nutsster
Member
Over the last few years I have dreamed about owning a later model Sprite or 1200. Last winter I came across a '81 DMC 1200 and quickly purchased it. I ran it until the spring snow melted (late April) and then moved it from our cabin to my back yard shop. I found the Ford 300cid engine and C6 transmission very sound. 
The OC12 brake bands, fluids and filter needed changed when I purchased it. It had a few minor leaks that I found through operating it for a few months and I addressed them upon discovery.
I felt it only needed some minor body work and repair to make it cherry.
I first removed and replaced the bed and the bed frame channeling with new. The fuel tank was removed and sand blasted along with much of the rear frame, hitch and differential. The cab needed the front corners reskinned and the right headlight skin due to dents. 
The interior was gutted and the parts blasted and repainted. Even the instrument panel was stripped and painted. Two instruments where replaced and the rest were cleaned. The seats where upholstered with a grey cloth center added. I carpeted the interior with a gray marine carpet.
Currently, all that's left to do is paint the doors that have been reskinned and glue in the headliner. I'm also making a light bar for the back of the cab like the original. Peterson's Equipment claim it is one of the best years of the 1200 since it had the big engine, automatic and aluminum cab. The following year it had an all metal cab that was 500 lbs heavier. It also has the aggressive new stlye track and the aircraft style aluminum rimmed wheels.
It performed better than I could have imagined in our deep snow too. It will really climb in soft snow.
Here's a few pics of the machine.
The OC12 brake bands, fluids and filter needed changed when I purchased it. It had a few minor leaks that I found through operating it for a few months and I addressed them upon discovery. I felt it only needed some minor body work and repair to make it cherry.
I first removed and replaced the bed and the bed frame channeling with new. The fuel tank was removed and sand blasted along with much of the rear frame, hitch and differential. The cab needed the front corners reskinned and the right headlight skin due to dents. The interior was gutted and the parts blasted and repainted. Even the instrument panel was stripped and painted. Two instruments where replaced and the rest were cleaned. The seats where upholstered with a grey cloth center added. I carpeted the interior with a gray marine carpet.
Currently, all that's left to do is paint the doors that have been reskinned and glue in the headliner. I'm also making a light bar for the back of the cab like the original. Peterson's Equipment claim it is one of the best years of the 1200 since it had the big engine, automatic and aluminum cab. The following year it had an all metal cab that was 500 lbs heavier. It also has the aggressive new stlye track and the aircraft style aluminum rimmed wheels.
It performed better than I could have imagined in our deep snow too. It will really climb in soft snow.
Here's a few pics of the machine.
