1968 Datsun 521 Truck - Li'l Hustler

Brandon Brooks has had many, tricked-out cars in the past. He knew, this time around, things wouldn' t be the same for him. "I wanted to build something different, that wasn't 'bagged or body-dropped, and something everybody would enjoy," said Brandon. Building a basic, clean and stock truck, however, wouldn't work with just any truck. Brandon chose a pretty-rare truck he knew would attract a lot of attention. He went with a '68 Datsun 521 pickup. Brandon went on to tell us, "The most interesting thing was not actually seeing the truck when I bought it. I actually had the motor work done, and the truck painted before I had it shipped to me." He did this because he knew there are a lot more Datsun shops in the So Cal area than in the East Coast, where he currently resides. So, finding the truck was the first step, getting it running and looking nice was second, but what about finding all of those hard-to-find parts he needed? That would be the biggest adventure of Brandon's build.

After many exhausting searches, Brandon found his way to eBay.com. "Nobody makes anything for this truck, but soon I found out that eBay would be my bestfriend," proclaimed Brandon. Everybody who has been on eBay, however, knows that it's not as easy as clicking and purchasing. You see, eBay is an auction-based website. Brandon had to spend many long nights outbidding other people to get those much sought-after parts. In the end, though, Brandon ended up with something rare he could call his own. And to him, that is worth every bit of the long nights.

These days, it seems like most of us are forgetting the simpler times. A time of simple trucks, with static drops, a nice set of wheels, and a simple paint job. The days when only the most extreme guys had really-low trucks, crazy paint and wicked interiors. It seems like you could build a truck over the weekend back then. Well, Brandon Brooks knew that was the look he was after. He wanted something so basic, yet still different. Granted, it wasn't easy and it wasn't cheap. But, he got the look he was going after, and now he gets the looks from all of the people who can agree with us, that he has definitely built one bad-ass ride.

THE LOWDOWN

Rolling Attire
Wheels (Front): 18x7 Billet Specialties Vintec
Wheels (Rear): 20x8 Billet Specialties Vintec
Tires (Front): 225/40/R18 Capital Negotiator
Tires (Rear): 225/35/R20 Capital Negotiator

Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Bone stock
Front suspension: Cranked-down torsion bars
Rear suspension: Monoleafed with 4-inch blocks
Shocks: KYB gas adjustable
Brakes: Original four-wheel drums
Detail work: Chrome hood rod
Performed by: Matt Tylka and Brandon Brooks
City/state: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Body Modifications
Shaved: Nothing
Taillights: JDM taillights
Misc.: Original locking antenna for radio, which was an option with the radio
Performed by: Brandon Brooks
City/state: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Paint
Brand and colors: Datsun Paint code 546
Style: Painted the original color
City/state: San Mateo, California

Interior
Seats: Original seat, recovered in Tuck and Roll Black and Sea Foam Green
Material: Leather
Dash: Original, never been recovered
Door panels: Original panels, recovered in Tuck and Roll
Center console: Didn't come with one
Flooring: Added carpet, didn't come with carpet at all
Headliner: Original headliner, never had been recovered
Gauges: All original, added an autometer gauge
Misc.: All original weatherstripping, Billet Specialties Vintec Solid steering wheel with a LeCara hub
Performed by: Guy Bullion
City/state: Nashville, Tennessee

Stereo
Head unit: original AM stereo in dash, and a Kenwood KDC-X679 under the glovebox.
Mids and highs: Original, 4-inch speaker pods with Blaupunkt 4-inch line
Custom fabrication: Modified original speaker pods
Performed by: Shannon Taylor
City/state: Greenbrier, Tennessee

Engine/Performance
Transmission: Four speed with a rebuilt clutch and flywheel
Ignition: Pertronix electronic ignition
Inner fenders: Original rubber inner fenders
Misc.: Motor is a J13, 1295cc with a whopping 67 hp
City/state: San Mateo, California

Special Thanks (by owner):
Intense Restoration for some of the parts, Guy Bullion for the stitching, Matt Tylka, Shannon Taylor for the tunes, my wife Erin, and the guys from Relaxed Atmosphere for letting me in.