"Mitch" - The rescued '85

[ostlar]

It's been a year since the last post, and Mitch has behaved well.

There haven't been any issues, and I've only done regular maintenance.

Yesterday I brought home an '82 L200 that has been sitting outside for 20 years.
These first gen L200s are so rare here in Norway that I just had to take the chance, and see if I can rescue any parts from this one.


11.10.24

When I first saw it, I thought "what have I gotten into" as it was burrowed in dirt, leaves and looked in really bad shape.
It was also a 1982 model, which is somewhat different than mine. Headlights, grille, instrument cluster, steering wheel with stalks and seats looked a little different. Engine was a 4G63, same as the one sitting in mine, but with minor revision changes to some parts.

This one is a DL022G while mine is a DL026G (VIN)


12.10.24

It had a really nice patina once I got it home and removed the dirt and leaves. However, it had seen better days.
The truck bed, floor and parts of the doors were rusted out, but the interior and engine looked to be in good shape.
It came with a 4G63 and a gearbox from an L300 sitting in the truck bed. This one is slightly different to the L200, with the alternator on the other side and an upgraded carburetor.


12.10.24

Pressure washed it to remove the 20 years of growth on it, made it a bit easier to see what chassis parts are saveable or not.
Shame to remove this patina though, part of me wanted to get it rolling and drive it as-is, but that's not going to happen as I cannot get it registered.


12.10.24

Found the original grille laying in the truck bed.
Going to sell the parts that don't fit mine, save those worth saving, and scrap the rest.

My main goal for the next week is to get the engine running and check the health of it, then part the car out completely.