Will

Once in college my brother bought a $200 Volvo 240 wagon that was dubbed "The Junkyard Dog." It had silver aluminum tape covering all of the giant rust holes, and was never was properly registered - it just had some Texas commercial license plates he found at a thrift store. It konked out once on I-95 and a cop offered to push the car to the shoulder... I had to quickly open the tailgate so he wouldn't notice our obviously invalid plates. Whew! I've grown older and wiser since then. No more photocopying Michigan license plate stickers onto colored paper and sticking them to a plate with clear tape. (It's easy! in Michigan you only need one plate instead of a matching pair! But don't do it! It's illegal!)

Cool - I just gave them a call and it sounds like the car is still there. Looks like I'll be adding another destination to the road trip! -Will

Picked up some plates today, so everything will be nice and legal. plates0001 by willkrause, on Flickr

Thanks for the lead! It sure is a 710... where is it located? Hopefully somewhere between California and New York!

Yep - They had those on some american cars in the 1970's too - usually big Lincolns and Cadillacs, to save the driver from the embarrassment of leaving their turn signals flashing as they drove down the highway. IMG_4864 by CSMcCann, on Flickr

How far will you be travelling? I'm leaving California for New York on the 26th in an ol' Datsun 710. I'll actually be passing through Syracuse to visit my folks. I'm from Utica originally. Nice to know that there are some Datsuns in Upstate New York!

It still has the little door on the console... I've never actually seen a 710 where that hasn't fallen off.

Has anyone seen a 710 at a wrecking yard lately? I'm driving cross-country in a couple weeks, and it would be great to pick up some parts that I need along the way.

Looks like you might find some shine under all of that dust!

That car looks great in orange!

One of my favorite parts of getting a new car: The ceremonial Haynes manual purchase! IMG_6403 by willkrause, on Flickr

Datsun 610 wagon in Bethlehem, PA. From Craigslist: if you like more info 610-419-9757 or 484-226-3544

Stop trying to lower your 710! Raise it way up! (I just saw this on the Dallas Craigslist.)

http://spokane.craigslist.org/ctd/2372937110.html 1976 Datson 610 wagon, 58k, runs & drives 208-746-3019 only 750... and it has a white interior AND a white vinyl top. Classy!

Are the 200sx rims 13" or 14"? I really like the way they look - will they clear the 280z brakes? .

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Zip ties, OF COURSE! And I'll add some bailing wire to the list too, in case the exhaust system decides to become unhinged. I think I'll be able to post some photos while I'm on the road, so those should start appearing after I fly west on the 26th. -Will

Okay, it isn't a Datsun, but if you're a fan of the weird stuff, you might be into this '71 Toyota Crown in Vancouver, BC. http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rch/cto/2297485077.html

Aw - I was planning on going to LA first, but my brother is meeting me in San Francisco and we'll head east from there. Thanks for the detailed survival kit list too!

I think the tail lights are okay, thanks though.

Yup - it's a '74 Hardtop with the smiley bumpers! P5050716 by willkrause, on Flickr P5050710 by willkrause, on Flickr

Yeah - it looks like it got tweaked, but could be straightened. The one on my car was hit ,and it formed a pretty bad crease that weakened and ripped a little when the bumper was pulled straight, so the metal would need welding and rechroming to get it back in order. It will fit on the car until I find a replacement but it would be very expensive to repair.

Here's the itinerary so far: San Francisco : Sacramento : Detroit : Syracuse : New York City Hopefully that big gap between Sacramento and Detroit can be filled with tourist trap photo opportunities in front of giant fiberglass Paul Bunyans and Dinosaurs, and trips to western junkyards.

Oh yeah- the crazy homemade dump truck 710! Actually the bumper on that green car is in better shape than the one that is coming with my car. It looks like it has some twists, but could be bent back into shape. I'll check with Mike and see if it is close to him.

It's been converted to electronic ignition, so I should be free from roadside dwell adjustments... though I'll add a throttle cable to my list - thanks for the suggestion!

That's the stock 74 hardtop rear bumper in the picture - it is pretty much the same shape as the non-US bumper, so if the 5-mph bumper shocks are shortened it fits against the car's body pretty well.