Hey,

Just recently purchased a 1973 610 SSS Coupe, had a 510 sedan and 510 wagon some years ago but this is my first 610, I think it seems to be in reasonable condition for a 41 year old car and definitely worthy of a rebuild!
It has obvious rust in typical areas that these cars are known to rust in ie lower rear quarters and tyre well in the boot and im sure much more...

Guy i bought it off had owned for 10 years (all of which it was housed in an enclosed garage which he drove it into) and then only 1 owner prior to him who bought it new from a local country dealership called Farm Services here in SA with a request for an automatic strangely enough, therefore making me the 3rd owner.
The car is 100% comeplete with even a few extra parts coming with it like a 5 speed dogleg box

Guy I bought it off had already started to strip it down, removed front quarter panels, front lights and apron, rear lights, interior, carpet, hood lining, exterior badges and most of the chrome trims.
With minor panel work/straightening done on the front quarters as well but plenty still needing to be done.

Since getting it home last week I have given it a wash and vacuum inside (had accumulated quiet a bit of dust after sitting in previous owners shed for last 10 years), I then removed all the parts out of the boot and inside of the car that were already removed but put back loosely in the car for easy transportation to my place.

My thoughts are to do a full rebuild, get the body as straight and rust free as i possibly can, get it resprayed a nice sharp clean looking white, perhaps Arctic White, then once the body is complete look into the mechanical side of things. Would like to keep it as original as I can as there are hardly any 610 SSS coupes let alone sedans getting around these days and as fun as putting an SR20 or other newer turbo engines in would be i would much rather have it closer to being original looking and a collectors item, with just suspension, brake and drive-line improvement upgrades and perhaps a little bit of extra performance from the L18 during the engine rebuild as well to help it move along easier on the road

I do like the look the look of the Japanese Bluebird-U 610 coupe with different tail lights, badges and a few other things, so may even replicate my build to look this way

Not sure where to start though really and where to go forward from here... so much work ahead so I have just been staring at the car the last few days blankly haha any help or tips from anyone would be helpful and much appreciated,

Anyway, here are some pictures of how it currently looks, keen to get some feedback and or hear what people think

I would suggest you make a plan of what you need/want to do to each area of the car. Then work methodically through it.
It looks to be in very good condition, meaning a lot less work than usual.

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rides:
'76 180b wagon - cruiser project
'93 Skyline Gts-t sedan

'72 1600 ground up rebuild - Sold/parted
'89 VN Calais 5L - Sold
'83 VH SLE ground up rebuild - Sold (further built and featured in Street Commodores)
'01 Subaru Liberty B4, 160kW at all four - Sold

Thanks DRiPproject
I'm buying some sanders and dolly and hammer tools today so can atleast start to try take a few dents out. Once engine is out I will hopefully be able to get the whole car sandblasted back to bare metal and then etch primed. Least that will clean up the surface rust and give me a better idea of what is under that current original paint. Hopefully no big surprises.
Good idea to look at the car in areas and work out what is needed to be done and what I want done.
Will update the thread as I get things done, slow and steady

Hey mate nice find i personally own a 1600 but love the shape of a 180b sss get yourself a slapper itl be a bit easier to use than a hammer to get the dents out

Thanks sutho510.
Had a few 510s now and wish I kept hold of them to be honest but have always had a soft spot for the 180b SSS so glad I've finally picked one up!
What is a slapper?

Its a bent file blade basically google it there easier to use than a hammer to get the dents out with a dolly

Not much of an update but bought some Bluebird-U badges to fit once body work is complete

I have a cool set of Jdm 2000gt badges if you are interested

No thanks Bozo510, rather get more 180B SSS related badges.

I am after a SSS grille badge though and the Bluebird SSS badge that goes on the dash above the glovebox if anyone has either of these and wants to sell?

Did you see my response to your reply to my other thread about JDM rear tail lights for the 610?

Purchased more parts ready for the rebuild
Got some JDM rear tail lights, new old stock front and rear quarter panel indicators and a JDM SSS steering wheel

Not much of an update but have since changed projects, sold the mustard yellow coupe above and have now acquired a genuine JDM 1973 610 Bluebird-U GL hardtop (coupe) 1600, yes you read correctly,a GL coupe, not a SSS coupe.
Technically not even a 180B as it has a L16 in it from factory! along with othe rjdm goodies ie 3 piece tail lights and front qtr mirrors to mention a few.
Plans are to restore to factory original condition, get body done and re-paint it Silver (Datsun silver code 912), rebuild engine, put in a 5 speed (currently auto) and work engine a little when rebuilding, nice old skool JDM wheels and have it as a weekender street car.
Here's a few pics of it

That looks like a good pickup, thanks for the better photos than were doing the rounds on Facebook

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RIP Photobucket

Thanks mastadd240k. If you wanted to see any other pics let me know

G'day Mate

I also am in the 180b sss game, 74 model. Shortly putting up a post. Nice rear lights. Took me a while but I also found a set of JDM rear lights. Tell me, the mustard one you picked up. Was it in the Taree area by any chance? Good to stay in touch, I might have or know of any spare parts you might need and vice versa?

My mistake, GL coupe!

Might have a five speed gearbox for sale if you are still looking.

BH