Datsun Roadster 1600...To build or not to build

schrute · 12-29-2009, 03:16 AM

Sounds fun man, in for pics!

My Dad and I talked about restoring a car but never did it. His health won't allow it now. Here's wishing you luck getting your son off the computer.

initialgemini · 12-29-2009, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoextreme

Looks like I found a car!

Picking it up tomorrow, I'll post pics as soon as I get it home. Pretty damn good shape by the looks of the pictures and NO rust. Going to strip this thing to the bone and build it like new! No carbon fiber on this one

Now the big challenge, getting my son off the computer and teaching him how to turn a wrench. Wish me luck

Any locals want to help me on this one (never hurts to ask)

Im local... keep me updated on this build... I'd like to help/observe...

ishthemienguy · 12-29-2009, 04:25 AM

Congrats on picking up the car, would really appreciated if you keep us posted on what your plans are for the car. >8D

vipor · 12-29-2009, 09:18 AM

ooo nice send us some pics. hope it's in great shape!

motoextreme · 12-29-2009, 10:18 AM

I'll put some pics up as soon as I get it picked up (hopefully later today)

Guy basically gave it to me!! Looks super clean, hope the pictures are legit.

I'm going to need some help though, need to find out what motor will fit and where I can get motormounts. Hoping to do this one myself but we'll see.

As far as help! Heck yeah, I'll definitely need a hand from time to time getting the motor pulled etc. I'm hoping to knock this one out in a couple of months if travel isn't too much for 2010...time will tell.

Thanks for the support. If nothing else...it stops me from ruining my Nismo for a while

motoextreme · 12-29-2009, 09:20 PM

So the new project arrived today. Had to have one of my guys go and pick it up for me as the day was a bit busy.

Anyway, here's the "CANVAS". I know she looks a tad rough but minimal bodywork and no rust! Seats are in the trash tonight!!!!!

As you can see, the boys from RAW came down to assess the car and give me their take. NOT going crazy on this one, going for a little Retro modern and definitely not rushing it.

Let me know what you think of her.

motoextreme · 12-29-2009, 09:23 PM

PS. I'm the tall guy with the black shirt and YES my head is over the windshield so I need to find some super low seats, lowbacks ideally.

This should be a cool little project, I'll do the dismantling but I'll let the experts stuff in a new drivetrain and paint.

Yeah Baby!!

Division · 12-29-2009, 09:47 PM

Looks great- I'll be following this one for sure.

motoextreme · 12-29-2009, 10:01 PM

Thanks Division, as you can tell I'm pretty stoked.

So here's a few things to get started:
1. Quite sure I'm going silver on this one with the black side stripes
2. Same rims as the Red Street and Track car (I think)
3. Guys at RAW recommend the SR20 motor...sounds good to me.
4. Roll bar but no soft top needed
5. they gave me the hardtop but don't want it.
6. Picked this beauty up for $4200 and yes she runs! Think its a pretty good buy but who knows...

I'm spending this weekend tearing her apart. Watch for build update and as always...I love suggestions, keep them coming!

hazzazi · 12-29-2009, 10:33 PM

good luck with the build, looks fun... i hope u enjoy

schrute · 12-29-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Division

Looks great- I'll be following this one for sure.

+1

Looks like a nice clean canvas. What year is it again?

ChrisSlicks · 12-29-2009, 10:57 PM

You just bought what could arguably be called one of the original Z cars, or Fairlady as it is called in Japan. They looked pretty cool for a 1959 Japanese car, the first ones they sold in the US in 1960 had 47hp!

motoextreme · 12-29-2009, 11:37 PM

Its a 1967.5

You know what....I'm sorry to admit I don't know a whole lot of history about the car but just know that I've always liked them.

Heck, I crawled under the car tonight to see what's going on and was surprised to see disk brakes in the front, that's awesome!

I was thinking I would just paint it but looking at how simple the construction is I think I may do a Frame off, shouldnt take me too long so what the heck!

Going to hold off on ordering the parts just yet, I'll do that when its in the body shop. Need to find a motor now...

ChrisSlicks · 12-29-2009, 11:49 PM

Well I knew it wasn't a 1960's SPL212, those go for $100,000 unrestored! There was only 288 of those made.

The SPL311 which you have isn't as rare (but rare enough), had twice as much power, and still looks just as cool.

motoextreme · 12-30-2009, 12:00 AM

Chris, one quick question...

Considering the car is not as rare as some and I'll likely keep it, think I really need to keep the stock motor since its a numbers matching engine? I'm not one to stock pile things and considering the new motor will likely require some alterations to the mounts etc I doubt I'll ever need it... Suppose the right thing is to keep it but I'd really rather not unless I'm just blowing the whole value of this car by doing so.

What do you think?

12-29-2009, 03:16 AM	#31 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	Sounds fun man, in for pics! My Dad and I talked about restoring a car but never did it. His health won't allow it now. Here's wishing you luck getting your son off the computer. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

12-29-2009, 09:18 AM	#34 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	ooo nice send us some pics. hope it's in great shape! __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

12-29-2009, 10:18 AM	#35 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	I'll put some pics up as soon as I get it picked up (hopefully later today) Guy basically gave it to me!! Looks super clean, hope the pictures are legit. I'm going to need some help though, need to find out what motor will fit and where I can get motormounts. Hoping to do this one myself but we'll see. As far as help! Heck yeah, I'll definitely need a hand from time to time getting the motor pulled etc. I'm hoping to knock this one out in a couple of months if travel isn't too much for 2010...time will tell. Thanks for the support. If nothing else...it stops me from ruining my Nismo for a while __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

12-29-2009, 09:23 PM	#37 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	PS. I'm the tall guy with the black shirt and YES my head is over the windshield so I need to find some super low seats, lowbacks ideally. This should be a cool little project, I'll do the dismantling but I'll let the experts stuff in a new drivetrain and paint. Yeah Baby!! __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

12-29-2009, 10:01 PM	#39 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	Thanks Division, as you can tell I'm pretty stoked. So here's a few things to get started: 1. Quite sure I'm going silver on this one with the black side stripes 2. Same rims as the Red Street and Track car (I think) 3. Guys at RAW recommend the SR20 motor...sounds good to me. 4. Roll bar but no soft top needed 5. they gave me the hardtop but don't want it. 6. Picked this beauty up for $4200 and yes she runs! Think its a pretty good buy but who knows... I'm spending this weekend tearing her apart. Watch for build update and as always...I love suggestions, keep them coming! __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports Last edited by motoextreme; 12-29-2009 at 10:02 PM. Reason: error

12-29-2009, 04:25 AM	#33 (permalink)
ishthemienguy Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: california, Sacramento Posts: 124 Drives: anything Rep Power: 16	Congrats on picking up the car, would really appreciated if you keep us posted on what your plans are for the car. >8D

12-29-2009, 09:47 PM	#38 (permalink)
Division Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central FL Posts: 199 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 16	Looks great- I'll be following this one for sure.

12-29-2009, 10:33 PM	#40 (permalink)
hazzazi Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA, Virginia / KSA Posts: 648 Drives: 09 nismo Silver Rep Power: 17	good luck with the build, looks fun... i hope u enjoy __________________ i Don't Drive Fast, i just Fly Slow.

12-29-2009, 10:57 PM	#42 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	You just bought what could arguably be called one of the original Z cars, or Fairlady as it is called in Japan. They looked pretty cool for a 1959 Japanese car, the first ones they sold in the US in 1960 had 47hp!

12-29-2009, 11:37 PM	#43 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	Its a 1967.5 You know what....I'm sorry to admit I don't know a whole lot of history about the car but just know that I've always liked them. Heck, I crawled under the car tonight to see what's going on and was surprised to see disk brakes in the front, that's awesome! I was thinking I would just paint it but looking at how simple the construction is I think I may do a Frame off, shouldnt take me too long so what the heck! Going to hold off on ordering the parts just yet, I'll do that when its in the body shop. Need to find a motor now... __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

12-29-2009, 11:49 PM	#44 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Well I knew it wasn't a 1960's SPL212, those go for $100,000 unrestored! There was only 288 of those made. The SPL311 which you have isn't as rare (but rare enough), had twice as much power, and still looks just as cool.

12-30-2009, 12:00 AM	#45 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	Chris, one quick question... Considering the car is not as rare as some and I'll likely keep it, think I really need to keep the stock motor since its a numbers matching engine? I'm not one to stock pile things and considering the new motor will likely require some alterations to the mounts etc I doubt I'll ever need it... Suppose the right thing is to keep it but I'd really rather not unless I'm just blowing the whole value of this car by doing so. What do you think? __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

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