Ute project.

[NZ_rotaminor]

Finally sold a car which made room in the shed to get the ute in.
its a 1960-61 model (thanks for the help RussLVC), my dad has owned it for decades and did the first engine conversion. now its my turn to set things up abit.
Been dry stored for the last 20plus years but been outside for the last year or so. pretty good cond little bit of rust.


wot i started with.



first night i got it inside. bit hard with only me and a mate, seized brakes, flat tires and slight incline haha. but with a careful arrangement of rope and pulleys we managed. (i knew i must have learnt something after 2 years of physics)




then we managed to get the motor and box out. 1600 cortina and auto.




Tryin out a set of 15s for size. low but not low enough.




Got the gaurds off diff out and pretty much everthin else gone,



after alot of grinder and scoket work we managed to get chassis out and body seperate. sat the bady on the ground put gaurds and bonnet back to get idea of final look.


should be gettin the chassis soon enough, so ill get started on strippin that and cuttin it down.

[Triumph Man]

Looks like a great project, it must be allright for you old man to see you redo his old project. What chassis you useing?
Keep us posted on your progress.
Trev
Aus

[NZ_rotaminor]

Thanks for the comment

its a 1982-86 mitsi L200 chassis, track width slightly wider which is wot i wanted and the length is just an easy cut down to size.

gonna be slow progress for a while need to sell some more cars,

the old man didnt have much of a choice , i said wot i was gonna do he didnt complain so in the shed it goes.

get some pics up of chassis when i get it in a few days.

[fweddy]

Looks interesting!

What are you aiming for? A mini truck?

Where are you located?

[NZ_rotaminor]

north shore auckland.

i like old school cars rotary engines and real low ride height. im not that into the whole lowrider thing. the bags are mainly so it can be driven.

i guess u could say its gonna end up like a minitruck but the main reason i started was i wanted to build a car thats mostly my own. heaps of custom work.


any assistance would be great im gonna be doin this though trial and error and slowly workinout how to do things.

[fweddy]

Good on ya. I was the same with doing my ute - just start working on the obvious, get assistance when you get stuck and keep the determination up.

Never be too scared to give something a try - at the same time don't be to independant that you end up ignorantly doing things unsafely

Will be following your progress with interest.

When doing my ute I was tempted to modify some things but at the same time tempted to keep it original, I yeilded to both temptations and the ute is restored to original and I have the van that will be modified. The ute is finished but a FE35 tractor, 1.5ZX Datsun and buying a house has got in between the van and my time and money.

If you are stuck for parts morrie commercials let me know.

[NZ_rotaminor]

[fweddy]

For rubbers etc try Basis in Renwick, I got soem of MY stuff from them. Also try cobsmorriestuff.co.nz as he has rubbers too. Not sure if there are any good North Island contacts. - minor mods in wellington maybe?

Are you going to leave your door tops painted or change to stainless steel? (LCVs and early cars painted, later cars stainless) and if so are you doing the same with the quarterlights (triangle windows)? Originally they were also painted but painted ones are getting more scarce (rust). The catch is attached to them so its easiest to get the whole window if you can. I should have some stainless ones here, and might have some decent painted ones.

[NZ_rotaminor]

i may have my wires crossed but i think the window surrounds are stainless. have a look at top photo and one with the wheel trial.

once i get round to panel and paint ill have a better idea of what ill need.


Chassis came home couple of days ago. time to start strippin all the unnecesary stuff off.

[fweddy]

Ah yeah - some one's already changed them to stainless

[NZ_rotaminor]

heres the chassis.

already made 100% profit from selling parts i wont need.

[NZ_rotaminor]

WOT A MESS!!!! Bits a pieces all over the show. although i have tidyed a little since then. But theres the entire chassis. its quite big, hard to believe its gonna be tucked underneath my morry.

[travellinbob]

Awesome project there I wish you all the best with it. I am a fellow rotory enthusiest who is trying to wedge one into a moggy.
Look forward to seeing more or your work.
cheers, michael.

[NZ_rotaminor]

Was down at tire store the other day changin another set of rear tires on my rx7 and came away with a 205/40/17 to trial fit the morry guards. So the ute will now have 17s.

before i started cuttin the chassis im gonna price a full custom one.

[RussLCV]

Nz Rotaminor

Nice ute.................Please can you send some large images and register it on line at the site (if not done so)

Thanks in advance

Russ

Russ@MinorLCVreg.co.uk

[NZ_rotaminor]

at the site?????

will do when it looks a little more vehicle like.

[RussLCV]

WWW.minorlcvreg.co.uk

[oliver-morrisminor]

Hi NZ_rotaminor
I just viewed your posting, it's an awsome project.

Have you progressed any further?
Can we have some more photos please?

Oli