Here's what happens when you get high humidity and sulphuric acid in volcanic ash.

The volcano is only a couple of kilometres from town centre so it sends plumes every 15minutes or so laden with fine dust.

This is my ute which has been completely abused by my fellow workmate I am embarrassed at how neglected it was but there was very little I could do from Adelaide.

So anyway I pulled it out of storage, here are the good bits... keep in mind most of this has happened just over four years.

I am beginning the slow process of repair in the next month or so. I've got a couple of guys to help me out and we've got all the goodies at the workshop i.e SAND/BEAD BLASTING EQUIPMENT, spray shop etc.

Crikey. Would it be faster/easier/better to ship in a different one from AU?

That's worse than my salt-water rusted 1200...sad to see it.

sad to see the poor girl in such bad shape chris, although it does look like 90% of the other 1200s in png.

looks like youve got a fair amount of work ahead of you.

Yeah we're in the metal industry so it might turn out okay, big workshop and lots of gear free to use. A guy is selling three utes (in Rabaul) that including my own, could make at least two cars.

I may try and import one from japan but I haven't been particularly strategic with my funds, so I'll most likely do it the hard way and try bring it back to something that resembles a datsun.

Has anyone ever turned a car onto it's side to work underneath? I'm not even going to think about welding from underneath- dripping welds, hot bits down your shirt....nah no way.

My old man said he used to turn his small cars onto their side onto a mattress or two so he could work the underside.


ddgonzal you're a Moderator! good work!

that doesnt seem like a bad idea! if we had the room and the know how for welding and stuff of course!

Asses the damage by removing all of the rusted loose panels that can be replaced, like mudguards, tailgate, bonnet & doors. What you have left is the bit to worry about. Even side panels are available, so it's the shell that you need to be able to fix.

If it's too far gone, then no amount of new panels will ever make a good car of it.

Can I just have some advice from everyone and anyone?

In you're opinions is it worthwhile??

small cars onto their side onto a mattres
i have done this to a mini moke and a gemini , both where ruff cars to start with but i didnt notice any damage .
im shore it the paint was all nice it would be different ( fukked up )

i thought mine was bad!! uve got a bit of work ahead of ya but hey, give it a shot!