Thank you for the welcome.

[Welton]

Hi guys,

Normally, when I join a new group, I try listen more and speak less, until I learn the local customs and protocol. But it appears customary to introduce one’s self (and ones car). So here goes…

I live in San Diego, and work in the local film and print production industry. I’m in my mid fifties. I have an early ‘67 1600 which I originally bought in 1978 when I was in high school. I fixed it up a bit, rebuilt the transmission, did a little (embarrassingly bad) body work, painted it, and fell in love with it. It worked well and looked pretty good. But it was an “investment” with some buddies. So I swallowed hard, and we sold it at a modest profit.

I became kind of a Datsun Roadster specialist — by high school mechanic standards – working on other peoples roadsters out of my mom’s garage. I came to own couple of other roadsters, and parts cars, but none that I liked as much as that first car. A year or so later, I was looking for parts at a local junkyard, that sometimes got roadsters and they told me that they had just gotten a new one in that was in “cherry” condition. I looked at it, and indeed it had a bunch of parts that I could use. But then I noticed – wait a moment – this was my old car! So I bought it (for a second time) from the junkyard and gave it some much needed TLC. I drove it, in rotation with a few other clunkers, all through college.

In time, the other clunkers got sold off or scraped. But this car was special – kind of magic. It got retired to the back of my mom’s garage and covered in junk. I always thought I’d come back to it. I moved out, started a career and a family, decades passed and my sainted mom (she’s the best) finally evicted the car. I moved it to my smallish garage and rebuilt the motor. But it still had other issues, so it stayed unused. Then I moved to a place that didn’t have a garage. So an old high school buddy – who also has a soft spot for the car – took it in. Or, rather, let me put it in his driveway. Aaaand, I finally wore out its welcome there. He’ll still let me keep it there, but it’s got to be running. A reasonable requirement.

So now I’m trying to bring it back. I don’t have a place to work on it, so I’m paying other people to do it. It’ll never be a show car. But I just want it to be like it was when I was in high school – or maybe a little better. I’m happy with the three main bearing 1600 motor. And four speeds is plenty for me. It’s going to need a lot of money and work and, I expect, I’ll be needing a lot of advice.

Perhaps I’ll chime in from time to time on other people’s problems – to pull my weight in the group. I’m far from an expert, but I know roadsters better than any other car. Even after all these years, I could probably identify on sight out of context, 97% of the parts of a 1967 roadster. Thanks for letting me join. Photos will follow.

[GeoffM]

Welcome! Great story. Lots of like minded individuals here. And you're lucky as you are in the epicenter of the Roadster community, being in Southern California. Looking forward to the pics!

[JohnnyMac]

Great story, and great turn of events that you found and rescued it from the junkyard. I've passed thru the mid fifties into the upper ones, and have also had my roadster since the '70s. It too lived in driveways, beside houses, and buried in a couple garages (maybe that's one of the reasons so many of us have held onto them- they bury easily) while family and career happened.
Parts are available and when you need it you'll find great advice and encouragement here. Welcome, and hope you're driving it soon.

[notoptoy]

Welcome. Please post your location in your profile. We love pictures, and lots of them. You have a great story looking forward to the next chapter.

[spl310]

I love the story! I would love to get my old 1600 back. It too is a 67. Welcome! This is a great crowd. Any problems that you have, we can help solve it. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures.

[S Allen]

Agreed-that is a cool story and thanks for sharing. Good luck with getting her back on the road.

Steve

[Gregs672000]

Always love hearing about the love affair... we all relate!