My second G60
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 8:56 pm
Hi All
I have recently purchased my second G60. I originally purchased my first G60 way back in the mid 1970s. We used it as a daily drive travelling about 120kms per day in Tasmania (Australia). They were the days when petrol was cheap. When petrol got too expensive we sold it - that was in the early 1980’s. It was a fun car to drive, but I remember it was deadly in the wet. The rear wheels would slide out on bends if the road was slightly wet. Although we fitted good tyres I suspect they were the days before radial tyres became the norm.
In recent years I have been thinking I need a project or two! I messed around with some 4WDs and then remembered the Patrol I loved.
After a bit of looking I recently managed to purchase a 1968 G60 hardtop with 27,000 miles on the clock. It was originally a soft top with the hard top added later. The G60 has a bit of a history to it. It is a single owner vehicle. It was original imported into Bougainville (PNG) for the copper mines directly from Japan. The owner then shipped it to Adelaide around 1980. It was then used as a 'holiday' vehicle. It was last registered in 2001 and hasn't been used since, although I suspect he did do some work on it – there has been a lot of rewiring in the engine bay and the rear brakes seem new.
It is a going vehicle - even if is a bit rough. It has the usual rust - I hope not too bad. I have had it transported to Melbourne and have since only spent a couple of days working on it. I live in Canberra - 700kms from Melbourne so my time is currently restricted.
So far I have only driven it about 50 meters. The G60 came with 31 inch x 10.5 inch wheels/tyres. With no power steering I found it a bit heavy, so I managed to find some split rims with thinner wheels (215/80R16). I have put new radiator hoses on, new fluid, change most oils etc. It is fitted with LPG so I have had that checked and certified. The front brakes are shot so I have purchased new shoes and slave cylinders on eBay (great service- ordered one day, delivered the next!). I have had the brake master cylinder reconditioned. The rear brakes seem fine.
I hope to have it registered shortly so I can drive it back to Canberra where I can spend time (and money) rebuilding it. I think it will be a 2 year project. I intend to purchase a couple more G60s sometime to either rebuild or use as spares.
I'll keep you posted as I proceed.
60PATROL.COM looks like an active and informative community. Hopefully I will be able to contribute as I proceed.
I have recently purchased my second G60. I originally purchased my first G60 way back in the mid 1970s. We used it as a daily drive travelling about 120kms per day in Tasmania (Australia). They were the days when petrol was cheap. When petrol got too expensive we sold it - that was in the early 1980’s. It was a fun car to drive, but I remember it was deadly in the wet. The rear wheels would slide out on bends if the road was slightly wet. Although we fitted good tyres I suspect they were the days before radial tyres became the norm.
In recent years I have been thinking I need a project or two! I messed around with some 4WDs and then remembered the Patrol I loved.
After a bit of looking I recently managed to purchase a 1968 G60 hardtop with 27,000 miles on the clock. It was originally a soft top with the hard top added later. The G60 has a bit of a history to it. It is a single owner vehicle. It was original imported into Bougainville (PNG) for the copper mines directly from Japan. The owner then shipped it to Adelaide around 1980. It was then used as a 'holiday' vehicle. It was last registered in 2001 and hasn't been used since, although I suspect he did do some work on it – there has been a lot of rewiring in the engine bay and the rear brakes seem new.
It is a going vehicle - even if is a bit rough. It has the usual rust - I hope not too bad. I have had it transported to Melbourne and have since only spent a couple of days working on it. I live in Canberra - 700kms from Melbourne so my time is currently restricted.
So far I have only driven it about 50 meters. The G60 came with 31 inch x 10.5 inch wheels/tyres. With no power steering I found it a bit heavy, so I managed to find some split rims with thinner wheels (215/80R16). I have put new radiator hoses on, new fluid, change most oils etc. It is fitted with LPG so I have had that checked and certified. The front brakes are shot so I have purchased new shoes and slave cylinders on eBay (great service- ordered one day, delivered the next!). I have had the brake master cylinder reconditioned. The rear brakes seem fine.
I hope to have it registered shortly so I can drive it back to Canberra where I can spend time (and money) rebuilding it. I think it will be a 2 year project. I intend to purchase a couple more G60s sometime to either rebuild or use as spares.
I'll keep you posted as I proceed.
60PATROL.COM looks like an active and informative community. Hopefully I will be able to contribute as I proceed.
Thanks for the introduction and pics. That is a good looking G60. You don't see too many pre-70s Patrols down under, and that is in better condition than most. Looking forward to following your project.
), so if you wanted to catch up for a meet and greet, talk g60s etc, feel free to drop me a line. 
