Going Topless in So. Cal

[theunz]

As long as there is a few correct cars out there then I don’t see the harm in modifying a portion of the rest. They are not national treasures or religious relics after all, and it would be a dull world without customs. What you are proposing is not my cup of tea, but you shouldn’t need permission to do so. Besides that, every original roadster that is customized just makes the few remaining original ones more valuable!

[jayedeluxe]

Thanks Mike, I don't really have the money to do a full restore on the car. I've had it for 30 years and my daughter said she wants it when they take my license away, hahaha. I have a 68 Chevy truck and and a So Cal house that takes all my money !!! For the Datsun, I'm thinking something that fits me right here in San Diego. A topless, sweet car. I'm hoping this group is not just for classic restore Datsuns, I appreciate those afficionados out there, and love seeing those restored cars, but that's not me.

[Linda]

If you ask for honest opinions, I think you will get it here. But we don’t flame you for your choices, like many sites on the Net, it just may not be our thing. You will note though that we affirm your car, your choice. You were open-minded enough to ask for opinions, and now the decision is all yours! I hope you enjoy your car fully and keep us updated with a “build” or perhaps an “unbuild” thread! ha,ha.
San Diego is a nice place to be with a little convertible, for sure.
Linda

[roadsterdude1600]

I don't think I have used wipers on any car I have since the invention of Rain-Ex. And I never get wet unless I have to stop with no underpass in sight;))

[greydog]

You will have to pull the dash and heater to get the wiper motor, linkage and pivots out. You may have to remove the windshield to avoid heat damage from welding the pivot holes closed. Lot of work.
You could just remove the arms but then it looks incomplete. The shafts stick up enough that a small cover would be obvious. I'd leave them.
Dan

[bikermike]

FWIW in the 9 years I have owned my car I haven’t used the wipers but I am a huge fan of the tonneau cover when parked to keep sun off the interior, to keep leaves out and to keep my black seats cool. I’d keep the twisties and posties.

[Alvin]

My 2 cents:
If you are shaving/deleting things on the body there has to be a theme. Ken's "DATSTER" is an example of where the snaps/posts were deleted (wipers intact!) along with many other features. No tail reflectors, no side molding, no wing windows, sealed shut door windows, no door handles, no body mirrors, no visors, etc. It is very "Custom", so it works imho:






He did run a "bikini" top...sun exposure is a real concern.

I get the "stewardship" and worry of "undoing" sins of PO's...but my feeling is that the absolute worst thing you can do to our cars is not drive them. If someone wants to "undo" my engine swap down the line so they can enjoy it the way they see fit...so be it!

[jayedeluxe]

That's what I had in my head !!! Someone's done it !!! Ken, are you out there ? I 'd love to hear your experience on this. You even got rid of the license plate lights...

[68DSU]

Wipers are required for your car in California. Just in case that idiot in front of you splashes your car.
I have never had the soft top on and rarely used the hard top but I did use the tonneau a lot. It is important if you want to keep people out of your car when you are in the store or want to secure something in the back to keep it from being blown away in the wind. When it was a daily driver, I ran with the half tonneau partly because I think it looks cleaner. On a chilly morning, a three quarters tonneau and a cranked up heater can be comfortable. A covered cockpit also keeps the blazing sun off the seats so you can sit on them.

[FergO2k]

Lots of hot rods leave in the motor and wiper shafts, but just cap them with chrome knobs and keep the wipers in the trunk. ( would do same and paint them body color)
I have only run the soft top 3 times in 20 years (!!!) and have never turned on the wipers.
Rain-X is your friend, but I also have long arms so can reach the wipers if I lean forward while driving.
(course removing the center console so now they only operate at granny speeds might have something to do with that, but let's not go there...)

Ken/Datster is no longer on here, it got sold, have not seen it re-surface.
It was very creatively done and always well turned out. (supercharger, 240sx dash pod, perfect stance, etc)
Removed side/vent windows may improve airflow, as I find the "fairing effect" kinda stifling on long drives, so I rest my hand on outside of door on the mirror post, so wind gets deflected into the cockpit more.

[jayedeluxe]

i'm doing my car similar to Ken's DATSTER, I haven't yet addressed a driver's side mirror. I see he does not have one on his finished car. Anyone know what the legalities are in California on this ? I do have a rear view mirror on the windshield. Thanks !!!

[jayedeluxe]

Oops....just saw that tiny mirror on the side !!!

[theunz]

As a former truck driver I find that I seldom rely my inside rear view mirror. When I drive my Datsun without a passenger side mirror I feel a little nervous due to the lack of vision and a huge blind spot. I can’t imagine how vulnerable I would feel without any outside mirror.

[FergO2k]

CA laws say there has to be an outside one on driver side at a minimum. I don't believe there are size restrictions.
The round ones used on hot rods, screw-clamped onto wing window frame would work and keep the door skin clean, someone gave me a pair but the typical hot rod size are 4", that looks oversized on a roadster.
Local hot rod swap meet is your friend for that. Check VW bug sites too, dune buddies need these on the street. (they have manual clip-on wiper set-ups too)

[eye]

Side markers filled. Left posties and twisties. Don't plan on having a top, but I like the looks of the hardware myself.