My NEW 72 2 door project

View and post your 510 project(s)
Post Reply
yenpit
Posts: 1700
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 20:14
Location: Denver Colorado

My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by yenpit »

Well, after realizing that taking on someone elses project is not always the answer, I just picked this '72 2 door up out in California, and had it shipped home! It needs alot of restoration work, but it is a running & driving 510. The body is very straight, with mostly original paint. The only rust issues that I can see are the left front floor pan, and a little bubbling on the right rear lower 1/4 panel, below the bumper. Lots of typical nicks & dings, but it doesn't appear to have ever been hit. The rear tail lamp panel was replaced 10++ years ago with a factory panel (part # tag is still on the inside!), but I'm guessing it was due to a light bump, as there is no trunk pan damage or lower valence damage at all.

It has some minor mods like an L18, dual Hitachi's, header, Libre's, and relocated battery. It's an automatic now, but a 280ZX 5 speed is already sitting in the garage!
Attachments
72 510 2.JPG
IM005622.JPG
IM005617 (Small).JPG
1973 510 2dr
1972 521 flat bed
1972 510 Wagon parts car
2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD

LOTS of 510 parts!
Sully
Posts: 19
Joined: 23 Jul 2007 00:44

RE: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by Sully »

It's a small world we live in, I went and looked at that same 510. The guy had no pictures though and when I saw it, it was nothing like the description. Pretty solid for the most part though.
goichi
Posts: 89
Joined: 12 Dec 2007 11:24
Location: Fayetteville, Ga

RE: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by goichi »

looks cool! what are your plans?? strip it all down to bare metal? or just a daily driver?? I wish I had one to tinker with and drive until i finish my project.....but i guess that would distract from my progress?? how much did you pay, if you don't mind me asking....
qwik510
Supporter
Posts: 3216
Joined: 29 Oct 2006 18:51
Location: Maryland - East Coast USA

Post by qwik510 »

TJ,

Looks like a nice solid car. Nice find. Glad to hear that you have a running, driving 510. I know how long you have wanted one.

Congrats!

David
User avatar
hang_510
Supporter
Posts: 5342
Joined: 14 Mar 2005 16:19
Location: so. cal

Post by hang_510 »

merry christmas even if its a few days early :!:

looks like it was more than worth the hassle(s)
byron wrote:I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a smartie.
okayfine wrote:Sense doesn't always have everything to do with it, and I speak from experience.
User avatar
jason
Supporter
Posts: 4968
Joined: 13 Sep 2004 18:00
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Post by jason »

Nice TJ! It's always easier to keep motivated with a running vehicle on the road!
Jason
yenpit
Posts: 1700
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 20:14
Location: Denver Colorado

Post by yenpit »

Yea, I have a much clearer vision for this one! I have a spare orange hood and trunk lid already lying around (still gotta deal with the left door), so I will swap those and buff the crap out of the existing original paint on this car, and see how it looks. Otherwise, a simple "glass out, trim off" respray in the original or near-the-same-shade orange. I'm gathering ideas on the suspension, but will remain straight forward and simple with sway bars, urethane bushings, adj rear crossmember, 280ZX front struts/brakes, 200SX (??) rear disc swap, Tokico's, GC front coilovers (have not figured out the rear yet). I've only got 2 Enkei Comp-8's at this point, so looking for 2 more, but regardless, will stick with a Panasport copy of sorts. The interior will again, be simple, with new headliner, carpet, console (already have an old Amco console), 73 dash, Corbeau (??) front seats, stock rear seat, tunes etc etc. I will likely stick with the L18 for now with a single Weber 40DCOE, header, elec ignition, lightened flywheel, 280ZX 5speed, early Subaru LSD. I'd like to do a KA24DE swap, but that may have to wait until next Winter. I want to drive this one come Spring!! I collected parts, and stared at the rolling shell for far too long, so this one is gonna be simple! Heck, if I don't sell the shell, maybe I will eventually get to it too.............. :lol:
1973 510 2dr
1972 521 flat bed
1972 510 Wagon parts car
2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD

LOTS of 510 parts!
yenpit
Posts: 1700
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 20:14
Location: Denver Colorado

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by yenpit »

Well, I started disassembly about a month ago, after things started to warm up around here in the frozen tundra of Michigan! I simply can not believe how easily everything comes apart on this California car! Absolutely unbelievable!! I don't know if I can ever buy another mid-western/northern project car again. I've spent way too many years fighting with rusted bolts, brackets, body panels etc etc. Wohooooooooo!!!! :mrgreen: Hell, even my 2000 Subaru OB Sport is rusted to hell underneath from all the nasty salt this state uses in the winter!

The ratty old interior is gutted, and ready for the new headliner & carpet. I've collected an excellent dash, near perfect rear seat, and near perfect interior panels. I haven't decided what to do about the front seats yet :lol: . The rear suspension & subframe are out, and I've got a Subbie LSD, a sway bar, Tokico Blue's, poly bushings, and some unknown manufacturer BLUE lowering springs (for now). Up front I've collected 280ZX struts & brakes, a big sway bar, Tokico Blue's, and poly bushings. I just ordered Ground Control coilovers and T3 camber plates & top hats.

The AUTO trans is out, and I've got what appears to be an early 280ZX 5 speed to go in (thanks Mike for the killer info in that post!), along with a lightened steel flywheel, and a Roadster/510 clutch setup. I'm gonna pull the L18 for a simple engine detail, and engine compartment detail (man that's gonna be alot of elbow grease :roll: ), and hope it holds up to my "spirited driving" technique!

I am excited about this project, and hope to bump into some other 510 nuts this summer!
1973 510 2dr
1972 521 flat bed
1972 510 Wagon parts car
2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD

LOTS of 510 parts!
User avatar
jason
Supporter
Posts: 4968
Joined: 13 Sep 2004 18:00
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by jason »

That's great TJ, you'll like the L18 even if it's old school! Keep us posted!
Jason
User avatar
duke
Supporter
Posts: 1875
Joined: 26 Oct 2005 14:21
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by duke »

Nice...now we need pictures. Sounds like you will have a really nice driver when you done with it.
Duke Schimmer

'72 2-Door 510
"Simplify and add lightness."
yenpit
Posts: 1700
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 20:14
Location: Denver Colorado

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by yenpit »

Other than scoring a really solid original car, my other great find was this set of 14inch Enkei Compe-8's, in excellent condition. Made my freakin' day when they showed up! I had posted a WTB ad on the Z-car forum, and almost a year later a guy out in California emailed me. He said that they came on his Z when he bought it 10-12 years ago, and opted for Centerlines. These went in the boxes, and up in his attic. Way beyond my expectations!
Attachments
IM005812 (Small).JPG
Last edited by yenpit on 05 Jan 2009 20:07, edited 1 time in total.
1973 510 2dr
1972 521 flat bed
1972 510 Wagon parts car
2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD

LOTS of 510 parts!
yenpit
Posts: 1700
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 20:14
Location: Denver Colorado

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by yenpit »

Well, I've been busy disassembling, and buying parts!
Attachments
IM005804 (Small).JPG
IM005781 (Small).JPG
Everything came apart like butter!  Subaru R160 LSD going in........
Everything came apart like butter! Subaru R160 LSD going in........
1973 510 2dr
1972 521 flat bed
1972 510 Wagon parts car
2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD

LOTS of 510 parts!
yenpit
Posts: 1700
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 20:14
Location: Denver Colorado

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by yenpit »

I've been really surprised how nicely the paint came back after a light hand rub down with rubbing compound. Lots of nicks, scratches and small dings, but I can live with the patina!
Attachments
IM005807 (Small).JPG
1973 510 2dr
1972 521 flat bed
1972 510 Wagon parts car
2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD

LOTS of 510 parts!
User avatar
hang_510
Supporter
Posts: 5342
Joined: 14 Mar 2005 16:19
Location: so. cal

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by hang_510 »

coming along nicely!
byron wrote:I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a smartie.
okayfine wrote:Sense doesn't always have everything to do with it, and I speak from experience.
yenpit
Posts: 1700
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 20:14
Location: Denver Colorado

Re: My NEW 72 2 door project

Post by yenpit »

Another buddy comes thru with some older Corbeau seats!! I sold them to him NEW about 8 years ago, and he used them in his van for a few years. When he sold the van, he kept the seats, and put 'em in storage.
The attachment IM005823 (Small).JPG is no longer available
Attachments
IM005823 (Small).JPG
1973 510 2dr
1972 521 flat bed
1972 510 Wagon parts car
2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD

LOTS of 510 parts!
Post Reply