Our ‘64 Patrol, “Operation Needle in the Haystack”

[rusty-holes]

As these things go we inherited a Nissan Patrol from my ex-step-father-in-law (because life and love are messy, he got the divorce not me, anyway) and he’d inherited it from his father who got it from a wealthy gentleman who bought it only to drive from the bottom of his estate’s driveway to the top when the weather was bad. He gave it away because the “engine was seized” but it turns out it really only needed a battery. This seems to be a vehicle that bring a little luck to the new owners hands, as we are currently experiencing. It’s like her whole life she wanted to be here, funny how these cars have a mind and agenda of their own!

The spunky lil gal only has 32k miles on it and we theorize that a lot of those miles were towed because it has a tow bar welded onto the front bumper. We intend to remove it. The ex-step-dad told us it didn’t run at all, and that if we could get it out from where it was parked we could have it. It had a tree growing through it even. In an afternoon with some sweat and a come-along we managed to get it onto a car trailer and back to our home just a few hours away. Cole found out it wouldn’t run because the fuel pump was wired in backwards so he remedied that and she started right up! A few issues to tackle before she can drive, we have a New carb and brake cylinder on the way and she should be just about road worthy! Short of some rubber bits and maybe some upholstery. One of the doors had been missing because it had been stolen when the E.s.D had gotten it stuck when he was out four wheelin and long story short he just left it on the trail overnight and someone made off with the door. Luck would have it we found a guy a few hours away with a Patrol from the early 70s that he was willing to part out, and so we snagged both the doors and the roof piece so we’re very pleased with that find and this project is well on it’s way!

Optimistically she’ll be on the road before the summer is over. I’m hoping to repaint it eventually, something fun to match our willy’s maybe blue?

Anyway! Exciting to see all the other patrols out there its a rad and special little car.

Talk soon!
Xoxo
-Cas

[RiverPatrol]

Nice! Definitely has a lot of potential. Not surprised at all that it started up with only a little sleuthing, that's the norm for these really. And yes, now the real challenge begins with the search for the correct parts. You might find that the doors you got won't work because the latches are different and incompatible if the Patrol they came off of was indeed from the '70s. Just a little learning curve though, nothing turns out to be impossible with these with the help of forum members and diligence. It will be great to follow your progress as you bring this one back to life.

Also, I'd love to add yours to the Registry. If you could post a clear picture of the ID plate on the firewall right above the back of the valve cover that would be great. Bonus points for a picture of the engine number on the engine and the ID number stamped on the frame.

I've been to Steamboat many decades ago, beautiful place. It was in June or July and as I recall we hiked up a little ways to what I think they called Never Summer mountains - there was still 6 - 8 feet of snow along the trail.

[Esteban]

Great story!! So glad that this Patrol is in good hands.

Congratulations!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[L60Boerne]

Glad to have you in the Mountains. I have a spare parts barn in Lake City, CO. I might be able to help you with some parts. If you get tired of searching please let me know and I will ry to make you a deal on it. You have to drive these once you fix them or the seals and dry out and the pack rats eat the rest up here.


Word of warning....If you are not used to double clutching and driving real slow in these mountains without changing gears these old school drive trains will kill you and your family. You simply can't assume you can downshift going downhill, because you can't and the single reservoir master brake cylinder is to be constantly observed.

If you were in flat land your troubles would be minor but you can really lose control of all vehicles of this generation quickly on mountain trails in CO.

Patrolling in Paradise,
L60Boerne