History
Although brought into Australia in the single batch of Wasps in 1965, this vehicle was sold new by Peter Williamson Isuzu (later Peter Williamson Toyota) in 1967 to Bruce A Ruston Signwriters of Liverpool, New South Wales.
Bruce purchased the car to complement an existing Wasp he bought in 1965. Both cars were painted yellow (like all early Wasps, both were "Wasp Blue" when purchased) and identically signwritten.
As at August 2012, both cars still exist and both have most of their signwriting intact.
My Wasp was used daily by Bruce for regular signwriting duties; evident by the occasionally paint spodge on the front guards. On weekends, Bruce would fit a cage to the tray and taken prized vealing calves to the markets.
Both vehicles were used until the mid-1990s when they were retired in favour of Holden Rodeos, the direct descendant of the Isuzu Wasp.
The other Wasp was bought by an enthusiast who has modified the car slightly and used it almost daily.
Mine was bought and sat in a suburban carport for some years, then was taken by the owner to his farm near Gulgong, NSW. His plan was to use it as a farm hack until he was told how rare it was.
I heard of the car via the Bellett grapevine and secured it in 2008.
It has since passed a roadworthy and is now on SA Historic Registration. My plan is to preserve it as-is. Also, it's handy for taking recycling to the depot.
In July 2012, it allegedly ticked over 1,000,000 miles. The current owner of Bruce A Ruston signs believes they sold it after it had ticked over the clock 9 times. They sold the car will full service records, however these were not supplied by the last owner.
Modifications
Period signwriting.
Bench seat re-trimmed in cloth (unfortunately!)
