jinx3 Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Well I have been a fan of 510's for a long time, and have almost bought one a couple times. Well, as of Saturday I drove out to Canby, OR and picked up this project. I bought it from a nice guy that no longer had room to work on it and needed it gone. He had torn it apart to work start and had to piece it together quickly to sell (notice the duct tape and zip ties holding the panels on). It has quite a few of the parts, but I know that there are a few big items (bumpers) that are missing. Still I feel pretty good about it - after trailer rental and licensing I will only have about $500 invested - which isn't bad. It does have a rebuilt L18 in it, new tires and a clean title which was a must. The drivers side front section is the worst spot - I have started hammering it out and have made quite a bit of progress - I will post more pics soon. The floor boards need help also, but nothing some cutting and patching can't fix. I am looking to turn this into a nice daily driver (or regular driver) and plan on doing everything myself. Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Congrats and welcome to Ratsun! You've got some work ahead of you but that is part of the fun! Quote Link to comment
510kevin Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Congrats man, I'm not far from you if you need some help with the bodywork. Welcome to ratsun!! Quote Link to comment
Sinnful Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 is that the one from canby?? Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted December 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Yep - it is the one from Canby that was on Craiglist. The guy said he had quite a few people stop by and check it out, but once they saw it they left. I guess I am just braver (or dumber) :-) I look at it like a blank slate - I can make it exactly how I want! @510Kevin - thanks for the offer, I may take you up on that. I know this will be a learning experience, but I will work on one part at a time and keep making progress. I have been reading the Ratsun forums for the last week or so and impressed by the Ratsun crew. Definitely a lot of knowledge in the community - plus it is cool that there appear to be quite a few people around the portland area. Quote Link to comment
philcas1987 Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 that thins is mangled. going to take a few thousand hours of body work. ask me how i know. rustina started with something similar. but was too much and got a 510 in better shape. whats the plan? ratty, ok looking, or show car. kevin is offering to help out. im local in vancouver. good luck Quote Link to comment
Josh K. Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 It ain't that bad, rockers look good and the driver rear corner can just be hammered out. I would find a good front clip and cut it off in front of the strut tower and replace the whole thing. Quote Link to comment
Josh K. Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Looks like a lot less work then mine Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Well, I have been working on that front corner, which is definitely the worst part of the car. I am making progress, but still have a ways to go. Before: Today: With some patching, welding, and more hammering I should be able to get pretty close. Even if it isn't perfect, none of this will show... Anyone have any recommendations for a budget sandblaster? I am thinking of just picking up one from harbor freight. I looked at renting one and it cost $70 for a day - figure I might as well just buy one for a little more so I'm not rushed. Quote Link to comment
Josh K. Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 I might have that whole corner if my brother hasn't smashed the car. I can look tonight if you want? Quote Link to comment
TENDRIL Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 sweet find lots of work but well worth it! Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Sure Josh, that would make my life easier - let me know how much he wants for it. I figure if nothing else this is great practice! I am hoping to do some cleanup in the garage this weekend and give myself some more working room. Quote Link to comment
Josh K. Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Where's our update? Pics? Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted January 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Well here is a quick update - I have been working on it. This is definitely a learning experience. I have the front corner nearly completed. Thanks again Josh for the front corner, it would have been a real challenge to get the one I had looking decent. It is looking much better now! On the trip up to get the front corner from Josh I got a couple front bumpers from Patrick in Renton . One has nice chrome, but some pretty bad dents, the other is pretty straight, but the chrome is okay. I should be able to make one work for the car. I also scored a ton of parts off someone on craigslist - basically everything that was taken off a 71 4 door which was later scrapped. I think it was like 6 big boxes of parts and for pretty cheap too. So I got a few needed parts like a radiator, wiper arms, headlight assemblies, headliner bows, and plenty of spare parts for me to pick the best of. I got a dash pad with only one crack in the center instead of the one I have which has a bunch. And last night I met up with DTP and got a set of floor pans from him (thanks again). Those will come in handy when removing the thin rust covered swiss cheese floors that I currently have now. I'll get some pics up soon - maybe tonight. Quote Link to comment
I'm BLUE Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Awwwwwww how is it i just ... found this? :D You def got a jump start going on this dime ! Very Cool! !! Right deal for sure! Very happy pans are going to good use jinx3 :cool: Subscribed to thread ! Quote Link to comment
510kevin Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 wheres the pics of the corner luke?? drop that left front fender off at my house, ill get it whipped back into shape :hyper: Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted January 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Okay, here are some pics: Cut the worst part out of the fender and core support: Cut up the new piece to match. Cut test fit, repeat 100 times... Here is how it sits now. I still need to weld the bottom edge, and do more grinding, but it is getting there. I am happy with how it is turning out. I started with this area since it was the worst part of the car AND honestly it's not a biggie if it isn't perfect, no one is going to see most of it. Some more welding, grinding and a little hammer and dolly work and I'll have this corner all buttoned up! 3 Quote Link to comment
510kevin Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 looks pretty damn good so far!! Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 nice work, glad to see you fixing it and not crushing it. Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted January 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Got the front corner all welded up. Still a bit of cleanup to be done, but I am happy with how it is looking. I hammered out the fender roughly and got it close. Put the hood on which needs some work also. Had to cut out part of the underlying hood structure in order to get the hood hammered out. Here is how the hood and fender look now. I think the hood looks pretty good, but the fender need a lot more work. My two two front bumpers I picked up. Replacement floor pans to be put in soon. Slow and steady I am making progress... Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 nice work it gives me hope for the 71 4door I am thinking of getting Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted January 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks Z chopper! 1 Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Most excellent. +1 for going to such extents to save a dime!! I am about to get some QP patches that will need some hammer work before they can be installed, you make me think I can handle it! You going to weld the hood support back in? Quote Link to comment
jinx3 Posted January 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks fisch. Yeah I will weld the hood support back in. First I need to get it hammered back to where it should be - it was pretty rounded over on the front edge from when it was hit. You can handle some QP patches! I'm just a rookie at this and I'm sure you have a lot more experience then me. Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks fisch. can handle some QP patches! I'm just a rookie at this and I'm sure you have a lot more experience then me. LOL folks often think I have a lot of experience, because I have 3 datsuns, Ive been here so long, and post so much, but the reality is I am way more visual than mechanical! I don't even have a welder, but thankfully have a cousin and bro-in-law that both restore classics for their job. But I'd like the the metal straight before I bring it to them to weld in! Quote Link to comment
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