Hey all,
My name is Brian, I am 20, studying, working, playing and partying my way at the moment.
Im from the Hills District in NSW and here is the story of my car.
After a couple months of scouring gumtree, carsales, eBay and various forums, I have finally found a car to call my own and park outside my house... and stare at.
I found this car on carsales the night before my Bus Law exam, studying hard clearly, called the guy and arranged to look at it the day after my exam. He explained every detail of the car to me over the phone and I knew if it was as he described I would buy it on the spot.
Whilst test driving the car the guy selling it had a call that someone else had arrived to look at it, I offered him my cash right then and he took it. The other party who was waiting for us to return tried to "outbid" me but the seller, a good man!, kept his word and sold it to me for a fraction of what they were offering. The other party then offered to buy the number plates, however I would've had to put the papers in there name and then transfer them over... yeah right?!
A very interesting buying experience indeed.
This is a 1977 Datsun 120Y GL, its a two owner with original 49,000kms.
Full service history since it rolled out of the showroom and it drives like brand new.
It has the original 4 speed manual transmission and the 1.2L 4Cyl A12.
It bought it with 0 modifications, even has the original hub caps and leather shifter boot!
It does need some TLC, the interior is all there and in pretty good nick. The seats and carpet need a thorough clean but should come out like new. The dash is fully original, even the AM radio is still fully functioning! However the dash has a sizable crack in it.
The paint looks awesome in photos but also needs some attention, a good wax and a couple sections of touch up paint should see it looking pretty snazzy.
The vinyl roof is a little dull, anyone have any pointers on how to restore it a little?
Lastly the engine bay, the engine itself runs super smooth, the gearbox is like silk and it sounds pretty nice. It will probably need some cleaning up and modification...
My first impressions are:
-Its a lot of fun to drive.
-Lacked some TLC in the cosmetic area, but the mechanics are A+
-Could use a 5th gear.
-Needs more grunt!!
-Its a fairly small car, and I am a fairly tall guy, rendering it a 3 seater.
-Very Very little rust for a car of this age.
-The color, in my opinion, is epic.
-I love it to bits!
I have a few ideas for this car but for now I am just enjoying its originality.
No plans for an engine or transmission swap, it would be a waste to pull the original ones out already, however I would like to get some more out of this little engine.
Once things come to mind I will post up where I am going with this car, ideally it would be a way for me to really get into manual driving (my first non Auto), get me around a track for the first time, get to know a RWD well and so on.
If anyone has any fat wheels I can acquire let me know!
Pics are off the iPhone so not that great..
Hope you enjoy!