Between the drive train work, I've been trying to get the left rocker straight and ready for paint. It was nice to learn a bit how to work with filler. And as I was going to paint it, I decided to paint the part above the drip rail molding as well. It was quite rusty.
I started with wrong paint (my problem is I'm a bit color blind and the paint shop gave me the wrong rattle cans) but I ordered the right colour quickly after realising this. It turned out pretty okay to be fair.
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sanding and shaping
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rusty stuff
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wrong colour
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not too shabby
This was another small box to be checked.
I've put a deadline on getting the car running before the 3rd of July. There was a big Japanese Classic car meet around 1,5 hours away. This added a bit on the stress levels, but also got things going.
The next big thing to tackle were the headlights. The wiring was a big mess due to the old relay dying and somewhere in the last 50 years it was not very professionally "fixed", killing the color coding. And the color coding for a 1969 appeared to be a bit different to other years anyway (I think).
I've worked a couple of late hours with a buddy of mine to re-wire everything with 3 relays and the power coming straight from the battery. But all was solved after finding out that number 87 on a relay is very different from 87a.
I was very happy with the result.
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I can see!
This all was finished last Thursday the 30th of June.
All that was next was a test drive Friday evening.
That didn't go well, the engine wouldn't start. I tried to wait a bit to get the electronic choke to open a bit and even then it wouldn't idle on its own. Very frustrating. So I want to bed with a heavy heart.
The next day I remembered some words from a Dutch guy living in California owning a (or more) 510 explaining me that an electrical choke is pretty much crap with a cold engine. So I decided to give it another try with a different mindset. More throttle with a cold engine and trying to get the engine warm with driving around a bit. It worked!
Although I was hearing some nasty clunks while driving, but that was caused by me not torqueing down the 14" Work wheels
I've loaded up some essential tools and did a second very succesful test drive towards my appartment. Yeehaw!
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ready for second test drive
Sunday morning the 3rd of July.
I was picking up my buddy in the morning, but did spot some cooling leakage on the floor. The water pump gasket died, but I already invested €70 in fuel, so I just went to the next gas station to buy some cooling fluid for the road. And as I have never put so much gasoline in the tank, it overflowed a bit (have to check where that leakage comes from) and the vapors where filling up in the cabin. Luckily the windows worked.
I could finally test the L18 a bit on the road and what a difference it is. It's so easy to participate properly with the common traffic in the city and on the highway. Driving 100km/h (60mph) and putting my foot on the pedal gave an extra pull which was a fantastic sensation. I do have to say that a 5-speed would be more comfortable, albeit that the 1,5 hour drive was mostly with a smile on my face.
The cooling fluid leak was under control as well.
Arriving at the event, my 510 brother Doraemon already reserved a place for me somewhere in the back of the field with two chairs and cold non-alcoholic beers, what a welcome!
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finally the two cars together
It was already very busy upon arrival, but more and more classic Japanese cars where coming in. Eventually 776 cars came!
I have to say, after seeing the 15th Fairlady the 14th Sunny and the Silvia's, MR2's, Celica's, more and more I really loved seeing my car there. There are just not that many 510's in the Netherlands. The "other" 510 I know which is seen at other events was there as well and it was nice talking to the guy. It's a 1400 and he has it since 1991, didn't do anything on it and the car really looks like new. Too bad I didn't make a picture of it, but I'm sure I'll see him again.
Doraemon (Glenn), my buddy and I enjoyed the cars, the stories, and a good lunch at the restaurant next to the event. I was hyped talking to all the people who showed interest in our cars and also a bit surprised that some of them loved the rust on the car, making it "authentic". I guess it's a rusty hole fetish.
Near the end we just wanted a good picture together so here it is:
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The drive back was a bit exciting, all of a sudden the engine was stuttering.
Apparently the bolts of the rocker cover were loosened on the way to the event. It was a quick fix at the nearest gas station.
So happy I managed to make it to (and back from) the event.
What a fantastic experience.
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he made it
