1979 datsun 810 180b SSS

[damien4884]

So this isn't mine but it seems to be taking up a lot of my life atm so thought it only right to share as some of you may like to know where it ended up.

Its first thread on here:
retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ebayel&action=display&thread=147328

You'll be pleased to know it went to an enthusiastic owner who already has 2 estates and 2 saloons in his collection.

First impressions were that is wasn't that bad









It did run but not very well and smoked like a cummins on boost. The rear panel was frilly and the sills were well rusted so i was called in to have a look over it and start getting it sorted.

This is where it all goes a bit wrong................

[dallow]

you can't leave me hanging like that!!!!!!

[damien4884]

Patience, there is a lot to go through!

So time for a bit of history, the previous owner apparently had it "restored" about 10 years ago but it never got used on the road. I'm pretty sure John wayne was involved with the repair work, or they had just got a job lot of isopon cheap, it was hanging.

So we started pulling it apart or gently persuaded it to fall apart,



So that looks good, then we found the filler






This actually had new metal let in, well when the original arch has fallen off you need something of similar shape to hold the filler in place whilst it goes off! it had a bit of 1mm plate bent into a right angle then had been chopped half way through every inch and stuck on with filler



mmm crusty sill, shame thats 3 layer of strength and its rotting from the inside out.



thats where the inner sill should be, its hard to make out but the crossmember is actually just hanging there.

So out with the grinder

[damien4884]

Didn't really know where to start but we managed to source a pair of sills, a rear panel and rear valance and 1 front wing. Everything else is being made by me .



Gave the crossmember something to hang onto

inside repair to floor.


Then for no reason other than I could I decided to hit the boot floor, Well we needed somewhere to pull all the bits we were pulling off as he had a saloon I was working on at the same time

nice bit of turret rustage, both gone in the same way



repairs


started repairing boot floor



rear quarter Inner strengthener for this has been totally replace with a bit I made, no pictures though



other side rust



More repairs



Last repairs done ready for rear panel



made the corner



So today I fitted rear panel and had a look at the engine bay now its empty

looks pretty good considering the rest of it




A few minor repairs needed though

[dallow]

cant wait to see how this turns out

[damien4884]

If it comes out like any of his others, it should be pretty good

[lukeherbert]

great work!

[datman]

ooh nice to see this getting some love!

[ricky180b]

[OUTRUN]

Great to see this ended up in the right hands!

Shame about its hidden condition, but you're clearly the man to sort that.

[retrolegends]

Great work and epic welding, is it staying in the original colour?

[darrenh]

masked off for seam sealer, OEM +

[ricky180b]

This will be the final colour

[ricky180b]

Letting it dry 24 hours then lacquer

[Deleted]

great work! good to see a car which was only good for the scapy being bought back to life and the new colour looks fab! fantastic fabricating and welding skills

[damien4884]

So whilst i'm back at my full time job ricky has been busy sorting out the engine bay. Its now got 3 coats of lacquer on it and ready for him to start getting all the other engine bay bits cleaned up and refitted.



When its done it will all be this colour, datsun sky blue metallic, which looks like this (Ricky also owns this one!!)

[shahtz]

great work damien

wish you were closer to me!

could do with your magic welding and engine conversion skills on some of my datsuns

great job

keep it up!

[remmoc]

Great to see these being restored , My Dad had a 4 door one the same colour DYA 845T I think , fantastic looking motors

[damien4884]

So had a busy sunday doing more welding. finished off most of the repairs to the boot floor area. So thats all been cleaned up, seam sealed and stone chipped whilst I'm back at the day job







Splosh of primer on rear panel and valance




After finishing off the boot i made a start on sorting out the driver side sill. This is the bit i'm least looking forward to as there is a lot of bits i will need to make and not a lot of original panel to work from, but once its sorted the passengers side should be easier!




Inner sill looks pretty good.




On this side we could only get a saloon sill so it needs a couple of modifications so i decided to fit what i could to the front then rework the rear section as i will need to put it on and take it off whilst i make the reinforcing sections that go between the b pillar and rear arch.

small repair to front of inner sill



Half the outer fitted up

[79cord]

Wow impressive work done well, very glad to see it, and its companions.
A stylish hardtop to really attract interest.
Is it getting slot-mags as well to complete the set? (Guess that only leaves a 6cyl version).