Hello from Valley Forge Pa

[KlubVintage]

Hey all, Im new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself along with my 1969 roadster.
I am coming from years as a bmw enthusiast and driver and longtime bmwcca member. I owned and operated a primarily bmw geared restoration shop out of NJ called Klub Vintage, but have since moved to the Valley Forge area of Pennsylvania.

Although I love older bimmers and have owned and restored dozens of 2002's, e21's and e30's, e24's and e28's, Ive always had an affinity for Datsuns as I grew up surrounded by a plethora of Z's. My father had a 240, a 280, then a 300 and my stepfather had multiple 240's and 280's and also a 300 as well.

I on the otherhand have always loved the roadsters and had been searching for a project for quite some time. I actually wanted one specifically that needed an entire overhaul. And I eventually found one. My 1969 roadster which I admittedly know virtually nothing about!

Im a bodyman, so fabrication and paint etc is my comfortzone, I can happily spend weeks on metal repair alone...but mechanics are not my strength! I will welcome lots of aid and advice in restoring this drivetrain!

Looking forward to being a part of the forum!

[notoptoy]

Welcome! Always glad to add a new member. You are entering this with a great attitude. I personally am envious of your skills in body work, as that is the one thing I DON'T tackle. The good news is the factory drivetrains on the Roadster is about as simple as it can get, and with the help of everyone here, you can figure out how to get anything done (except find cheap parts! )

[fj20spl311]

Welcome aboard.

[KlubVintage]

Thank you both!

Notoptoy, oddly enough my stepfather was a master mechanic who owned multiple service stations in his life (but before my time.) Unfortunately I didnt seize the opportunity to shadow him and learn his skills before his passing, for I was the artist of the family. My passion for cars and bikes took me on a different journey, building custom motorcycles and fabricating one-off parts, sheet metal repair for vintage cars where replacement panels werent available etc.

But tbh, I LOATHE, engine work! It just doesnt quite make sense to my brain. I can "swap" something where something is I can replace...yet I can create a panel of metal to fill a void of nothingness!

I once fabricated an entire drivers floor pan and pedal box for a bmw 2002 that had nothing left to go off. But thats fun to me!

Ive ALWAYS wanted to rebuild an engine myself...any engine! But the specs, and the tools, and the tolerances all mean mumbojumbo to me! Id love to find someone local to me within the 311 community who would ne generous enough to lend some knowledge to me!

[notoptoy]

Well, add your location to your profile, we have lots of members in the northeast that can certainly lend advice and potentially a hand too!

[fj20spl311]

I would check the VIN on the frame to confirm the model year.

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

1968 1600 SPL311 17001 to SPL311 24000

1969 1600 SPL311 24001 to SPL311 27000

My bet is its a 68 first sold in 69. The major difference is the electrical system.

[Gregs672000]

Welcome to the Addiction! We all have strengths and weaknesses , so we can help you with your weaknesses and benefit from your strengths! Plenty of body work questions on this forum. Regarding the engine and mechanicals, it's step by step, taking your time and using your visual brain to understand how things work together, then you will be able to reason out specs etc so they make sense. Looking forward to hearing and watching how your new project comes together. We are one big (good) family here (unlike some other groups I've seen), so feel free to ask away even if it's basic... we're here to help!

[Roman]

Welcome. A slice of home!
I used to live a few minutes right down the road from you in Eagleville!

[mblue97]

Welcome KlubVintage! I live close by in Drexel Hill. I currently have a 67 1600 but have had a 72 2002 and a 78 530i. Also a 260Z. I would love to stop by with my Datsun to check out yours. Feel free to email or send a message through the forum.

[KlubVintage]

Well, add your location to your profile, we have lots of members in the northeast that can certainly lend advice and potentially a hand too!

Will do, thanks!

I would check the VIN on the frame to confirm the model year.

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

1968 1600 SPL311 17001 to SPL311 2400

1969 1600 SPL311 24001 to SPL311 27000

My bet is its a 68 first sold in 69. The major difference is the electrical system.

Ill definitely need to check on that, thanks!

Welcome to the Addiction! We all have strengths and weaknesses , so we can help you with your weaknesses and benefit from your strengths! Plenty of body work questions on this forum. Regarding the engine and mechanicals, it's step by step, taking your time and using your visual brain to understand how things work together, then you will be able to reason out specs etc so they make sense. Looking forward to hearing and watching how your new project comes together. We are one big (good) family here (unlike some other groups I've seen), so feel free to ask away even if it's basic... we're here to help!

Thanks Greg! Im always happy to give more than I take! But I will definitely be needing to TAKE a lot of advice!

Welcome. A slice of home!
I used to live a few minutes right down the road from you in Eagleville!

Where are you now Roman?

Welcome KlubVintage! I live close by in Drexel Hill. I currently have a 67 1600 but have had a 72 2002 and a 78 530i. Also a 260Z. I would love to stop by with my Datsun to check out yours. Feel free to email or send a message through the forum.

Sounds great, looks like we have a bit in common! Im actually in Spring City to be more specific!

[mblue97]

Just wondering if you knew the last time the Datsun ran?

[KlubVintage]

Just wondering if you knew the last time the Datsun ran?

Not sure exactly :/ but I was told it was running last year though it hadnt been on the road in many years.

The short story goes like this...I bought another rust bucket of a project site unseen off of ebay!
Which I love doing...Lol!

But heres the long story, which includes WHY I wanted this one in particular...

I LOVE buying classic cars that come with a story, or history, or even just an enthusiastic owners papertrail documenting a portion of its life. So I bought the car off a short term owner who aquired it from an estate sale off the original owners. The car was said to be complete, including a trunk full of random parts. So my two main priorities were achieved with this car, getting one with
1. An interesting history
2. As a complete car

Once I got the car home after a local friend with a rollback went to obtain it for me, I found in the trunk a binder of old handwritten notes and original brochures, including parts catalogs dating back to the early 80's, all of this material contained highlighted sections, circled paragraphs, folded pages marking important information etc. all by the original owner...done with care in beautiful penmanship! I was happy!!

Ive bought and sold classic cars from all over the country and I live for the road trip, the experience of becoming personal with a new vehicle, but most of them are simply for pleasure, this one is out of passion.

This is one car that I bought for myself and my wife to enjoy together, and for other sentimental reasons. The reason I havent started restoration on it is because I know that once I do I will become engulfed, and obsessed. Between owning and operating a property maintenance company and having 5 young children (and a wonderful wife) the time I have to work on projects is not limited, but very selective!

That being said my birthday is Aug 1st and I have said all along that by my birthday I am moving it into the shop come hell or highwater!

[jrusso07]

Welcome. We have a Datsun Roadster meet at the Vintage Grand Prix festival at Watkins Glen Friday Sept 8th and a dinner Saturday Sept 9th. Hope you can come up and meet the North East owners and affectionados. Maybe drive your car? I will be posting more about the events as we get them settled.


In general...meet and greet a brew pub Thurdays night, vintage festival in town on Friday, show n shine Saturday AM, fun run Saturday afternoon. Vintage races at the track Saturday afternoon, dinner Saturday night...

[mblue97]

KlubVintage - just emailed you through the forum.