1960 Mazda T600 light truck - Australia

mazdajon · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 1:37 am

After a 3600klm round trip to Victoria, I have just added this 90% restored 1960 Mazda TEA45 T600 light truck to the collection. It was previously on display at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection Museum in Maffra Victoria and was restored to this point by Ross Noble. Ross found two of these in 2003, one in Stratford and the other in Sale, rusting in paddocks. They were both used at the Sale RAAF base way back in the 1960s and were original Australian delivered vehicles. Let me just say that the condition of these two could only be described as basket cases. One engine was seized, the second had a broken crankshaft. Both diffs were seized and the bodies were basically beyond repair.

In 2005 I assisted Ross in purchasing a third T600 at the Mazford auction which provided several parts missing from the original two, plus it had a running engine. Restoration was able to continue, but major bodywork was required. It is a miracle that out of three T600s he managed to nearly make one, with thankfully some parts as spares but not a great deal.

Unfortunately Ross passed away in January 2009 and the T600 was taken over by his two daughters and son along with several other vehicles that Ross had restored. Earlier this year I was contacted by his son who advised that they had decided to sell the T600 so I made arrangements to drive to Stratford to inspect and hopefully bring the T600 home.

After a five day round trip it now resides in Brisbane and the finishing off can begin. There are still several parts I need to complete the restoration but it needs to join the ever growing list of vehicles in needing work.

I will keep updating the thread as work progresses.

mazdajon · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 1:52 am

Try the photos again.

degruchy · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 3:20 am

Congrats Jon, great addition to the collection, will sit nicely next to those Carols! I remember reading about the Mazford auction in your magazine, I nearly cried at the low prices. It hurts living in SA sometimes.

Looking forward to seeing finished pics of the T600 one day.

Cheers,
Duane

gypsy · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 3:24 am

What a great unusual restoration, baltosis (user id) in Greece may be able to assist with parts. I look forward to future updates.

baltsiotis · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 4:01 am

Great find by a great mazda enthusiast and collector. Besides that, I think that an early T600, is a quite rare find inside and outside Japan. I ve got the parts catalag (RHD+LHD k360 and T600), so I can scan you some pages if you need any. I d really appreciate a photo of the licence light, so I can compare with mine as I am confused on that issue.

rx7s2 · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 4:41 am

Nice, fits in nice next to the fire truck as well.. Will we see it at the all jAP DAY?

ben · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 2:52 pm

That is absolutely beautiful! I love everything about it, especially the two-tone pale green/cream. Such a period color. :tu:

Beware · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 4:40 pm

rx7s2 wrote:

Will we see it at the all jAP DAY?

Wow, what an awesome little Mazda!!! Can't wait to see it in person at which ever Jap show you have it ready for.

mazdajon · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 5:34 pm

Thought I would show pics of what Ross started with. Yes, the completed T600 at the start of this thread came from these three vehicles.

Unbelievable to think it turned out like it did, but the first two pics show RAAF units 3 and 4, with unit 3 having the rear canopy.

Ross is shown standing beside unit 4 in this pic taken in 2004 when Ross brought them both home to start work.

The last pic is the T600 purchased at the Mazford auction in 2005. The bodywork and chassis on the finished T600 is rebuilt from the first two, as this one was missing a lot of the body. This was only purchased for the running engine which was subsequently not used as one of the others was rebuilt.

It is credit to the skill of Ross and the others that helped him to get the restoration as far as he did. Whilst there is still a lot to do I want to finish it off as a tribute to Ross. Most people would have left them in the paddock as they were certainly a major project.

I know I would have walked away, but I am glad he decided to have a go.

808Coupe · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 11:40 pm

What a rare find this is. Not that rare when everytime I looked in the rear vision mirror on the way home I saw it drifting like a hoon on the trailer.

Go the Mazda Piston Power.

Congrats Jonno...

mazdajon · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 11:55 pm

baltsiotis wrote:

Great find by a great mazda enthusiast and collector. Besides that, I think that an early T600, is a quite rare find inside and outside Japan. I ve got the parts catalag (RHD+LHD k360 and T600), so I can scan you some pages if you need any. I d really appreciate a photo of the licence light, so I can compare with mine as I am confused on that issue.

I only have the remains of the license plate light base, but it is basically the same as the Carol/800/1000 light. One of these would do as it is the same size.

I will need to get several ideas on how this goes back together so I am sure your parts book scans will come in handy. I have no seats apart from two re-manufactured frames, no accelerator cable or pedal plus no fuel filler neck or cap on the side.

Thanks for the offer!! I appreciate it. :tu:

mazdajon · **Posted:** Wed May 19, 2010 12:12 am

808Coupe wrote:

What a rare find this is. Not that rare when everytime I looked in the rear vision mirror on the way home I saw it drifting like a hoon on the trailer.

Go the Mazda Piston Power.

Congrats Jonno...

To explain what 808Coupe is talking about, the pic below shows the T600 was sitting on the trailer on an angle to enable the two spare chassis to come home as well, not drifting around. Just thought I would clarify that for you! :shock:

If you tried to drift in a T600 it would fall over! :lol:

This picture was taken at Cooma NSW, about 1000 metres above sea level in case you were wondering why it shows Snowstop Village on the sign behind the car.

B1500boy · **Posted:** Wed May 19, 2010 4:49 am

Mate, cooler than a crate of anvils!!

I do like the sound of a drifting T600 though.

baltsiotis · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 12:34 am

Thanks for your answer mazdajon.

My T600 has this lisence light
http://cgi.ebay.com/MAZDA-FAMILIA-800-1 ... 23036bb7e6

I bought two NOS from yahoo auctions, but then I saw twice this one advertised also

http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w50354536

From the parts book its not clear which one is the proper one and there is no variation for this part, besides the fact that the parts catalog is a bit confusing and there is no part number for the whole light, only for the cover.

I inform you that presently there is a couple of seats in very good condition at yahoo auctions
http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w50354536

Actually, I doubt if there is another early T600 (K360 bay look) restored, even in Japan. I think you ve got a unique car!

mazdajon · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 3:39 am

baltsiotis wrote:

Thanks for your answer mazdajon.

My T600 has this lisence light
http://cgi.ebay.com/MAZDA-FAMILIA-800-1 ... 23036bb7e6

I bought two NOS from yahoo auctions, but then I saw twice this one advertised also

http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w50354536

From the parts book its not clear which one is the proper one and there is no variation for this part, besides the fact that the parts catalog is a bit confusing and there is no part number for the whole light, only for the cover.

I inform you that presently there is a couple of seats in very good condition at yahoo auctions
http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w50354536

Actually, I doubt if there is another early T600 (K360 bay look) restored, even in Japan. I think you ve got a unique car!

Thanks for that, I have sent you a PM in regards to this.

mazdajon · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 3:41 am

Beware wrote:

rx7s2 wrote:

Will we see it at the all jAP DAY?

Wow, what an awesome little Mazda!!! Can't wait to see it in person at which ever Jap show you have it ready for.

To answer both of your questions, yes it will be at the All Jap Day on 20th June.

Beware · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 4:20 pm

mazdajon wrote:

Beware wrote:

rx7s2 wrote:

Will we see it at the all jAP DAY?

Wow, what an awesome little Mazda!!! Can't wait to see it in person at which ever Jap show you have it ready for.

To answer both of your questions, yes it will be at the All Jap Day on 20th June.

ewokracing · **Posted:** Tue May 25, 2010 6:17 pm

Ace!

mazdajon · **Posted:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:29 am

First official outing for the T600 since acquiring it in May 2010 was the All Japanese Day in Brisbane on Sunday June 20, 2010. My 1967 1000 wagon can also be seen parked beside the T600.

Many thanks to the Seven of Clubs and the Rising Sun Collectors Register for organising a fantastic day.

The Classic Japanese movement is alive and well in Brisbane!

Now I just need to find the missing parts to complete the restoration.

mazdajon · **Posted:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:46 am

Can anyone help me locate this part? It is the indicator switch and stalk shown sticking out the side of the steering wheel surround. It has the big handle sticking up at the end.

It should also be the same on the early K360 models as well as the T600. The T600 model is TEA-45.

The one in the picture has disappeared!

1960 Mazda T600 light truck - Australia

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