ISO rust-free D1 "donee" for my Tdi and interior. Do they exist?

[discomeans]

I've had in the back of my head for a while that I might be well-served to find a left-hand drive North American D1 that's rust free to accept the 300Tdi and mint interior out of my current D1. Part of the reason for this is that the A/C would already be in place, which I don't have right now and would require sourcing the in-dash components. The second is that I have some rust on the chassis and in some odd places like the rear axle housing which is more significant. So I feel like swapping my good stuff into a new-to-me chassis and body, versus trying to retrofit/fix the stuff in my current D1, gives me more bang for my buck (plus the benefit of LHD).

How hard is it to find rust-free examples of D1s, but don't need to have a running drivetrain or a perfect interior?

 

[p m]

Not hard at all. Look in California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

 

[Tugela]

A posting showed up in the vehicles for sale section of this very website a few days ago. It's a link to an ebay auction, but from my cursory glance at the photos the vehicle appeared to be in good shape.

 

[ERover82]

I know of a few locally, but you're on the wrong coast to see these and most other rust-free examples. Start looking West, and when you find one, protect it.

 

[discomeans]

Thanks all - I figured the Southwest is the way to go. I'll leave this thread up here for anyone who has one available until I find something.

 

[terryjm1]

I have a gold 98 D1 in almost rust free condition. Only rust I have found is a very small amount under the driver side carpet. It is really mild and was caused by water under the carpet. My guess is either the windshield has a leak or maybe the sunroof.

It has also been stored indoors since I picked it up a few years ago (no more water getting under the carpet) from another forum member in Georgia. We believe it spent most of its life in Texas. It is in New Mexico now.

However, it has a dent in the driver door and the tailgate.. They are very repairable but they are definitely more than a “ding” that could be solved with paint less dent removal. It also has different color hood. The interior is not nice at all and the dash has some damage. I have a spare dash I would include.

The sunroofs have silicone sloppily applied on the seams.

If I let it go I would keep the engine but not much else.

The real redeeming quality of it is the remarkable lack of rust. It is why I still have it. In its current condition without the engine, I would let it go pretty cheap. You have to keep in mind having a vehicle transported without an engine is expensive. If you are interested, PM me and we can discuss it.

I also have a 96 SD 5-speed that has some rust. I have been considering cannibalizing the gold 98 to replace the rusty stuff on the 96 SD. So far, because the 98 is so solid, I have not been able to make myself do that.

I was going to refurb the gold 98 but since found another one I’d rather put the effort into (another 96 SD but not rusty) and I already have more projects than I will ever get to. I’d really like to see someone put it back on the road. It also seems a bit wrong to sacrifice such a rust free D1 as they are becoming harder to find.

 

[terryjm1]

This is the only photo I have at the moment. I would be keeping the bumper and roof rack.

 

[WILL.TILLERY]

I have an epsom green one. 1998.