Popular Post sleeektoy Posted December 18, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2022 Around 25 years ago i worked with someone who mentioned they had an unusual Daihatsu in their shed. Owned since the early 70's. I'd kept in touch and occasionally asked about it but not much happened. A few months ago i ran into him at a car show and mentioned the car was now available. A "barn find" viewing and unearthing from 45 years sitting in one spot. And I was the proud new owner of this rare little beastie. The details: 1965 Daihatsu Compagno Berlina Deluxe 2 door 2 other owners from being sold new in NZ in 1965 by Campbell motors 53000Miles. Stored since 1977 due to front brake failure and dead alternator. 800cc "FC" motor IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS CAR OR THESE COMPAGNO'S OR PARTS PLEASE PM ME For now it will be assessed, and things like brakes and clutch hydraulics will be rebuilt. Motor is locked so freeing this up will be tried. I have the original ownership papers and other details so it should be able to go back on the road relatively easy once mechanically sound. 49 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted December 18, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2022 This is the actual car on the Campbells stand at the 1965 Motorama - the wagon was last seen in the 80's by the old owner of mine. Possibly these two were the only ones sold here. 35 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted December 18, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2022 It has some fantastic patina this car too - tempted to run it as-is 30 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleeektoy Posted December 23, 2022 Author Share Posted December 23, 2022 Rear brakes are shot.. parts are made of unobtanium .. Cylinders are salvageable but broken off bleed valve sux, drums are cracked/grooved badly so im looking to match/mod something to suit. 8 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted January 5, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2023 Xmas break.... too much time on my hands... No matter what i did the engine wouldn't budge so i figured it had to come out. and pulled it all apart as the pistons needed some gentle coaxing (BIG HAMMER) to get them out. Plan is to rebuild it with new pistons and bearings plus a tidy up. 26 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted January 9, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 9, 2023 Whilst working on acquiring parts for the motor, i figured tidying up the engine bay is worth doing. Battery tray was mangled in the past to fit a std size battery So removed it Made a template from the remnants and made some new ends and glued it all back together Came out pretty good - i'll get some matched paint and colour it blue at some point Also cleaned up the exhaust/inlet manifolds and gave the carb its 1st bath in 50 years Waiting on a new pump diaphragm otherwise the carb was good condition. 40 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted January 19, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 19, 2023 Unobtanium has been found!! Chatting to another owner of a convertible one of these in Aussie and i asked about the wheel cylinders. He mentioned all his were re-sleeved but had heard that some Subaru ones matched. This little titbit of info sparked some research and I found a Subaru Brat/Brumby/Leone rear cylinder that looked the same. I purchased a pair and compared them - the main housing is the same but the piston/rod setup is different. However swapping in my old pistons to the new housing and using the new dust boots works perfectly 37 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted January 24, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 24, 2023 Checked the diff and rear suspension when fitting the rear cylinders and found the shocks stuffed and the springs chronically squeaking. so pulled it out cleaned all the crud/dust/rust/oil and added paint. Awaiting an oil seal for the diff and it will all go back in soon with new brakes. new drums have arrived too - they need machining but from all measurements will fit 24 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted April 8, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2023 Been away to nats, toyotafest etc and just getting back into this. I have painted the drivers side engine bay/battery box Diff refitted And all engine parts are now purchased.. just awaiting arrival of the pistons. so some cleanup of other engine parts is in progress 22 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted May 8, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 8, 2023 GRRRRR .. Pistons arrived from the UK... wrong size Stern words later and it turns out their supplier put +040 wrong pistons in a +020 labelled box!!! And to make matters worse they had correct +020 rings so that combo doesn't work so another set of triple checked correct ones are on their way via pronto post... albeit after some dude gets a crown on his noggin and they get a day off for it! In the meantime... Yucky, mucky, sucky front suspension Is now all black blingy goodness 26 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted May 16, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 16, 2023 Front suspension and brakes all complete and its back on the ground. Almost ready to add brake fluid and give it real brakes for the 1st time in 45 years engine pistons .. waiting... waiting... waiting... The little side "trafficator" lenses were missing and I spent a great many spare minutes looking through the entire internets for replacements... I finally unearthed an Italian company selling replica Fiat 600 indicator lenses almost the same as the originals. A pair ordered and duly arrived today and were instantly fitted to the original bases ... so happy with this result 35 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted May 23, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 23, 2023 A lot of smaller "to-do" things achieved with a rather productive weekend just gone 1. Removed the "crunchy bar" boot rubber and replaced it 2. Cleaned and straightened the wiper arms/blades and replaced with new refills 3. Windscreen washer (from a mini) fitted to the original bracket as the original had crumbled to bits. + new pipe 4. Removed the heater box, pulled out the core/tap and cleaned out all the old crud. freed up the tap too New heater hoses too 5 .Made some new rubber flappy doohickeys to stop mud splashing into the engine bay 6. Fitted the drivers side Compagno badge I got from Japan 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted May 25, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 25, 2023 I got the Power!! Most things work too.. just the horn and number plate light to sort.. both suspected wiring issues but easy fixes. 21 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted June 10, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 10, 2023 Got the horn and number plate light sorted. Number plate was just an earth wire. Horn was the steering column ring absolutely caked in corrosion. Quick buff up and the twins were tooting Promptly blew a headlight - so got them on order. Pulled the fuel tank and found it was absolutely rotten. Not surprising considering it sat 45 years with just a jam jar lid over the filler. New stainless steel one is being fabricated with the help of a local marine tank shop. 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted June 15, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 15, 2023 YES!! Pistons arrived finally!! And headlights - so they are installed. 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted June 19, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 19, 2023 Tank was opened up and the official decision was... it's fu%ked So a new stainless one was fabricated as mentioned before ... close to the original. Test fitted..It fits and is (hopefully) leak free so that's what counts. Next is fuel lines and hoses to be run as the original a clear brittle tube and is not something I'm risking using. 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted June 23, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 23, 2023 Tank all installed - new filter, new fuel lines and everything cleaned up. Next is to remake the hardboard backing to hide it all 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted June 24, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 24, 2023 Hardboard cut today. Fits well. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted June 25, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 25, 2023 Primed, painted and fitted 27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sleeektoy Posted July 26, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 26, 2023 The Big Block is back pushing a whopping 877cc over the factory 797cc. It's also now high compression 9.7:1 vs 9.0:1 I have assembled some of it but awaiting a couple more parts incl the head plus custom head gasket. 32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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