Lets Get To Work
Well it was time to get Goatfolks looking more presentable and get it running.�� We went out and bought a huge sheet of automotive grade sheet metal and patched up the lower body.�� Nothing fancy just a whole lot of rivets.�� In the rear we used a sheet of 3/4 inch pressure treated plywood and fit that across the whole rear section of the van and the siliconed in any small gaps.�� We now had a very solid floor.�� We also ground down the holes in the quarter panels and filled them.
We now had our rough bodywork done, but we had to cover it up.�� The rocker section was easy, just a straight line of tape and paint the lower half black.�� The holes along the upper body had us stumped, matching the red just didn't look right.�� So we decided on the stripe effect.�� Not the best but it seemed to work out well.�� Total cost for the exterior was under $60.�� Next was to tackle the interior.�� Again nothing fancy but it had to be comfortable and keep out the elements.�� I had some free carpet I came across for the floors and we then made a stop down to the local home depot type store.�� We grabbed a few sheets of their cheapest panel boards and they also gave us a roll of insulation that was
gonna be thrown out since the bag was ripped.�� So grand total for the interior was $20.�� We carpeted the inside, paneled the walls and built a bed area in back with scrap lumber.�� We needed a rear seat though, which we ended up finding in a barn.�� Turns out it was an old middle seat out of a VW Bus.�� So we now had a very comfortable interior and a decent exterior.�
The finishing touch of course, which no beat up 70's van can be without, is a shiny set of Cragar mags.�� My friend had some sitting around so we mounted up some decent tires and here is Goatfolks in all its glory.�� Sure is a far cry from what we started with.�� So as far as the engine was concerned we did the necessary tune up work and got it running.�� It seemed to run well enough so we then did the major tuneup stuff like water pump, fuel pump, timing chain and a better used radiator.�� It was now time for its first long road test, so
myself and Jeff (van co-owner ) decided to take it from our home in upstate NY to Myrtle Beach, SC for spring break.�� We did make it, but...we had our work cut out for us over Thanksgiving break.
