Repco unveils restored ‘Datto’ ute from TV ad
Following its star turn in Repco’s ‘Get you Goin’ campaign, a classic Datsun ute has been reinvented. The C1970s Datsun 1200 was shabby in the ‘Dreamin’ episode of Repco’s TV ad series, but now it’s sensational, thanks to the team at Showtime, who documented the restoration in a four-part YouTube series.
“The Repco Datto Resto is a nod to every car enthusiast creating the car they love,” said Mitch Wiley, Executive General Manager of Marketing at Repco, himself the owner of a quick Mini Cooper.
“Our tough little champion ute is the perfect ambassador for Repco’s Gets You Goin’ campaign, which is all about revving up the passion every enthusiast feels about their dream drive or project car.
“The Repco Datto Resto project has turned a scruffy TV star into a shining star. Its journey represents the same path taken by many of our customers and staff with their own car projects.”
Dreamin. . .
In the Dreamin’ TV advert, the little Datto sat perched on axle stands, minus its engine and wearing a half-finished flamed paint job. Its owner, sitting inside daydreaming about one day finally driving it, gets an abrupt wake-up from his partner, who brings him back to earth and the Datto’s unfinished reality.
. . . then Reality
After concluding its on-camera commitments, the ute was subjected to a major cosmetic makeover and even bigger mechanical refurb led by Repco brand ambassador, Gary Reid from Showtime. The ‘Factory 33’ division of Showtime had previously built a custom Chevy C10 pickup for Repco, along with other vehicles for promotional use at rounds of the Supercars Championship and other events.
To bring this project to completion, Factory 33 called upon a variety of talented tradespeople from local businesses, with Repco supplying most of the parts and equipment.
Substance and Style
The ‘Datto Resto Project’ started with getting the ute to the Factory 33 workshop in Queensland. Arriving with no drivetrain, no glass and no interior, the Datsun's resurrection started with rendering some concepts of how the finished vehicle could look (check out the video to see how unsuitable concepts were 'eliminated'!)
Once a dark, subtle and street-legal theme was settled on, the ute was sent to Exclusive Customs Panel & Paint on the Gold Coast, who stripped it to bare metal for body repair and prep ahead of all-new custom paint.
While the ute was there, Factory 33 debated interior treatments, ultimately choosing a pair of retro-look Recaro LX sports seats with the cool ‘fishnet’ headrests. At the same time, a custom, front-hinged hard tonneau was sourced, featuring a classic Datsun logo debossed into the top.
Overcoming decades of hard use, neglect and exposure to brutal Aussie weather, the ute's body was revitalised and primered by Exclusive, ahead of fresh paint in a metalflake-infused Gunmetal Grey, topped with clearcoat. Complementing this, satin black was applied to the tonneau, bumpers, door handles and other exterior trim.
Exclusive also supplied a set of 15-inch Drag DR-20 wheels for the project. With polished rims and black centres, these JDM-style alloys suited the paint, so were left as is but repainted, with a fresh set of Toyo tyres fitted. Forward-mounted mirrors reinforced the JDM theme.
Nissan Power
When new, a Datsun 1200 ute like this would have been powered by a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, matched to a four-speed manual transmission. Sold new in Australia from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, these compact utes barely changed mechanically, with the 1.2-litre engine and four-speed a constant.
For the Datto’s new powerplant, Factory 33 selected a larger Nissan CA18 four. This ‘blacktop’ 1.8-litre DOHC engine was upgraded with a turbocharger and Haltech R3 ECU. Kamikaze Motorsport fabricated new intercooler piping and a full exhaust system, with an aftermarket radiator also fitted. A new clutch, four-speed manual transmission and rebuilt factory diff completed the drivetrain.
All-new front suspension came next, along with fresh steering gear and front disc brakes with red-painted calipers.
Old and New Inside
For a professional fitout of the Datto’s cabin, Factory 33 turned to Trim FX, a specialist auto and marine trimmer based in Queensland. Moulded black carpets, sueded pillars and headlining in black suede formed the base, with the doorcards lined in a combination of synthetic leather and diamond-quilted suede. The same quilted suede with grey stitching was inserted in the centres of the Recaro seats.
A Sparco steering wheel came next, along with a custom shifter and modern inertia reel seatbelts. Finally, a Haltech IC7 full-colour digital instrument display - fitted into a 3D-printed dash panel that also mounts a horn button and other switchgear - brings a modern touch to the cabin.
A new wiring loom, LED lighting, custom grille insert, front spoiler and a fuel cell in the tub were the finishing touches for the Datto Resto Project. And if you were wondering about that ‘R33PCO’ number plate, it’s a combination of ‘Repco’ and ‘Factory 33’.
Now looking flasher than a rat with a gold tooth, the Repco Datto is ready to move on to its next adventure.
Your Datto
Built to look cool, this Datto was also built to be driven. One lucky Repco customer will get to experience that drive for themselves, as the ute will be given away as part of a special promotion for Repco Rewards members (a Repco Rewards membership is free).
Spend more than $100 on participating brands as a Repco Rewards member – either in-store or online - in June and you could win this freshly restored little ripper as part of the ‘Spend to Win’ promotion.
Additional prizes include a trip for two to this year’s Bathurst 1000 and a $5,000 vehicle upgrade package, plus BP fuel vouchers and Repco gift cards. The total prize pool is valued at more than $350,000.
Call into your nearest Repco store for more details, or go to: repco.com.au and look for the ‘Spend to Win’ promotion.
