Howdy! from sunny Santa Fe

[halfwit]

Hi all,

I'm Eric. I'm a young artist and gallery director with a love of wrenching. I've spent the last five years in the hobby (habit). It started with a 71' Fiat 124 spider (traded), then a 69' Triumph GT6 (sold), then my beautiful 70' 240z (current pride n joy).

My 69' 1600 popped up on Clist in Albuquerque with no pics and only a few words.
I called the owner and set a time to see it. He removed the post after only a few hours after getting bugged by all the b.s. offers and spam. So, I was the only one to see it. It was rough. It had been sitting outside for many years, but he had had the motor recently sorted and refreshed and the paint stripped in the hopes of moving forward with a restoration. Sadly, a turn in his finances forced him to stop the project. I could see it needed a lot of work and declined his asking price. A month later, he called me and said he needed it gone and offered it at half his original price. I couldn't refuse.

I've removed and cleaned the gas tank and radiator, oiled the cylinders, changed the oil and bled the brakes. I just got tires for it and hope to start it up soon! The good news is that its been in CA and NM all its life so there is very little rust!

I'm trying to decide between doing a driver level resto with new paint and interior or keep it bare bones and go the track car route? I've never tried racing, but it's quickly making its way up the bucket the list.

I'm also working on a 69' FJ40 Land Cruiser that I got on an artwork trade, so I'm staying busy.

I look forward to delving into your collective wisdom!
Happy Motoring,
E

[notoptoy]

Welcome, nice collection, and a good story. I vote for restore to driver, bond with and fall in love with it, then decide what to do next. There are plenty of members that race these cars and can give you lots of insight and advice!

[pebbles]

Welcome Eric. Looks like the Roadster is in need of a windshield.
I vote; bare bones driver.
Race the Z.

[sfdaugherty]

Welcome Eric. There are roadster owners in Albuquerque (including me)if you need help.

Shannon

[Toptech360]

Welcome, congrats on the craigslist score. I'm digging that land cruiser too!

[fj20spl311]

I vote for a driver to start.

usually it cheaper to buy a race car than convert.

Check your VIN.....It might be a 68 first registered in 69....Common in California in the 60s.
Main difference is wiring

[halfwit]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!
David - yes, i'll be needing a windshield (and more)...I'll head over to the "parts wanted" thread when I'm ready.
Shannon - this is great news! I would very much like to meet you and see your cars. I'll message you my number and we'll go from there.
Dan - my daily was a 96 Camry for years and now it's a 06 Forester...so you and I are driving parallel.
Phil - there in lies the rub: the roadster has no title and no vin plate (though there is a number painted on the air filter cover), hence my track car idea. Otherwise it'll be a slog through the dmv muck I think? but driver is my leaning.

[sfdaugherty]

Eric:

New Mexico DMV might not be as hard as you think.

#1 - Get a bill of sale from the seller (use the VIN number from the frame);
#2 - You can buy replacement plates from some of the vendors here and have it stamped to match your frame number (and engine number);
#3 - Set up a meeting with the DMV to do an inspection. They will compare the VIN plate to the frame (you'll have to show them where it is). They can also look at the previous registration if the seller had it registered in NM.

I think they do a search to make sure it's not stolen and then issue you a replacement title.

I had a title for my 68/69 1600 but, during my Navy duty, had the title transferred from Indiana, Virginia and then to New Mexico. Didn't realize that, somewhere over the years, one of the DMVs put in the wrong VIN number. I was able to go through step #3 and get a new title with the correct VIN.

I could be wrong but I think it's relatively simple. Certainly easier than is some other states.

Shannon

[halfwit]

I looked for the VIN on the frame above the back passenger side wheel with no luck. Maybe I need to take a wire brush to it?
Will it be on the top, outside, inside or bottom of the frame rail? I was primarily looking on the top in the gap created under the body when the car is jacked up.

Thanks for the step by step advice - seems less daunting now.

[sfdaugherty]

The vin is stamped on the frame near the front carb and engine # is stamped on a flat spot on the passenger side of cylinder 2. You might have to clean it up a bit.

[fj20spl311]

The VIN is on the drivers side in the US.......near the steering shaft

1968 1600 SPL311 17001 to SPL311 24000

1969 1600 SPL311 24001 to SPL311 27000

[sfdaugherty]

Oops. Phil is, of course, correct. Been awhile since I looked.

[fj20spl311]

Oops. Phil is, of course, correct. Been awhile since I looked.

I looked to make sure.....LOL

[halfwit]

I have a VIN! SPL311-22485. Looks like it's a 68 not a 69.

[2mAn]

Its fun playing detective to learn more about these cars! The possibilities make the story and connection more enjoyable. Congrats on the nice collection you've got. I vote making it a fun weekend car, so a supportive, non-OEM seat, real belts and keeping it light. That Z is way too clean to go race with. Keep the Roadster street legal, have fun with it but no need to strip it out.

Congrats on the purchase, any idea what the original color is and what color you want to paint it?