Restoration of SRL 00520

[Kurt]

I've been long overdue for a post on #520 since I purchase her in July of 2010. Here's my story...the short story, I guess...

Chef K.JPG

I've owned SPL 28829 since moving to California in 1989. Always had SRL envy. I first saw #520 listed locally on Craigslist in 2008 for $2,500. By the time I got there the car was sold to Mike Young five minutes prior. It was a #'s matching '67 SRL. It was not running and had not ran for several years. Mike Young did what Mike does and breathed life back into her. A fresh bottom motor rebuild and all new timing gears, refreshed hydraulics and road ready. Mike listed the car for sale in 2009 on Ebay, which I saw, but the listing was remove because Mike sold the car to Bruce Darylrimple. Bruce drove it for about 5k miles and traded up for SRL 501. Bruce listed the car for sale with the auction going off on 7/22/10. This was also my wedding anniversary. Had to have it, -sold!

The car was rough but running and I decided to drive it home from San Diego to San Jose. Booked a flight, met Bruce, took the keys and I was off.

Ride Home Aug '10.JPG

I spruced the car up a bit and took her to Solvang in 2012. What fun! We took both cars to Solvang.

First Solvang '12.JPG

The car was not rusty but had obviously been rear ended at some time and the repairs were obvious. There was enough wrong that I wanted to correct. I'm not a total gear head but thought I could handle a body swap

I found a donor body in August of 2012. Interesting history, the car was a 67.5 clone previously done by Mike xxx, a well known Placerville Northern California Roadster enthusiast. The car was straight and almost totally rust free.

Clone Donor Aug '12.JPG

With some help, the body was removed and put on a cradle, -the instructions on how to assemble I got off this forum! Thanks 311s.org, BikerMike and Jeff!

Cradled Nov '12.jpg

Some time passed. I started collecting parts for a restoration. Mike Young referred me to Steve Pettersen of Chico, CA for a transmission rebuild. I made the 3 hour trek to Chico to meet Steve and drop off two transmissions. One was to go in my 1600. The other in #520. Steve is an interesting guy with a passion for Datsuns. He owns a '67 2000 and other SRLs. He's known nationally for his knowledge an expertise with Datsun Z cars. And, OMG what he had going on in his shop with some personal Z restorations. I asked if he would be interested in installing the 5-speed for me and cleaning up my engine bay. I had lots of parts saved up for the job I was going to do myself. But this is where everything changed.

Pettersen Work Jul '14.JPG

Hmmm I said....I have this 67 2000 I was going to restore. I'm sure I would bastardize it if I did it myself...would you be interested in restoring it for me? Sure was the answer!!!

After I met Steve and picked up my 1600 I had to get the white body off the original #520 frame and get the silver donor on it to get it to Chico. The last time I drove #520 was in March of 2013. We waited for the painter to say they were ready to take it, and that was finally in Feb of 2014.

3 Car Garage.JPG

Committed Mar '13.JPG

Coming Together Dec '13.JPG

Thanks for Helping!.JPG

Tic-toc...well, the painter wasn't really ready to take the car until about March of 2015. The car was finally painted and ready for delivery back to Steve March of 2017. It was worth the wait.

Fresh Paint.jpg

Inside Paint.jpg

Once the body was off to the painter Steve completely disassembled the chassis. The frame was sent for powder coat and the suspension was completely reassembled before putting the motor in place.

Motor On Frame.JPG

Then the body.

Reunion.JPG

Instrumentation and dash artwork of Jon and Curtis.

Jon's Artwork.jpg

Curtis' Artwork.JPG

And more of Steve's artwork.

Dash In.JPG

NIB Solexes.jpg

Oh My.JPG

Yes It Is.jpg

And so here we are today. The final detailing is taking place. The vinyl and seating is nearly complete. Steve will start the car any day now!!! We are sooo close. Steve Pettersen is an amazing builder and artisan. Seriously serious.

The Legend.jpg

Thank you Steve! All of us can't wait for it to be done!!!

[2mAn]

whoa!....

[jarhead]

Beautiful. I’m jealous.

[Alvin]

Man that was FOUR years ago??!!! I remember that day can't believe it's almost ready!



good times

It's even got the RIVET IN THE "C"!!!!!!!!!



LOVE the color choice Kurt.

[Gregs672000]

Wow, congratulations on such a fantastic adventure, and more yet to come! Truly a fantastic job!

[19692000survivor]

Can you post some current pics or even some pre-post pics of 00520?
Thanks, Rick

[JT68]

Steves a great guy! It looks very nice. Not to nitpick, but when you want to upgrade to correct AirF, correct fan spacer, correct single pulley, correct hose clamps, I have all those items available.

Again, not being critical, just offering to help when you need them. What you have will get you going. Looking good!

[bikermike]

I recall it was in Nov 2012 that we separated the body and frame of the donor car. You've been on a long path. It must feel great to be getting close to having her on the road.

[Kurt]

Man that was FOUR years ago??!!! I remember that day can't believe it's almost ready!

LOVE the color choice Kurt.

It's been a long wait. March 2018 will be 5 years since I last drove her and started the tear down. I agonized over the color choice but already had new black upholstery and carpeting. That ruled out white and black. Sora Blue looks pretty sweet. Thanks!

One picture I wanted to post and addresses "whether to paint the underside of the car or not" topic...Steve says undercoat. How can I argue?

Exhaust In.JPG

The guy in the pic is one of Steve's associates from Chico. I should restrain myself, this being a DIY centrist forum. So I digress...I was fortunate to have met Steve and now call him a friend. I'll try to just be mostly proud of my decision to work together with him. Thanks again to all who helped along the way!

I'll post more pics when the car is completed. This was kind of a tease. You can wait. I been waiting 5 years! The plan is to have both cars at Solvang this year. That's the plan...

Cheers!

[Alvin]

One picture I wanted to post and addresses "whether to paint the underside of the car or not" topic...Steve says undercoat. How can I argue?

Kurt this car deserves a factory exhaust system...give JT a cal!

[Kurt]

Steves a great guy! It looks very nice. Not to nitpick, but when you want to upgrade to correct AirF, correct fan spacer, correct single pulley, correct hose clamps, I have all those items available.

Again, not being critical, just offering to help when you need them. What you have will get you going. Looking good!

JT, you are on the radar. Some of those items have been accounted for. We will support your efforts in every way we can!

[Rodster]

Kurt
The car looks great!!!!
All these correct parts are cool. However if you are not selling it, build the car you want.

Again looks great and it should drive as good as it looks.

Enjoy my friend
Rod

[Kurt]

Kurt this car deserves a factory exhaust system...give JT a cal!

I must say I started with a "budget" which has been exceeded, of course. It was close to making sense on paper going into it. I've done what I can as a custodian so far.

Will need to start a GoFundMe account for any much more...One more invoice to go...Yeah right!

[Kurt]

Kurt
The car looks great!!!!
All these correct parts are cool. However if you are not selling it, build the car you want.

Again looks great and it should drive as good as it looks.

Enjoy my friend
Rod

Thanks Rod! I suspect #520 will be in the family for a long time. We'll put our share of patina on her. Need to stick a fork in it for now and just say done, -get the keys back!

My wife and I may relocate to Paso Robles area. An outbuilding is almost a must have

[theunz]

Great looking car! Hope it stays in your family for a long long time. Everybody reaches a "whoa" point eventually. Hard not to get upside down on these cars even if you do most of the work yourself. No shame on the parts on this car, any of us would love to own it.