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1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Not too shy to talk  
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2015/7/21 20:04
From Seattle, WA, USA
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This is for my own record as well as for the forum:
On July 18th, 2015, I bought a 1972 Datsun LB110. This makes it the second Datsun I’ve owned – the first being a 1978 B210 that I restored and stupidly sold in short order. The same fate will not befall this one.
I found the car on Craigslist. It was all the way across the state, but I was conveniently heading out that way to visit some family. I emailed him and scheduled a meet for Saturday morning. I ended up purchasing the car from a gentleman out in Deer Park, WA (a small town outside of Spokane, WA). I paid $2,000 for it, a bit more than I wanted to but I loved the car too much to walk and he wasn’t flexible. The car included the detached front air dam, as well as 4 fat wheels/tires (P235/50R13). The speedo, odo, tach, heat and gas gauges all work, as well as the radio (I’m assuming is original).
Here’s the seller’s story (with my notes in parentheses): The car was purchased by an Andy Barcheck sometime in the late 70s (the various registration paperwork confirms this). It was Andy who installed a B210 engine and 5-speed manual transmission (the paperwork that came with the car has a log from 1979 where the swap was noted as coming from a 1977). Andy also crafted the steel fender flares and the rest of the body kit. He also lowered the car. (A quick Google search shows an 80s Civic that Andy gave the same treatment to, as well as a recent award-winning 40s Ford Franken-car). The seller was an acquaintance/friend of Barcheck’s and had an eye on the car for a while. However, when the Datsun came up for sale, it was a young mystery man who bought the car. This kid was a fan of Suzuki products, hence the horrendous paintjob currently on the car. The kid finally decided to sell the Datsun in 1992, and the seller pounced. He had it since and drove it sparingly once he moved it to the rural home.
I had a shop change the oil for me (no access to one) and then drove the car home roughly 250 miles in 90 degree weather and over two mountain passes. She made it home just fine.
The interesting part about the 5-speed is that reverse is to the upper left, then first to the lower left, second in the upper middle, third in the lower middle, fourth in the upper right and fifth in the lower right.
Originally, my plan was to fully restore it (with some mods here and there) and paint it the original color – a dark emerald green. But my friend and I were talking it over – why don’t we paint the car bright orange and call it “Sunny D”? I checked and the license plate SUNNY D is available in my state and so the moniker was born!
I will be posting on here as my work progresses. I’ve posted a ton of photos to Google+ if anyone is interested. I’ll be posting some here as well as some on tumblr.
Please feel free to post or message me questions or comments. I’d like input on what you think of this start to my project, and I’ll probably need help sourcing parts, etc.
One question to begin - what key terms should I use when searching for parts and the like? The LB110 doesn't come up with much.
Thanks in advance!
Posted on: 2015/7/21 23:52
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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No life (a.k.a. DattoMaster)  
Joined:
2002/3/20 3:40
From Melbourne, Australia
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nice work, this car has appeared on this website infrequently over the last 10-12 years. some of the older members will remember it. good to see it will continue to be loved and worked on... and we get to see it happen
all the best with the build
a recent thread of coupe pictures determined that all the best coupes are in fact orange (jokingly) but perhaps check that out for some inspirational pictures
how is the general condition of the car and body at the moment?
Posted on: 2015/7/22 1:07
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Guest_
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One color will definately enhance it's appearance
Look like stanza front flares
Posted on: 2015/7/22 2:42
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Moderator  
Joined:
2001/5/3 7:04
From 48 North
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It's the Guacamobile!
Posted on: 2015/7/22 2:47
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Moderator Joined:
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From 48 North
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Hi Chris, welcome to the club. I'm really glad the Guacamobile will be getting some attention. Greg Kinyon kept it in good shape but didn't drive it much as I understand. He never showed at the big Pacific Northwest car shows. Blue Lake show is coming up next month. Quote: what key terms should I use when searching for parts and the like? Parts are readily available. Search for Nissan 1200. Get all your maintenance parts at Oreillys or Napa or Autozone. Engine parts at Nissan. Misc parts from eBay (search for Datsun 1200). rockauto.com has lots of parts but shipping is expensive.
Posted on: 2015/7/22 3:00
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Not too shy to talk Joined:
2015/7/21 20:04
From Seattle, WA, USA
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1200rallycar - The body is in good shape. No dings or dents to speak of. There's surface rust on the exterior here and there, nothing major. I haven't had a chance to start taking it apart, but I have a feeling there's going to be some rust holes in the floorboards. I'm going to be gutting the car, fixing the rust/patching holes, sanding it down and primering - all hopefully in the next month. I also just bought my first house, so the two projects will have to contend with one another.
unfamilia - It'll definitely end up being one color. I'm pretty set on orange right now, but I may change my mind. In places, you can see the original color was deep green.
ddgonzal - You are right! It is the Guacomobile. Thanks for the welcome! Greg told me that lately he only drove it 2-3 times a year at most. I don't think I will be taking it to any car shows in the near future - I want to get the car to primer first, for one thing. It's a little silly driving it as is - the looks it gets vary widely. Another thing is that the brakes are borderline unsafe. I was OK getting it home to Seattle, but there's too much traffic here to drive it safely on a regular basis. Has anybody converted to disc brakes?
Thanks for the heads up on the parts! I'm thinking at this point I'm going to need: kick panels, seals all the way around, possible floor patch panels (or make my own if the damage isn't too bad), disc brakes, fix the suspension (it needs a little more give for Seattle roads). Other than that, body work and paint. I'll know more after this weekend when I strip it down.
Posted on: 2015/7/22 4:17
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Moderator Joined:
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From 48 North
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The good news is that all North America 1200s come with disc brakes standard.
Posted on: 2015/7/22 4:31
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Not too shy to talk Joined:
2015/7/21 20:04
From Seattle, WA, USA
Group:
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Really? No way! I hadn't looked yet so I assumed it was drum.
Posted on: 2015/7/22 4:50
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Moderator Joined:
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From 48 North
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If not working too well, it may need the rear brakes adjusted. Front disc brakes are self-adjusting.
The car looks like a 1971? What is the build month listed on the driver's B-pillar?
Posted on: 2015/7/22 5:20
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Re: 1972 Datsun LB110 |
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Not too shy to talk Joined:
2015/7/21 20:04
From Seattle, WA, USA
Group:
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It's titled as a 1972, but the plate reads 11/71.
Posted on: 2015/7/22 5:37
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