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O bachan - 1972 Bluebird DX 4dr granny car


carterb

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I drove granny car back to the importer yesterday.  He was going to load it on a trailer and take it back to Customs in Tacoma.

 

I was pleasantly surprised to get a call back later the same day saying the car was ready!

 

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And the stamp has been received!!!

 

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We're so close now.

 

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Next stop, DOL.  Again.

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Once again, I got ahead of myself.

Yesterday morning started with a dead battery in the rain.

 

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When I picked up the car the first time, the battery was dead.  On the way home I noticed that the dome light was on so I was hopeful that was the issue.  Looks like I'm not that lucky.

 

No problem though, the cute little toy sized batteries they put in Japanese cars charge up quickly.

 

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After 15-20 minutes, I tried the key again and it started right up.

 

This thing is so fun to drive!

 

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I went to the DOL today and fortunately (I hoped) the same guy as before was working the counter.  He remembered me so I didn't have to tell the whole story again.  I just gave him the revised paperwork and when he saw the stamp he started right in with the data entry process.  No further questions your honor!

 

Before I knew it, I was writing the state of Washington a big ol' check for tax and license and the plates were mine!

 

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I will try to make time to check a few things this weekend (like the electron leak) and hopefully start driving it next week - that should give Cooper a well deserved break this winter, especially since it needs some attention as well.  Maybe I can finally upgrade to electronic ignition while it's off the road...

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Barabuda was kind enough to send me a link to the original Yahoo! Japan auction.

I didn't realize it was on the site.  I was watching at the time and did not notice this car.  Looks like they just used Buy It Now ("Prompt Decision Price") and that was that!  Awesome!

 

Translated listing below.

 

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Last Sunday there was a slight break in the rain so I mounted my new license plates and swapped in a big 'ol 'merican car battery for the little toy battery that came with the car.

 

11082015_granny_battery_swap.JPG

 

This required swapping the battery cables as well as the little battery has little posts too.  Thank you Trouble for giving up all the components needed.

 

I left the terminals disconnected overnight and hooked them in Monday morning before leaving for work.

I disconnected them again during the day as I had not yet looked into the possible battery draw.

I left them connected overnight Monday though and have not looked back - driving back and forth to work all week with no issues.

 

--carter

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Winter is setting in and it's getting COLD!!!

 

Check out the frost on the car this morning! Looks like shag carpet!

 

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I got some near opposite lock going over an ice patch on the way to work Friday morning so I thought it'd be a good idea to swap over to winter tires.

 

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Front drums sure look odd on a "510"

 

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Removed the 165/80/R13 Bridgestone "Sneaker" tires and wheels and replaced with 185/60/R14 Hankook Winter i-Pike winter tires.

 

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This should help me feel a little more sure-footed.

 

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  • 1 month later...

I finally took a minute to take some photos of the "junk in the trunk"

 

How about a car care kit:

 

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Granny's umbrella

 

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roadside emergency kit - note the part number

 

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we love NOS parts don't we?

 

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"show" plates

 

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package of some kind of weather stripping.  Looks generic.  Any ideas what it is for?

(note part number for package/mail service)

 

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uncut spare key

 

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Some documentation too:

 

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This is a generic service manual

 

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Owners manual for the car

 

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Note shift chart for 3 spd!!  This is no freeway cruiser.

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I though this was interesting.  You all know of the "elephant oil cap" but have you seen this?

 

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They have these little magazines in major cities.

 

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