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Hi, Please forgive my ignorance, but I'm hoping to pick the experts brains here. I'm delving into the possible purchase of a 1975 HJ Ute hence my question. My last "Holden Classic" was a HR X2 which I owned 40 odd years ago, more recent classics have been 6 MGB's. I "presume" the tags would be on the inner RH guard. I don't think VIN numbers were in use then, am I correct? What codes should I look for? Supposedly HJ one tonner with a 253 V8 and M21 4speed. Where are the usual rust spots etc. This one has sat in a barn in regional SA for years. Thanks in advance for any help.
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HJ ute will have 3 x tags, one of then being a tag with a GMH VIN number. They are up on the cowl. Cab-chassis won’t be an M21, never. Get tag numbers and i’ll decipher it all for you. There is s chassis number on the RH rail next to the steering box, originally matched the number on the driver side tag. Edited by user Monday, 8 December 2025 7:45:59 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: HK1837  HJ ute will have 3 x tags, one of then being a tag with a GMH VIN number. They are up on the cowl.
Cab-chassis won’t be an M21, never.
Get tag numbers and i’ll decipher it all for you. There is s chassis number on the RH guard next to the steering box, originally matched the number on the driver side tag. Picky I realise, but the chassis number is stamped on the chassis rail next to the steering box, not the RH guard. AS HK1837 has said, post the numbers off the tags & we can decipher them for you. The tag with the most info is probably the body ID plate. It gives paint, trim, engine, gearbox, diff ratio etc. etc. Dr Terry |
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Sorry, that was actually predictive text on my iPhone that put "guard" in, I do turn it off then find out how bad the spelling becomes as the keyboard is so small on it my finger covers two keys. "Guard" was actually predictive, where I wanted to type "rail". I'll fix it. |
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Rust:
Check the bottom of the doors. These fill up inside with crud and the two drain holes are completely inadequate.
Also the rail at the bottom of the radiator support panel. Same story, the two drain holes are tiny and always blocked. I've never seen one of these without rust.
The door sills will probably be rusted as well.
Also the plenum chamber under the grill at the back of the bonnet has probably collected a lot of crud. This settles over the drain hoses at the side of the chamber and blocks them, not easy to clean. This rots the metal around the interior vents which leads to rain and water leaking into the interior of the cab in the footwells. So check the footwells as well.
There might also be rust at the back of the mudguards. Down the bottom where it bolts on. Crud can build up in the gap and cause a damp spot.
And the battery tray ususlly has a bit of acid induced rusting as well.
I wouldn't expect to not find rust. It is a matter of degree, light or heavy rusing. But being in a shed will have helped and country SA is pretty dry so that is a bonus too. And replacement paels are freely available.
Good luck.
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