I'm Steve Heimsoth and new to this forum. I am in the process of building my first roadster. I completed a 1972 240Z restoration a few years ago. You can see it here: http://home.comcast.net/~heimsothtn/240Z.htm
I've always liked the Datsun roadsters and had a few MGBs when I was younger. A friend of mine built a racing roadster and gave me what was left of his parts cars; a '69 SRL rolling chasis and body (he took the U20 motor and 5 speed for his race car) and a '70 SPL frame and body. Here is a recent picture of his race car at VIR:
I decided that I was still missing a few things (little things like engine and transmission) so I bought a 3rd car last week. It is a complete '70 SPL in need of full restoration. My plan right now is to build the R16 as a 2 liter motor (Bill gave me a set of U20 rods so I still need a U20 crank), put it in the '69 SRL body or whichever body is the best one, and trim it as the '69 SRL since it will be a real 2000 cc engine.
I've submitted my cars to the registry and will provide updates on my roadster progress.
I've been following 311.org for some time now as a non member. I look forward to corresponding with you and am grateful for all the valuable information.
Welcome to the fun. If you check around the local forklift/industrial places, you may be able to get an H20 forklift engine.. An H20 crank or whole short block is the easy no machining stroker.
Dave Brisco
Take my advice, I'm not using it"
66 2000 The Bobster
64 1500 in pieces for sale
1980 Fiat X1/9
2009 Volvo C-70
08 Expedition EL, STUPID huge but comfy
1962 Thompson Sea Lancer, possible money pit
welcome to the forum. you have a great start with three roadsters. i see you are in east Tennessee. i have family in Maryville, and one day plan on driving over the smokies in the roadster. and maybe run down that dragon while i am there.
Thanks for the warm welcomes. I've got to ask though, is there any way to stop or limit the madness? As I said, I have 3 roadsters in my driveway now and today I spot another one on Craigslist close by. I'm picking it up Saturday morning. It's a 1968 SRL311 complete with U20 motor and 5 speed. Body is rough, but I got a complete car for $400. So now I have the U20 crank I was needing and a 5 speed transmission; not to mention another set of everything else to pick from during my restoration.
heimsoth wrote:Thanks for the warm welcomes. I've got to ask though, is there any way to stop or limit the madness? As I said, I have 3 roadsters in my driveway now and today I spot another one on Craigslist close by. I'm picking it up Saturday morning. It's a 1968 SRL311 complete with U20 motor and 5 speed. Body is rough, but I got a complete car for $400. So now I have the U20 crank I was needing and a 5 speed transmission; not to mention another set of everything else to pick from during my restoration.
Nope. You're just on Step 4 of the Roadster 12 Step Plan.
Pete
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'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.
'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
heimsoth wrote:Thanks for the warm welcomes. I've got to ask though, is there any way to stop or limit the madness? As I said, I have 3 roadsters in my driveway now and today I spot another one on Craigslist close by. I'm picking it up Saturday morning. It's a 1968 SRL311 complete with U20 motor and 5 speed. Body is rough, but I got a complete car for $400. So now I have the U20 crank I was needing and a 5 speed transmission; not to mention another set of everything else to pick from during my restoration.
You can count your blessings you live in the States..I am looking for an original rim here in Australia. The last time I found someone who had a spare was 2 years ago he wanted $300 for it..You bought a whole car for $400..?? MAN is that Lucky or what.
glamoor wrote:
heimsoth wrote:Thanks for the warm welcomes. I've got to ask though, is there any way to stop or limit the madness? As I said, I have 3 roadsters in my driveway now and today I spot another one on Craigslist close by. I'm picking it up Saturday morning. It's a 1968 SRL311 complete with U20 motor and 5 speed. Body is rough, but I got a complete car for $400. So now I have the U20 crank I was needing and a 5 speed transmission; not to mention another set of everything else to pick from during my restoration.
That's such a shame. I have 12 original rims and need only 5 of them. I'd give you a few if there was an easy way to get them there. I think $400 dollars for a car with a U20 and 5 speed is a rare find. Every now and then you run into a deal where the seller doesn't know how valuable or rare something is. It's hard to find such deals on eBay due to the large number of viewers unless the seller misspells in his description and you happen to run across it some how. Craigslist on the other hand is different. Because you can't search more than one area/town at a time, it's hard for large numbers of people to find a particular add. Also, I imagine most people just search for items close to home to make it easier look at and buy.
