I actually joined the group a month or so ago but never introduced myself formally. I have already posted a couple of questions and received great answers. I bought the following 1969 2000 with Solexes and B cam on eBay.
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My wife and I rented a car and drove 500 miles and picked up the car. We left the rental and drove the roadster the 500 miles back home. Every one of our friends thought we were crazy to trust a 40 year old car purchased from a stranger on a trip that long. The trip was mostly uneventual other than the major downpour while driving through part of the Ozarks in southern Missouri. That was when we discovered that neither of the windows would roll up! Fortunately the rain only lasted for 30 minutes and I drove fast enough that most of it blew by and we didn't get all that wet.
I used to have a 1970 2000 that I bought new in 1969 while in the US Air Force and stationed in Okinawa. I shipped it to the states in 1970 when I left the military. I got married in 1973 (to a mere child!) and the 2000 was our only car for several years. It was a fun car to drive in the snow in Kansas where we sometimes got a foot or two at a time. I lost that car in the mid-'80's when it was totaled by a hit-and-run driver while parked in front of our house during a snow storm. I had regretted losing that car until now. I even bought a 1973 MGB in the late '80s hoping to have as much fun. It wasn't even close to being the same.
Now I have this 1969 2000 with Solexes and B cam. My original roadster was the 2000 with dual SU's, and this one is much more aggressive (and loud!!). The previous owner used to race this car in Chicago and he was actually concerned that somebody as "old" as me might not be able to handle the car. Heck, he isn't that much younger than me - maybe 10 years or so!
Anyway, both my wife and I had a blast on the trip home and the subsequent shorter jaunts around here on weekends. It brought back many memories of when we took our original roadster on trips to Cape Cod and Niagra Falls or the Rocky Mts. Back then we had the luggage rack filled and a bicycle rack on the back with two 10-speeds. Our long hair was blowing (I was a hippie wanta-be!) and the stereo casette player was loud.
This recent car has a lot of issues, like the hand brake is missing parts and the 240Z brakes squeal horribly at slow speed stops. The speedo doesn't work and it needs a new top, etc. It seems to be in decent condition mechanically, but it will need a lot of work to bring it to what I want it to be.
It sure is faster than my SU 2000 and is not as easy (or quiet) to drive to the grocery store for a quart of milk
, but I seem to prefer it over our sedans.Sorry for the length of this, but I am still giddy over this car and have difficulty in shutting up when discussing it.
Dick Schneiders
Sounds like you will enjoy the car. There are actually several folks in your areas. I work in southwest Missouri and spend as much time as I can in southern Iowa. Glad to see you are not bashful about asking questions. Lot's of good folks here to help you out.