The Vortex for Homeless Datsuns - Intervention Needed (UPDATED PICS)

[Razi]

It'll be kick-a**. A loft upstairs with a kitchen, den, bedroom, and a bathroom. (What else do we need?) Downstairs...a bazillion bay garage with every tool you could imagine. Couple of acres outside to catch the overflow. Yay!!! Bring on the retirement!

LMAO You're awesome.Today I saw these ladies at the junkyard and it reminded me of you.

They were taking an engine out of an older corolla, and they weren't even breaking a sweat.

[nissangirl74]

If ever I marry, I hope to find someone with an attitude like that.

As it stands, my garage plans are bigger than my house plans.

Good luck, from what i hear, we are few and far between..

I always wondered if it would be politically incorrect to have a garage bigger than your house!

Now that would be awesome. Even have your own track behind the house where you can do practice and runs with your buddies.

Notes made in planner...I like the way you think!!! That would be the shiznit!

LMAO You're awesome.Today I saw these ladies at the junkyard and it reminded me of you.

They were taking an engine out of an older corolla, and they weren't even breaking a sweat.

The night I had my first real conversation with Greg, I was craving a beer and an old car to take apart. I used to love doing that. Just start at the front and work my way back to the firewall. There's something calming to me about completely gutting a car and putting it back together.

[chitownguy]

p.s. My good buddy Fisch has given me some ideas...

Please do it!!! I've always wanted to see something like that. Well I have but not in the states. Do it almost exactly like that. The lake pipes, the windshield screen, two-tone and red steelies with white walls are perfect.

[HashiriyaS14]

p.s. My good buddy Fisch has given me some ideas...

YES

You have whitewalls on one of your Roadsters? I need to see this.

[AZhitman]

You guys see why I love this woman?

Hash, I think there's some pics of my Roadie on my MS page.

I think I'll hold off on ratting out this 411 (it's just too pristine and rare), but I definitely HAVE to have a ratsun at some point... Hmmm.

[ZOMG.SR20]

Greg i officially hate you

[chitownguy]

(it's just too pristine and rare)

Which is exactly why you should rat it out.

[AZhitman]

No chance.

Yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time in the garage going over the car... as with any new project, I take a few days to just CLEAN it thoroughly, in order to get a feel for what it needs, and to learn how it's put together.

The good news is, this car was kept indoors for most of its life. The other good news is, inside the hatch and doors was coated with some oily grime that protected the paint and metal bits from corrosion.

Lots of 409, some brake cleaner, and a couple rolls of paper towels later, the jambs for the doors and hatch are pristine. The weatherstripping is in great shape as well, and the protective rubber cargo mat preserved the cargo area beautifully... the paint underneath is as glossy and bright as the day it was built.

I pulled up the carpet and sound deadening, and vacuumed all the nastiness out of the floors. Floorboards are solid, well-preserved, and rust-free. They'll get a layer of RAAM mat before the new carpet goes in.

I'll post up pics of the progress tonight. So far, I think I scored on this car - It's certainly in a lot better shape than most Datsuns of this vintage I've seen.

[AZhitman]

As promised, pics of the first stage of clean-up.

Heading home on I-10:

All scrubbed up:



Adios, 44-year-old carpet!

Datsun had a cool idea to keep the rear seatback folded flat when hauling cargo - This is BEFORE I restored this particular part:

...aaaand AFTER:

[raremotive]

Very clean Greg.

I approve.

[AZhitman]

THx Darren.

I can't wait to get some more garage time so I can finish up the interior.

I'm gonna drive it all rat-looking for a while, then it's off for paint and body...

Looking for some Panasports or Watanabes for it, and I think I want to put a Rising Sun license plate on the front.

[MellowZ32]

you need to stop being so awesome dude!you're making me look bad! JKman that's a clean datsun

[AZhitman]

Guys, these things are out there - You just gotta do your homework.

They're not expensive, they're easy to work on, will run forever, and best of all - they're INCREASING in value.

[MellowZ32]

My one dilemma is the lack of a place to store/work on cars. I have tree already and it is hell having to park on the street!but One I'll make you proud, when I buy my first S30 and restore it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

That thing is certifiably awesome. I love the metal-backed fold down seat.

[HashiriyaS14]

I think I'll hold off on ratting out this 411 (it's just too pristine and rare), but I definitely HAVE to have a ratsun at some point... Hmmm.

If you're going to build a Ratsun, do a roadster. Don't you have two? Even if one has a little rust...who cares, it's a rat/boro car!

Do rivet-on flares, wide steelies on whitewalls with chrome caps, side-exit (or "hole in the hood" exit, lol) exhaust, etc. That shxt would be legendary.

[Logan76]

Greg me and you have the same problems, I have too many tools to store, I dont even have a garage. So my dad's garage is so full of all our tools we cant even fit any of our projects in there (2 bikes, 1 truck, 2 cars+ 2 post lift that's sitting beside the garage.). I need a steel building lol.

[Logan76]

[QUOTE=qat727]build your own TIGQUOTE]

http://www.mig-welders-tig-wel...r.htm

[hannibal]

Very cool Greg!

I wanna be there for the grand opening of your museum...

[AZhitman]

If you're going to build a Ratsun, do a roadster. Don't you have two? Even if one has a little rust...who cares, it's a rat/boro car!

Do rivet-on flares, wide steelies on whitewalls with chrome caps, side-exit (or "hole in the hood" exit, lol) exhaust, etc. That shxt would be legendary.

I *do* have a few spare Roadsters laying around... And a crapton of leftover rattlecans.... Hmmmm.

[qat727]

http://www.mig-welders-tig-wel...r.htm

That's one design I considered. The one I'm building is an add on high frequency arc starter for a TIG capable Miller stick welder. I'll also build a foot pedal control for the 14 pin connector on my welder. I plan for a cleaner unit than an alternator bolted to a board. How about a 15,000 volt transformer and spark gaps to eliminate scratch starting?

[OriginalWheelman]

Damn that's clean.

[MellowZ32]

hey Greg lookie herehttp://losangeles.craigslist.o....html

[AZhitman]

Cool, but we already have a Dime.

And I think this wagon is cooler.

Someone needs to grab it - If it's rust-free, it's a STEAL.

[MellowZ32]

no place to keep it.

[AZhitman]

I think we're topped-out on space as well.

Easy to accrue, hard to let go of!!!

[Logan76]

I think we're topped-out on space as well.

Easy to accrue, hard to let go of!!!

Isn't that the truth? That goes for about everyting, bicycles, small motors, motorcycles, big motors, cars....I'm a damn pack rat.

[AZhitman]

I'm working on offloading a Roadster and possibly the 510.

Really, really want to focus on finishing up the red Roadster, the vert, Bex's Z, and the 411.

THEN I wanna start the frame-off resto on the 320. BADLY.

[numbnuts240]

I'm working on offloading a Roadster and possibly the 510.

if i only had the money

[MellowZ32]

tell me about it!