Hi everyone,
I am hoping I can get a little guidance from some car and Datsun enthusiasts
I have a 1982 Datsun ute that originally belonged to my grandfather before he died. It is listed on the rego papers as 720 but my grandfather told me he upgraded it to a 1500 from a 1200. He also did a lot of work to it including the canopy and the custom roo bar at the front.
Unfortunately, it is now in a pretty poor shape and is suffering terribly from the cancer known as RUST. It has been sitting at a friends house who was going to work on. the engine for me but he feels the body needs some work first. I dont have any pics of the underside but have been told there are "massive rust holes in the chassis". I am also concerned about the rust in the roof. I have been told that I can find replacements for most of the other panels however even if I went ahead with restoring it, it would be extremely costly given its condition, probably very unsafe to drive and likely to acquire a yellow sticker should I be pulled over.
I am not by any means a car enthusiast and my knowledge of cars is very limited. My interest in this ute is of a sentimental nature and if possible, would like to restore it to its former glory in my grandfathers honour but I am not really in a position to tell if it is even possible given its current state. If possible, I would greatly appreciate any comments as to whether it may be possible, the safety aspect of doing so and any ideas on costs
Thanks in advance!

I usually say, if it is metal it can be repaired.
BUT, I have been here and although doable, it is in my opinion, not economical.
It will take a lot of time and effort which, if you outsource it, will be ~$80/hr.
I understand your attachment to the car and appreciate your desires but IMHO, too much
Just my experience.

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Regards, Graeme
Just trying to help...
http://nissanman.shutterfly.com/
graemes@internode.on.net

Thanks so much Graeme
Would you be able to give a rough estimate of how many hours I might be looking at?

Hi Charles, nice to get a post like this. Graham is very correct economy is the key! and he's generous with his hourly rate! this car is doable but you want the right person/people to do it. this sort of work does need doing properly given the circumstanses being of sentimental value and of road worthy standard. my opinion would be look for a good one... they come up... keep the parts from Granddads and you'll be able replace what you need and know that he would still be very proud of you and what he means to you and your family! just my thoughts

Yeah what they ^ said its definitely a datsun 1200 ute the 720 on the papers is possibly the weight. In my experience if thats what you can see rust wise then what is beneath that will be worse for example that rust on the top of the guard at the rear near the windscreen is a bad sign if you look right up under the dash on that side of the vehicle im near 100% that the seam will be rusted out and water will have been leaking into the cabin. Get another decent shell and salvage all you can off this one and do a build devoted to your Grandfather. All the best Regards Andrew.

That looks fairly terminal to me. I think a reshell is perfect with all the cool extra bits like the canopy.

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Callan
fleet:
78 200B
78 ZH Fairlane 500 Bluesmobile
86 ZL Fairlane ZLane
78 ZH Fairlane 500 Barn find
85 Troopy 2H Turbo

Looks like your Grandfather was a pretty capable bloke. If he was faced with the job you have ahead of you, I think he'd buy a rust-free 1200 ute and transfer the good bits over. It's likely to be quicker, cheaper, less problematic and safer (I'm sure your safety would be a big issue for him).

Good luck!

If you any where around sunnycoast qld, i could take a look in person for you.I have had lots of experience welding up rusty datto's.
full new rear qtrs can be bought cheap,same as all front pannels/bumpers/lights

the roof corner looks a bit far gone but still possible.saving it really depends if theres still enough metal to weld too
I can understand your want to save it,had a few sentimental cars i wanted to save myself, but rust and twisted chassis had the better of them

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68 510 - soon to be restored into a replica 68sss
69 510 - current build - L20b turbo
91 GT turbo legacy
GET THAT DATSUN DIFFERENCE!