tablebeast Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I just picked this up this week. It was a real bitch getting it home: It was sitting out in the woods where it had sat since 2000. Most of the path to it was covered in briers, the rear tires were flat and would not take air, AND the driver's side ear brake was locked up! So we eventually got it onto the trailer, but getting it OFF the trailer was a lot harder. I'm just glad I had my tow truck friend Eddie with me because what took us about two hours together would have taken me ALL DAY by myself. So here she is, EXACTLY as she came out of the woods, I haven't even wiped off the spider webs! Its covered in filth that should wash off and the original paint doesn't look too bad so that should buff out OK. The worst part is obvious, the driver's side front fender is toast. So is the front bumper. And driver's seat. But at least the Datsun logo is salvageable. She is a 4 speed/1600cc, ALL original with right at 150k miles. Once it warms up this week I will throw some rollers on the rear wheels, break the rear brake loose, give her a bath inside + out and then clean up the rust a bit. She was driven to where she was parked and the fluids are all still there so I bet I can get her running without much effort. By the way, I am in Asheville, NC and finding these in ANY shape on the east coast is impossible. For me to get this one so cheap and in decent shape was a bit of s surprise. Let me know what you guys think! 3 Quote Link to comment
qwik510 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Nice find. Doesn't look too bad. I have seen much worse. Looks like it's from Maine. I hope the floors are ok. Let me know if you need some parts. I've got a bunch and I'm on the east coast. Keep the updates coming. 1 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I see lots of potential. You can make a big difference real quick with just your initial clean-up. I hope you are able to maintain the enthusiasm and get it back on the road. I've had a couple cactus green wagons. Awesome cars! Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Even with the house carpet up front, the floors aren't that bad. They guy I got it from said there was NO rust on it when his mom bought it in 1988 with 92k on it. He said all the rust was from sitting in the woods for the last 15 years. There is a bit of surface stuff, but only tiny holes, no real rot anywhere. I am just going to sand the rust down and paint it with some rust converter for now to keep it in check, then just buff out that original cactusgreen paint and drive it like it is! 2 Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 The guy I share a shop with is a paint and body guy and he wants to show me how to do what he does so this will be a good candidate for a crash course. Its got it all: complete fender replacement, floor patching, rocker work, smooth dent along the two passenger doors, worn paint on roof and fender, etc. So, eventually I will get around to fixing her up nice, but for now I just want to get her cleaned up. DAMN YOU, 17 degree temperatures! 4 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 There is a bit of surface stuff, but only tiny holes, no real rot anywhere. Wait...what? Oh...you're just talking about the floors? Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Wait...what? Oh...you're just talking about the floors? Yeah, the floors just have one small spot that needs a patch and the passenger fender and rocker need patches, but the rest of the rust along the edges is mostly surface rust with some pitting and small holes. It has ZERO previous bodywork, NO bondo, and all original paint. So what you see is what you get. Structure underneath looks great, I don't think it was driven in salt at all. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Great score looks like when I got nine a year ago. No rust but my wagon looked like to dobermans ate the inside of the wagon. Good luck with the build. Quote Link to comment
4perrev Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Nice find strolling through the woods. Doesn't look like there's too much rust, but you'll know more when you clean her up. Congrats and have fun building here up!! Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted February 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Nice find strolling through the woods. Doesn't look like there's too much rust, but you'll know more when you clean her up. Congrats and have fun building here up!! I was at this guy's house who was selling these two trashed RVs cheap and he asked if I wanted to see this old 57 Mercury 2 door that he had in the woods nearby. It was rotten to the core, but nearby was the ol Datsun. He said that it was his mom's car for years until she stopped driving. Originally he gave me a ridiculously low price, but then called back later and said he looked it up online and wanted a lot more. I left it there for like 8 months and then just called up last week with a price halfway between his two prices and we made a deal. Can't wait to clean her up! New pics to come this week if I can get the shop warm enough! 1 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Good find for your part of the country. Looking forward to updates! Quote Link to comment
4perrev Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 You'll run into people that think their stuff is worth a whole lot more based off price guides. But the truth is that they are only worth what people are willing to pay at the time. I ran into this motorcycles and parts. Either way, good find and let the fun begin!! Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 I wouldnt even paint it just clean it up and roll it with the Pantina Quote Link to comment
dgi Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Great find in NC. I'll be watching your thread as you make progress. But, I'm sure it is snowing on you today just like it is here. It'll be a few days before you get much washing outdoors. Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Great find in NC. I'll be watching your thread as you make progress. But, I'm sure it is snowing on you today just like it is here. It'll be a few days before you get much washing outdoors. Yeah, all I got done today was to find a couple of roller quality tires to swap on the rear wheels. I'll take them to the tire store tomorrow. THEN I can smack the rear driver's side brake drum with a rubber hammer, break it loose and roll the old girl in the shop. Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted March 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 OK, I got the nasty old carpet removed and the spider webs all cleaned out. Check out these floors and doors! 2 Quote Link to comment
ppeters914 Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I wouldnt even paint it just clean it up and roll it with the Pantina Yeah, most of that will buff out. Change the oil and plugs and fire it up! Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Not bad at all.very good Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted March 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I put new plugs and wires on it, but then discovered why it was probably parked to begin with, the starter motor is bad. But at least the engine turned the first few times I cranked it and it had compression and spark. So now I have two bad starter assemblies from two L series engines. One has a bad solenoid and the other a bad starter motor. So, I am going to make one good one out of the two bad ones and try again. First though I am going to drain the oil and see what that looks like before I refill it with fresh stuff. Fair warning! I have had to put this car up for sale even though I really don't want to. I just need the money very unexpectedly. I've got an ad up in the classifieds section. Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted March 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Next up is to get it running and then redo all the brakes. The rear shoes were shot and I had to use the two-bolt trick to get the tightly locked up drum off the driver's side. So, it rolls good now! Also I might have to do some clutch work because the clutch pedal is stuck up, it won't budge. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I like it. get it running maybe lower it straighten that bumper on a tree and just roll it like it is!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment
tablebeast Posted March 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I'm just going to remove the front bumper. If I can find a good one I'll replace it, but I like the bumperless look just fine. The one on there is toast and not salvagable! Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I kinda like that bumper. Quote Link to comment
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