Projects in Progress

Project 1


Model: Series MM Tourer
Date Manufactured: 1952
Motor/Gearbox: Datsun 1200 Conversion
Restoration /Build time: Eight months (November 2007)
Owner: Noel & Hannah Snoxall
This project was donated to our good cause by an elderly club member. She had purchased the car around 1988, this car had spent many years under a gum tree. We've dubbed this little tourer "Peggy". She has been stored for the last 18 years in various locations around Albury, final resting place was a local retirement village. No engine or gearbox came with the body, but the panels were all there as well as a full set of new rubbers.

Peggy also came with a new chassis rail to replace the rusted out drivers side rail. We brought Peggy home on the back of the ute and immediately tipped her on side - no dignity maintained! Damaged engine bay panels have been removed and replaced with new iron. The replacement floor pan had been installed a few years ago, but was suffering badly from surface rust. Panels have been scrubbed down, rust proofed and body deadened.


Floor pan area around the gearbox has been cut and modified to accommodate new engine and gearbox. A Donor Datsun has been found already, and it is in great condition as a driveable vehicle, none of the kids want to drive an auto, so it's going to a good cause. The car has only 77,000kms on the clock and so will make a great donor of running gear. Though the auto will GO!

The engine bay has also been modified to fit the Datsun engine easily. The panel around the steering rack was badly cracked and damaged from being driven for many years with a damaged chassis rail. All cracks have been weld repaired and are stronger now than when new.




  


  
PANEL MODIFICATIONS

Doors have been extended down 60mm to allow removal of the bolt-on sill. This leads to the front guards needing to be extended to match.

Door handles have been removed to enhance smooth lines. Bootlid has been customised to better fit a standard NSW number plate, centre badge has also been removed.







    




Project 2


Model: 1000 2 door
Date Manufactured: 1960
Motor/Gearbox: Datsun 1200 Conversion
Restoration /Build time: Six months (January 2007)
Owner: Noel & Hannah Snoxall

The vehicle was acquired in July 2006, from Lower Plenty, advertised on CarSales.com. The car has been stored in a hay shed since 1986 after being used as a learner vehicle by the kids. Car came with a reupholstered black interior, major wheels and brakes, big dint in front caused by a runaway lo-lite.

Damage to the vehicle was mainly the drivers side front and grille due to the runaway lo-lite canoning down a hill using the 1000 as brakes. The car was pushed into my shed then stripped of everything and then tipped on its side for a proper assessment.


Rust was found in the usual places (both footwell corners), chassis rails have been replaced but need tidying up. Nathan, Hannah and I spent four (4) days stripping and rolling the car. Hannah has become quite attached to it. Next stage will be sandblasting.

This project has been shelved for now, as the project tourer above seems to have commandeered all available shed space!










Last updated in February 2007

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