Jump to content
SAU Community

Is my Skyline a write off?

Skida6453

By Skida6453,
in Introduce yourself

 Share

Recommended Posts

Skida6453 Newbie

Skida6453

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi Gents, 

I recently purchased an R32 gts-t Mspec coupe for a reasonable price (I think). The reason it was cheap is because it isn't road legal and requires some chassis repairs before it can be certified and road legal here in NZ.  The previous owner had owned it for 20years and imported it over from AU to NZ 8 years ago (2015) with intentions of eventually getting it certified here in NZ. 

He finally started this process a few months ago to find that it has un-repaired A-pillar damage, in additon to a poor repair to the front chassis rail (both damages on the drivers side) and he doesnt have the resources or time to repair it.

Apart from this, the car has been extreamly well kept, garaged it's whole life and is in presitine condition for it's age. 

My question for you legends is this; Do you think the damage to the pillar and/or chassis rail is repairable without having to completely chop/replace the damaged area? Or even worse, a full front end cut to replace? I'm really hoping this can be repaired with hydraulic pulls and extensive panel beating instead. 

Also keen to know how major you would score this damage; From 1 being "minor - crack on with it" and 10 being "don't even bother mate - she's cooked" 

Cheers fellas

20231223_190209.jpg

20231223_190140.jpg

20231223_190836.jpg

20231223_190844.jpg

20231223_202722.jpg

 

20231223_000416.jpg

20231223_152935.jpg

Edited by Skida6453
Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/485173-is-my-skyline-a-write-off/
Share on other sites
GTSBoy Grand Master

GTSBoy

Posted
Posted

It's impossible to see/say what the deal with the chassis rail is. It's no biggie if it needs to be cut out and new metal folded up to replace it. It's just a lot of work. Can be uneconomic to repair if it's an insurance job, but when it is being done for lover, it is perfectly doable. But as I said, impossible to see what it is.

The "A pillar" damage, I presume is the bit that worries you the most. Looks like it would all be beatable. But it would likely take someone with the knack to get it straight and true, so that everything is in the right place and the door doesn't start hanging funny, etc.

Skida6453 Newbie

Skida6453

Posted
  • Author
Posted
18 hours ago, Murray_Calavera said:

What was your intention when you bought the car, did you plan to repair it yourself or were you planning to find a shop to do the work for you?

Intention was to strip it all back to the required level to get access to the repairs, provide replacement panels if needed, engage a reputable repair certfier a workshop to do the the repairs, before re-assembling myself and getting NZ LVV.

Murray_Calavera Mentor

Murray_Calavera

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Skida6453 said:

Intention was to strip it all back to the required level to get access to the repairs, provide replacement panels if needed, engage a reputable repair certfier a workshop to do the the repairs, before re-assembling myself and getting NZ LVV.

Sounds good. Have you started approaching any workshops yet? It doesn't sound like your plan needs to change from what you intended to do from the start.

Skida6453 Newbie

Skida6453

Posted
  • Author
Posted
18 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

It's impossible to see/say what the deal with the chassis rail is. It's no biggie if it needs to be cut out and new metal folded up to replace it. It's just a lot of work. Can be uneconomic to repair if it's an insurance job, but when it is being done for lover, it is perfectly doable. But as I said, impossible to see what it is.

The "A pillar" damage, I presume is the bit that worries you the most. Looks like it would all be beatable. But it would likely take someone with the knack to get it straight and true, so that everything is in the right place and the door doesn't start hanging funny, etc.

Thanks for the reply GTSBoy. I have always wanted to own a factory turbo/manual gts-t in black and this was the only way to aquire one without coming up with another house deposit... so im ready to spend what I need to get it road worthy again.

Agree about the chassis rail - I am already on the hunt for a replacement chassis rail as I think this will be the best option for that repair.

And you are correct about the A pillar damage - I really dont want to have to replace that whole quater as its far more invasive and costly. The door closses fine currently and the guard lines up so fingers crossed it can be beated.

I stripped out the dash and carpet today and have found a minor ding/push on the lower firewall/inner guard just behind the accelerator, and the sill has bowed on the inside - pressumibly pushed up when the underside was damaged. Photos attached.

I have a 3D scan with the original repair certifier in a few weeks time so will be interesting to see what that comes back with.

20231229_195929.jpg

20231229_195945.jpg

Skida6453 Newbie

Skida6453

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, Murray_Calavera said:

Sounds good. Have you started approaching any workshops yet? It doesn't sound like your plan needs to change from what you intended to do from the start.

Not yet but ill likely go with who the repair certifier recommends. I have a 3D scan with them in a few weeks time so will see what he says after that. Now that the interior is removed he should be able to asses it better.

  • Like 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • suko
      J50 clock date suddenly reset to January 1

      By suko · Posted

      Well, I can recommend the partial AV system translation CD I ordered from Car Audio Workshop in NZ. Whilst it didn't address the date issue, it has conveniently translated on-screen menu items into English, and now allows the GPS-received time to be offset in hours rather than minutes, so I can display Eastern Australian time accurately ( and bump it by another hour when daylight savings starts ).
    • GTSBoy
      Baron's R34 GT-R build thread - car in Japan for 5 years -_-

      By GTSBoy · Posted

      Yuh, if it's 45°C outside, my car is driving in it.
    • soviet_merlin
      Baron's R34 GT-R build thread - car in Japan for 5 years -_-

      By soviet_merlin · Posted

      I'd be curious to hear more. Otherwise, have you driven a modern x-trail? I wonder how it compares. Here in Australia they are/were popular for rentals and fleet vehicles. I have been in some and my impression was they are bad. But, this may have been very different in the 2000s at a good trim level. Twenty years is plenty of time to make the model worse. I do very much agree with the 2 silver cars in the garage approach. But, not driving because it's too hot would not leave a lot of time in the year for many Australians. I don't think you need to worry too much unless the car has actual issues with overheating. 
    • BaronOBeefdip
      Baron's R34 GT-R build thread - car in Japan for 5 years -_-

      By BaronOBeefdip · Posted

      Back again. I returned to Japan in Jul/Aug to spend time with the car on my birthday and remind myself what all the sacrifice and compromise is for. It happened to line up with the monthly morning meet in Okutama, which I have been wanting to go to for a long time. It's a unique event at a unique spot with really rare, interesting, and quirky cars. It's where all the oldheads and OGs gather. The nighttime scene at DKF certainly has its place and should be experienced if you're into cars, but there's too much bad attention and negativity around it now. IMO the better time is Sunday morning at DKF or Okutama; it's more chill and relaxed. I'm glad I was finally able to go, but not sure it's worth the drive from all the way from Nagoya immediately the day before, unless I was already staying in Tokyo for the days right before the meet, because you have to wake up quite early to make it in time. Funnily enough though I didn't drive the car all that much this trip because it was just too damn hot. While there were zero issues and running temps were nominal and the A/C was strong, RBs already run crazy hot as it is. Sure, it took it all like a champ but something about driving these cars in the ridiculous heat/humidity bothers me and makes me feel like I'm asking too much of it. I'm just me being weird and treating the car like a living thing with feelings; I'm mechanically sympathetic to a fault. Instead I was mainly driving something else around - a KX4(silver) 2001 X-Trail GT, that I acquired in May. There's a few different flavors to choose from with Xs, but visually it's the Nissan version of the Honda CR-V. Mechanically it's a whole different story as this, being the top-trim GT, has an SR20VET mated to a four-speed auto and full-time AWD! It was a very affordable buy in exceptional condition inside and out, with very low mileage...only 48k kms. Most likely it was owned by an older person who kept it garaged and well-maintained, so I'm really happy with how it all worked out. It literally needs zero attention at the moment, albeit except for some minor visual touch-ups. I wanted something quirky, interesting, and practical and for sure it handily delivers on all three of those aspects. I was immediately able to utilize the cargo and passenger capacity to its full extent. It's a lot of fun to drive and is quite punchy through 1st and 2nd. It's very unassuming -in the twisty bits it's a lot more composed than one would think at a glance- and it'll be even better once I get better tires on it(yes, it's an SUV but still a little boat-y for my liking). So...now I have two golden-era Nissans in silver. One sports car and one that does everything else; the perfect two-car solution I think👍 The rest of the trip...I was able to turn my stressed brain off and enjoy it, although I didn't quite get to do as much as I thought. I did some interesting things, met some interesting people, and happened into some interesting situations however, that's all for another post though only if people really want to know. Project-wise, I went back to Mine's again to discuss more plans and am hoping to wrap that up real soon; keep watching this space if that interests you. Additionally, while working in the tormenting sweatbox that is the warehouse, I was able to organize most of the myriad of parts that my friend is storing for me along with the cars, and the 34 has a nice little spot carved out for it: And since it can get so stupid hot in there, that made it all the more easy -after I was standing there looking at the car and said 'f**k it'- to finally remove all the damn gauges that have mostly been an eyesore all this time. Huzzah. The heat basically makes the adhesive backing on the gauge mounts more pliable to work with, so it was far less stressful getting this done. I didn't fully clean it up or chase the wiring though; that will happen once I have the car in closer possession. Another major reason to remove all that stuff is to give people less reasons to get in my car and steal s**t while it's being exported/imported when/if the time comes, which leads us to my next point... ...and that is even though it's time in Japan is technically almost up since it's a November car and the X would be coming in March, I'm still not entirely sure where my life and career is headed; I don't really know what the future looks like and where I'm going to end up. I feel there's a great deal of uncertainty with me and as a result of that, it feels like I'm at a crossroads moreso now than any point in my life thus far and there are some choices I need to make. Yes, I've had some years to consider things and prepare myself, however too much has happened in that time to maintain confidence and everything feels so up in the air; tenuous one might say. Simply put, there's just too much nonsense going on right now from multiple vectors. Admittedly, I'm struggling to stay in the game and keep my eyes on the prize. So much so in fact, that very recently I came the closest I ever have before to calling it quits outright; selling everything and moving on and not looking back. The astute among you will pick up on key subtext within this paragraph. In the meantime I've still managed to slowly acquire some final bits for the car, but it feels nice knowing there's not much left to get and I'm almost across that finish line; I have almost everything I'll ever want for my interpretation and expression on what it is I think an R34 should be. 'til later.
    • Bwagz
      Engine model

      By Bwagz · Posted

      Thanks for that, hadn’t used my brain enough to think about that. 
×
×
  • Create New...