Help with a GS130.....

[daddz]

Recently I had a chance to look at a RHD S130 that is in pretty rough condition and came away with a few questions. So far I know it to be a 2/2 with an L20E and a 5 speed and based on the GS130 prefix it should be carrying a 4.375:1 rear axle ratio.

The car has a VIN # present in the lower corner of the driver's side windshield (RHD, so for us left hookers the passenger side) but, it is a small metal (tin) tag embossed with the following: GS130 000973. Would this have been arbitrarily applied as the vehicle was being prepared to be shipped back the U.S. (using info. from the data tag in the engine bay) or at the factory?

On one of the windows there appears a blue circular sticker with the number "62" and it appears to mention some sort of technical inspection. My recollection is that the number is the number of years since the new Emperor took power during the 1920's? I am guessing that the year would have been 1987 when the inspection was carried out.

There is also present another sticker on the hatch window but, since it was dark it was difficult to make out. I will gather more information and report back on that one.

The odometer reads 51,xxx which should equate to approx. 32,xxx miles?

Besides the obvious are there any suggestions on things to look for?

Thanks in advance for any help with this one.

[HS30-H]

daddz,

That dash-mounted VIN number will be non-Factory, and probably ( as you will have guessed ) intended to smooth the car's passage to a US title on import. Japanese home market cars never had a VIN number plate in this position.

That widescreen sticker will possibly be the remnants of the Shakken sticker ( although it would have expected it to be red on a silver background ) and you guessed right about the Empirical date system ( add 25 ). I bet the sticker in the rear glass is the white circle on read oblong gasoline-type sticker?

Suggestions other than the obvious? If you are considering buying it, then remember that some of the hardest stuff to track down and replace on such a car will be items of soft trim and emblems. Switchgear can also be a devil ( especially if its a high spec car with all the bells and whistles ).

Better in the long run to buy a complete and relatively unmolested and uncompromised spinster than to try to resto a divorced G.I. Bride.................

[daddz]

Alan,

Thanks for the advice with regard to the GS130; the plan is to go and look at the car again this weekend with the benefit of daylight and a digital camera for documentation purposes if nothing else. The shame is with regard to the car that the outer body panels have been exposed to the elements for quite some time and as a result have alot of surface rust. The interior looks to be in very nice condition and it even has manual windows. The dashboard has no visible cracks and the seats are in very nice condition however, the carpets I have not seen as of yet.

When looking at the tires the DOT production date indicates that the tires are at least 14 years old!

Another funny tidbit is that once upon a time this vehicle used to reside in my hometown and I briefly spoke to the owner back in 1990 as he had just returned from Japan for the U.S. Navy. I aw the vehicle advertised for sale way back when and my how the condition has changed!

Personally, I probably would pass on this GI bride however, it may provide the basis for a RHD twin turbo conversion for the '82 S130 hardtop?

(I still would like to hold out for an original Fairlady ZG in GP Maroon)