In early 2004 a blue rust bucket 1600 was transported down from Cairns to Sydney. When picking it up our hearts dropped, she was nasty! Patchy paint work, trolley dings and plenty o rust. On the drive back to Canberra a god aweful sound was heard from the rear. Dammit!!! Closer inspection revealed a simple problem... decayed exhaust rubber. So out came the roll of copper wire I carry everywhere and onward we went.

Anyway, the resto began the next day in our meagre car port, before numerous drives to Melbourne and back before moving down permanently. The job continued in an off street parking bay (much to the discontentment of other apartment tenants) with stripping back and priming. Later we moved to the current residence with the luxury of a tiny single garage! What a treat!

Anyway, after 2 years of sanding, scrubbing, stripping, a spray job with an experienced mate with British Racing Green, the ol 1970 1600 is finally complete! Photos of engine bay and interior to come soon.

The amazing thing is, despite the roughness of the original state of the car, she has only ever cost me a few sets of spark plugs, oil filters, and an ignition coil! the non essential mechanical alterations have only been in rebuilding the brakes, and lowered kings springies all round.

Future plan is an L20B, but Im waiting for the L16 to die first... and she just wont give up!

BEFORE:

Rear ender had ruined bumper and caused significant dent in rear panel work.



At her home in Cairns before the interstate move.



Patchy paint and aweful plastic side vision mirrors.



AFTER:

Rear all fixed up, new bumper ready to go on, and British Racing Green applied.



Our trip to Tasmania.





Trolley dings removed!



Cheers,
Ivan

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SEADAT - South East Oz Datsun Community
http://www.tidalportal.com/SEADAT

*1970 Datsun 1600 - L16 3sp BW Auto

Nice work!
What a transformation.
Good choice of colour to.

Go the L-Power !!!!!

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1975 P610/180B SSS ex PRC3 Rally car (parts car)
1974 P610/180B SSS (parts car)
1972 P510/1600 Currently sitting untouched
1977 P610/180B Wagon Daily Driver

Nice one Neph.
BTW, you wont kill the L16 with the auto behind it...
(Might rip a good skip tho )

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Classic Auto Fabrications:
http://www.ozdat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=31659

http://www.lescollinsracing.com/

Sweet colour mate. I tried to blow my ol' L16 up. It never went bang. Find your self and stock but worn L20b and have some fun building it up over time.

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1928 Model A CC Pickup

Hey thanks guys

Yea the L16 seems to be unkillable, even with kickdown engaged "often"

The only real reason behind my L20 plan is the ease of doing maintenance at home. CA18's are becoming nicely affordable now... but Im not really electronics literate, mechanical physics on the other hand is logical

Ivan

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SEADAT - South East Oz Datsun Community
http://www.tidalportal.com/SEADAT

*1970 Datsun 1600 - L16 3sp BW Auto

Nice work Neph, good to see you have another 16 on the road

My brother tried for 5 years, then me for 2 years, but we couldnt blow up the L20B in my old 1600 (2nd gear, foot to the floor for a few km's, trust me, we tried) , the motor still lives on in a 720 ute going hard as ever!

Love the colour, go the L20B, wish I still had my old car with the L20B twin 45's, things were simple back then....

Would it be smart to convert to manual if doing the L20 conversion?
Or is the standard borg warner original box decent enough to handle the extra work?

The only reason I bought an auto was:

a) spouse
b) bigger tunnel for later possible options

_________________
SEADAT - South East Oz Datsun Community
http://www.tidalportal.com/SEADAT

*1970 Datsun 1600 - L16 3sp BW Auto

Look for a JATCO 3speed box from a 180B SSS. They are the bee's knees of old school auto's.
The Borg warner is a bit O'rrible at the best of times.
The JATCO has a electronic kickdown rather than the cable setup of the Warner.
Also you can trick the JATCO up with a switch and get a "Sports Mode" of sorts.

PM me for details of the switch trick.


Dave M

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1975 P610/180B SSS ex PRC3 Rally car (parts car)
1974 P610/180B SSS (parts car)
1972 P510/1600 Currently sitting untouched
1977 P610/180B Wagon Daily Driver

Hey mate,

Well done on a very neat job.

I also have a L16 and the thing is very strong. Its all original, doesnt blow any smoke pulls a little skid .

I just got back from a trip upto Foster..............was getting around 40miles/ gallon doing about 70 - 80 mph i love the datsun..........

Again great work.

Cheers,
Luke

'i love the datsun.......... Cool '

Amen to that!

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1928 Model A CC Pickup

AYM23Q on datnet is selling a JATCO 3 speed from a 180b SSS, if you were keen for one drop him a PM.

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- 1972 Datsun 1600 S15 SR20DET

Or I've got a free one in Newcastle

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1970 ex Group A Rally P510
1971 P510
1972 180B SSS
1965 SP310 Fairlady
1966 SP311 Fairlady