This was recently added to our backyard as a bit of a "team project" for a friend who has several Crowns. His wife would probably divorce him if he brought another one home, so my housemate and I have offered to store it here and help do the bodywork/paint until he can sell something and make some space.

 

It's a 1970 model RS56 which originally had the cast iron pushrod 4 cylinder also found in coaster buses!

 

Basic plans are to make this his daily driver, with a 6 cylinder conversion with celica 5 speed, matt black and plenty of Crown chrome with a bit of bling. There are also some custom ideas which may or may not eventuate, but the idea is to create something a bit old-school, and it won't be a show car by any means.

 

Shell is pretty good and has been semi-prepped by someone else quite some time ago, and we have better doors panels to fit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those unfamiliar with this model, here is what they look like. Beautiful body lines... :yes:

 

Edited November 20, 201015 yr by TOM

Looks to be reasonably rust free.

 

These things are great. A 60's ute with a full chassis and ford five stud pattern.

 

If my drive way bigger, I could afford reg and find one, this would be love. That is a lot of ifs.

 

Tom, I know it's your friends, but I would go down this road.

 

The early 90s cressidas are going for peanuts. Transplant engine, interior, for a rat on the outside, air cond luxury bus on the inside.

 

My 2 cents.

 

Please keep us posted on the build.

 

Boo

Looks to be reasonably rust free.

 

These things are great. A 60's ute with a full chassis and ford five stud pattern.

 

If my drive way bigger, I could afford reg and find one, this would be love. That is a lot of ifs.

 

Tom, I know it's your friends, but I would go down this road.

 

The early 90s cressidas are going for peanuts. Transplant engine, interior, for a rat on the outside, air cond luxury bus on the inside.

 

My 2 cents.

 

Please keep us posted on the build.

 

Boo

 

Yeah the injection and air-con would be awesome!

 

I love this but the same friend also has a clean original MS56 sedan which has my name on it...I prefer the 56 sedan or would love a round tail-light ute or wagon. There are 4 early wagons I recently saw at a wrecker...

 

 

Work has already begun and more pics will follow soon

Edited November 20, 201015 yr by TOM

1UZ + Towbar = Awesome car hauler :)

In an ideal world that would be awesome beyond belief!!! I'm not sure exactly what motor is going in at this stage...

 

Today the work started...

 

Whoever did this engine bay should be shot...gloss white and messy

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 201015 yr by TOM

cool, should be a beast :y:

Green.

 

Me.

 

Yes.

 

Green.

 

Can't wait to see this ready to hit the road.

Been quite some time since an update, and ideas change over time.... :lolcry:

 

Project is becoming more "RAT" the further we go, but the owner is loving it and is providing most of the inspiration for the build. We're all having fun drinking beer and discussing ideas for the car...

 

The owner has also aquired an MS56 ute with the earlier front off eBay, it's a 6 cylinder with the crazy 3 speed + overdrive gearbox (those who know these things know these boxes are a quirky but cool feature of the early Crowns). Funny thing is it went to a farm and has never been registered - more on this later.

 

Anyway the RS56 is now sporting a stonking 18r motor and 4 speed floor shift box, which is looking the goods as you will see haha. The conversion had been carried out at an earlier stage, and it was the easiet way to get it running and registered as the everything was there - 6 cylinder conversion involves a bit more work and the original 5R he has is in unknown condition..

 

So, before Xmas the work started in earnest.

 

Shell had been prepped quite well and was very straight, but needed a little filler here and there. Rear section now pretty much done.

 

 

 

Engine bay was finally saved from the horrible white enamel of death...

 

A collection of mouse shit and foam which was scraped out of the hoodlining...

 

This is the multi-purpose paint which will be used on...everything!!!

 

Inside of bonnet

 

 

A few weeks later, things got wierd...the might 18R became the victim of a suprt of inspiration fueled by beer and maybe some other things...and was painted in hammertone gold paint :dance:

See what I mean about this thing becoming a bit "RAT"...

 

Set of extractors were purchased, but they don't clear the steering arms so will be installed after rego...

 

 

 

Interior has also been done...black

 

And today, we've been busy doing the inside's of the two doors and the tub

 

 

 

 

And just for fun the Tasman steering wheel which will be matched by a full set of Tasman wheels for the ultimate cool factor.

I say Yes! :y:

wow, nice !

Old Crown utes are awesome.. love what you are doing with this one!

I really love what you have done with the place Barry...... hahahaha

 

but really, any more progress?

Thanks mate, gotta love a backyard full of projects...at least only one of them is mine so I can't be blamed for the mess!

 

Yeah Barry & Barry are out back hanging doors and bonnet today, and doing some more prep work on the body.

Met the owner of this car yesterday. is it Ian? Jeez I'm crap with names. Great guy. Tried to help me fix the Stout after he saw me stranded on the side of the freeway as I was trying to get up to the Hahndorf swapmeet.

Yes it's Ian and I heard the story - hope you got her home OK after the swap meet? Was it carby blockage?

 

We're currently working on a tailgate for the ute, the inside of it was pretty bent to begin with...but some inspired backyard engineering has been taking place today and last night...pics soon