New member

[G.kambs]

I guess I’ll start off with a confession:
My name is Mike and I have a lifelong addiction to automobiles.

I don’t know if I’m crazy or just crazy about cars(1)? For reasons unknown to me I sit at stop lights and I’m compelled to name the makes and models of on coming traffic as far away as possible, before it’s obvious. At nighttime I try to guess the make and model of moving vehicles either by identifying the head lights or tail lights.

I’ve been married for 31 years, the last of our four kids will be graduating next year. And it’s beyond time for me to get rid of the mini van and get something for me.
(I know that sounds selfish, right?)

I have been looking for a Porsche 911 to convert to electric for a daily driver. But those plans have been sidetracked.

By occupation I’m a Real Estate Broker,
I manage rentals. One of my real estate owners is a retired dentist who has a well diversified retirement portfolio which also includes real estate and classic cars.

Twenty years ago at auction he bought a 1969 Datsun roadster 1600, drove it home, parked it in one of his many garages, it’s been there ever since....ever since today when he sold it to me. This is my first project car.

I’ve always been “crazy about cars” but to be certifiable apparently, you must meet both criteria (below) I’ve fit (b) all my life, so now I’ll start working on (a).

(1) crazy for cars: (a) a person who may make mentally or financially unreasonable (to others) decisions regarding restoring any given automobile. (b) a person who exhibits obsessive compulsive thoughts or behaviors about automobiles.

[S Allen]

Welcome and you are not alone. There are a lot of car nuts here. Look forward to reading about your progress with the latest obsession.

Steve

[notoptoy]

Welcome, that should clean up REALLY WELL! Congratulations. Keep posting pictures as you start and move through your project. #1 get it running and driving as quickly as possible and drive it before undertaking any major projects. Replace all the fluids, dump and clean the tank, blow out the fuel lines, prime the engine oil, and giver her a shot at starting. You'll likely have to do major work on the hydraulics - so brakes and clutch are probably next on the list. Don't stray, drive it and bond with it!

[C.Costine]

Welcome to 311s! Change the brake fluid immediately! It is probably too late but worth a try.

[mraitch]

Welcome indeed!

You are fortunate inasmuch as there is quite a strong roadster community in your approximate neck of the woods.

As stated, get her running, with all fluid changes, including bleeding brake and clutch. Drive her, focus on getting the drive train/fuel system sorted before you decide to do anything more.

Depending upon how long she has been sitting, caliper seizure is likely.

Strongly suggest reading entire techwiki. There are answers to questions you are not likely to ask and there is a wealth of knowledge there. Many 'wheels' have been addressed and solutions offered.

I do not frequent any other marque websites, but from my years on this one, you are unlikely to find a more informative and helpful site than this. We have excellent vendors, who not only HAVE stuff, but are often involved in 'creating' needed parts. Mechanically, you are going to find that they provide almost anything you need. Pretty 'bits' can sometimes be hard to find, and sometimes spendy, but this community is way helpful.

There are experts on all aspects of our little cars and a community that is only too happy to help you in your new journey.

Ask ANY questions, whether they might appear 'stupid' but while our cars are not particularly 'quirky', like ANY 50+ old cars, and we all have experienced what is needed to solve problems and keep them running happily.

There is a Datsun event at Mount Shasta, in September, I think, where you can meet MANY roadster owners and get helpful advice.

These cars are on the whole reliable and certainly FUN. Owners have driven 10K+ miles around the country with little problem. While I personally LOVE MGA's, I would be concerned to take one on a 10K trip as I and others have done. At our last Solvang meet in April, one member drove from the East coast and another 'regular' came up from Mexico.

Sort, drive, enjoy and ask questions. You won't be disappointed that you jpined the 'club'

[G.kambs]

Thanks Steve, I’m not on any other social media platforms so I’m new to this, I think I just figured out how to reply to a post?

[AC77]

Welcome! Looks like you have a great car to start with

[G.kambs]

Thanks Adam I’m picking it up next week.

[G.kambs]

Welcome, that should clean up REALLY WELL! Congratulations. Keep posting pictures as you start and move through your project. #1 get it running and driving as quickly as possible and drive it before undertaking any major projects. Replace all the fluids, dump and clean the tank, blow out the fuel lines, prime the engine oil, and giver her a shot at starting. You'll likely have to do major work on the hydraulics - so brakes and clutch are probably next on the list. Don't stray, drive it and bond with it!

Thanks for the checklist I’ve already copied and pasted it.

[G.kambs]

Welcome to 311s! Change the brake fluid immediately! It is probably too late but worth a try.

Absolutely, thank you!

[PandaBoy]

What's with the shifter? Has this car been converted to automatic?

[G.kambs]

It’s an automatic, my research indicates the factory put out a 3 speed automatic but I’ve never seen one?

[G.kambs]

Welcome indeed!

You are fortunate inasmuch as there is quite a strong roadster community in your approximate neck of the woods.

As stated, get her running, with all fluid changes, including bleeding brake and clutch. Drive her, focus on getting the drive train/fuel system sorted before you decide to do anything more.

Depending upon how long she has been sitting, caliper seizure is likely.

Strongly suggest reading entire techwiki. There are answers to questions you are not likely to ask and there is a wealth of knowledge there. Many 'wheels' have been addressed and solutions offered.

I do not frequent any other marque websites, but from my years on this one, you are unlikely to find a more informative and helpful site than this. We have excellent vendors, who not only HAVE stuff, but are often involved in 'creating' needed parts. Mechanically, you are going to find that they provide almost anything you need. Pretty 'bits' can sometimes be hard to find, and sometimes spendy, but this community is way helpful.

There are experts on all aspects of our little cars and a community that is only too happy to help you in your new journey.

Ask ANY questions, whether they might appear 'stupid' but while our cars are not particularly 'quirky', like ANY 50+ old cars, and we all have experienced what is needed to solve problems and keep them running happily.

There is a Datsun event at Mount Shasta, in September, I think, where you can meet MANY roadster owners and get helpful advice.

These cars are on the whole reliable and certainly FUN. Owners have driven 10K+ miles around the country with little problem. While I personally LOVE MGA's, I would be concerned to take one on a 10K trip as I and others have done. At our last Solvang meet in April, one member drove from the East coast and another 'regular' came up from Mexico.

Sort, drive, enjoy and ask questions. You won't be disappointed that you jpined the 'club'

Peter, thank you so much for all the great information!! Especially about “techwiki” what a wealth of information.
I look forward to getting this car and getting it back into a safe, reliable condition.

[notoptoy]

Datsun never put out an automatic for the Roadster so you have some kind of engine/transmission swap going on there. Post pictures, would love to help you identify.

[FergO2k]

Welcome, we are all similarly afflicted, and there is no known vaccination.
My guess is either L-series engine and trans from 510 wagon, or A-series (1200/1400) and auto from a B210.
Either way, all the things that Peter (mraitch) said, still thing is to get her on the road, get a feel/taste for her, drive it to meets and take test drives in others, then make plans. (cause then the person looking for a drivetrain will give you best $$ for removal and purchase of it)
In reading about lots of projects (here and others) consider each major mod plan along the lines of, "and if I get busy, there is this resource that X has used, that I can bring it to to get that chapter done and keep the project moving".
Cool looking car.