New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68
- jsshapmd
- Roadster Newby
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:54 pm
New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
I am a new owner from Southern Cal who recently purchased a beautiful '66 1600 from a prior 311s.0rg member who was moved out the country.
I had previously had access to a 1600 many moons ago when I was in high school and loved driving old roadsters. My first car I purchased was a '71 Triumph Spitfire that was really fun, but really impractical for a broke college student. I had been searching for a old roadster for about 6 months and when I came across this '66 which had the advantages of being in really great shape, being local, and being within my budget. While the car is in great shape and I am getting used to the quirks of owning a 50 year old car again.
Within a week or two of ownership I have had a few minor issues such as the drivers window crank falling off (if anyone has picture or info on where to get a new retention spring, it would be much appreciated), the drivers door latch wouldn't close (fixed with a search from this site) and the key is now firmly stuck in the trunk lock (I have tried the "wire trick" without success so far...if anyone has a picture or diagram of trunk latch it may help me maneuver the wire).
Despite the quirks, I love driving the car and glad to be part of the Datsun Community.
Ill post pictures soon.
Thanks,
Jeff
I had previously had access to a 1600 many moons ago when I was in high school and loved driving old roadsters. My first car I purchased was a '71 Triumph Spitfire that was really fun, but really impractical for a broke college student. I had been searching for a old roadster for about 6 months and when I came across this '66 which had the advantages of being in really great shape, being local, and being within my budget. While the car is in great shape and I am getting used to the quirks of owning a 50 year old car again.
Within a week or two of ownership I have had a few minor issues such as the drivers window crank falling off (if anyone has picture or info on where to get a new retention spring, it would be much appreciated), the drivers door latch wouldn't close (fixed with a search from this site) and the key is now firmly stuck in the trunk lock (I have tried the "wire trick" without success so far...if anyone has a picture or diagram of trunk latch it may help me maneuver the wire).
Despite the quirks, I love driving the car and glad to be part of the Datsun Community.
Ill post pictures soon.
Thanks,
Jeff
'66 1600
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
- notoptoy
- Vendor-Site Supporter
- Posts: 9700
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:55 pm
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC and Ocala, FL
- Contact:
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Welcome, pictures definitely help us out! Small problems and things are part of the ritual of any old car ownership, and help you bond with the car gently! 

"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.
67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
-
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:05 pm
- Location: Menifee, Ca
- Model: 2000
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Jsshapmd
local toyota dealer part number 90520-01274
about $1.35 each
nissantoy
local toyota dealer part number 90520-01274
about $1.35 each
nissantoy
-
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 128
- Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:35 am
- Location: Sacramento CA
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Welcome from Nor Cal. Pictures please
Rodney
Looking for a project - modified - what do you have.
Looking for a project - modified - what do you have.
- mraitch
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 3629
- Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:03 pm
- Location: Lake Balboa (SFV) - CA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
- Contact:
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
is this the car from BAT??
Peter Harrison
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California
- jsshapmd
- Roadster Newby
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:54 pm
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Thanks for the info...
Yes this is the car from BAT...
Yes this is the car from BAT...
'66 1600
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
- jsshapmd
- Roadster Newby
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:54 pm
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Here are a few pics
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
'66 1600
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
- AidanDawn2000
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 1018
- Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2015 6:33 pm
- Location: Santa Cruz, CA
- Contact:
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Welcome aboard! You got a great deal on one of the best 1600s out there! (I've actually sat in your car so I know lol)
Hope to see it again at Solvang next year.
Hope to see it again at Solvang next year.
Oil a little low? Time to get a longer dipstick:)
Instagram!!!
1968 2000 SRL311-05110 (first car! Rust Bucket. Sold
)
1969 2000 SRL311-10440 (matching numbers, Solex!)
Instagram!!!
1968 2000 SRL311-05110 (first car! Rust Bucket. Sold

1969 2000 SRL311-10440 (matching numbers, Solex!)
- pebbles
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
- Posts: 3931
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:00 am
- Location: Washington
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Welcome Jeff. Nice looking car.
A couple of pics here
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... se#p236045
Its natural to install the key in the trunk lock in the same manner as the door or igition switch, however some locks are clocked to accept the key with the cuts down.
A couple of pics here
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... se#p236045
Its natural to install the key in the trunk lock in the same manner as the door or igition switch, however some locks are clocked to accept the key with the cuts down.
David
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
- jsshapmd
- Roadster Newby
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:54 pm
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
David,
Thanks for the pics. I think it will help me try to get the latch open with a wire. The trunk opened fine the first (and only time) I tried. When it shut, the key was still in the lock and it would not come out. I was explaining to my father-in-law what a great a car it was except for a few quirks...
Thanks for the pics. I think it will help me try to get the latch open with a wire. The trunk opened fine the first (and only time) I tried. When it shut, the key was still in the lock and it would not come out. I was explaining to my father-in-law what a great a car it was except for a few quirks...
'66 1600
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
- jsshapmd
- Roadster Newby
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:54 pm
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
I hope to make it out to Solvang next year. I lived in Santa Cruz for 5 years or so while going to college (go Banana Slugs!). I love it up there and still go up there to visit friends. Great place to drive a roadster.AidanDawn2000 wrote:Welcome aboard! You got a great deal on one of the best 1600s out there! (I've actually sat in your car so I know lol)
Hope to see it again at Solvang next year.
'66 1600
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
'05 Lotus Elise
'16 BMW i3, the daily driver
'16 Mercedes Metris, the family truckster
Old Kobuta Tractor, 3 cylinder diesel
- RBMann
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 548
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:37 pm
- Location: Kenmore, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
If you push that rubber plug in the trunk floor up and out of the hole, then you have better access. A hook on the bent end of a coat hanger, a flashlight and some patience should get it open.
RBMann
mechanic on '69-1600(not mine)
mechanic on '69-1600(not mine)
- spl310
- Roadster Guru
- Posts: 13241
- Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2002 10:38 pm
- Location: In front of this keyboard... in Jacksonville, Florida!
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
66 cars do not have the hole in the trunk
"Wow, a Roadster!" Stuart Little
1967.5 2000
1967.5 2000
1964 1500
1964 1500
1967.5 1600
1968 chassis
2006 Acura MDX
2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon
1995 F350 Powerstroke!
More...
1967.5 2000
1967.5 2000
1964 1500
1964 1500
1967.5 1600
1968 chassis
2006 Acura MDX
2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon
1995 F350 Powerstroke!
More...
- Nolan1600
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2015 10:02 am
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
pebbles wrote:Welcome Jeff. Nice looking car.
A couple of pics here
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... se#p236045
Its natural to install the key in the trunk lock in the same manner as the door or igition switch, however some locks are clocked to accept the key with the cuts down.
the cuts do go down on this particular roadster
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: New '66 1600 Owner in Southern Cal
Banana slugs????lol Sounds like Santa Cruz
Nice looking car.
Linda

Nice looking car.
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.