For something a little different (hope the 1200 boys don't mind), I thought I'd start a thread for my build.

The ideas been floating around for a while now, but I finally found a decent example to start on. I'm no panel beater so wanted a fair body as a priority. This one is pretty good for a sunny, it almost makes me feel a little guilty for ripping the driveline out!

She has all original equipment, including all the smog gear, no cracks in the dash. Only interior damage is the top of the back seat and the carpet in the drivers footwell. The motor is well maintained, new radiator, battery and came with half a bottle of flashlube they had been using!!

Pics:











The plan is to keep the stock/sleeper look, maintain as much of the original car as possible. The 310 engine bay should make it a bit easier than the 110 I want every giveaway hidden as much as possible, like intercooler, brakes, exhaust. The venetian should be here in the next week..

Progress will be a little slow to start off with as I'm actually having fun putting around in it (t's damn slow!), while I get everything ready. Once I get back from holiday in October, the updates will get a bit more regular.

Cheers,
Carl.

Edit:
There will be one giveaway for the trained datto enthusiast:

thats a very clean sunny
interior looks very good and cant believe the dash looks immaculate
good start for a project
maybe too good...

Very tidy car dude! make a very nice sleeper

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Yeah, I have thought about just boosting the A series, but have done it before. I also just sold a blown mini, so want to update. Internals only though.. Plus I have to own an SR before the oil runs out!
Usually the first thing I do is throw a stereo at a car, but being as unmolested as it is, I'm rethinking that as well..

Well, very minor update:
Venetian arrived Ordered over the net. I had a few minor fitting isssues (was a little tight), but it's in and looks very retro! Plug: Autocables & Auto Shades


The little sticker in the bottom right corner is the "Rust-Rid-Treated" sticker of authenticity. Every Datto needs one!

cool, will be nice and a very clean car to start with

your little number plate pic inspired me and i just went online and purchased myself a set

such a good example, SA seems to have all the last clean cars in aus, dont they get rust there? congrats on the purchase, i look fwd to the progress, it will be one mean sleeper on the streets.

Them plates are trick dude! perfict car for a proper sleeper.

Carl, quite a good car to start with. The easiest way to put a cd player without cutting the dash would be to try & get the cassette player insert that goes in the centre console.this replaces the opening ahead of the gearlever.Maybe a Nissan dealer might be able to get you one. Other than that, you could mount the CD in the Glovebox. You could also try to get the complete dash from a late model Coupe. you'd have to replace the whole dash including crash pad, but the instrumentation is more legible & the coupe comes with a tacho.Also,swapping to late model front body work would give you heaps of room to hide an intercooler, so you might want to try for that also.

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I have had one with a Deck in front of the stick before, but the previous owner just hacked it out.. Are you saying there is actually a factory fitment for it??

I will be getting a coupe cluster for the tacho, or be hiding an auotometer one in there. The clock will be changed for boost probably.
I'm not really keen to change the whole dash as it is too clean to justify it.
As far as late model panels, I assume you just mean the 80-81 (square headlight) model?? I have had a few of these before and didn't notice much difference in engine bay size?!?

On another note: I have sourced a front cut.. It's a red top from a 180sx, and is pretty well stockish. Think it may have a chip and has a readout of 180kw at the rears.
Should be in my hands next week sometime!

Let the fun begin!!

he means infront of the radiator

late model sunny's are longer in the front than the early ones...

all sunny's have the same size engine bay...

the more aerodynamic front end of the late model Sunny would be better for everything