pawnee.

My brother sent this link to the house which is right next door to the parking lot:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=10010+West+Pawnee+Street,+Wichita,+KS&ie=UTF-8&ei=NFl2U7jjM8ic8gGhjIGwAw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

[FetchMeAPepsi]

This is still July 12 right? Man I gotta get on those hubs! Powder Puff is gonna kill me!

[RustyNut]

Fetch.....

July 12th????? You show up then you'll probably be the only one there, I thought the plan was June 22nd.

Foley (and others)... I will plan on having the meat portion of lunch ready for consumption @ 1230-1pm.

Beween now and then need a solid head count.

Rusty

[Ed Snyder]

Time's a-wasting, Fetch! The meet is definitely Sunday, June 22nd. Get those hubs put back together ASAP! The rest of us are counting on you and Powder Puff to be there.

Rusty -- although the "official" times are 10 AM to 4 PM, since these meets tend to be pretty informal, you can bet people will drift in and out at various times. I doubt if too many will show up early though. Hopefully everyone's there by noon at least. I wouldn't be surprised if there are still a few of us hanging out well past 4 PM.

[Cayoterun]

This sounds like a fun weekend. It would be nice to meet some of the members.
I haven't asked the wife what she has planned for then, but maybe we could drive up.
Would my '46 V12 Chemmy be welcome? If so, we might trailer it up. (Avatar) I've never taken it to any show yet. Had several visitors come to our farm shop to visit it, tho.
We live about 250 mi. s/w of Wichita on Hiway 54
We would come up to near Wichita the day before, spend the night so we could be there earlier the 22nd.

If a Kitty is being made up for misc. expenses, please post address, so we could submit a donation to help.
I'll be watching this thread to see how things come together. Hope it works out.

[RustyNut]

Cayoterun,

Of course Avatar would be welcome!!!!!! I have seen pics/videos on the internet and would love to see it in person.

Please don't consider this a "show". It is nothing of the sort. These "Mini-Meets" are nothing more than people who share an interest getting together.

As far as a "kitty" contribution. Really no need. As far as I know its kind of a "pot luck".... bring what you can. I m planning on grilling burgers and brats for all that attend, and others are bringing snacks and sides.

Hoping to meet you & Avatar next month.

Rusty

[Ed Snyder]

In case anybody planning on attending the Wichita mini-meet in four weeks is looking for a project truck, my brother Pete looked at one today:
http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/4484436030.html
It's a little rough, but definitely has potential. Pete took a few photos, so if you want to see them, send me a PM with your email address.

[RustyNut]

Time is getting closer.

Was hoping to get a "For Sure" and "Possible" list of attendees.

Rusty

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I'm still in pieces RustyNut but lets keep me and the powder puff in the "possible" camp until we know for sure.

[Foley]

Me 'n Marcia are working out the details of the distance and driving time from northern CA. Should arrive in the Wichita area Sunday mid morning. So make us a "for sure", but write it in pencil pls. :tiphat:

Foley

[Foley]

Me 'n Marcia are working out the details of the distance and driving time from northern CA. Should arrive in the Wichita area Sunday mid morning. So make us a "for sure", but write it in pencil pls. :tiphat:

Foley

[Clarke]

Time is getting closer.

Was hoping to get a "For Sure" and "Possible" list of attendees.

Rusty

For Sure for me. My wife doesn't want to be there all day, so she might show up after lunch.

I'm looking for to it.

[Nate]

I plan to be there, not sure if the wife will be able to make it, she is having some back problems. I am looking forward to meeting you folks.

[RustyNut]

Hey Folks,

Date is less than 2 weeks away. Hopefully you know if you'll be there are not. I cannot emphasise enough that everyone should try (no matter what the distance) to make arrangements to attend. It is a great way to meet "good" folks that share a common interest and put a face to the name with the guys that post here. Do not feel obligated to bring your 60-66.

With that being said, was hoping to come up with a menu. So far I have committed for burgers and brats. Foley has committed to a Brownie dessert. Who else is willing to bring what? I could make a pasta salad (oil/vinegar not mayo based) as a side unless someone has another option.

As far as refreshments I am recommending bring what you plan on consuming.

It is time to figure who's bringing what and figure out how much they should bring.

Take Care All & Looking Forward to another Mini-Meet.

Rusty

[RustyNut]

Hey Folks,

Date is less than 2 weeks away. Hopefully you know if you'll be there are not. I cannot emphasise enough that everyone should try (no matter what the distance) to make arrangements to attend. It is a great way to meet "good" folks that share a common interest and put a face to the name with the guys that post here. Do not feel obligated to bring your 60-66.

With that being said, was hoping to come up with a menu. So far I have committed for burgers and brats. Foley has committed to a Brownie dessert. Who else is willing to bring what? I could make a pasta salad (oil/vinegar not mayo based) as a side unless someone has another option.

As far as refreshments I am recommending bring what you plan on consuming.

It is time to figure who's bringing what and figure out how much they should bring.

Take Care All & Looking Forward to another Mini-Meet.

Rusty

[Ed Snyder]

Hey Rusty --

Awhile back Clarke said he'd bring charcoal fluid and watermelon, and Nate said he'd bring chips. Unless you've got another suggestion, I thought I'd bring a vegetable tray and disposable stuff like paper towels, plastic forks, etc. Your pasta salad sounds good too.

[Clarke]

Yes, I'm bringing charcoal, lighter fluid and watermelon.

I hoping my camper will be done enough to bring along.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I was getting pumped but now I have engine trouble?!?! :pullinghairout:
I'll post an audio of it this weekend. Any of you guys that have engine experience please check it out in the engine section here (http://6066gmcclub.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=48240)and let me know what you think so I can get it fixed in time.


If she's runnin, the Powder Puff and I are comin!
We'll bring PEPSIs :lolsmack2:
Root beer and Dr Peppers if we get there.

[RustyNut]

Hey Guys/Gals,

Cayote:

Do you think you are gonna be able to make it? Your "Avator" and Ed's dad's "survivor" would definately make great "Center's of Attraction".

Fetch:

Do every thing you can to bring "PowderPuff", but if you can't come anyway.... I've been to at least 10 of these "Mini-Meets" and only brought a 60-66 once. (A recently purchased '65 that I was driving home from California & I stopped by Jolly's 10 year Wing-Ding.

All others:

Do what you can to attend....... It is a great way to meet great folks that all share a common interest.


Rusty

[Nate]

Yes, I am still in for the chips, looking forward to the mini-meet, hope we have good weather.

[Cayoterun]

Hey Guys/Gals,

Cayote:

Do you think you are gonna be able to make it? Your "Avator" and Ed's dad's "survivor" would definately make great "Center's of Attraction".

Fetch:

Do every thing you can to bring "PowderPuff", but if you can't come anyway.... I've been to at least 10 of these "Mini-Meets" and only brought a 60-66 once. (A recently purchased '65 that I was driving home from California & I stopped by Jolly's 10 year Wing-Ding.

All others:

Do what you can to attend....... It is a great way to meet great folks that all share a common interest.


Rusty

Rusty: We just learned a son of ours who works overseas and wife will be here. He's only in the states once a year, so want to spend as much time as possible with them.
Wish we could be there, but maybe next time.
Hope you have a good attendance and spin an ol' truck yarn for me.

Cayoterun

[RustyNut]

Cayote,

Glad to hear you will be able to see your son. My oldest just graduated college last month & relocated to Florida. My wife and I are already looking forward to the next time we get to see him.

Rusty

[Cayoterun]

Cayote,

Glad to hear you will be able to see your son. My oldest just graduated college last month & relocated to Florida. My wife and I are already looking forward to the next time we get to see him.

Rusty

No, Rusty, we/they never get too old for us not to look forward to their footsteps coming up the sidewalk toward home.

[RustyNut]

Hey Guys/Gals,

I probably wont be getting into Wichita till 11 or 12 Saturday night so to simplify/reduce condiments needed I am planning on grilling brats only. Another advantage of brats only is they are MUCH easier to keep warm for extended periods of time with drying out and turning into leather/cardboard. I will bring the buns and toppings. I normally top with onions (cooked or raw), kraut, mustard or 1000 Island. If anyone would like any additional toppings let me know.

Also, instead of pasta salad I will be bringing a German (Oil and Vinegar base) Cole Slaw.

I will plan on having brats reading 12:30ish but can easily keep them warm til 3 or 4.

Hopefully we can have a true head count by Thursday so that folks can estimate how much of whatever the volunteered to bring.

Take Care ALL!!!! Looking forward to seeing you folks!!!!

Rusty

[Ed Snyder]

If any of you Wichita Mini-Meet attendees are looking for something else to do while you're in Wichita, my brother Pete sent me this:

http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.html

http://www.libertyfoundation.org/schedule.html

James Jabara Airport (KAAO)
Midwest Corporate Aircraft
3512 N. Webb Road
Wichita, KS 67226

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Well the Powder Puff and I have an update. Barring a miracle I don't think we'll make it this time. We got all our ducks, but none of them wanna line up. Cecilia's engine isn't stable enough for me to feel comfy taking her that far away. If that wasn't enough of a bummer, The Blonde got called in this weekend to work so I'd be dragging three little crumb crunchers along with me.

Hopefully the next one will see us in better shape. :(

Powder puff is not happy. She was playing dress up with her sister when she heard the news. I softened the blow by telling her we'd get Cecilia running better then taking a few smaller trips that are closeby like grandparents and such (hour to three hours). Take a lot of pics guys! We're there in spirit :thumbsup:

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Ok guys its wednesday. Any pics?!?!

[GMCDAC]

Yeah and I'd like to know if everything is going alright with Foley. He's headed this direction!

DAC

[GMCDAC]

We are still waiting for pics from last weekend! Foley let me know they got to Huron, SD yesterday.

DAC

[Ed Snyder]

Well, Fetch and DAC -- I'm afraid you'll have to wait until at least next Tuesday for any of my pictures. I was in Wichita for the last week, staying at my folks' house with no internet access. I finally have internet access here tonight at my motel in Limon, CO. Tomorrow night I'll be in Rock Springs, WY, then Battle Mountain, NV, Sunday night. Back home Monday night.

When Dad and I got back to his house after the mini-meet Sunday, he and Mom surprised me by asking me if I wanted to drive his '65 one ton Suburban back home instead of flying. I told them they didn't have to ask me twice!

So I spent the last few days getting the truck roadworthy for the trip home. I changed the oil & filter, checked the trans, Watson box, and rear end, and read through Dad's meticulous maintenance records to see what else it might need. Although he had only driven it about 2500 miles in the last 15 years, there were few miles on the belts, hoses, chassis lube, spark plug wires, wheel bearings grease, etc., etc. I made a Harbor Freight run too, to stock up on tools, just in case. I figured if I had them, I wouldn't need them. But if I didn't have them, I probably would!

The main thing I had to do was buy two new 33x12.50x16.5 tires to replace two really old ones. The other two only have 2500 miles on them. The fact that they're 15 years old makes me a little nervous, but so far so good. At least they've been garaged the whole time, out of the sun and temperature extremes.

With 40 gallon fuel capacity, I've only had to fill up once so far. Got over 12 mpg, which I thought was pretty good for a truck Dad thinks weighs about 7000 pounds. If the 351C continues to run as well as it has so far, I shouldn't have any trouble making it all the way home. I debated whether to do three 600 mile days or four 450 mile days, and decided on the latter so as not to push it too hard. At 60 to 65 mph in 75 mph zones, about 98% of the traffic is passing me. Good thing I'm not in a hurry!

[BarryGMC]

I am looking forward to pics of that rig. Have a safe trip.

[Ed Snyder]

Barry -- the first post on page 5 of this thread, dated May 1st, has one photo of the one ton Suburban. I'll post more when I get back home. I wasn't the only one there at the meet taking photos, though. Since Foley's probably still traveling, he may not have internet access. Dave, Nate, David -- any photos to share?

[BarryGMC]

Cool old rig. I have some 15x10 and 16.5 x9.75 8 lug slot wheels. But I never used them on a 60-66 because tires rub in the back. Safe travels.

[Ed Snyder]

The tires would have rubbed on the rear fender lips on the one ton Suburban if Dad hadn't had Darryl Starbird radius the openings to match the front fender openings. He had ordered it originally with the biggest wheels and tires available fromm the factory, 8.00x17.5. When towing the 24' Avion trailer, however, he experienced many blowouts. So when the 12x16.5 tires became available (about 1969 I think) he got rid of the originals. For some reason, the Avion (Airstream clone) only had a single axle even though it weighed about 5000 pounds. So we had lots of blowouts with those tires too. Don't remember the size, 7.00x15 maybe. So around the same time Dad installed the 12x16.5 tires on the 9.75x16.5 wheels on the truck, he modified the trailer to fit 10x16.5 tires on 8.25x16.5 wheels. That eliminated the blowouts on both truck and trailer.

I had a 1963 GMC Suburban in 1971 that I installed 10x16.5 tires and 8.25x16.5 wheels on. The fronts fit fine, but I had to use a crescent wrench to bend up the inner lips on the rear wheel openings to clear the tires. Next I bought a new half ton 4x4 pickup in 1972 and installed 12x16.5 tires and 9.75x16.5 wheels on it. All four fit with no clearance problems.

[Clarke]

When Dad and I got back to his house after the mini-meet Sunday, he and Mom surprised me by asking me if I wanted to drive his '65 one ton Suburban back home instead of flying. I told them they didn't have to ask me twice

That's fantastic Ed! Congrats! That's great you get to keep it in the family. Good luck on getting her home.

Once again, I enjoyed visiting with you and your old man. It was also nice to finally meet Bob, Dave and Nate. Dave did an awesome job on the brats!


Safe travels,

David

[Clarke]

I only took a few photos (with my flip phone), so they're probably not that good compared to what others took.

There was a total of two trucks; my '62 3/4 ton and Ed's old man (Bob) '65 1 ton.

I was impressed with the '65... It sat in a garage for three years with a trickle charger (nine year old battery), fuel had stabilizer in it, and Bob drove it to the get together. :thumbsup:

Now Ed is driving it cross-country...

[Clarke]

Foley is also looking for a set of these 12" dia hubcaps... Please let him know if you have any extras or see any on the web for sale.

[GMCDAC]

Barry -- the first post on page 5 of this thread, dated May 1st, has one photo of the one ton Suburban. I'll post more when I get back home. I wasn't the only one there at the meet taking photos, though. Since Foley's probably still traveling, he may not have internet access. Dave, Nate, David -- any photos to share?

Ed, that is an amazing GMC! Your Dad is very lucky to have a family like yours that will take care of this truck. Darryl Starbird----Wow! Owning an old GMC is cool but owning an old FAMILY GMC makes them priceless. I have a GMC my Mom drove for 30 years. Have a great trip!

I only took a few photos (with my flip phone), so they're probably not that good compared to what others took.

There was a total of two trucks; my '62 3/4 ton and Ed's old man (Bob) '65 1 ton.

I was impressed with the '65... It sat in a garage for three years with a trickle charger (nine year old battery), fuel had stabilizer in it, and Bob drove it to the get together. :thumbsup:

Your pics look great as well as your truck. Thanks for posting! More pics of your '62 would be cool!

Foley and I just had a mini-meet here in Rapid City, SD! Their trip is going well and he told me about how much he enjoyed the Wichita meet and his tractor meet. We swapped stories for a couple of hours! He's a great guy and I'm thankful for the chance to meet him!

Here's a couple of pics from an hour or so ago.

DAC

[GMCDAC]

Foley is also looking for a set of these 12" dia hubcaps... Please let him know if you have any extras or see any on the web for sale.

Hi Clarke, Foley told me today that he has some located in Springfield, MO that he is going to buy but I will let him tell the story when he can. He got a chuckle when I showed him these on my 3/4 ton, but even in the condition they are in he had to look close. They are "bowtie" caps but I couldn't stand to put them on a GMC so about 10 years ago I made stickers to cover it up, even though this truck is a '72 with a smallblock! Looks like it's time to make some more stickers.

Thanks for that pic, I wasn't sure how that outer black was painted on them since it is gone on these.

DAC

[BarryGMC]

Let's see some pics of that truck and camper David.

[Nate]

Dave Clarke's neat engine
http://i58.tinypic.com/9kp44j.jpg
Bob's Suburban
http://i59.tinypic.com/21m5c83.jpg
Dave's GMC and trailer
http://i58.tinypic.com/345ezvn.jpg

[Nate]

I am not so good at the above photo posting with comments but I have more pics if you folks would like to see more

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Great pics nate! More please! The picture beast is hungry today :lolsmack2:

[RustyNut]

Sorry took so long to post.

Sorry I have no pics to share, I found out the morning I left St Louis my camera was kaput. Son used it last on his worldwind tour of the east coast a couple of months ago.

In my opinion, things went well.....

Great setting: The gazebo was a definate plus!!!!! Beat the **** out of standing on an asphalt parking lot all day with NO shade (Did that the day before at the Car Show in St Charles). Oh by the way my '78 GMC took 1st place in the truck division!!!!

Weather: No rain!!!!! Sunny & warm but the gazebo and the breeze made things very tolerable.

Good Food: Maybe bratwurst and salsizza's are just a Midwest thing. Either folks liked them or was just being polite when they said they liked them. The sausages, slaw, veggie tray, chips, brownies & watermelon (sorry if I forgot anything) made for a perfect Sunday afternoon picnic/lunch. Not overwhelming but noone went hungry. Minimal leftovers were taken by attendees so nothing went to waste.

Trucks: It was great to see a true survivor like Bob (now Ed's 'burb). And Dave's (?) truck and camper was very cool. I am sure they both get looks & thumb's up when they drive these trucks down the highway.

I am sorry, but I am terrible @ names but I want to thank everyone that made the effort to attend this meet. And thanks to all that brought food for the meal. Special shout out to Ed's brother for renting the gazebo and going back home to get a grill. Wasn't sure how I was gonna grill the meat when I showed up and there was no grill......

It was nice to see Ed again, and a pleasure to meet his dad and brothers. It was also great to meet new folks. Like I have stated numerous time everyone truly seemed to be "Good People".


EVERYONE here should make an attempt to organize one of these "Mini-Meets". You never know who might show up. This one in south Kansas brought folks from California, Oregon, Kansas & Missouri.

[Ed Snyder]

Here are a few pictures for Fetch's "picture beast".

#1 shows Dave "Rusty Nut" Schlager and Nate (sorry -- didn't get your last name) standing in the rear, David Clarke, Pete Snyder, and Bob Currie aka "Foley" seated looking at photos of Ed's 62 Suburban and Nate's big winch truck

#2 left to right: David Clarke, Nate, Bob Snyder, Bob Currie, Dave Schlager, Ed Snyder

#3 Bob Snyder watching David trying to take a photo of Bob's hand throttle linkage

#4 David's awesome travel trailer

When you get ambitious, David, you'll have to start a thread telling everybody about the details of your trailer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I heard you say you started with a 1953 chassis, did 25 CAD drawings, and have done nearly all the construction yourself. I think somebody in Missouri made the siding for you, and you found a few old trim items on eBay. It's self-contained with black and grey holding tanks. Let me know when it's done so I can come and take a closer look and more photos!

I also took lots of photos of the one ton Suburban. When I get time I should start a separate thread with descriptions too.

I'm sure you all know that you can click on any of these "thumbnails" to see an enlarged version of the photo.

[BarryGMC]

Dave I need to see some more of the camper. That's cool.

[Clarke]

Dave I need to see some more of the camper. That's cool.

Hello Barry...

I've been looking for an old camper to pull behind the GMC for about 3 or 4 years. I was having a hard time finding an interior floor plan and wood finish that I liked, so I decided to design my own. Well... except for the exterior, I gotta a little help from a cartoon sketch on a beer bottle label.

I was on a motorcycle trip last fall in northern MO and looked at a '63 Winne (see attached pictures), but I only wanted the frame, axle and bathroom door knob (which had a bronze like finish, so I had it chromed). I paid $500 for the frame and axle (he threw in the bathroom door knob for free; LOL). And, no... I didn't tow it back with my two wheeler. :)

I'll post pictures of the nearly completed camper on the next thread.

[Clarke]

I took these pictures before I installed the baby moon hub caps and the alum door and windows rain gutters.

Notice the wheel well matches the rear GMC cutout; except for Bob's (Ed's) burb, he didn't like the stick cut out, so he cut his out to match the front (for bigger tires). I also added a 3" lift to the rear leaf spring shackles to lift the whole camper up, so I could run larger tires and gain more ground clearance.

For the most part, the creases in the siding match on all four sides. Even the creases in the front window chip guard align. No creases were added where the painted stripes are... I figured this would give it more of a custom look.

I just had it weighed the other day and the empty weight is 2,600 lbs. I did install an electric brake controller under the column and it works good; I can lock those camper tires up. I also installed repro backup lights on the truck and a hidden set under the camper bumper to light up the ground, for setting up a night.

The rear camper bumper also has a custom built in 2" X 2" receiver in the center of the 3" bumper channel.

I'll post some interior pictures on the next thread.

[Clarke]

Still working on the inside... My orig plan was to just put in a porta-pot, but my wife 'should I say' challenged me to put in a flushing toilet. So, we have a flushing toilet. I was able to snake the pipe (I mean many connectors) around the wheel well and to the inside of the frame before going through the floor into the black holding tank.

It has AC, fridge/freezer, heater, stove with hood, microwave, tankless water heater, outdoor shower, surround stereo system, soon to have DVD and TV on pivot arm (for those rainy nights).

Most all the vents are through the floor, in attempt to keep the exterior period correct.

The exterior grab handle, porch light, and tag light are all orig pieces from from different model campers, but they play well together. I had the pieces rechromed. I did not install any of the exterior badges from the orig camper to the outside; I installed them to the side of one of the cabinet doors. I did have one rechromed and installed above the bed as decor.

Hopefully, it will be done in a few months (just in time to winterize). I'll post a few more pics when it's finished. I'm waiting on awning fabric samples, so I can order that. We need shade in KS!

[Clarke]

Hi Clarke, Foley told me today that he has some located in Springfield, MO that he is going to buy but I will let him tell the story when he can. He got a chuckle when I showed him these on my 3/4 ton, but even in the condition they are in he had to look close. They are "bowtie" caps but I couldn't stand to put them on a GMC so about 10 years ago I made stickers to cover it up, even though this truck is a '72 with a smallblock! Looks like it's time to make some more stickers.

Thanks for that pic, I wasn't sure how that outer black was painted on them since it is gone on these.

DAC

Thanks for the update DAC.

Hey, my wife and I will be in the Hill City area on our bike over the weekend and early next week, then we'll be moving north to the Spearfish area to finish the week.

If you want to hook up for dinner somewhere, let me know. I'll send you my phone number, as I don't have a data plan on my phone so I can't check this stuff while I'm traveling.

Take care,

Clarke

[Ed Snyder]

As you all have probably surmised, I made it home from Wichita in the one ton Suburban yesterday evening. I drove 1778 miles and used 151 gallons of gas for an average of 11.8 mpg. I kept it between 60 and 65 mph for the entire trip which was mostly on interstates until I got to Winnemucca, NV, after which it was two lanes the rest of the way home. I can't remember right now what the overdrive ratio in the Watson box is, but I was probably turning somewhere around 2400 rpm at those speeds. The truck has a tach, but it's not working right now.

About 50 miles outside of Medford there was a truck scales, so I pulled over. The front "axle" weighs 2900 pounds and the rear weighs 3500 for a total of 6400 pounds. I was surprised that the rear weighs that much more than the front.

Until a few years ago when Dad installed lap belts for the driver and right front passenger, the Suburban had no seatbelts. I don't know how the 11 of us survived all those years and thousands of miles without them! Rusty Nut said that if the truck were painted yellow it would look like a school bus. Since school buses have no seatbelts, I guess we were OK without them. I'd feel better now, though, if I could install some 3 point belts at least for the driver and right front seat. And maybe some lap belts for all those rear seats later.

[BarryGMC]

Nice to hear your trip was uneventful. As far as your Watson ratio it depends on the model. It is either. 75 or .83. If you don't mind I would love to hear more about it and see how it was installed. Barry

[Ed Snyder]

Barry -- the tag on the Watson says it's a model 2021. Does that tell you what the ratio is?

I took a couple of photos of it while I was in Wichita. You can see some angle brackets bolted to the frame rails. Looks like some smaller angles on top of them supporting the box.

You can also see some of the "plumbing" Dad ran for filling the 20 gallon saddle tank he installed on the right side of the truck to match the stock tank on the left. Both tanks fill from the left side. Dad had to retrofit a check valve in that crossover hose after experiencing fuel sloshing out the filler neck while driving around a sweeping right hand curve. The fuel in the right side tank was running back into the left tank. There's a selector valve so you can draw fuel from either tank and a toggle switch so you can see the level of the float in either tank too.

[GMCDAC]

Thanks for the update DAC.

Hey, my wife and I will be in the Hill City area on our bike over the weekend and early next week, then we'll be moving north to the Spearfish area to finish the week.

If you want to hook up for dinner somewhere, let me know. I'll send you my phone number, as I don't have a data plan on my phone so I can't check this stuff while I'm traveling.

Take care,

Clarke

Hello Clarke, you're welcome for the update on Foley's hub caps. Thanks for the PM, response is sent. I'm on call at work for a week so that may be a problem, then we leave for Denver that weekend.

Your GMC is a beauty and the camper you built is amazing! Thanks for the pics and story.

Have a great trip to the Hills!

DAC

[Clarke]

As you all have probably surmised, I made it home from Wichita in the one ton Suburban yesterday evening.

Congrats Ed! Glad you made it home safely. Now you have something else to tinker with. :)

[BarryGMC]

Two things. Dave that trailer has me thinking. Dangerous. I think I may have a good winter project.
Ed that Watson should be .83.. I have had a few of those and have one in my 60. They are the coolest of the Watsons. But they are the hardest to find. I would love to hear the story on its way under the suburban. My info leads me to believe they had been out of production for a while when the 65 was new. Cool indeed. Barry

[GMCDAC]

Hello everyone, David and Carla Clarke's visit to the Black Hills is going well. They were able to make time to come out to our place for a few hours this afternoon, since I am tied to the house pretty much due to being on call at work. My wife grilled some burgers and we had a very enjoyable time! They are great folks and very interesting to converse with. This has been very cool meeting a couple of members from this forum in 7 days!

DAC

[Ed Snyder]

Barry -- When Dad passed the Suburban on to me, he also gave me all his data on it: one 3-ring binder about 2" thick, another about 3" thick, and an expandable folder about 3" thick. He saved every brochure, every receipt, every quote, every drawing he did, etc., during the planning stage, purchase, conversion, and maintenance/repair for the last 49 years.

While I haven't looked at every page yet, I did find the original invoice for purchase of the truck from Sauder-Lygrisse GMC in Wichita. It shows that the Watson overdrive was installed at the dealer when the truck was new for $370.05. At the same time the 305E was swapped for the 351C for $300.54. Total price for truck with all options selected was $4,483.96. Truck was ordered on March 9, 1965, and delivered on May 28, 1965.

There is a "Watson Brownie" brochure in one of the 3-ring binders, but it has no date on it. It does show the Model 2021 has a .82 ratio. I Googled "H. S. Watson Company" to try to find more info, but didn't come up with much. This was interesting, though: http://forums.aths.org/PrintTopic31310.aspx.

[Funky61]

A Great Meet and Greet with awesome people and photos as well.

* Nice pic of Clark and Carla there DAC!

Question for Ed on the rear seating; are they all bolt down or sliders?

[Cayoterun]

Barry -- When Dad passed the Suburban on to me, he also gave me all his data on it: one 3-ring binder about 2" thick, another about 3" thick, and an expandable folder about 3" thick. He saved every brochure, every receipt, every quote, every drawing he did, etc., during the planning stage, purchase, conversion, and maintenance/repair for the last 49 years.

While I haven't looked at every page yet, I did find the original invoice for purchase of the truck from Sauder-Lygrisse GMC in Wichita. It shows that the Watson overdrive was installed at the dealer when the truck was new for $370.05. At the same time the 305E was swapped for the 351C for $300.54. Total price for truck with all options selected was $4,483.96. Truck was ordered on March 9, 1965, and delivered on May 28, 1965.

There is a "Watson Brownie" brochure in one of the 3-ring binders, but it has no date on it. It does show the Model 2021 has a .82 ratio. I Googled "H. S. Watson Company" to try to find more info, but didn't come up with much. This was interesting, though: http://forums.aths.org/PrintTopic31310.aspx.

You are a lucky guy! Your Dad passed you a true "keepsake". With all the documentation, but more valuable is the family memories attached makes it priceless. I've enjoyed following your thread. Thanks for posting.

[GMCDAC]

* Nice pic of Clark and Carla there DAC!

Thank-you sir, they are both great folks! We are glad we got to meet them and Foley.

You are a lucky guy! Your Dad passed you a true "keepsake". With all the documentation, but more valuable is the family memories attached makes it priceless. I've enjoyed following your thread. Thanks for posting.

Agreed! That Snyder family GMC deserves a "sticky" in this forum, with the long family history, original alterations, documentation and the use it will get in the future!

DAC

[Ed Snyder]

Henry J -- Regarding whether the rear seats are bolt-down or sliders, they are bolt-down. If I'm not mistaken, the 60 and 61 Suburbans used the oval-shaped bolt-down plates that limited the seat positions to the factory layout. The 62 to 66 Suburbans used longitudinal channels which allowed the seats to be placed anywhere along them, even turned around 180 degrees. The 63 Suburban I had in the early 70s had the middle seat turned facing the rear with a little table between it and the rear seat, kind of like a dinette in a travel trailer.

Since Dad started with a panel truck which did not have the built-in seat channels, he opted for the easier-to-install oval plates, so the seat locations are fixed.

[Ed Snyder]

Those of you who attended the Wichita mini-meet in June probably remember my brother Pete. He's the one who reserved the park for us and provided the barbecue grille. He lives near the park which is just west of the Wichita Airport. Pete works as an electronics technician for Flight Safety in a building about a quarter mile north of the airport, about halfway between the terminal and US-54. His job is to help maintain the flight simulators.

Yesterday a plane taking off crashed into the roof of Pete's building, killing four people -- the pilot and three people inside the building. Thankfully, Pete was not injured. You can read about it here:

http://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article3483455.html

[Funky61]

I'm glad your brother was not hurt Ed; how traumatic that must have been for all. Prayers to the families of those that perished.

[Clarke]

Thanks for the update Ed. I couldn't remember if Pete worked at the International one on the east side of the runway or the one west of the runway.

I work across the street at the service center. It was horrible watching all that black smoke coming from there not knowing how many people were hurt, or worse yet, deceased. Thankfully, the daycare next door was okay.

Please let Pete know we're thinking about him and his coworkers and their families during this difficult time.

Clarke

[Foley]

Glad to hear that Ed the Super Scrounger is OK. Tell him hello for me and best wishes..

Foley

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I heard about this too when it happened. Thank goodness that your brother is ok and that only 4 people (including the pilot) were lost. That building is full of people almost all the time. It could have been much, much worse (and we thought it was at the time). We'll have their families in our prayers too.

[Clyde]

Glad to hear God has more work for him here.

[GMCDAC]

Those of you who attended the Wichita mini-meet in June probably remember my brother Pete. He's the one who reserved the park for us and provided the barbecue grille. He lives near the park which is just west of the Wichita Airport. Pete works as an electronics technician for Flight Safety in a building about a quarter mile north of the airport, about halfway between the terminal and US-54. His job is to help maintain the flight simulators.

Yesterday a plane taking off crashed into the roof of Pete's building, killing four people -- the pilot and three people inside the building. Thankfully, Pete was not injured. You can read about it here:

http://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article3483455.html

Hi Ed, although we have never met, when Foley and Clarke visited us last summer after your mini-meet, they spoke very highly of you and Pete and of course your Dad! I am thankful this tragedy didn't directly involve your family as far as fatalities but other families are suffering so it's still a sad accident. There was a few short news stories on the radio station I listen to, but it never had any meaning until I read this.

Will he be out of work for awhile due to the damage?

DAC

[RustyNut]

Glad to here your brother was spared, and like all I am glad there weren't more lives lost and sympathies to those who did lose loved ones.

Rusty

[Ed Snyder]

Glad to here your brother was spared, and like all I am glad there weren't more lives lost and sympathies to those who did lose loved ones.

Rusty

I finally got a short response from my brother Pete today. He's been busy with family issues, and promised a longer response later. He did, however, forward an updated link to articles about the accident in the local paper: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article3468723.html Note that there are links to additional articles along the left side of the page. If you try to look at too many of them, though, it will ask you to spend 99 cents for a 30 day trial subscription. I did that and was able to read all of them.

One of my sisters gave me a little more info. One of the fatalities was the wife of a former co-worker of hers from when she worked at Boeing in Wichita. The lady was a Ukraine native working as a translator for a Russian pilot inside one of the flight simulators. Three of the four fatalities were inside that simulator. The fourth was the pilot who crashed the plane into the roof. My sister said part of the landing gear landed on Pete's car in the parking lot. She also said Pete has been working in a nearby Flight Safety facility.

[Clarke]

Okay... So the other day I get a PM from RustyNut, telling me he found something for my camper and he was going to mail it to me. :thumbsup:

Later at the post office, we have a card in our box from the post office stating we have a package that is "Too large" and we must pick up from the window... (our box is about 5" square) I remember thinking, it must not be a keychain then.

Another trip back to the post office during window hours and gave them the notification card... The guys returns with this huge (flat) package, that must be about 3' square. :ahhhh: Package marked "Please DO NOT BEND". Wow! This package is so big I don't know if it'll fit in my JEEP without bending.

Hummm... maybe it's a piece of vintage camper siding??? Like a kid at Christmas, I couldn't wait until I got home, so I took one of my keys and opened one edge of the package while at the post office... Looking inside, I see a T-shirt with a piece of tin inside of it... I pulled the tin out and was surprised to see, the beer bottle label I copied my camper stripes from. RustyNut :yourock: The tin is over 2' dia and Dave had to use a 2XL shirt to cover it.

See, I told you guys I couldn't take credit for the paint stripe design. To give you a little more background on the paint stripe... Every winter I get one of Kansas City Boulevard's mixed 12 pk. Several winters ago after working a long day on the GMC, I rewarded myself with a cold beer. While sitting out in the garage sipping my beer, staring at the truck, still day dreaming about getting a vintage camper someday... I glanced at the label on the beer bottle that I was holding in my hand, not knowing what it was (being a mixed pk), and I fell in love with the camper design. That is when I decided I would use that stripe design, except color match my truck. After I finished that beer, I carefully placed the bottle on the shelf as a reminder.

Thank you Dave!!! That was very thoughtful of you. What's ironic... A while back, I searched trying to find something similar and I never found anything on the web, except a belt buckle (and I don't wear belts). Great find!

[Clarke]

We recently completed the inside of the camper and we've had it out on a couple of short trips. So far so good, but still fussing with one small water leak at the 12V pump/fresh water connection. I've tried a number of things and it's getting better, but still there. I'll keep messing with it until I get it.

Attached are pictures I took the other day for the new insurance guy. I tell you what, I've never had so much trouble finding insurance for something as I have this camper. If you guys run into the same thing, let me know and I'll share what I learned.

[RustyNut]

Glad you got it & you are very welcome!!!!

I found the sign one day when I pulled up to the liquor store I normally stop by on my way home from work for my daily 6 pack. When I pulled up to the store, there it was in the window directly in front of me. When I saw it I immediately thought of you talking about the inspiration for the paint scheme at the Mini-Meet. I knew it had to be the same beer as the bottle label you mentioned.

I spoke with the gal that owns the liquor store and asked to try and get one from her distributor and told her why I wanted one. Weeks went by and it was never mentioned again. Then one day I came in and she pulled it out from behind the counter.

Take Care & Enjoy!!!!

Rusty

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Clark that is a FINE looking camper there! It's so cool that you were able to tie it together off of a bottle design too. Great work!

For Insurance, I don't know about campers but our truck insurance is with State Farm as an Antique, so lower rates but full coverage. I don't know if that helps or not, but maybe they can work something up for you.

[Clarke]

Thanks Fetch. I'll keep them in mind, as they are one of the few I haven't checked with yet.

[GMCDAC]

Okay... So the other day I get a PM from RustyNut, telling me he found something for my camper and he was going to mail it to me. :thumbsup:

Later at the post office, we have a card in our box from the post office stating we have a package that is "Too large" and we must pick up from the window... (our box is about 5" square) I remember thinking, it must not be a keychain then.

Another trip back to the post office during window hours and gave them the notification card... The guys returns with this huge (flat) package, that must be about 3' square. :ahhhh: Package marked "Please DO NOT BEND". Wow! This package is so big I don't know if it'll fit in my JEEP without bending.

Hummm... maybe it's a piece of vintage camper siding??? Like a kid at Christmas, I couldn't wait until I got home, so I took one of my keys and opened one edge of the package while at the post office... Looking inside, I see a T-shirt with a piece of tin inside of it... I pulled the tin out and was surprised to see, the beer bottle label I copied my camper stripes from. RustyNut :yourock: The tin is over 2' dia and Dave had to use a 2XL shirt to cover it.

See, I told you guys I couldn't take credit for the paint stripe design. To give you a little more background on the paint stripe... Every winter I get one of Kansas City Boulevard's mixed 12 pk. Several winters ago after working a long day on the GMC, I rewarded myself with a cold beer. While sitting out in the garage sipping my beer, staring at the truck, still day dreaming about getting a vintage camper someday... I glanced at the label on the beer bottle that I was holding in my hand, not knowing what it was (being a mixed pk), and I fell in love with the camper design. That is when I decided I would use that stripe design, except color match my truck. After I finished that beer, I carefully placed the bottle on the shelf as a reminder.

Thank you Dave!!! That was very thoughtful of you. What's ironic... A while back, I searched trying to find something similar and I never found anything on the web, except a belt buckle (and I don't wear belts). Great find!

Hi David, very cool to see that logo from the bottle you got your idea from! What a gift. Camper looks great too, thanks for the story and pics!

DAC

[Clarke]

Hi David, very cool to see that logo from the bottle you got your idea from! What a gift. Camper looks great too, thanks for the story and pics!

DAC

Thanks Doug! I look forward to seeing you guys getting your camper set up and hearing some stories.


Dave