Hello Im getting a Roadster...but I need some advice!

[Mattk]

Greetings Salutations Hello and hi

Well here I am in Texas and I have finally convinced my wife to let me get a Roadster

I can remember the first little roadster I met.....(dream/flashback sequence) it was Oakland Ca 1980, I was 8...ya old to some...young to others...It was that faded white that dulled in the sun....oooooooo

Anyway I just thought that it was a cool car. I have already owned a 280zx and it was the best car I have ever owned! I am an ex-engineer by trade but a stay at home dad in reality. This will be my first resto (yes a virgin). But have turned wrenches for most of my life.

I have a line on two 311s, I need some help from you guys on what they're worth. I understand that you have no picts but whatever feedback you can give me would be appreciated ( as I will probably be an active member of the club for at least ten years; the duration of the restor) ! I would like to do a factory resto but, if the engine is toast wellllllll...SR20 here i come! And Mazda rear.....that's for another post!

#1 is a 1966 1600 with hard top in that dull white. Its rough!! I have seen this car. Has rust....seemingly everywhere! Some rust holes in the pass fender and along windshield. The floor driver-side is Flintstone. It was found in a barn and has been in a nice dry garage for 5 yrs-ish. No it doesn't run...don't know when it last did. Has soft top frame in good nick (to quote Ed China), has hard top and whats left of a tonnue. Here's the good...the car seems pretty unmolested; no dents has been repainted twice (silver and then back to dull white) every thing seems to be there and it was a car that was towed behind a motor-home ( the car has a tow bar on the front). The odometer shows 10k so I would hope that means 110k! It comes with a spare head and door. A family friend wants $1000...is that fair. Mind you I like 67.5 and earlier cars more.

#2 is a 1969 1600 in black with rusty wire wheels. It is also rough. I have not seen it in person; its on Craigslist. The picts do show a good floor board and less rust than the 66, but there is still a substantial amount (I'm trying to go see the car). It has a couple of dents in the drivers door handle and front fender. Again no it does not run and the engine is out, but the trany and motor are there. Not sure about the top. It has been sitting outside in Dallas for....ya I dont know! So this guy wants $600 for it.

I love the dash out of the 66; its just cool...that foam thing !
So let this newbe know what you think.

Thanks guys, look forward to years of jibber jabbering about jibber jabber!

________________________________________________________
I can do anything............if given enough time!!

[mraitch]

A ) Welcome to the concept
B) Find the BEST roadster you can afford for the money you have available. (6K-7K should be more than adequate - you can buy from almost anywhere in the country - there are roadster owners all around the US that will check the car out for you.
IMHO - (others will chime in) get one that runs quite well(running is more important than looks - except for major rust) - enough that you can get a)attached to it and b) that you are aware of its issues.
They are FUN cars, to drive and quite easy to maintain, but to do a complete restoration you are probably looking at around $30K+.
$600 is a good start - with a lot of work ahead.
Wish you the best - keep us posted

[jamesw]

Welcome from a fellow Texan. There are lots of good cars to be found in our area - so don't settle for a rusty hulk just yet.

If it's a 1600 you're going after then get the car with the best (least rusty) body as the engines on these things are bulletproof. As long as the car was running when it was parked, you'll probably be able to get it running in a weekend. Now a rusty body with holes and swiss cheese floorboards is a different story.

I would pass on both of the cars you mentioned - unless the black car has a good solid body.

You will be able to get a decent car for $2,000 to $3,000 - which will get you MILES ahead of buying a rusty $600 car and trying to bring it up to nick.

HTH
James

[mraitch]

completely 2nd JamesW opinion

[mraitch]

If you are considering putting boku bucks into the car - also consider its ultimate desirability - 67 v. 67.5 v. 68+, - 1600 v. 2000 and your ultimate intention - there are all shapes of roadsters as they have been (re)created by their current owners - engine swaps from SR20/KA to rotary and V8's, redesigned dashes to accept modern dials, all have their place - but all are not necessarily desirable - depending upon taste - at Solvang, CA - typically at end of April - you will see every possible combination of owner's choices.

Body is the most important - there are SO MANY potential rust areas in the roadster - mine is a california car - yet there is a lot of rust - under the sealing - in the passenger drivewell - the drivetrain - as JamesW indicated is relatively bulletproof - and if not - easier to fix than the body.

Use this forum, look for cars being sold by current owners, ask questions as you have done and do the research - take some time and you will find the perfect roadster for your experience and capabilities.

And again - welcome

[Rodster]

Hello
I like flat dash cars,so my help will be from that side. Again buy the best car for the money,I would also pass on both of those cars. Texas is a very good place to find a good car for a fair price. As the weather gets bad the prices come down as the weather get good the prices go up. If you can find a 68-70 roadster at a great price buy it. People see you in a Roaster and they will tell you about one that is garaged or for sale somewhere. This happens to me all the time. That way you have learned about the car and you maybe can find that early car you want. Go to clubs, events and watch the ads. These cars are not cheap to fix, parts are high. The tin worm never stop eating. The 1600 is less expensive to own, repair and upgrade if that is your thing.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.

[mraitch]

1600 v. 2000 body - same expense - U20 motor is the concern - 7K+ (if you can get the parts) v. $2-3K on the R16

[Daryl Smith]

Looks like a REALLY good start here:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20470" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fj20spl311]

First, I would suggest driving both a high and low windshield if your are of any size........If shorter than 5' 9".....than the low will be a good fit.........I have both and street lights are a pain in the A## with the low windshield..........

[dbrick]

You mean traffic lights? I watch the reflectionin the hood. Tend to get into the vulture neck driving position with the top up,( 6'2" )

[Mattk]

WOW !! You guys are fast and make some good points!

Its nice to see another Texan on here; I'm north of dallas but grew up in Houston. Go Texans!

So I again appreciate the feed back and insight....Buuuuuut I think I'm gonna jump into an empty swimming pool. I do want to do the welding and kajiggering, cleaning and scraping, knuckle busting and swearing (at least I know I'm good at that....rigger ragget dang flammit....the sheriff is a n.....BONG !) Plus just think of the cool tools I will have to get....blast cabinet, wash tank, hoist....

I've been looking for about 6 month now and budget is $1200 to start but there's nothing out there! I have missed a couple of nice ones because I can't really travel as I am a stay at home dad with a wife that is traveling....lets just say a lot!! So I'm stuck local, maybe Houston because of friends but that's it.

So based upon your feed back I'm going to go look at the 66 again to better assess the rust; I only saw it in the garage and it was mostly buried, we're going to pull it out this weekend. Also I'm still trying to go look at the 70 (sorry not a 69 as previously said, two lights in the fins not three) the seller and I have conflicting schedules

But are these "rust buckets" worth the $1000 and $600 respectively? And I've already started putting a plan together for the build.

Thanks Again!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Real Texans only have two favorite football teams....the Houston Texans and anyone playin' the cowboys !!

[jbmilman]

Welcome!

While I do agree with everyone that you would be better off starting with a running datsun, sometimes you just want to get started on the project!

My advice is to keep looking, even when you end up getting one. They are out there and at the very least you can always use more parts! Worse come to worse you can use one of the 'rust buckets' as a parts car...just a thought

Folks are always posting listing on CL and personal listings here. But if you are patient the right deal will probably fall in your lap. Everyone loves these cars and whats them all to go to a loving owner way before the scrapyard!

[ReddTrain]

WOW !! You guys are fast and make some good points!

Its nice to see another Texan on here; I'm north of dallas but grew up in Houston. Go Texans!

I'm (essentially) in Downtown Dallas. Glad to see someone local!

I've been looking for about 6 month now and budget is $1200 to start but there's nothing out there! I have missed a couple of nice ones because I can't really travel as I am a stay at home dad with a wife that is traveling....lets just say a lot!! So I'm stuck local, maybe Houston because of friends but that's it.

The best I've seen locally recently was one that looked fairly nice in Garland for $3500 on CL. It was there for a while, so I'm sure he would have negotiated.

Real Texans only have two favorite football teams....the Houston Texans and anyone playin' the cowboys !!

Real Texans only have two favorite real football teams...FC Dallas and anyone playin' the Dynamo

John

[dbrick]

IMHO For more than $1000.00-$1500 it should either have a bad body and run with good useable parts or a good body and not run. Bad body, not running, missing major stuff, it's a $500.00 parts car. $3000.00-$5000.00 gets a car you can drive or a car in good general shape needing work. Big question is what is a few hundred hours of your time worth vs. buying a more finished car?

[jamesw]

Keep hitting craigslist and something will come up. Use one of the craigslist search engines like searchtempest.com to search all of TX and you'll find a good one. It may take a few months but it's worth it!

Cheers
James