New owner in Phoenix

[Jdflyer]

Hi Everyone,

Wanted to take a moment and say hello. I've just acquired a 1970 1600 (-29311). It's listed in the registry as non operable, but is now a running project. I got the car from my father who is getting to old to do restorations himself and has 3 other projects he's working on.

My last project was a 1971 TR6, but that was 20 years ago. My skills are a little rusty, so I'm expecting to be active in the tech section.

I'm trying to decide what path to take with restoring the vehicle right now. I'm torn between doing a restomod with an SR20 swap or restoring it to it's original condition. The vehicle only has ~42,000miles original miles on it. I found a note in the glove box that may have been the beginning of a maintenance log. It stated one oil change and one engine rebuild in 2002, but I haven't verified if the engine was the original one to the vehicle. It also still has the original spare tire, jack, etc.

On the downside for originality are: it's had the 5 speed mod put in. It looks like it had an electrical fan at one time, but now there is a 7 bladed fan and the spacer is a turned piece of wood. The interior is a mess, but all of the gauges currently work.

Would love to have some input from fellow members on the pros and cons of going each way.

JD

[bakerjf]

42,000 original miles with a possible recent engine rebuild...go original!

[Alvin]

welcome!
The '70's were the last year of the roadster and in some cases one of the rarest models. IMHO if it really has 42k original miles it might be worth keeping it original, or at least modifying in a period-correct manner. "it's only original once" as they say!

An SR20 (or any late model swap) has its merits...why not cross that road after you've got the car running

[Rodster]

Welcome
I vote original, however have never be in a restomod roadster so what do I know. Get it running make it safe and drive the thing.

[notoptoy]

I'd say keep it original until you really get to know the car and bond with it. Then decide to go another route, or not. There are many, many re-sold projects that were the result of an owner trying to get too ambitious, too soon. Learn it, like it, love it then decide what to do, there is no wrong answer,

[fj20spl311]

I agree to start out original by making it into a daily quality driver. Put some miles on her and you can make a more informed choice.
I like restomods, but a 1600 5 speed can be very satisfying. Maybe, like a lot of us, it will lead to a second or third.......LOL

[spriso]

If you decide to go the restomod route, we can help with SR20 conversion parts!

[GoldHawg]

I agree to start out original by making it into a daily quality driver. Put some miles on her and you can make a more informed choice.
I like restomods, but a 1600 5 speed can be very satisfying. Maybe, like a lot of us, it will lead to a second or third.......LOL

Or go to the halfway house; keep the 1600 but make it a H20 stroker. Stroker, 5-speed and new electronic dizzy and you could be having fun.

[Gregs672000]

Turbo baby, turbo! R16 FI turbo... do it!

[spl310]

Just make it drive safely first. Ignore all of the crazy suggestions. If you go stock, you will be on your way, and if you decide to modify, you will have a sorted base from which to start.

[Gregs672000]

Who you callin crazy!?
Some day someone on here is gonna say "a turbo R sounds cool, let's do it!" If the internals are good, a small turbo with FI adapted from a more modern engine and managed by a megasquirt running low boost (5-8lbs) due to the 9.5 compression ratio would be a cool engine with a vintage look. Would have good torque with a turbo rush. I think the valve cover on an R engine is one of its best features, so it would still look close to stock and "correct" for the time. I don't think the cost would be more than a swap and would not require a lot of extra wiring, computers etc. Course, I'm not the one writing the checks, and I have access to a really good engine guy...

[Jdflyer]

I agree that the initial plan right now is to get it sorted and safe. I'm not worried about much else until that point is taken care of. I've updated the registry and will post some pictures later.