Project Shute

The early days

Project Shute began with the purchase of a white 1988 GQ Nissan Patrol SWB in May, 2003. I bought it on eBay as the only bidder for $6K. The guy selling it even stopped the auction a day early as he figured there wasn't going to be any more bids. It had a 4.2L petrol engine, auto, factory rear locker, and came without a roadworthy.

When I picked it up, I was surprised that it was in fairly good nick. It also had a roof console, and came with an overpowering dog smell.
 

The early days of Shute.
 

Filling the tank up at Buderim, I drove it back to Brisbane using half a tank of fuel on the way. The overdrive on the auto wasn't kicking in so the trip was done in 3rd.

The first thing I needed was a roadworthy, so I set about getting it ready. The retreads that came with it were replaced with spare rims and tyres from my GU. The suspension was also heavily sagged
on one side so I replaced it with a 2" lift. A small crack in the windscreen was repaired, a dead door hinge and a cracked tail light were replaced.

It passed roadworthy no problems, so I set off to get it registered in my name. I had everything I needed.. Insurance, Bill of Sale, Roadworthy. There was only one problem, it was still registered to the former owner.. Not the guy I bought it off, but the previous owner before that! Now I knew why it had the former owners details on the Bill of Sale.

When I got back from the Department of Transport, I gave the former owner a call. He was happy to have the vehicle transferred to my name.. The only catch was that he was on his way to the Whitsundays, so I'd have to call his secretary and she'd post the form to him. I was looking at a weeks wait. Three weeks later it finally showed and I registered it in my name. Go to Next Page


Shute Menu

1: The Early Days
2: The Plan
3: The Buildup Starts
4: Cab Complete

Media: Shute Photos



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