1981 Datsun Cherry GL

[lae]

After a pretty long absence, I'm back in the world of old bangers. This one cost a paltry £160 (less than my watch!)


Matt black rattlecan job is almost cool


Rattlecan job done so badly that you can see the gold coming through if you polish it. Also none of the trim was removed, just either sprayed over or masked with what I assume must have been very jagged masking tape


Seriously classy interior. Needs a good clean and nothing else


Engine runs alright, apparently it misfires sometimes which is either the coil or the fuel filter, but it only coughed once on the two-and-a-half hour drive home. This engine has incredibly good access


Moar engine plz!


And the only bit of grot. Possibly terminal. Expect to see this for sale when I get a quote from the welder (any RRs willing to give me a hand with this, actually?)

Seems to understeer really quite badly. Whether it's the car, something wrong with the car, or just me being used to RWD I have yet to find out...

[An Fear Ó Dhoire]

Any mpg figures yet? Is that battery held in with bungee coard? No chance the understeer would be something silly like the brakes or tyres?

[Marshall]

I used to have one of these as a field car many many moons ago, cracking little car to drive.

[lae]

MPG... either it has a very big fuel tank or it sips petrol... I'm guessing around 45 because I drive like a grandma with my arm out the window. And yes, the battery is held in with bungee cord (although there is a battery clamp in the boot but I think the battery in it is much bigger than what's supposed to be in there!)

Have checked the tyres and rotated them with no luck on the understeer, I'll have a good look at the suspension tomorrow. I'm getting used to it now anyway, it doesn't seem nearly as bad as it did when I first tried to get it out of the car park...

[briandamaged]

Understeer's par for the course with these, IIRC...they handled with all the finesse of a greased pig on ice.

If that's all the welding it needs, crack that MIG up!!!!

[lae]

I can't weld to save my life! I'm going to get a mates' dad to take a look at it, he loves 70s and 80s stuff, he's restoring a Kadett coupe to race spec at the moment so I might try to get some pics too

[Sir Oinksalot]

Nice one mate, Wrexham to York no problem ;D

The Kenwood Radio/CD must be worth a ton!

Shaun

[lae]

My friend and I had a day off and this happened



The MirthMobile is born! It shouldn't stay like this for long though, a friend is willing to lend me use of his spray booth - I'm torn between black or white!


Photoshop for the dub fans. It definitely won't be painted like this

[RetroMat]

looks like a good purchase. i rather like the photoshop blue/checks

[An Fear Ó Dhoire]

Just noticed the louvres in the bonnet. I think we both know what those are trying to say.







Cosworth.

[vicsmith]

The sort of hexagonal ring of warning lights to the right of the speedo alone makes this worth any amount of welding that is required! They are a nice drive too.

[kevfromwales]

I am guted that it looks that nice - damn!!!

knew I shoulda straight swapped the chuvitt for it!!!

- kev