1992 Nissan Laurel 1800 LPG Taxi (C32)

john · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:00 pm

Hirst wrote:

Just need to obtain some appropriate steel wheels with the right offset, not sure where from but I'll figure that out.

I'd start with from an S12. :wink:

That is, if there's any in the yards around you. You might also try 80s Stanza or Maxima. Should be heaps of stuff from the 80s in a good offset 14" steelie.

Lots of Toyota and Mitsubishi options too, since you're no concours fan.

nzmax · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:55 am

My C32 has the same 14" steel wheels as a U11 Bluebird on 14" wheels does.

Some of the less luxurious C32 JDM import Laurels we got in NZ only had the radio as standard. The higher spec ones always had the tape deck as a seperate unit under the radio. My NZ spec C32 V6 Hardtop I used to have, had an adjustable equalizer under the radio, so the tape deck was part of the radio like a modern radio/tape player. JDM radios have an FM frequency range of 76-90mhz, where as the NZ and UK? have 87.5-108mhz. We can buy a "band expander" here that is fitted to the radio so that we can listen to the NZ frequencies above 90mhz, but still use the existing JDM radio.

The C31 Laurels had the exhaust tailpipe run along the rear of the car and come out on the opposite side to the muffler like the C32's do. During replacement, most people just opted to do away with the rear tail pipe and have the tail pipe come straight out of the muffler to the rear of the car.

Hirst · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:16 pm

Steels same as the U11? Very interesting! The U11 is rare here, but I wonder if on that basis I could use some off some other FWD Nissan. Interesting!

nzmax · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:23 am

You could try. U11 Bluebirds are common as here. The steel wheels off a 910 Bluebird should fit also, as long as they are 14". C31 alloys will fit also, as well as 260Z or 280ZX alloys if you want to go down that route.

I tried U11 alloy wheels on mine, but they were too wide and rubbed against the shocks at the front. They cleared the rear shocks ok. The alloy wheels are wider than the steels which is understandable why they rubbed.

eltrd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:48 am

is this car like the s12 or the old school maxima
it looks real familiar

Hirst · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:33 pm

Nah it's not like an S12 or a Maxima really, the Laurel is more like a Skyline.

Wonder what the "S" means?

Hirst · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2010 3:45 pm

I've figured out what plate it had in Japan!

The info was on the back of the occupied meter, just needed deciphering. Will have to get some replicas made up at some point.

Hirst · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:49 am

Also found out that the signs on the car translate to Sarai. Bit of investigation revealed a company called Sarai Taxi YK, Okayama. Address: 192-1, Seto, Setocho, Higashi-Ku, 709-0861 Okayama. Company owner: Koshi Sarai.

Anyone want to get in touch with Mr Sarai and ask him when the timing belt was done? And what made him pick those seat covers in particular? That'd be superb.

Florin · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:07 am

Yeah good point

But what about the floor carpet? It seems to be some kind of nylon

I wonder, is that a factory option

Hirst · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:26 am

The interior is quite something - the floor is green plastic and the seats/doorcards are completely vinyl. The bits which look like fabric are just made to look like that.

I reckon you could clean the entire interior with a hosepipe.

ben · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:22 am

Hirst wrote:

.
I reckon you could clean the entire interior with a hosepipe.

Probably a pretty handy option after taking late night drunks home.

Hirst · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:34 pm

Just a quick update, some weeks back it threw its clutch release bearing, which was handy. Drove it back really slowly, so it didn't let me down at least.

Still, that's what you get when you decide you're going to drive to work every day in a ex-taxi because you find the vinyl interior faintly amusing and enjoy flooring it down the motorway with the overspeed warning chime going BING-DING whilst "Chicago - If You Leave Me Now" crackles out of the tape deck.

The day I get a sensible daily is the day I stop wearing beige/brown ties and turning up to work drunk. Hopefully never.

Camshaft · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:31 pm

Hirst wrote:

The day I get a sensible daily is the day I stop wearing beige/brown ties and turning up to work drunk. Hopefully never.

Sigged.

kidatari · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:34 pm

Hirst wrote:

The day I get a sensible daily is the day I stop wearing beige/brown ties and turning up to work drunk. Hopefully never.

OMG, quote of the day. Goddamn brilliant.

I'm glad that I'm not the only person enthused about the green floors. Tested the door opener yet?

Hirst · **Posted:** Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:55 pm

Managed to bag a new set of chintzy seat covers to accompany the swirly lounge carpet ones already on it.

LUXURY!

ben · **Posted:** Wed Apr 14, 2010 2:50 pm

Hahaha, love that interior!

Hirst · **Posted:** Sun Sep 19, 2010 2:23 pm

So I had the broken clutch fixed, can't remember what the problem was, it involved a release bearing. It drives properly again now, better than ever actually - smoothest clutch and gearchange I've used.

Now I just need an exhaust making up for it (the back half of the system is completely missing, not that loud despite that though) and to replace the horrid Silvia S12 wheels with a set of steels and chintzy hubcaps. And remove the towbar. And some other stuff.

1992 Nissan Laurel 1800 LPG Taxi (C32)

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