Is this Restorable?

BoNouf · **Posted:** Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:44 pm

The owner of this car will scrape it but he made an offer for me to take it (haven't agreed on the price yet though)

Though my hands are full right now, I feel like I have an obligation to save this car!!! (crazy?)

But before I commit to it, i would like to get some opinions about how difficult it would be to restore it?

So please have a look and help me decide:

1978 ke30 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:36 am

Well if the suspension is intact it should be. But the right front wheel looks bashed in... :/

Camshaft · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:12 am

That looks totally solid and restorable to me, I can't see any rust. If the body is clean, replacing trim and mechanical bits is easy.

c72c · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:38 am

Looks like it sat through a few dust storms then someone washed the outside. lol

Save it. :tu:

It looks to be in better condition than my cadillac, and there are a few way worse than mine that have been restored.

Eric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 10:16 am

everything is restorable if you have enough money, and time..

BoNouf · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:15 pm

1978 ke30: Good point about the suspension. My other worry is the rubber, I think its pretty much gone

Camshaft: The trim is probably more difficult than I thought initially. This is a rare LHD Nissan President. and hence my strong inclination to saving it

c72c: True True. the good thing about it is that there is no rust

Eric: I have so many projects going at once.. makes me think I shouldn't even attempt another one

But I will see if I get it real cheap and then park it somewhere till am ready

1978 ke30 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:17 pm

Do it man, that thing is baller as hell. I'd crawl under and look at the right side suspension and frame though. Could be a bent frame or something similar.

Drive510 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 11:39 pm

Save it and paint it black. If the engine is too hard to get running, then your best bet is a JZ motor. :tu:

I just hope your location of the "sun" doesn't have emission laws like California.

BoNouf · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:53 am

1978 ke30 wrote:

Do it man, that thing is baller as hell. I'd crawl under and look at the right side suspension and frame though. Could be a bent frame or something similar.

I agree, I can imagine the fender mirrors on this large body Japanese Vintage and the off white color..... its looking so good in my imagination

I will get it lifted somehow and check the frame and suspension

BoNouf · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:19 am

Drive510 wrote:

:shock: Save it and paint it black. If the engine is too hard to get running, then your best bet is a JZ motor. :tu:

I just hope your location of the "sun" doesn't have emission laws like California.

I thought about that, but also I don't think I would want to change in the interior a lot either.... the JZ gear would change it..

I am going to start researching some other options....because I don't think its original V8 engine has any parts left in the market

cdtpf60 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:39 am

have you thought about a vq45 if you cant get the rebuild parts for the original v8?

Eric · **Posted:** Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:24 am

whatever you do, make sure you buy it and put it somewere safe. you'll regret it if you dont buy it

BoNouf · **Posted:** Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:45 am

Eric wrote:

whatever you do, make sure you buy it and put it somewere safe. you'll regret it if you dont buy it

Eric

the hesitation itself is making me feel guilty already!

you are really helping me decide ...thank you :tu:

Eric · **Posted:** Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:45 pm

and if you are not keeping it, how much to ship it to me?

Drive510 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:34 am

You need to take an air hose or a leaf blower and get all the dust out of the interior of the car. Then start cleaning stuff up to see what you have to work with.

z chopper · **Posted:** Sat Sep 03, 2011 7:45 pm

if you get it and decide not to rebuild the engine let me know.

BoNouf · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:36 am

Eric: If I decide not to buy it, I will let you know about the buying/shipping cost. But if it were to be shipped it has to be moving at least (drivable).. I think

Drive510: Thanks for the tip. you are right, i have to see the whole thing inside, which is whats really worrying me.... since I bet it will be hard to find parts for the interior

z chopper: Ok but what d you have in mind?

z chopper · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:53 am

if I remember correctly what I read about those cars is they had a y44 v8.

BoNouf · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 2:02 am

true. strange thing that it says that the engine was made into a EFI in 1975 but this engine is on a 1978 car but it is carb! .. this might be because the car is an export model.

IwanVlaar · **Joined:** Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:08 pm **Posts:** 25

Often exprt models got carb engines, C32 Laurels and Y30 Cedrics had VG30S engines for general export markets. Y44E was Japanese market only as far as I know. 250 Presidents were never officially sold outside Japan, you had to be offered one by Nissan. Often Importers (like the Dutch Importer) or Embassys/Consulates were allowed to buy one.
Rare to see a LHD President, it's always worth resqueing and also worth keeping original in my humble opinion. It will be difficult to replace trim items and body panels so I hope you are a good panelbeater. The construction of a President is very complex!

Is this Restorable?

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