1984 Nissan Gazelle from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Muffler rear mount collapsed into the muffler, due to a poor weld. Probably not a factory fault, given the Km.

Combination switch internals seem to have disintegrated, causing the headlamps and parkers to turn themselves on when the car is parked. This is rather annoying, as the fuses have to be removed when leaving the car. Can someone please tell me where to find a new switch?

Nothing else. It has been totally reliable.

This car is a sporty-looking 2-door car with 4 seats.

It is very economical to run and extremely reliable.

It is comfortable for driving any distance and has heaps of luxury extras, typical of Japanese cars.

On the downside, handling is very ordinary, steering is heavy, acceleration is OK, but you can't really feel it.

This car seems to promise a sporting drive. The reality of driving it is somewhat different.

Hi my mum has had a 1984 gazelle from new and it is now mine and we have had none of those problems. I must say it did not have much power, but a CA18det improved that problem and is easy conversion.

I love watching your lights turn them selves on.

I have just recently 'inherited' a 1984 Nissan Gazelle. Although not in very good condition, I can see its potential. My main problem is both sets of shocks are shot to pieces and I really need to replace them. I'm just wondering about costs involved in this. Just the costs of a pair of shock absorbers and a pair of struts that will fit this car.

I was given I 1984 gazelle in stock form I have since added a set of 16 inch mags with 205s on the front and 225s on the back have dropped it 3 inches it looks tough now and then I put an sr20det in it. was not that hard all up the conversion cost me $6500 it goes like a rocket has run 12.3 in stock form at willowbank race way I am getting some more mods done at the moment hope to crack the 10s at fast 4s this year.

I just bought a gazelle put 17 inch mags on it dropped it about 4 inches added a 200sx body kit and badges heavy duty clutch, turbo, extractors, and wise-co pistons and man does it go.

I bought a 1984 gazelle for $350 and I took the stock motor and put a bit of beef in it with bigger pistons and bigger intake, nos, etc.. new paint and 17inch rims and now it looks SICK!!! now it looks sporty and its got speed and I only spent $4000 doing the whole thing...

Hi I also have a gazelle hatch 5spd manual it, s 2 tone blue

it goes like a rocket although it, s only stock standard engine do you guys know anyone wanting to buy one it only has 166,000 kms with sports steering and exhaust. central locking and alarm system does have some hail damage. just scoping for offers. pls email @ alexslinn@hotmail.com.

For those looking for shock absorbers, Gabriel make sets specifically, as do other manufacturers.. If you want something really tough, go for KYB shocks.

Also, if you're after off road or drag stuff, get Hilux shocks on the rear, otherwise for better handling, get some HQ shocks for the rear.

The S12 Gazelle is a great car in that, there are many parts from both Nissan and other manufacturers that can fit on and can turn the car into whatever you want, off road, rally, drag, circuit, drift, mix n match, compromise, it's all good. Many S13 parts fit, as do some Bluebird and R31 Pintara parts.

Also, if you need some cheap front strut boots, get Holden VN/P/R/S Commodore ones, they fit with a slight modification involving scissors.

Also, you can't go past Fulcrum (Super Pro) polyurethane bushes, they tighten everything up, and the handling is infinitely better.

Gazelles are great, very easy to work on and repair, and a joy to drive!

Are all you fellas for real? I got a good kick out of your comments.

I have owned a Gazelle for the last 18 years. Bought it when it was 5 years old ie one owner. Had several company cars inbetween.

The NRMA service man told me last year the elegant Gazelle has not lost its charm in relation to the Celicas and the Starions etc.

The air conditioning has packed up. Finding it difficult to replace the condenser. Any suggestions.

I have a Nissan Gazelle hatch back version. It's being ready for a paint job and I was thinking of putting a body kit on it, but I am having trouble finding one. Any suggestions on where or what I can do?

I also would like to lower it. I was thinking of cutting coils as I am finding it hard to come across parts.

For all those wanting their Gazelle to handle:

A full front S13 suspension set up (shock, spring, top, LCA, balljoint, brake, caliper) will bolt right up to the Gazelles chassis/cross-member - you need to use R31 Skyline castor/traction rods or re-drill the S13 LCA - this set up gives about 3-4 deg of camber, bigger brakes, and a little less caster than stock but that can be fixed by shortening the R31 castor rods.

In the rear you can buy EL Falcon Sedan shock absorbers and cut/chop the eyelet at the bottom of the shock with an angle grinder to reduce the size of it and use them, they are stiffer and 2-3 inc shorter than a stock Gazelle shock.

VN-VS Commodore live axle rear springs fit in, they are however slightly taller than stock Gazelle springs thanks to them being very very stiff (4kg/cm odd) and need to be cut by about 2 inches. This coupled with the EL Falcon shocks keeps the spring captive and lowers the car SAFELY!!!

Power is easy to obtain by dropping in a CA18DET - bolts straight up to the stock S12 "B" transmission and CA20E engine mounts and gearbox holds about 150-160 RWKW of power without issue. S12 Throwout bearing works fine, only modifications required are wiring and one radiator hose is too long. oh and heater hoses if you want a heater...

www.aus12.org!!!