Project Unicorn, the resurrection of 1967.5 Datsun 2000 SRL-00342

[Gregs672000]

Museum quality, wow.

[spl310]

Thanks! Beautiful work btw

[funkaholik]

NOS fuses? Way to take it to the next level.

[spriso]

I have not updated Project Unicorn in quite a bit, so I'll show some recent progress.

The following content was used in another thread, but should also paste it here as it is related to this car:

Here is how I repaired a broken door limiter bracket on Project Unicorn:

Here is what I started with-- the door limiter bracket had ripped out of the door, allowing it to over extend-- in addition to that, the retainer clip in the A-pillar was broken, and for bonus fun, the entire A-pillar was filled with dog food that some sort of rodent had squirreled away:



Once all the dog food was vacuumed out of the A-pillar, I could start to access the damage. The door was removed for paint, and we rebuilt and welded on the retainer bracket-- a very straight forward repair. How I was going to get the clip into the A-pillar took a little time to figure out...

First, I went to this image-- this is a shot of an A-pillar that I replaced on my wife's 1500 project-- I wanted to see how Datsun installed the clip on inside of the panel-- once we saw that, I just needed a parts car:



Fortunately, Eric Straw had a roadster parts car and I was able to cut open an A-pillar to get the retainer clip out and to figure out how I was going to re-attach it:




These are riveted in from the factory, and with the door now back in place, that would not be possible to reinstall in that fashion. After looking at it for awhile, I drilled out the rivets so I could use normal fasteners:



In the end, the screws would not work (with the door reinstalled), so I ended up using Allen head screws with the Nylocks, and that worked out beautifully:

[spriso]

Keeping it Cool

So, with the engine back in the car, it was time to get the support systems dialed in. The stock 67.5 radiator was taken to the radiator shop where it was hot tanked, flow tested, and when it was done, professionally repainted to go back in the car:







Jim Tyler provided some of his braided radiator hoses and wire clamps, and a new radiator fan was sourced from Paul Wells at Datsun Roadster Parts to finish the look:



The final touch was a repo radiator inspection sticker from Dean at Datsunparts.com to finish it off:

[spriso]

Reviving More Systems

With the replacement wiring harness provided by Curtis hooked up, it was time to add a battery and cables to see if we could bring more systems back to life.

Jim Tyler and I discussed several styles of battery to put in the car, and it was finally decided to keep the stock Type 24 battery. A NOS battery tray was sourced for the battery to sit on:



Jim provided a 67.5 battery hold down, and I had the battery hardware rezinc plated, and a pair of battery cables from Jim were also added-- nice and clean:



With the battery sorted, it was time to make sure that everything was grounded properly, everything connected, and to triple check everything under the dash-- lots of fun:



Out in the front of the car, Ross from Sports Imports provided us with a replacement Toshiba headlight to replace the missing unit that I had:



With the battery connected, I checked systems, and was very pleased to see lights!





So great to see systems come back to life-- after sitting dormant for nearly 35 years, this car is slowly coming back...

[Alvin]

EPIC update! Can we see the interior?

[spriso]

Interior Details

There is so much work to getting the interior done.... first started with the triangle panels under the dash-- hood release and four way flasher units installed and adjusted for correct operation:



The center console with the heater controls always soaks up many hours to get everything correct. Masking off the side panel before super trim adhesive is sprayed:



New vinyl installed:



Heater and vent controls all zinc plated, lubed, and reinstalled-- if you like puzzles, take these apart with out photos, and reassemble a few months later...



Add a NOS cigarette lighter:





Install, and adjust, and adjust, and adjust again and again, until things work smoothly:



Turn signal assembly, cleaned, re-lubed, and repainted:



Seats were torn down for rebuilding:



The frames were sent out and powder coated and all the hardware was re-zinc plated. New Pirelli webbing was purchased and the seat bases were re-webbed:







Headrests were torn down too for refinishing:





Starting to come together-- still lots to do on the inside, but getting closer:

[ted heaton]

Michael, I am seeing a problem.
Only 1 metal post clip on the hood "T".


Ted

[spriso]

Rollout

Project Unicorn has been on jackstands for a long time-- I really owed owner Ken some new images of the car to show him the updates. New 15" Panasport wheels came from Dean at Datsunparts.com, and after a lot of debate (and a great consulting session with Alvin) some 195/55/15 Yokohama tires were mounted on the car. The original 14" magnesium wheels will be restored and I have a NOS set of vintage set of period correct tires will go on the car for shows, but for everyday driving duties, the 15" wheels were a logical choice.

Wheels on, and on a drizzly Oregon afternoon, the car was pushed out into the Oregon sunshine...













We hope to start this car up in the next few weeks-- it will be going to Portland to the engine builder's dyno facility where we will do the first start and engine break in on a rolling chassis dyno-- of course photos and video from that event will be shared!

Stay tuned!

Michael

[spriso]

Ted wrote;

Michael, I am seeing a problem. Only 1 metal post clip on the hood "T".

Yes, noted, ran out of speed nuts-- it's on the whiteboard to be corrected.

Sharp eyes, sharp eyes...

[JT68]

Uber nice, what a stunner! Wow!

[theunz]

Beautiful car and lovely engine bay, however the modern battery caught my eye. Have you considered using one of the imitation battery toppers. With so much attention to detail I think one would really help with the authenticity.

[Pjackb]

love the attention to detail

[Mattk]

That's Gorgeous! Mad Skills! Wonderful Attention to details!