Datsun 120y parts/restoration

couldntthink

Hi all,

I have a 75' 120y. 48k on the clock and not as rusty as it should be due to being wax oiled from new. I'm in the Galway/Mayo area and I need to find out who are good guys in the area for resto work or where would I get a few replacement panels. There used to be somewhere in kilkenny I think that did old panels for classics. Any thoughts?

carchaeologist

www.datman.co.uk

Is it irish? Any pics? What panels do you need?

couldntthink

nope, not irish. I think all the irish ones have turned to dust. you could almost hear them rusting. I got it for free about 8 or 9 years ago. it's been in my shed since then. Been a while since I inspected it properly, actually been about 6 or 7 years. I got it when I was still in school, since finished school, apprenticeship and been travelling a while. Keep meaning to make a start but I literally have no time.


I definitely need inner wings (also called flitches?), and a boot lid because of accident damage. Also sills aren't great.

I find datman not to be very helpful. e mailed several times looking for parts lists but no response.

carchaeologist

Datman can be hard to get hold of, you just gotta put on the pressure. Is it the inner wing trumpets( the curved panels at the top of the inner wings)that you need, they are a common rot spot on 120s.
There is a few Irish ones about, but only a few. Also watch out for the differences between early and late cars, stuff like some brake parts aren't interchangeable.
Being honest about it panels won't be easy to find, you might have to repair what you have. Bear on mind too being a Japanese car that the rust you see is always less than is actually there. I'm restoring a 100A FII and iv done a lot of digging!

couldntthink

It's the channel where the wings bolt on along the top. They are literally no longer there. The rest looks good up front. I need to get it up on the lift one of the days and have a proper assesment. I had printouts from a site a few years ago with a list of part numbers for various body panels. They had an agent in kilkenny but of course I have lost everything. Boot and floors are pretty much perfect too. I think it's an early one cos it has the 12" wheels. Also have an E30 that needs some work, but priority is on customers cars at the minute. Bills to pay and what not. Whats the low down on your 100. Am I right in thinking they have the same 1171cc engine with the gearbox kind of bolted under it in an early form of transverse layout?

carchaeologist

Yes, 100As all had the gearbox under the engine, when you look under the bonnet the engine almost looks central in the bay. Piece of piss to work on. The 100As had the 1 litre engine, and the 120As the 1.2. The 120Y engine will fit, and the 140J 1.4 im told too.
I need floor corners, rear of sills and some small patching here and there. Biggest problem is the non existant roof gutters. Need to make them up in their entirety.
Throw away the 12" wheels and put on a set of 13" at the least, 120s are horrible handlers in the wet, and 12" wheels will send you backwards through a ditch. Plus bigger wheels will look better under the arches.
Between myself and a friend we have 3 100As (E10 estate and 4dr saloon and the FII), a 120Y saloon and Coupe, 140J Violet and a 200L Laurel six. Its gotten a bit out of hand.:D

couldntthink

I think you need some professional help. You have datsunitis. I am sick of explaining about the car whenever someone comes to the garage and asks "what's that yoke". Need to get it done, but I'd prefer have someone do the bodywork as I have very little patience for that side of things and I want it done 100%.

mamakevf

I have a new grill if it's any use to you.

couldntthink

I am interested actually, PM me a price and location if you could please.

carchaeologist

There is an early and late grille, earlier one looks better IMO.

mamakevf

I'll put up a pic tomorrow to make sure that it's the right one.

Gary ITR

You have a '75 120y and yet we have no pictures? Get the finger out man

mamakevf

Found the grille, and 3 others, 2 of each type.:D
Are any of these the correct type for your car.
Pics of the 2 types from different angles.





Also found some Ford Grilles.

couldntthink

Not sure if these would fit mine. Mine has a small section on passenger side for a "D" emblem. Cant get my phone camera to work properly but here's a link

http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/2193/120yja5.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php%3Ft%3D2055297698%26page%3D5&h=416&w=640&sz=79&tbnid=ZpC54ykCVhOhYM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=137&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddatsun%2B120y%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=datsun+120y&hl=en&usg=__VIRA4a5vNoyRD-tjZ9SzlpMyBPg=&sa=X&ei=AuGoTd75AsaqhAfPzcXXCQ&ved=0CCQQ9QEwAQ

mamakevf

They look to be different alright.
Oh well, it was worth a try.:o

carchaeologist

These are the two grilles side by side, the later grille being on the green car.

couldntthink

So they're all interchangeable?

Cool pair of cars in that pic by the way. I love old cars!

Max_Damage

Is that blue Datsun on the right trying to be a poor man's Shelby GT500?

carchaeologist

Max_Damage wrote: »

Is that blue Datsun on the right trying to be a poor man's Shelby GT500?

Something like that, it's a 120Y coupe and the owners 12 year old son wanted it painted like that. It's all about keeping the kids interested!