Sorry Peter, but the Datsuns rusted as badly in my climate as did the Fiats and usual Brit offerings, however at least it seems the Japanese improved their thinking on corrosion prevention unlike others who fell by the wayside... ?
I had absolutely no problems with mine. Salt is generally not spread on the roads in Australia so that probably helps. It is true that if you live near the ocean coast everthing tarnishes or corrodes but I suspect that cars that have a problem in Europe or England are less prone to rust in Australia.
Originally Posted by Luddite
Thinking along more positive lines, were it not for general build quality in the sixties and seventies I might never have required to learn to weld and spray paint... Those early Datsuns were quite special, My good lady was very fond of her 120Y coupe, that followed the 1200, the engineering was tight, just that the corrosion protection and gauge of metal seemed even worse than Brit offerings...?
The Datsun 120Y was a disappointment and I did not buy one. It just did not perform or handle as well as the 1200. For a long time after the 1200 and the 1600 were discontinued they were much sort after for club rally cars. I can imagine why, I used to absolutely cane mine through the forest roads drifting with a good amount of opposite lock on all the curves. By comparison the 120Y was more aimed at comfortable suburban driving than sporty driving. A highly modified 1200 at Bathurst.
Did you see Fiats in Australia, at that time, Peter? Australia is large, so I don't know whether you lived in a dry area? "Greater Amsterdam" was certainly wet!
Yes FIATs were not unusual in Australia but I have no Idea of their reputation. At one stage I did consider a FIAT sports coupe but at that time theyt were imported with the ugly impact absorbing bumpers and I also found that I could not get the seat far enough back for my long legs so I abandoned the idea.
A guy in Brisbane bought a Nissan Silvia engine and got it rebuilt with the intention of putting it in a Fiat. He imported the engine and spent a fortune on getting it fully rebuilt to handle huge power while he worked on cutting out the rust of the Fiat. The engine was finished but after cutting the rust out of the Fiat he didn't have any car left so sold the engine. I bought it to put in my Silvia. Really he should have cut the rust out of the car before starting on the engine but his loss was my gain.
C.M, I have a friend who is a real fan of the Capri, and who has owned and restored a few over the years, I think his idea of full fat perhaps starts around the X-Pack versions and on to the 3.1 litre RS both which he has owned at one time or other, Around the time although with cast iron engine blocks and cart spring suspension on the rear they were they were valued similarly to air cooled Porsches , which seemed nuts to me, today I can only imagine what the rare Fords might be worth...?
![[Linked Image]](http://bradley.it/public_images/drive.jpg)
so I abandoned the idea.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2025/05/01/Capri.jpg)
) 2994cc in yellow 
![[Linked Image]](https://tm-img.com/images/2025/05/03/IMG_0201.jpeg)
You know it makes sense! 