Reunited again! 1972 Datsun 510 2 door

[Dal]

Hello everyone!
I grew up having owned about 4 Datsun 510;s over the years. Delivered a lot of pizzas with them. Back then, no money or time to fix one up the way I would like.
I must say it was hard to track one down for my project. I actually found one that I sold back in 1998. She was pretty well stripped down in a field in Northern B.C. I bought her back and finished taking everything out of her to prepare for media blasting. A few rust issues but there is still a lot there to work with. I have been reading lots of posts and info on this site and it can sometimes be overwhelming. The first step I am taking is to get done to bare metal and see what I really have left. I will go from there. Here are a few pics.
Cheers,
Dal

[two_68_510s]

Great to find your old car, just for the fun of it!
Is that you shrinking metal on the right rear quarter?

[okayfine]

Hey Dal,

Are you hiding the truly ugly bits, or is what we see the worst of it? That doesn't look horrible!

What are your plans for the resto?

[Dal]

I did not try to shrink the metal but I see someone else has. Once I get her media blasted, I can truly see what I am up against. That part may be a little scary. We will see.
Not trying to hide any nasties. Looking forward to see what I have left. I am looking to make a weekend cruiser. L20b engine, lowered, with lots of bling!!!
Cheers,
Dal

[Dal]

Got the 510 back from the media blasters. Looks great. It was blasted then sealed to prevent rust. A few small hole on the floors and rockers as well as the quarter panels. Not a biggy! The worst is the passenger quarter panel where the shrink marks were. Quite nasty! I will get out the hammer and dollie and have some fun. All and all, the structure is good. Very pleased. I finished up my little rotisserie and put her on there. Now I can get to work. Here are some pictures. Oh yes, I just had a propane furnace put in my shop. This will keep me happy on those cold northern days. Enjoy!

[dodgydan]

wow,that doesn't look bad at all. how are the floors and front box sections at top of inner fenders close up? look ok in pics. great body to start with, comming from a field in northern wet coast and all.
Go man Go.

[Dal]

Thanks dodgydan! The floors need a little patching but all in all pretty solid. I am really happy with the top of the inner fenders. Here are some more pics.

[Three B's Racing]

Great start to a big project NICE!!! That 1/4 panel is going to need some serious massaging to get right. Replacing it may be easier and somewhat cheaper. Don't forget to coat inside all the unibody rails and suspension bits also and I mean all of it.

Enjoy!!

[Dal]

Thanks, Yup A lot of work on the 1/4 panel. Have hammer and dollies and will learn patience hopefully. A new quarter panel is not out of the question for sure. I will coat every nook and cranny as you suggest. I get to work on her in my spare time between work and family. I am in no hurry.

[Three B's Racing]

Thanks, Yup A lot of work on the 1/4 panel. Have hammer and dollies and will learn patience hopefully. A new quarter panel is not out of the question for sure. I will coat every nook and cranny as you suggest. I get to work on her in my spare time between work and family. I am in no hurry.

Good deal!! on I am in no hurry, because qwik can lead to mistakes. Heck I took 3 1/2 years on mine and I still made mistakes. But that was in`97 and the 510 still looks good. Mine is the yellow one, the orange one belongs to Qwik510 and it once was owned by Peter Brock. The Celica belongs to a 510er and has a VG33, ZX Struts and 240SX rear suspension and it was built right!!

[S15DET]

In picture 0889, is the whole back of the car hanging off that one U-bolt?

Great looking starting point! Mind sharing how much you paid for the blasting/sealing?

[dodgydan]

i noticed that swell. it is interesting to see all the different ways one can build a rotisserie for our 510's.

[Dal]

Yes that is correct. One 5/8 u-bolt on each end. A fabrication shop told me that that would be all I need. The 5/8 u-bolt is strong enough for the light weight of the 510. Seems to work great. What would you guys suggest?
Dal

[dodgydan]

5/8" u-bolt is fine for 510 body. with no glass etc. the shell is really lite. the only thing i can see pos. being better is a a square tube band like your other adjustable arms have. that way you could put a bolt in it to clamp in place. good luckm with project. more 510's saved for the next gen.