I spent two months looking for someone who could take on the project, but do it justice. I asked around, but I cold not discreetly find the car a home. Not wanting the car to go to waste or be cut up into some bad garage hero scrap heap, I chose to take on the project myself. So I made Keiko an offer, told her my plans. She thought about it for a week or so, and called me back. So it came to be that I inherited this project 1971 PL510 2dr.
In memory of Greg, I told Keiko that I would re-assemble the car, and hopefully do it the justice that Greg had wanted to do. It will be restored to stock condition, period.
Greg had collected a garage full of parts. He was never shy about collecting pieces. However the last 10 years of Greg’s life, his house seemed to take on a bigger part of his personal picture, and the 510 just simply got stored away, waiting for the days when the time would allow the project to continue. So it is with great honor that I take on this project and I do hope to soon drive this very car and pick up Keiko and take her for a ride in the car that occupied their garage for so many years, but never turned a wheel. This is my goal.
The first job was to clear out the garage and find the 510. No joking here – it literally had a shelf built over the car, to the shape of the trunk, over the roof, stored with parts, bits and pieces. There was literally so much stuff packed into the garage, that it took a day just to uncover one side of the car. Here I really need to thank the strength and courage of Keiko, who helped pack the whole works out of the garage over a 5 week period of the odd evening weeknight and many weekends. I also have to thank James (McShagger) who put in a tremendous effort in helping me move this immense collection of parts. In the end it took 8 loads in James’s newly acquired Nissan pickup truck loaded to the hilt (thank god for the canopy!), and a further 5 loads in my wife Mazda 5 van, packed to the ceiling (and front seat of course), with a load or two in the Bavarian 510. Then there were the two cars…
As we started the moving process, it became clear to James and I that Greg had two very distinct projects on the go. He was obviously collecting new and extremely good condition OEM parts for the “stock” car, and his second project was obviously a more typical 510 “hot rod project”. I knew I had only the ability to take on one project, so half way through the moving process, I offered James the hot rod project in exchange for his efforts, and we started dividing the parts that would fit each separate project. James has a very good plan for the hot rod, and I’ll let him elaborate on his project on his own accord. From here on in, this will be about “Greg’s car”.
Greg has had many 510’s over the years. He was extremely particular about his 510’s. So this cars story for Greg starts in Carson California, where he purchased it in 1993 with 15,180 miles on the odometer. That’s not a misprint – 15K on the ODO! Greg got all the paper work in order, and brought the car across the border into Canada on the 11th of October 1993, here is the customs document, and it states the odo reading;
So with the car in Canada, and in his first garage, Greg quietly began to disassemble the car and preserve it forever. With such a solid base to work from, it wasn’t going to be hard to go wrong. However the car was to be completely disassembled. And aside from most of the suspension parts, the car was taken apart and was destined to remain in hundreds of marked bags and boxes while the new house took over Greg’s spare time. This is pretty much how I have now inherited the car.
So this thread will chronicle my movement through the cars revitalization, and I hope to be driving it to the Vancouver All Datsun/Nissan meet with Keiko in the passenger seat as my VIP for the day. It will be a few months before I really get going, however I will continue to post updates when they are relevant.
The first step was what to do with the absolute mass of ‘stuff’ – it reminded me of an old George Carlin skit (A place for my stuff). However the bottom line was that I had to triple the amount of storage shelving in my workshop – an upgrade which I posted here on the Realm some months ago. Over half of the ‘stuff’ in those photos came with this project.
The car up to this point; here are the cars on moving day. This is the first time this car has moved in 18 years! Up on the flat deck for the ‘stock’ car, and on the hook for the ‘hot rod’. Kris at English Bay Towing did a great job of moving the cars – he was real patient with us, and his professional nature shined through –thanks so much Kris.
Keiko was so amazingly strong throughout this whole ordeal, but even here she has shed a tear. However, now that this part of the task was done, James, Keiko and I got this photo taken by Keiko’s roommate. The smiles are simply to the fact that this leg is done! Trust us it was a long haul to get to this point!
The cars loaded up and ready to move: Kris laughed at this point. As an avid 510 fan himself, he says this will likely be the only time he’ll ever tow two 510’s at the same time! Let’s hope he’s wrong, but the photos look good just the same;
On the way home that day we stopped in at Jason ‘Datsun’ Wong’s place to share a few moments. It turned out that a pretty large crew was there that day, all by happenstance;
From left to right are Jason, Paul (my shop mate), myself, Kris (the tow truck guy), James, Denis and Cam
So from here, I will post updates as they become available. I doubt much will happen before Christmas that is worthy of note. I will have to start sifting through the hoards of stuff, and figure out what is needed to re-assemble the car. I know this car is special. Greg was a person friend, and his loving wife deserves to see this project move. The car itself, at 15K on the odo, may be the lowest mileage 510 in existence in North America, possibly beyond. The project has personal significance, so POR (Press on Regardless).
In Recognition:
As this project continues, I have to thank a number of people who’ve contributed along the way.
Shortly after I started this project, I had a direct cash donation from Camano510 – out of the blue. Thanks for that, then came a long list of people who either gave, donated or sold at very reasonable prices, often just to cover shipping. And I feel there helpers all need to be recognized as without their help, this project would not be coming together as it has. You’ve all helped make this possible for, for Greggs widow Keiko and ultimately for Greg himself.
I’d like to give special recognition to the following people;
James M (McShagger510) who spent many, many days with me digging out the cars (there was 2 after all), sorting the stuff and moving said stuff – it was a monumental job in itself, and James offered to help and was there for 8 days in total with me! Then he helped me organize it in my shop, erect the pallet rack I needed to store it all and helped me put it all away! James, it would never have even got started without your help my friend.
Camano510, Camano Island Washington - cash donation, March 2011 to support the cause
Chris (Joker510) – pulled of an entire, complete and original OEM exhaust system from a car, struggled with the factory slip joints, managed to find some huge box for it, and send it Greyhound and for all his troubles, he didn’t even ask for the full cost to cover the shipping from across the continent!
Kris at English Bay Towing who moved the car from the projects inception and to and from the body shop at a fraction of what that transportation should have been worth
Martin Dunn – NSW, Australia – Saw me working on a wiper motor and felt he had the finishing touch – a new connector plug – shipped half way around the globe, would not ask for a penny
Ralph D who purchased the highest quality brake line flaring tool available, had me do a few lines on his car and then gave me the $200 tool so that I could do the lines on the Memorial Car!
Dave Patton, - Futofab – donated a new OEM pass side mirror, a good used drivers side mirror to match, factory heater hoses and Nissan fuel line, a NOS battery tray, and various rubber and heater hoses and NOS anti rattle front brake pad clips– only asked me to cover the shipping
Glenn Goodwin at Southside Nissan for all his parts searching
Barry (my father), Al (his friend) and Shawn (my brother) for helping disassemble and assemble the big parts before and after paint
Chris (joker510) again for a set of NOS locks and ignition switch complete
Michael Spreadbury – NOS fuse box cover and new fuel hose ends at a fair price, no questions asked –even included a new relay in the deal
Marko Kokko – Alajarvi, Finland – sent an into original box, NOS washer bottle and motor kit complete with the correct decal on the bottle – mailed from Finland and would not take a penny even for postage
Multiple inputs and advice from Tyson, Indy510, Chad (Proflex), Rich (gotchi ), Montey (510wizard), Joel (two_68_510’s), James (Laguna Beach), Rob France (510rob), Brad (s15det), Aron (Ash510), Julian (okayfine), Ron (RonM)
Hired Help;
Dumores Colision (Burnaby, BC) – Trevor; he did the body work and paint at a SUBSTANCIALLY reduced rate, and has been a great help from the beginning of the project, always offering to help - thanks so much Trevor. Body work is such an unknown, and you bring integrity to the trade.
Classic Threads (Abbotsford, BC) - James did an absolutely stand up job reupholstering the front seats and re-engineering the springs to look like stock, but work so much better. And he installed the less than perfect headliner and made up for all the defects, he also installed the vinyl on the rear wheel wells and parcel tray. Spent more time on all of it than quoted, never charged a penny more than he said it would – a man of his word, awesome service, well worth paying for.
Z Saver (Surrey) – Norm has been a great help on all the plating work, doing may lots instead of the more efficient few lots that is preferred, and it’s ongoing! Norm has also been a wealth of first hand Datsun restoration knowledge.
And to the 510 Realm who’ve been there for support the whole way – thanks guys.
Byron
