Ross Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 I picked this wagon up yesturday, for NZ$250. Cost me an extra $150 to get it (it was 250 km away). Its a '79 4wd. Shes in pretty rough shape - The paint is wrecked, missing some parts (like drivers door lock, boot release button, trim from the bototm of the doors (looks like something should be there) and a few other minor things), has some rust in the floor. Other than that, the body is resonably straight, with little rust other than that in the floor, and some surface rust, and it even goes!. So, question is, do you think its worth restoring? It seems a shame to sell it off for parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 So, question is, do you think its worth restoring? Yes - I once restored an MG from nothing but a bunch of boxes of parts - that was a waste - if the rust is not too bad, DEFINATELY worth restoring; that is a RARE car - if rust is really bad, I'd think twice, but still probably restore it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted March 13, 2005 Author Share Posted March 13, 2005 mmm... not looking good, its got panels riveted under the floor at the rear , like its had some pretty major rust, the sub frame is bent in a rather odd manner (ill post some pics when my camera batteries are charged), blown head gasket, cracked dash, and the rest of the interior is in generally poor condition. I don't mind the rust so much, but the missing/broken trim and interior parts are a worry, as i may not be able to replace them. Plus with studying and so on i don't have that much time on my hands. Haven't made up my mind quite yet though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted March 13, 2005 Author Share Posted March 13, 2005 Heres the pic of the bent subframe, along with some others. Comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 looks restoreable - I think the interior is workable given the condition of everything else - I would not let trim parts discourage me looks like it was painted red at some point - look at the paint flaking off do you know what engine you have in it? 1400 or 1600? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 I think you should send me all the steering parts, dash, etc. to make my '79 4wd wagon RHD and I can send you everything to make yours LHD.... Looks like its not in too abd of shape. See what kind of parts it'll need first before you start restoring it. If it looks like it'll need more TLC then you can give it, part it out cause I know some of the people on the board who own gen 1s might want to convert something on their car like to RHD, or if it is restorable, go for it. How does the body look besides the rust? You might want to think about taking to a body shop and seeing if the rear subframe is indeed bent before making any assumtions. Mine kinda looks like that in the rear as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 It's worth the effort if you want a 4 season car that gets great gas mileage. You don't have a dual carb set up on that engine do you? Some of us here can help you with trim pieces,etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 Its a single carb ea71 (1600). The 'bent' bit im worried about is how the frame rails are caved in at the bottom. They arn't supposed to be like that are they? I just cant imagine how it would have happened. Apart from that, most of the body is fairly straight, asides from a few minor dings. I just hope that the crap paint job (straight over the original red/orange one!) isn't hiding too much bog and so on. On another note, how do the 1600 single range 4wds go? I do have an ea81 and could get a 4 sp dr, but i assume there'd be lots of work making custom mounts for crossmembers, etc, yes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 honestly, I don't see anything in the pictures that makes me worry about your underside; it may be bent, but it looks like it is still structurally strong you can't just drop in an EA81 D/R - don't know what kind of mods it would require, but I know it would be VERY extensive - starter mounting, etc is completely difft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 honestly, I don't see anything in the pictures that makes me worry about your underside; it may be bent, but it looks like it is still structurally strong you can't just drop in an EA81 D/R - don't know what kind of mods it would require, but I know it would be VERY extensive - starter mounting, etc is completely difft. If i was putting a D/R in, it would be going in with an ea81, not the ea71. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Grab the D/R crossmembers and steering rack too. Over here around 1979-81 you could get yourself an EA81 with the starter on top like the EA71's of pre-1981 in the States. Good luck with it.So,you'll have a more modern ignition too,right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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