I decided that I will paint the car at this stage. First plan was to make it ready, drive it around for a while and then paint it. Now I have to prepare the car for paint shop in two weeks so I'll be quite busy with it now. Not bad as I kind of lost my motivation with it for a while but I suppose that with a fresh paint it'll look much better.

Engine and gerbox is already out,  weatherstrips removed, doors disassemled, windows are off except windshield and hatch window, interior stripped and sprayed with Noice Killer, etc. Still need to get it on wheels.

I did strip the car from original soundproofing and painted the floors and tunnel, sprayed it with Noice Killer. On top of that I used dynamat and foam mats. 

Dashboard

OK, not much but I got the dashboard off and changed speedometer.

It wasn't really easy to take the dash off, I hope I can get it back as well.

VDO 0-300mk/h speedo is propably a bit overkill, but nevermind.

I haven't touched the car for over a month now as the VW has taken all my free time. It's getting ready for the season and I hope to make some progress with the Datsun as well during the summer.

Looks like there is not that much to be done anymore.

Rear suspension going together. I'll use R180 diff as long as it lasts as I haven't found a stronger unit yet.

Fits like a glove...

Engine sits back and low. It is further back than the original engine and there is enough space for what ever I can think of in the in the engine bay.

Had to cut a small hole to get some more moving space.

Even the chiniese downpipe (or elbow or whatever) fits without issues.

Engine and transmission ready to go in. First I need to finish fuel lines but it shouldn't take long.

Slowly making progress

Engine bay waiting for the engine. As soon as I get the flywheel bolts I'll lift the engine in. Before that I have to finish brake- and fuel lines.

I found it easier to completely remove the rear suspension and driveline from the car and disassemble it on the floor, change bushings, modify the struts for coilovers and just lift it back to car.

Front suspension and brakes completed.

Finally got rest of the wheels after three months of wait. These are 9x16 og Fuchs for the rear. Fronts will be 7's or 8's, whichever fits the best.

Engine bay painted with 901 silver.

Car is looking much better in single color.

I sprayed stonechip protection and painted it over with silver Hammerite, close enough to the original color. It took me hours to strip old layers of under sealant and paint off so I'm quite pleased with the results.

And finally engine bay in primer. I ordered a can of 901 paint to paint it with so it will be all done soon.

I stripped the engine bay and it's almost ready for paint. There is still some of that sticky stuff to be cleaned off.

A small patch was required but nothing major.

Back home

I got the Datsun back home. On the way we made a quick stop at Kari's Garage to blast the engine bay with soda. It really saved days of cleaning it myself as it was covered with under sealant and some other sticky stuff. I wish it wasn't -20C so we could have blasted some more but it still was more than worth it. I'll probably take front fenders to Kari as well, they are covered with the same strange stuff on the inside.

New pictures from Mika. Looks like I'll get the car back soon.
 

Inside of the rear rocker panel fixed.

Outer panel didn't fit without modifications, no suprise.

Door arch fixed.

And finished.

Driver's side rame rail needed some attention as well.

Frame rail finished and much stronger than ever before.

Front end of rocker panel.

Not looking good.

First layer.

Second layer.

Third layer.

And done.


And if you're wondering what is the strange car lurking in the background, it's Mika's next project. Check out Jyri's '55 Steyr.

I got the wheels done. I only have a pair of 7's right now but 8's and 9's are on the way so I can choose whatever fits best. I'm not sure if I will keep them polished or satin clear coated. Somehow the satin finish feels better.

Went to see Datsun today and turn it to a better angle for working on driver's side. Well, we found more american bondo and rust holes filled with sika-flex.

Doesn't look too bad, yet.

There you go, bondo, flexible glue and pieces of steel glued on. And topped with more bondo.

Amazing thing is that I didn't even get back home when Mika sent me some pictures of the progress. He's sure not wasting any time.

Looking much better now.

And even better. Right side ZG- flare fitted and original flare cut off. There's no return now.