ChiSox Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 I am new to the site but formerly owned an older pickup that my grandpa gave me when I was 19, he thinks it was a 710 but after some research I'm pretty sure it was a 720. I had been looking for a VW Type III Fastback (My first 2 cars were a 1970 and a 1967) but when I saw this Datsun, I fell in love and was excited that it was water cooled! I was fortunate enough to stumble across a 610 from either original owner or second owner, he said he was original but had a title from 1979, so not sure but he was original enough for me. Car was really sputtering and getting a tad hot, it read at about 3/4 of the way on the temp gauge. However, it fired right up and was able to drive it a few miles. I offered him cash on the spot as I knew I didn't want to let it get away, He denied my first 3 offers, as he had many calls in the 3 hours he had it posted on CList, so I didn't get it for cheap but I think it was a decent deal. I'm going to use this thread to document my process with the car and hopefully get some pointers and help from the Ratsun faithful. Purchase Date: 7/6/2014 Original Title: Day 1 Photo: Day 2 (7/7/2014): So first thing was put some newer fuel hoses in as it was spitting out fuel near the motor. Also changed the oil and topped off radiator and put a new radiator cap on. The cap and fluid really helped and dropped the temp so well, the thermostat I bought won't go in unless deemed needed. PEELED off the rear window tint as it was really bad, had to clamp some of the headliner in the back so it doesn't flap around. The interior is dry rotted but in pretty good shape considering. Here's all the day 2 photos I took. Day 3 (7/8/2014): Drove it about 70 miles today! It's got the shakes around 45-50, then settles in. What I am guessing, it is the bushings on the front end causing the issues (see photos below) Any parts help here would be great, I'd like to tackle this issue ASAP. Heavy smell of fuel in the cabin at lower speeds. Couldn't find any more leaks but opened the trunk and removed the cardboard, all the fuel boots and hoses back there are dead and need replacement. Any idea where to get the fuel filler neck? Going to clean that trunk area ASAP! Had a cracked Heat Exchange Duct, so I replaced that. Replaced the battery with the spec size. Day 3 Photos: 10 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Very cool!!! That thing is in great shape! Welcome to Ratsun! 1 Quote Link to comment
ChiSox Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 And go Cubs! Hahahahha, if either team can eclipse .500 this year, I'll be shocked. I just moved back to AZ from Kirkland, WA...luckily the rain has followed me! Quote Link to comment
Ranman72 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 nice car the green looks great 1 Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 I love it! However... if you paint over that beautiful patina: I'll say it one more time, I love it. Welcome to the madness :) 3 Quote Link to comment
REDnGOLD Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Very nice find. That is a treasure. The body looks straight & doesnt have a rust in sight (at least from the pix). The engine bay looks clean as well. Welcome to Ratsun & welcome to d 610 world. 1 Quote Link to comment
whitey01 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Nice I want a 610 1 Quote Link to comment
Loren O Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 You are very lucky! 610's aren't easy to find, much less in as good of condition as yours is. Love that color! I agree with MicroMachinery, don't paint over it buff it out , maybe clear coat it , but leave the patina. Beautiful! ! 1 Quote Link to comment
zerow Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Now these are the kind of pics I was hoping to see! Your bumpers are sooo straight - jealousy factor has jumped exponentially... You have a '74 dash cluster in your car (blue colored gauges are the giveaway) - perhaps the cluster you described in the previous post (in 610s Unite) is the original '73 cluster. ('73 gauges are charcoal gray) I am digging the patina. Gotta love what the sunshine in desert states (CA, AZ, NM, NV) can do to an original paint job. As everyone else has said - Welcome to 610 ownership! 1 Quote Link to comment
Raggleflaggle Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Freakin awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Wow.. love it!! Congrats! 1 Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Nice car, nice color, nice intro. The trifecta :cool: Welcome aboard 1 Quote Link to comment
bonvo Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 awesome car man im digging it looks like a great starting point im surprised zerow didnt touch on this but you also have early 74 taillights going on. Whats the build date? (found on the drivers door jam) 73 tails have the center stainless piece might be someone just replaced the lenses at some point either way welcome to the 610 world 1 Quote Link to comment
king bee66 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 great looking car :thumbup: 1 Quote Link to comment
zerow Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 awesome car man im digging it looks like a great starting point im surprised zerow didnt touch on this but you also have early 74 taillights going on. Whats the build date? (found on the drivers door jam) 73 tails have the center stainless piece might be someone just replaced the lenses at some point either way welcome to the 610 world I was more thrilled with the bumpers, but yes, the tail light lenses are from 1974. In addition to the little stainless finial, the lenses also come to a central point to hold the stainless piece. All flat = '74 for sure. with a -041400 ending, I am guessing the car was an 4/1973 (April) build date, which makes t odd for those lenses to be on the rear...unless the car was in an accident once in its life and these were the best replacements that could be procured. 1 Quote Link to comment
ChiSox Posted July 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2014 I was more thrilled with the bumpers, but yes, the tail light lenses are from 1974. In addition to the little stainless finial, the lenses also come to a central point to hold the stainless piece. All flat = '74 for sure. with a -041400 ending, I am guessing the car was an 4/1973 (April) build date, which makes t odd for those lenses to be on the rear...unless the car was in an accident once in its life and these were the best replacements that could be procured. awesome car man im digging it looks like a great starting point im surprised zerow didnt touch on this but you also have early 74 taillights going on. Whats the build date? (found on the drivers door jam) 73 tails have the center stainless piece might be someone just replaced the lenses at some point either way welcome to the 610 world Thanks for the input guys. Here's the make date: Quote Link to comment
bonvo Posted July 9, 2014 Report Share Posted July 9, 2014 someone has definitely replaced the tails at some point in its life as well as the gauges edit: i love the gvw 3070 there about 900 lbs off i weighted my car at the truck stop with my 350lb self and a full tank it tipped the scale at 2300 thats with a complete interior and a complete a/c system i did remove all the tar on the floor though Quote Link to comment
Just Joel Posted July 9, 2014 Report Share Posted July 9, 2014 That's the weight with full potential payload ;) ^^^^^ 1 Quote Link to comment
Will Posted July 9, 2014 Report Share Posted July 9, 2014 That's the weight with full potential payload ;) ^^^^^ Yup - GVWR = 610 + (Bonvo X 4) Quote Link to comment
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