Sunny Spares NZ

01/06/2026

Out with the old, on with the new..

Thanks Matt & Christeena for your support Methven Panel & Paint Ltd

30/05/2026

A big day on the Avenger today stripping the outside of the shell back to bare metal. It had quite a bit of surface rust under the paint, especially on the roof where vinyl was. We metal cleaned each panel and into the booth for some epoxy.
Now Beth and her boss Matt will start repairing it panel by panel.

Methven Panel & Paint Ltd

24/05/2026

⭐️ 1974 Hillman Avenger Coupe Project. ⭐️

Not a Datsun i know!

This Avenger was Beths Dads, he gave it to us a few years ago and we have started restoring it..

The first thing to do was finish stripping the shell (Jesse) and cleaning the engine bay (Beth). This car was a new import from the UK and they have a thick layer of spray on tar through the whole engine bay, and underbody. It took a few different methods of cleaning the stuff off, scrubbing it with petrol actually worked best.

We bought another sedan from the north island as a parts car. I dont know much about how avengers go together and everything is in imperial so it was helpful to have another car to look at and a whole lot of spare parts. Parts are very hard to get for this unless you live in England.

As we dont have much spare time in general we decided it would be easier to take the Avenger to Beths work (Methven Panel & Paint) to get the rust work done. The lower rear guards needed patched and a small section of the lower RAD. The vinyl roof is going so the pins have shaved and welded as needed.

Next we need to pull out all the dents, strip the exterior of shell back so it can be put in epoxy.

Follow us on instagram for more regular build updates --> https://www.instagram.com/sunnysparesnz?igsh=ZG1xbm42aWh4aDRu

Bit of background story for those interested:
Beths Dad loved his Hillman Avengers, since ive known Beth he had 2, a red sedan and a orange coupe. When we were about 20 i helped him pull the coupe to bits so Beth could start tiding it up, but over the years we never really did anything more than put some panels in primer and the coupe sat in the garage in bits. A few years ago he decided he had had enough of them, he wanted to sell them but us kids had first option. Beth wanted to take the coupe, it has sentimental value to her she always had a vision for that car and couldnt see it being sold.

13/05/2026

Some great photos of the Coupe last month courtesy of Carolyn & James Gourlie Bryant when they where visiting NZ

27/04/2026

Small Project: James's White B310 Datsun Coupe

We are finishing my mate James's project car for him while he is working overseas. So far have stripped out the interior, removed diff and the fuel tank.
Will post regular updates.

21/03/2026

This week we took our Wagon into Christchurch to get sandblasted at Fast Blast Limited. Thanks Blaine and team for doing a great job and making it easy for us.

The underbody had quite a bit of surface rust and the usual suspect areas on these cars. So that ment we got it blasted from the drip rails down doorshuts, engine bay and underbody.

We then trailered it straight to Beths work in Methven to get it in epoxy.

20/03/2026

Sunday 15th March Kyusha Autolab JDM Swap Meet

The coupe got Best Livery, Thanks, even got my photo taken 😅 and so good to see a great variety of old school vehicles out and about!

Photo credit: omegah - coupe and pic of me

16/03/2026

12/03/2026

Will be here with the Datsun Coupe this Sunday!!
Looking forward to it and catching up with some people!

15/01/2026

1-11-2026 Took the Datsun Coupe out to the annual Japanese Car Show at Better Half Kitchen & Bar on Sunday, unfortunately we had some fuel pump issues, managed to nurse the car as far as rolly. Thanks to Hayden Crocker who kindly trailered us home!!