datsun65 Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) I've been searching for months for a fully built, show quality L Series engine. I recently purchased a completely built L18 from a 620 show truck from Hesperia, CA. The current owner says the truck was originally from Fontana and it was used as a show truck. I don't have pictures of the truck, but it was a razzberry/fusica color exterior with a pink interior. I swear I remember this truck from Truckin' or Resolutions, in the 80's. The engine looks like it was never even run. Every drop of the engine is either chromed or painted in that crazy razzberry color. Anybody remember this truck from back in the day? The current owner (who is not on the internet or email) is in Hesperia and would be interested in any upcoming gatherings. Edited May 11, 2009 by datsun65 Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 The person to contact is Steroid. He still remembers alot of the popular mini trucks from back in the day. His email is....... steroid620@yahoo.com As far as gatherings go our club SWDP has our 2nd annual BBQ coming up in August. Go to http://www.southwestdatsunpickups.com for all the info. Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hey... I'm scratching My head on that one. I dropped out of minis in spring of 1982 when I purchased My 1956 Ford panel. Colors like that were used after that time period. I was around in the "dinosaur" days before fusica!! Who I would try to contact is Ray with the kingcab 521. That was more of His time period in the High Desert. He might know exactly who, what, why and where on that truck. I think Ray took photos in the 80s too. Certainly He would know about any minis only 30 miles away that were show quality. Hope that helps!! Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 FYI Rays username is.........datskaoss Id like to see pix of that truck too. Quote Link to comment
datsun65 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'm going to try have the owner take a few cell phone current photos of the truck. That should probably help :) L18 arrived in Texas over the weekend. Here are some pictures of the engine after about 25 years. Quote Link to comment
Wharf Rat Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Wow even the inside of the clutch fork is ... ah .... pink:) Thats a cool old mill Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Beautiful engine man! I love it! Quote Link to comment
datsun65 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Wow even the inside of the clutch fork is ... ah .... pink The truck must have been displayed with mirrors under the chassis. Even the trans was painted! BLING! Header is still freshly chromed after 25 years! Quote Link to comment
Weaver Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Wow, sweet color for that engine (surprisingly!) I'll look through my collection of 80s Truckin' mags to see if I can find it (I think I've seen it in there before) Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Motor still looks great ! So does the truck still exist & do you know where it is? Quote Link to comment
datsun65 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Yes, the truck still exists and is located in Hesperia. The current owner pulled the L18 to replace with HP Chevy (or ford) drivetrain. I'm going ask the current owner to send me a cell phone photo of the truck. Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 I will be in Hesperia on Saturday morning and also Monday morning. Can I call the guy to look at the truck if You set it up? If so, I'll take lots of pix and see if I can identify it. Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 It's all about the details...that motor looks like it just needs a little elbow grease to shine. Very cool. Quote Link to comment
datsun65 Posted May 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 I will be in Hesperia on Saturday morning and also Monday morning. Can I call the guy to look at the truck if You set it up? Steroid: PM Sent with Allen's Phone number. He is the owner in Hesperia, CA. Good Luck. Dan Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted May 17, 2009 Report Share Posted May 17, 2009 2eDeYe;160762'']It's all about the details...that motor looks like it just needs a little elbow grease to shine... If it was going back in a truck, I'd agree. Since it's going in a 510, a good bit of it is getting painted a more "sedate" color. :D Some of the chrome will stay, ALL of the "raspberry" will go... Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted May 17, 2009 Report Share Posted May 17, 2009 Oh, and to go even further off-topic, some of the truck-specific chrome bits will probably go on sale soon... :D Quote Link to comment
NSRz32 Posted May 17, 2009 Report Share Posted May 17, 2009 Very nice motorset! Quote Link to comment
datsun65 Posted May 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2009 Since it's going in a 510, a good bit of it is getting painted a more "sedate" color. Yes, the engine in going to be de-pinked. Many thanks to Datsunfreak for not only the above photos of the engine (he even took the photos of my yellow 510 in my Ratsun avatar), but also helping to breathe new life into my lifeless 510. Thank You. Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted May 17, 2009 Report Share Posted May 17, 2009 Oh, and to go even further off-topic, some of the truck-specific chrome bits will probably go on sale soon... :D Can you please let us know whats gonna be for sale? Im VERY interested in chrome bits :D Quote Link to comment
oldsklminitrk Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 I need some chrome goodies too Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Well, I called Allen and He is a super cool guy!! He might bring the truck to Our SWDP Bar-B-Que in August. The truck is totally torn apart It will be a full custom when finished. The only thing being used will be the cab. More on that later. I called this morning to try to see the truck but it is located at a fabrication shop. 3 photos have been sent to Mark who will try to post them. On a GOOD note, I picked up the trucks chromed gas tank, chromed steering column, chromed rear leaf springs and fully chromed rearend!! An a sad note, He didn't know about any of Us and said "I didn't know anybody was into old Datsuns" so there were a lot of chromed parts that went into the landfill:( His last trash pickup day even included the fully chromed two piece driveshaft with a good carrier shaft bearing:(:(:( I was at the right place today at the right time to get what was left. Very lucky indeed. The rearend and springs will be going in Wasserman's Wonder as might the steering column. The gas tank will go on another project. He did give Me the original owner's name and said it was a best of show winner at one of the Resolutions. The frame was red as was the truck. It was a kingcab with welded in quarter windows. Now to look through My magazines to try and find it. Naturally, when I do, I will post it. Quote Link to comment
datsun65 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Fantastic, Steroid! Happy you were able to save some of the parts. Can you even imagine what it would cost to CHROME a gas tank nowadays! Can't wait to see pictures/magazine photos. I've been going through boxes looking for my old 35MM photos of Resolutions from '87/'88. Haven't found anything yet. Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 I went through Mini Truckin' 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Resolutions coverage today. I couldn't find it. Maybe it was in Truckin' magazine. Here are the 3 photos from the new owner's cell phone camera. You can get an idea what the truck used to look like. This is what it is turning into now, though: Remember that the truck was/is chopped with suicide doors. Looks like it will really be something when finished!! He has shortened a different bed and the frame. Cool build!!!! Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 TY for postin the pix Mike,,my cell doesnt like me. Looks wild to say the least!! SAVE everything ! Quote Link to comment
Dat620guy Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 I went through Mini Truckin' 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Resolutions coverage today. I couldn't find it. Maybe it was in Truckin' magazine. Here are the 3 photos from the new owner's cell phone camera. You can get an idea what the truck used to look like. This is what it is turning into now, though: Remember that the truck was/is chopped with suicide doors. Looks like it will really be something when finished!! He has shortened a different bed and the frame. Cool build!!!! That looks like it's going to be a monster.:D Quote Link to comment
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