Nice to meet ya

[billkuma]

Hello all,
Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member. I'm Bill Gibbons and I hail from near Salisbury, MD, US, about 30 miles west - uh, let me think - yeah, west of the Atlantic. I've had my '68 1600 since 9/85 and it hasn't been on the road since '86. Started resto and then life got in the way of living. I'm now fully retired from several occupations, put myself back in college (at the age of 64, I haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up) but I really want to get the baby on the road again. Also, have a '60 AH Bugeye that I hope to work on at the same time (yeah, right!).
Two days ago, I came across what I think is a '67 1600, just sitting in the parking lot of a local business. It is sitting beside U.S. Rt. 50 just west of Salisbury but haven't had a chance to stop and ask anyone what's up with it since it's July 4th weekend. Will try to do that on Tues. It's SPL311-08482. Tomorrow will travel to central Delaware to pick up a bunch of 1600 and 2000 parts, e.g., seats, radiator, dash, roll bar, trim pieces, and who knows what else. It's going to be like Christmas 'cause I don't have a complete list of what the dude's selling. I'm buying his entire collection as a lot.
This seems to be a great site with a bunch of knowledge offered by a bunch of helpful folk. I always admired the roadsters when I lived in Japan mid- to late-'60's. That's also where I saw my first 240Z and I was in love. I've owned three 280's since then, 1 normally aspirated and 2 turbos. I figured it's time to return to the roadster now (the Z's always got me in trouble). Please bare with me - I'm sure I'll have plenty of stupid questions to ask in the near future.
BTW, is the Mark Dent that I've seen posted on here the same one that used to hang around Salisbury, MD?

[notoptoy]

Welcome! You are in the right spot. Lots of helpful people and information here.BTW, post any spare parts you want to "get rid of" once you get an inventory!

[billkuma]

Thanks Tom. 10-4 on the parts inventory. I have some extras already but, after my trip tomorrow, should have more toys. Is there a need for convertible top frames, consoles (where the radio and heater controls are located - as opposed to the center console where the ashtray and storage box are located), roll bars, etc. out here in roadsterland?
Bill

[dbrick]

Hi Bill, just drove back from Maryland this morning! Sure we'll catch up soon.

[wgb1]

Hi Bill,

Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about the questions. There are no stupid questions.......so I am told. I am not very mechanically inclined so I have always been afraid of asking stupid questions myself. As far as a need for top frames and such, if you have an extra one, please give me a shout. I've been looking for a top frame for a 68. I only have the hard top and would love to have a soft top as well. Have a great day!

[Linda]

Please bare with me

Hi Bill. Not sure how many will take you up on that , but welcome to the forum!


Linda

[billkuma]

Walter, after I've had a chance to see what the heck I got here, I'll let you know re: convertible top frame. I just got back from Delaware 15 minutes ago with an SUV full of more 1600/2000 goodies. I've spent a lot of time in TX, around Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Sabine River area but I don't know what's involved with international shipments - Texas is a whole 'nother country - .

Linda, you must be an English major - believe it or not, I got an 'A' in English two semesters ago but the bare/bear thing gets past me easily. - Still . . .


Bill

[duff me]

Welcome, Bill. I'm in Maryland, about 30-40 minutes from Delaware. Lucky thing you saw that parts stash before I did. Good luck with the car - I'd like to see some pictures.

[billkuma]

Hey Duff,
Sorry 'bout the parts stash in Milford, DE. Older, retired schoolteacher sold his resto'ed 2000 7-8 years ago to the Kent County, DE sheriff and had a bunch of stuff in his basement. Me - I just pulled my boat out of the garage two days ago to make room to work and now that space is filled again with these new parts toys. As soon as I can figure out where in the garage I put the 1600, I'll take some pics and post.
Where's northeast of Baltimore . . . Harford County or Cecil County?

[datsun1500]

Hey Bill,

Believe it or not it is the same Mark Dent. I called your old number about 2 years ago and left a message

To fill in the details for the rest of you, the only other guy I knew that even had a clue what a Roadster was in 1986 was Bill. The first "meet" I ever went to was at his house. It was about 6 of us with vintage cars, My Roadster, a Jag, a MGA, a Fiat, and 2 others...

I was all of 16 at the time....

I told Dave (dbrick) about a guy I knew that had fiberglass bonnets for bugeye sprites that I knew back in the day. Dave, it's this guy.

[duff me]

No worries about the parts stash - my wife thanks you, anyway. I'm in Harford County. Maybe Mark and I can roadsterpool down to see you sometime. Or you can come up here. I'm sure dbrick will be up for another trip.

[billkuma]

Duff, your wife's gain is my wife's loss. Truth is, she enjoys roadsters (all marks) and even enjoys looking through boxes of goodies, parts, and the cars with me. Back in the day, I did some flying in and out of the Harford County airport as well as Raintree Airpark in Cecil County. Maybe by the time you can get down here, I will have found the 1600 behind the other stuff in the garage .
Mark, I still have that fiberglass Bugeye bonnet. Haven't decided if I'll put that on the BE or the original - probably the original.
Bill

[datsun1500]

Here's a good tidbit for you, Doing the math you are 24 years older than me, That means when we hung out I was 16-17 and you were 40. I am now 40 and my son is 17.....

Still have the anniversary Z?

[billkuma]

Mark,
My spousal unit says you can't have a 17-year-old and be 40 yourself because she still remembers you as a baby (she means that in a complimentary sense); of course, she can't say much since she's only six years older than you.
I sold the '83 280ZX several years ago (wasn't running it much and it didn't seem right) and I still miss 'her' (not to be un-PC, but she was quite the lady Z with digital dash, T-tops, turbo, camel-colored leather interior, beautiful shiny black exterior).

[wgb1]

I've spent a lot of time in TX, around Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Sabine River area but I don't know what's involved with international shipments - Texas is a whole 'nother country

Bill

Well, at least some people wish Texas was a "whole 'nother country". I live just down the road from the Sabine River. I have floated it many times in canoes and kayaks. It's certainly not a pretty river......unless of course you like mud-stained, log choked, snake infested, mosquito ridden, humidity laden rivers. It can still be a fun float though. Anyway, just let me know if you have a spare frame. Thanks a bunch.