Belated Introduction

[johnscf]

I joined the forum about 2 years ago but just recently noticed this section. Thought late is better than never so here's my intro. I got my first roadster when I was in high school in 1974. It was a 1600, not sure what year but I suspect it was 68 or 69 because it had already had one repaint and had a large amount of rust. I guess it's possible a 70 could have rusted that much but... In any event that car never let me down, always started and ran great no matter how much I mistreated it as a stupid teenager. Had the car for 2 years until a buddy and I decided to do an all night road trip to visit a girl he was seeing. (beer was involved because stupid was acceptable back then) After about 2 hours of driving he got behind the wheel and promptly tried to pass a 240 that was turning left into a parking lot of an all night hamburger joint. We hit the 240, bounced off and hit the curb around the base of their large neon sign but fortunately went between the support poles and into the parking lot where we rear-ended an Opal Gt and knocked it out of its parking space and over a hill. My little roadster was totaled and I never saw it again.

Fast forward to 1991 when I spotted a yellow 69 2000 for sale in one of those car flyers you used to see in convenience stores before the internet. Bought it for $4500 from its second owner near Columbus Ohio who had owned it since 71. everything still there, all original with only 62000 miles. Everything worked including the clock and the AM radio, paint was still decent. Had her for about 25 years and a little over 25,000 miles. Over those years did a real nice repaint, had the transmission rebuilt put in new carpet and a new top. One year I thought I was really going to be strapped for cash (I get the bulk of my income at year end and thought I was really behind and broke) At a thanksgiving dinner a relative asked me what I was going to do with my Datsun that was siting in my car port under its cover. I stupidly said I'd probably have to sell it. The next morning at 8:00 a.m. he showed up with a friend with $5000 cash and I said ok. worst decision I ever made. Didn't really know about the roadster community that was out there at the time. Wish I had been more internet savvy and known about you guys then. They bought it to resell and put it on ebay about a month later after only cleaning up the engine compartment and it went for $11,700.

Been looking for one since and finally bought one off of BAT in 2016, then another off ebay and then another off craigslist. Probably was a little obsessed. Now have a red 67.5 1600 (BAT) that is great mechanically but needs better paint a blue 70 1600 (ebay) beautiful body and good paint but interior needs a little work and a 68 2000 (craigslist) very original but needed some engine work and paint is bad Each has its nice things and its not as nice things but all are great. Just replaced rear main seal, all timing gears and chains, new water pump, rear wheel cylinders and new shocks on the 68. Now stripping it down to do a repaint.
This community is such a great resource, more information on here than one can digest in a year or even two. Like I said I was a member for two years before I even saw the introduction section. I have been learning as much as possible and want to thank all those that have responded to my questions prompted by lack of experience. You guys are great.

[Linda]

Welcome. How about some pics? Must admit I am kind of curious what that Roadster wreck must have looked like....glad you walked, limped? away. Be careful out there
Linda

[theunz]

Welcome, that has to be the only Datsun roadster, Datsun Z, and Opel GT wreck ever! Certainly never going to be another.

[greydog]

Great story. It's amazing we lived through some of the dumb things we did as kids isn't it?
Welcome to the obsession.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Dan

[notoptoy]

Welcome! There isn't enough space on the internet to detail all of my stupid kid stories! I do like the one where I lived and can tell all the stories about when I was a stupid kid.....

[johnscf]

here are some pics

[Gregs672000]

Great stories! Ah yes, the stupidity of youth... Every time I crawl under the Datsun I see my rewelded sway bar mounts and recall the time that I thought Tequila, an empty Cal State Long Beach parking lot and a desire to do donuts was a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon... lost it, hit the concrete tire stops that protected the concrete planter box I was drifting around, mounted that, broke a 23mm comp sway bar, tore the mounts off the car, bent the frame, launched the engine off its mounts, punched holes in the rad... but didn't kill myself or anyone, and LEARNED MY LESSON!