1970 Datsun Other

L16

Manual

You are looking at TWO Datsun PL521 pickups which were parked under a tree around 2004/5, and have been sitting since. Filled with great parts, or ready for restoration! Here's the short version of the story: Here sits both my and my brother's early 1970's Datsun PL521 pickup trucks. They haven't been run since probably 2006 or 2007, but were fully-functional when parked a few years before that. They are currently very musty inside, covered in pine needles, and NEED TO GO off my mom's property. They currently do not run (though, we haven't tried to get them started), but are certainly not driveable. No test drives please, even if you show up with your own starter fluid. You are bidding on parts trucks. Will need to be towed away, but are FILLED with great, useable parts, and really you could get them running with likely just a little patience, pressure washer, and a can of lysol. The longer version of a story: Rewind to 1996, and my uncle has just "discovered" the Datsun pickup. So neither my brother or I have cars to speak of, and he says that you can get this sturdy, mostly reliable little truck for cheap, fix it up real nice, and have great transportation. He buys one and lets us marvel at it, we scour the Pacific Northwest for other neglected little trucks, and eventually end up purchasing 5 of them total over three or four years. Two of them go to the steel mill after being stripped of all their useable parts. My uncle immediately has his truck going as a daily driver, both my brother and I spend time restoring our own, making many trips to our local Nissan dealer, pestering them for NOS parts and generally having a blast. For a brief period of maybe 2 years, we have them all going at once using them for commuting, light hauling, and exploring our youth. It's majesty on wheels. Then, my uncle moves on to a new passion, and sells his truck to my brother. That's actually a good thing, because not long after, I do a stupid kid thing and roll my beautiful repainted bubble-gum blue truck on a patch of black ice one foggy morning. I inherit my brother's truck, as I proceed to strip my own wrecked truck of everything awesome I just put on it. Then, life happens. My brother falls in love with a girl, buys a Sentra SE-R, and I up and move to California for work in 2004. For a while, both trucks were moved around periodically, and made trips to the store, but generally lived at my mom's house in Oregon, doing not much of anything. Fast forward to 2012... I'm back at my mom's new family and baby in tow, and she makes eyebrows at me, "so, what are you going to do with those trucks? can you help me push them out to the road so we can get them sent to the steel mill for recycling?" A little part of my heart dies. These trucks, where I got my first kiss, parked with a girl, was driving when I met my wife and all through college, are just going to be ground up for steel. Don't let that happen! Details: What you get: two Datsun trucks, non-running condition Mileage: who knows? some, a bunch? how many times did the odometer roll over? Year: early 70's. I can find out definitely, but what I know for sure is that they are PL521's with L16 engines (one truck might be a '69?) Title and Registration: both trucks were most recently registered in Oregon, free and clear, no liens. That being said, I don't know where there titles are. They might be find-able, but I wouldn't bet on it. You may have to do some legwork if you intend on re-registering them to drive. Bill of sale will be provided. Condition: rough, undriveable, parked outside for 7-8 years, unheated, undriven, covered in pine needles, but really, not that bad! no blackberries have grown up around them, they are mostly dry inside, and all window glass is completely intact. The rust you see in pictures is superficial! Detailed condition: both trucks were restored to great condition in the 1996-1998 timeframe. This includes an engine rebuild for both, amateur paintjob, new chrome wheels on one, many, many NOS parts direct from Nissan. Three other trucks were cannibalized to make these two trucks great, so all the stainless steel "chrome" on these is great and straight, all knobs, switches and indicators worked when parked, I believe all the turn signals are intact. The Good: - were completely functional when parked: everything worked, even the heater, new Sony and Blaupunkt stereos, headlights, horn, engine, brakes, windshield wipers, steering, doors, locks, dash, speedo, odo, fan, windows, seats (one with buckets, one with a stock bench), seatbelts, wing-windows, alternator - heavy-duty Nissan stock chrome wheels from a later-model Nissan truck on one (they look GREAT on the little trucks) - some rare accessories included like the 2 stock vehicle jacks (can't guarantee they work) - none of the tires are flat, but they will need replacing - tons of spare parts included, just a bonus for you. - a truck bed box mounted on each and included (might need new keys?) two boxes total, made by Contico - truck bodies are almost completely straight and accident free; no, they're not perfect, but no major creases or crush points, very little bondo on each truck - very little rust on these trucks for their age, never driven on salted roads - most of the engine parts are 100% interchangeable with Datsun 510's - driven and restored by two respectable boys who worked hard on them, loved them, and never raced or took them off road (like you could race on 90hp anyway...) The Bad: - parked for a while, haven't been started in at least 5 or 6 years - all fluids still in the trucks, for better or worse (no prep done for storage) - lichen starting to grow on them - both hoods have damage, but could be repaired (they had a bad design from the factory) - one truck has a damaged front panel near the wheel well when a wheel came off (!! don't ask) while driving and wedged up into the wheel well - one truck has a small amount of rust bubbling under the surface of the corner of the driver's door - they are mostly leak free, but the sitting has damaged the replacement (hand-built) door panels, and likely ruined the speakers in the doors - free and clear titles, but unknown whereabouts, last registered in 2003-2004 era The Ugly: - find and evict rodent living in one truck, maybe he's already left - every interior surface will need to be washed, or refinished (actually, the headliners are incredibly good for being 40+ years old!) - everything plastic and metal is fine, everything rubber and wood and organic... well... - everything did work, but I can't guarantee it does now - you must tow, probably on a flatbed - you must take both - you must take both, reasonably soon after the auction ends - I'm going to be sad if you tow them to the scrapper Even if they're never on the road again, there's hundreds of dollars worth of nearly impossible to source Datsun/Nissan parts for your own project. SAVE these little trucks, they are piece of history, and just really cool cars. Please ask questions!On Jun-08-12 at 14:08:55 PDT, seller added the following information:Woot! Only 2 hours in and we already have a bid for $60! At a starting bid of $60, I'm -$2 richer ($60 to list if it sells and $2 for all those fancy pictures). The first bidder must recognize the opportunity here. Heck, a set of 4 chrome wheels is worth easily $60! Here's a few more Q&A's: Q: What would it take to get either or both, running? A: Optimistically, just a battery and some starting fluid. Realistically: if you plan to restore these, that's what you should do. I'm guessing the fuel tank needs to be drained, carburetor cleaned, fuse panel contacts cleaned, brakes looked at and probably rebuilt, serious internal and external washing and scrubbing, etc. I purposely didn't try to clean them up at all, so you knew what you were getting yourselves into. Q: Can I try to get them started when I pick them up? A: Nope. It will take more time than you think. Q: Can you help load/move/transport them? A: No. It's your responsibility to arrive with appropriate equipment to move both trucks to their new location, quickly and safely. You can make two trips if you need to, but don't move one, and abandon the other. My step-father can arrange to be there and maybe help you push them, but you should plan on bringing a come-along, maybe even a winch. They are parked on relatively soft ground and have sunken in a few inches. Q: I only need an XXXXX, can I just buy the XXXXX off the trucks? A: Right now, you're bidding on both trucks, kit and kaboodle. I'm not near them to strip parts off for you, and frankly if we start taking parts off them, then they are certainly going to the scrapper eventually, and that's not what I want to happen. Q: Can I come look at them, kick the tires, drive them a bit? A: The info you need should be in the photos. I'm trying to respect the privacy of my mom, who's already a little peeved these trucks have been hanging around for a decade. Q: What's 0-60mph speed? About 20 seconds if you have a tail-wind and a head-start and push with your foot. Considerably faster if you retrofitted them with a later-model Nissan engine. Z-car conversion, anyone? Q: So, they're both green? That's confusing. Yup. One is a pretty nice metallic green under all that dirt, and the other one is a rattle-can green that started as John Deere green, but has since darkened considerably into a deep forest green. You didn't really care about the paint, right?On Jun-09-12 at 11:17:43 PDT, seller added the following information:Wow! The response so far has been amazing! My mom is avidly watching this auction (the money will go to her as "payment" for storage), and she's positively thrilled! Maybe she didn't expect that these little trucks would shine so brightly "in the rough"... I don't see any reason why without a little love these trucks couldn't go on for long and productive lives... The engines in these trucks are legendary, originally based on TRACTOR engines, and are known for their bullet-proofness. As I've said before, I can't speak to the current conditions of the engines, but they always ran great for us. But let me be clear... you're not going to jump in these trucks and drive them away. First of all, like I've said, they need a total washdown inside and out. I don't think anything is permanently ruined aside from the door panels and maybe one or both of the paperboard "parcel shelves", but they'll need work. Of course I'm optimistic because I love them, but there could be serious, serious issues from sitting that long. Bid as high and as often as you feel confident knowing that anything electrical or intricate may possibly be beyond saving. All the big stuff is intact and useable, both trucks are mechanically intact and were parked in as-running condition, but knows what almost a decade of Oregon winters and field-mice have done to the carburetor, alternator, engine block, clutch, brakes, fan bearings, hoses or etc. I have no reason to believe that anything is seriously wrong with them. I'm just giving fair warning. My mom also wants to let everybody know that she doesn't want them to go to the scrapper either! In fact, here's her little fantasy... "Oh, my favorite memories of those trucks are when we drove them through the peach orchard doing U-Pick, the little truck just seemed so at home slipping in between the trees with a little purr... I really wish that they could go back to some orchard or farm where they could be fixed up really nice or just live a long life giving kids rides in them, or moving hay-bales or boxes of peaches..." I'd be happy if that happened too, but I'd just be happy if someone had them as their project trucks (a matching set! can you beat that?), or they became donors for bigger and better things. Happy bidding! PS: If you want, you can have the Adirondack chair pictured along with the truck!On Jun-10-12 at 17:43:59 PDT, seller added the following information:I continue to be surprised by how much interest I have in these little trucks! I'm not the only one who loves them! A few updates on some things: First of all, thank you to everybody who's writing me an sharing their own stories. It's really cool to have my phone go "ding" and see another message from somebody just interested in reaching out. Secondly, thank you for bidding! It's really a lot of fun to see the bids roll in. I know you're not just bidding in $15 and $25 increments for my benefit, but it sure is exciting to watch it creep up. I'm sure my wife will be happy when I stop saying, "OH, another bid came in! Guess how much they are at now?" I also wanted to write a note out to serious bidders. I've said this a few times over in the listing, I just really want to make sure that you know what you're buying and prepared to do what it takes to make that happen. As much fun as it would be to give another 16 year old kid a chance on these, adult supervision is required on pickup. Moving these trucks is both something which will need some advance planning, some patience, and some equipment. I don't want to scare anybody off, I just don't want someone to be stuck without preparation and hurt themselves, the vehicles, their vehicles, or tear up my mom's lawn in the process. Trucks must be removed from property within 2 weeks of auction close unless other arrangements have been make. Non-removal will result in forfeiture of auction cost. Answers to more questions: Q: So is the price for each truck, or both? A: Sale price is for both trucks. Currently that's only a hair over $200 per truck. You must take both trucks. Q: So tell me about this "restoration" both trucks had? A: Both my brother and uncle started with the great book, "How to keep your Datsun alive", basic mechanics tools, and a lot of time. Both engines were completely disassembled, had the block surfaced, and reassembled with new gaskets, seals and etc. In the process we also hit all the electrical, replaced major components like the alternators, rebuilt the master cylinders and carburetors, went through the whole ignition system, and generally fixed everything that needed fixing. Parts were NOS where possible and reasonable, quality rebuilts or new aftermarket where necessary. Both paintjobs were done in backyards, but looked good from 10 feet off. Q: So it wasn't a professional, frame-off show restoration, then? A: We never took them to shows, but everyone agreed they were pretty great. The goal of the restoration was to have them as daily drivers, which they were. No trailer queens here, these were working light-duty (mostly commuting) trucks before they were parked. Q: What about these "extra parts" you mentioned? A: For a while there was a complete engine out of my old wrecked 521, but I don't know if that's still around. Speaking of, I have the wrecked 521 from the bed back (still on frame with axle and wheels), which you can also have too! I'll be traveling to the Portland area next week for business and I can swing by and take some more pics. Q: What about the truck boxes? Are they usable, where are the keys? A: Probably the keys are hanging with the ignition keys you can see in the pictures, but I'll need to verify that. The boxes are great, actually, and would fit any mini-pickup. Bonus! Q: What else do I get? A: Anything Datsun-related you can find in the shed. In the truck boxes there are a few repair manuals and other documentation. Q: But what about... the titles? A: Sounds like there is some serious interest in getting these on the road again, which really makes me happy. If the bidding gets above $750, I'll pay whatever fees are required to get replacement titles. (I will not pay for new registration.) This should allow you to take them to any state that respects an Oregon title. Cheers!On Jun-14-12 at 15:57:50 PDT, seller added the following information:We're almost there folks! Thank you again for your interest in these interesting little trucks! I'm really glad that there are folks out there who can find them a good home. I've received a couple of offers, asking to end the auction early for a fixed price, but I'm going to let it run its course to be fair to everybody bidding. I've also received some questions about "shipping" these trucks, and what that might entail. If you plan on shipping these trucks to you, please investigate the cost associated with that now. The pickup location would be in the 97132 zipcode. I'm happy to give you time to figure out how to ship them after sale, but what I don't want to have happen is for you to find out that it costs another $500 to get them to you, and you're not interested any more. Update on the titles! So I was able to travel up to Oregon this week, got some work done and had a lovely dinner with my brother. We discussed the trucks, and I brought him the replacement title form to sign. At this point, the forms will need to be resubmitted,but it seems like everything is in order to provide titles for both trucks. Any kinks withstanding, I should be able to have these to you shortly after the sale finalizes. If the final bid is more than $750, I'll provide the titles for free. If it's less than that, I will be able to provide them, in addition to a bill of sale, for an extra $77 each. I will not be paying for Oregon-registration. BONUS Trailer kit! What, you say you want to build your own matching trailer out of a 521 bed? You remember the part of the story where I said I wrecked my beautiful truck? Well you can have that TOO. The title is in hand for this half a vehicle, which is a pickup bed on rolling rear axle with wheels, and the rest of the frame, but no cab engine, or front suspension. You're not obligated to take this as well, but you can have it if you want, as part of final sale package. The bed isn't perfect, but if you're handy, it could easily become that matching trailer. BONUS PARTS! I'm about to jump on a plane back to California, but check back to learn about which bonus parts are included in the package. Really, it's almost everything I could unbolt from my wrecked 521 except the engine and radiator. Stay tuned for an itemized list of parts and pics ot the bonus trailer kit.On Jun-14-12 at 21:32:11 PDT, seller added the following information:Over the years, my brother always had the best intentions of doing something with these trucks, either selling them or getting them running again. What you see now is his efforts at preservation. Carefully tucked in the truck boxes and labeled with care, here's what you get in the... Bonus Truck Parts! Box O'Parts #1 - Complete Rear Brake (Brakes?) shoes springs slave cylinders rear safety lever (?) Box O'Parts #2 - Under Hood Stuff starter motor wiper motor clutch slave washer unit w/ motor rear view mirror coil U-joint speedometer dash unit w/ ... ? Box O'Parts #3 - Mostly Electrical Stuff fuel pump fuse block dash switches/lamps brake master cyclinder original AM RADIO door handles (probably interior) brake seal kit clutch throwout arm Box O'Parts #4 - Random Bits radiator hose set 2 carburetors windshield washer unit distributor parts Box O'Parts #5 - Can YOU believe it? rear light lens covers carburetor w/ manual choke intake manifold alternator (new?) front light chrome bulbs for most lights new halogen headlight stick shift boot cover CB Radio with Manual timing light On Jun-14-12 at 21:54:20 PDT, seller added the following information: Trailer "Kit" Yours, if you want to make a killer trailer for your 521... Books! Chilton's Datsun/Nissan Pick-Ups 1970-86 Chilton's Repair and Tune-up Guide Datsun 1961-72 Haynes Datsun 510 & PL 521 '68 thru '73 How to keep your Datsun/Nissan alive More stuff! NOS muffler and exhaust system NOS window felt heater core