BOXING CLEVER

IF YOU were an avid reader of Hot4s & Performance Cars or ZOOM magazines back in the day, then there's a good chance that COPDAT is a recognisable little Datsun to you.

- KIAN HEAGNEY

Known for its unique Subaru EJ flat-four engine swap, COPDAT graced the cover of both of those magazines when it was in the hands of former owner Terry Boyle.

“People still think it’s his car, and in fairness, he and I have stayed in touch and have a great relationship,” says current owner Emma Mullins. “Although we've kept the basic idea of what he’s built, there isn’t a nut or bolt on this car that hasn't been changed.”

Not long after Emma came into ownership of the Datto, a few spots of rust on the rear quarters prompted what would turn into a full-blown rebuild. “I was recommended to go to a repair shop in Toowoomba [in South-East Queensland], but what we thought was a few rust spots turned into a heap more rust and lots of bog,” says Emma. “I wasn't comfortable with all the filler, so we replaced almost all the car - new bonnet, sills, driver's door, rear beaver tail, rear quarters, driver's-side floorpan — there wasn't much of the old car used by the time we were done.”

While two years’ worth of bodywork was underway, Emma was also having a fresh 2.5-litre Subaru EJ25 built for the 1600 by Deshele Performance.

“It had the 2.0-litre in it from when it was first built, but I wanted the torquier 2.5-litre engine for street driving,” says Emma. “We kept it Subaru powered to keep the original spirit of the car, but modernised with a new engine and better parts.”