Hello to everyone connected to this site and this forum. I have never owned a Datsun before but have always liked them particularly the 1000 and 1200 models. I have always mucked around with FIATs my favorite being an 850 Sport Coupe that I drove the clappers out of when I was 19 years old (now 40). So I guess I like underdog cars with little motors. Last week I came across the Beast (Datto 1000) sitting behind a huge scrap pile of crushed cars. It was desire at first sight and I bought it that day for the awesome price of $120 bucks-so stoked.

The car was driven to the yard about two years earlier and is a going car but has suffered by sitting idle. Dead battery, no fuel coming to the pump and empty brake system and sticking brakes. I hope to sort out the mechanicals so that I can test drive it and check out what else it needs. The body is poorish but very straight and original. It needs sills, front guards and a replacement boot lid. A couple of the doors need work as well.

I have stripped down cars in the past for restoration that never ever saw the light of day again. I am determined not to make this mistake again and to do the body of this car in sections and actually get it rolling again. It will be a bit of a rat rod in looks but not messed around with or butchered, more of a retro period look. I would like to have it road registered and down the track compete in club level hill climbs and sprints and just have fun in it.

After I get it registered I am thinking along the lines of side draft carbs, extractors, lowered (not over the top), stock steel rims, period low bucket seats, no rear seat and a half cage. I will run the original motor and box but I would like to fit a disc brake front end.

I would really like some feed back and suggestions particularly where I might find the kind of parts I will need or possible suppliers. Some stock front seats would be great at this stage and the body parts.

(By the way the bonnet is propped open trying to recharge the battery - it does sit flush)

Cheers to everyone!

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Looks pretty complete. It even has the hubcaps. They are the first to go missing ususally.

Oh and the 4 door models are the best 1k.... not that I am biased or anything

Keep us all posted on the progress.

What a great find! I look forward to seeing it come back to life.

Don't worry about motivation, just stay on the forum and we'll keep pushing you along!

Hey, where are you located? That's some funky landscaping around your shed! Pretty decent shed too!


Oh yeah, the fuel problem is probably due to a perished/split fuel hose at the tank end of the hard line - most old cars do that... Funny, there's one on EBAY in SA right now that looks to have the same prob.

Excellent find mate you shall get alot of help from the lads on this site.
Is this the gentlemen from boostcruising >if so could you post some pics of the green 120y coupe too,that to was an awsome find cheers geoff........

Hey thanks for all the responses! I live just outside of Geelong, Victoria. Beautiful place -we are on ten steep acres going down to the Moorabool River and look up an awesome valley. Building the house and establishing the property has really made me put the car projects on hold. Whilst building the house I bought a FIAT 128 3P Coupe, FIAT 124 AC Coupe and a 124 Spider. They all did not last very long-to much work needed on all of them when I was already to busy-but they all returned healthy profits, thats something I suppose. I don't want this to happen to the Datto - I really want to drive and enjoy this car.

I did notice the car on Ebay and that it had a similar fuel problem-I will definately check the line near the tank-thanks for that. I hope to have a play with the car over the next couple of days so I will let you know how I get on.

Sorry I have never had a 120Y or any other Datsuns.

By the way guys do 1200 front disc bakes/strut assembly (if these exist) fit directly onto the 1000. I will probably need to rebuild the brakes and if I have to it would be a good time to fit discs. Any info greatly appreciated-I really know very little about the inter changeability between Datsun models.

Thanks again for all your encouragement.

nice project
but a long way to go

'RATTO' LIVES!!!!!! Drove the car today - well backwards and forwards in the garage - trying to free a front seized drum on the passenger side (it mostly worked). The car just needed more fuel and some jumper leads and it started really well and settled into a very steady idle. I ran it up to temperature and held it there for some time without problems. The oil is very clean and there is no blow by. All good.

If I can sort the brakes then I can take it for a more substantial drive around the property. I filled the brake reservoir but I can't get any pressure at the peddle - any ideas greatly appreciated!

I am already so impressed with the engine access and its simplicity so much better than having half your body stuck in the rear of an 850 FIAT.

Why am i not surprised that the engine started with a jump start and fresh fuel... gotta love the a series un-kill-ability.

Brakes, well there isnt really a direct swap available with datsun parts.

Some hve used sigma stuff, some laser stuff and i think they was a vannette conversion happening somewhere. IN the end, you need custom brackets to get anything to fit, but it is do-able.

As for getting the original brakes working, well thats just persistance. Keep pumping clean fuild through to clear any air out first.

You may need to remove the wheel cylinder to pull it apart to free it up. For some reason the 1k wheel cylinders like to sieze up quickly if you dont use em.

Don't be overly fazed by the drum brakes on the front,unless you plan on doing multible 150klmh crash stops.The drums will stop the thing just fine once you replace the wheel cylinders,get the linings renewed with a decent compound,machine the drums and get the linings radius ground.
Also pay a bit of attention to the front(make that all)brake hoses,they will have perished and only cost about $12.00 each to get made at most brake places.
As most on here know,i have and do use drums in competition on the B10 models so i'm not talking thru my hat on this issue.
Sure,you can convert the front to disks as many have done,including myself on a circuit car with bags of 1500cc H.P.but there is also a lot of mucking around involved for little gain(in my opinion)going down this track for a road car with up to 1400cc on board.

Good luck and good buying
Cheers

Thanks for the latest replies. Keeping the stock drums sound like the way to go and so much easier than mucking around with stuff that the car doesn't really need. I can put my energy and money into other areas of the car.

Backed of the adjusters on the siezed drum removed it for inspection and hey presto no more dramas -drove the car around the property. Everything works just fine including all the electricals, wipers, washers heater, etc, etc really, really impressed. Next week I will treat the car to a new battery - my first expense since the purchase.

So far going well - my mission is to get the car road worthy/regoed and then after this milestone begin toying around with it. Lowering, tyres/rims, low back sports seats, de bumpered, etc.

Thanks again for all the replies.




The car drove well, no clunks or adverse noises , clutch and gear box fine