Buff Enough Ke55 Sedan

[Mechanical Sympathy]

Hey Rollaclub!

 

Here's another project I have bitten off. While looking for a coupe I came across this buff coloured sedan on eBay. Of course the nature of eBay is that sometimes you bid and end up owning things you didn't intend to. I really wanted a coupe!

 

This is a relatively low mileage sadan (167,000km) that IMO just needed some loving. The previous owner fitted a new clutch and rear main seal, then got bored of it before he put it back together. As such, some assembly was required before I even knew it would run. But run it does, very nicely thankyou.

 

Here's when I got it;

 

 

I started tinkering. It really just needs a 30 year service! So I pulled of the guards, tidied them up, fixed some little rusty issues, and applied body deadener with gusto.

 

 

And here's how it sits now. Still a bit of bodywork to do. I think the last fella fancied it as a bit of a rally car and it copped some thumps.

 

 

 

I think the KE30 bumpers and Superlites are destined for my XX coupe but my 16 year old son will have an opinion on that.

 

Future plans? Nothing outrageous.. treat it with mechanical sympathy! Go over the brakes and suspension, fix the body where needed, detail the ʞ©$ɟ out of it, get a roady. Some new carpet, a set of pipes, 25/65 cam and a weber would round it out nicely.

 

Thanks for looking!

Edited April 6, 2014 by Mechanical Sympathy

[Clapped out]

Finally another ke3x/55 owner on brissy northside, nice cars, keep the photo's/updates coming!

 

cheers!

[Mechanical Sympathy]

Progress has been slow but since the last post I've swapped some bumpers between cars, new rear shoes and slave cylinders, polished some XX alloys, fitted some H4 lights and found a straighter cleaner (white) bonnet.

 

The previous owner fitted a driver's side Rare Spares lower guard rust repair section which I've painted and I'm not happy with the fit so I'll fit a second hand repro front guard that was on the white donor car. I can't see that the $60 Rare Spares repair section is worth it considering the variables in getting one welded on straight. I think I'd rather buy a new repro guard for not much more if you couldn't find a decent second hand guard.

 

Still three repairs to do along the lower RHS - side rail under driver door, hole in rear door, rear quarter damage plus a half finished LH rear quarter repair, then paint them. More body deadening to do. Wouldn't mind replacing a few suspension bushes and rear spring bushes. That'd get it close to roadworthy I reckon. Could take a year though!

 

Edited April 6, 2014 by Mechanical Sympathy

[Clapped out]

You still got this thing? Surely it hasn't ended up as a garden ornament? Ha ha!

[Mechanical Sympathy]

Aha, you've caught me out!

 

It's currently serving time as a mobile grass killer but I really need to do something about that.

 

A 6x9 shed has got to have room for more than one car - I just can't seem to make the space and still have room for man-caving. It might be time to pack up the little fellas' slot car set, or screw it down onto the collapsible-legs table so I can stand it against the wall when not in use.

 

This is such a great little car to drive (around the yard) that I just have to do something with it. Fix some dents and respray a couple of panels and it will be perfectly acceptable for club rego.

 

I also feel compelled to paint the house and build a deck though.. Projects and time! bah

 

This weekend I'll get it in the shed. You've stirred my motivation!

[Clapped out]

Blow mould table are cheap from bunnings, 50 or so for a large one, Your missus will be happy that there won't be anymore dead grass patches once its back in the shed!