Always wanted one, so when this came up in the Blue Mountains last weekend, I was happy to grab it.. Its a stock SC with the usual rusty bits and a few dings to add character.. It has a new plate floor (which may get replaced) and a bit of wear and tear but, overall a completely original, 30+ year old, Type 26 Ute..

Big on the plus side is that it has a great canopy in top condition, matching numbers throughout, 3 owner and comes with a complete set of owners handbooks and service records.. It doesn't drop any oil and has a nice clean and orderly engine bay.. Always a good sign!

My plans are to run it as a daily for a while. Then I need to decide if I do a simple tidy up or a more full resto.. I think, either way, I'll drop it, paint it an OG colour and get it a nice set of wheels..

That is a great looking SC to start with- you are lucky to get such a straight SC

Thanks Mate.. It looks good in the shots but will need some work to get it nice and straight.. it's got the usual rust around some of the seams and the RHS sill needs repair.. BUT yes.. I'm happy to get one that is so original.. Love the service and owners manuals.. just had a read through them.. The under floor and cabin floor are all coated with a "rust protective" coating which (if you were around in the 70's) was a "must have" option on new cars.. "Rust Proofing" believe it or not.. was an option back then.. go figure!!.. lots of after market rust applications were around as well.. I'm happy that someone took the option up on this ute!

Great looker...

When you have the chance, can you post some close-up detail of the canopy, support bars, attachments, canvas etc.?

TIA

Canopy on with rear flap rolled up

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Sides Rolled Up


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Rear Qtr Inside

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Rear Qtr Outside

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Front Qtr Outside

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Front Qtr Look through

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Front Qtr look Through

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Side View

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Canopy Off

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Canopy Off

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Front View

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Front Qtr View

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Ribs

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Ribs Located

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Rear Bar Located

Looks good bloke, I contemplated it when it was on ebay - but good to see that some good ones are still around.

Well..
Is anything ever as it seems?
I took the ute into VW Village just to get all linkages checked and greased and a quick look over the motor..
The engine was losing power under load so I though maybe fuel starvation, coil, dissy?
Everything checked out so no option but to remove the heads.. They are reco'd heads but in reasonable nick so what next? The cam?
Split the case and the cam is worn to buggery.. so what next?
I was tempted to just buy a 2nd hand 2L but that may also be a dog (happened before).. So Con has fitted a refreshed 2L with two brand new heads.. Installed
I now have two reco'd heads in resaonable nick for anyone that wants to fix up a 2L.. there is one on here at the moment that is cheap but may need a head job.. Put my heads on that engine and you may have a very cheap 2L..
PS: No disrespect to Damien who sold me the ute.. He wasn't to know..

Thanks for posting the detail photos.
This looks much more robust that the factory canopy.