Hi guys

Recently picked up this little beastie, from the original owners. It is more than just a little neat to know the vehicle's history from day one!

 

The ute was built 12/1971 as an RN16-3 and was purchased new in Brisbane, Queensland in 1972 as a vehicle for the family factory. The model number confirms that it was optioned as a one-tonne (1000kg/2200lb) cab-chassis, and immediately fitted with a steel-frame timber tray for work purposes.

After initially getting a hard time at the hands of "a young bloke at the shop" it received a brand new gearbox from Toyota approximately two years later, and rarely was anyone else ever allowed to drive it again!

 

The ute remained used in that capacity until 19 years ago, when the owner passed away and the son took over the factory - and most importantly the ute! The son is now 60 years old himself and recently closed down the factory, so it was sheer good luck that I stumbled upon the ad given that I wasn't specifically looking for another first-gen.

Couldn't help myself so I put my hand up to check it out at first opportunity and handed over the princely sum of $300. He was happy to sell it cheaply, to save it going to scrap.

It is amazingly original.

 

The ute has only been involved in one 'accident', over 20 years ago.

Although it looks quite ugly, I spent some time inspecting the guard from behind and it is actually in very good order. The owner couldn't recall the details, but it appears as though someone has backed into the front guard because the damage is superficial and isolated to around a 10" area of the driver's side guard.

Rather than replacing the guard or fixing it properly, it appears to have been simply covered with filler and painted white again. Over time the filler has cracked and now it needs repair again - if the filler hand't cracked I probably would never have noticed as the panel lines are perfect from all angles.

This will be my first real area of attention, it is unavoidable!

 

The dash is cracked in the usual manner, and the seats etc are cracked as you would expect. Trim-wise however, all the little bits and pieces seem to be there.

 

Original owners, wow. Can't wait to see what you do with it! Quick question, can you snap a couple pictures of your fender mirror? I got one with my truck that needs to be fixed, the mount snapped off the arm of it, but I'm not sure if it is the fender mounted one, or the door mounted one. Thanks.

 

cool!

 

Although I didn't think to take any pictures (will be sure to for my next update) I have some great news. Spent an hour or two on the ute and got both the front guards off. What I found was excellent and it's quite rare that people say that, normally there's a nasty mess.

1. All the metal underneath is in very good order, in the whole front of the cab there are only a few tiny rust spots pretty amazing for 40+ years on the east coast of Australia.

2. I got the guard off that I thought was damaged, and amazingly it is actually in excellent condition with no sign of damage! It is just the primer lifting from the metal, so the panel will just need blocking and it will be ready to go!

3. I'll get some pictures soon, as it's the Easter weekend I'm hoping to get over there for a few hours.

Happy camper