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

[spriso]

theunz wrote:

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.

Great comment and observation. Yes, the battery situation has been quite the topic of discussion, where do you try to keep things original looking and where does it make sense to go with a more modern solution?

Obviously, it is very difficult to find a battery in the original GS or Yuasa battery style. Autolite sells a faux battery top that has traditional looking battery caps on it, but it is over styled and I would not think that a Japanese car like this would run an American car battery. I have seen a few roadster owners use them before, and they look cool, but not the style we are going for on this car.

We are not done with this subject yet, I do have some backdating to do on the battery that hopefully will be a good compromise. Watch this space.

Michael

[Gregs672000]

Such a beautiful car, so well done. Seeing the stock headrests does make me think that the designer left the company half way through the project however. I never knew mine had been modified into something useful as the cut and weld job looks completely factory and makes the use of a roll bar much easier. I understand fully the desire to keep it stock however, this car is show room quality, mine not so much!

[bakerjf]

theunz wrote:

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.

Great comment and observation. Yes, the battery situation has been quite the topic of discussion, where do you try to keep things original looking and where does it make sense to go with a more modern solution?

Obviously, it is very difficult to find a battery in the original GS or Yuasa battery style. Autolite sells a faux battery top that has traditional looking battery caps on it, but it is over styled and I would not think that a Japanese car like this would run an American car battery. I have seen a few roadster owners use them before, and they look cool, but not the style we are going for on this car.

We are not done with this subject yet, I do have some backdating to do on the battery that hopefully will be a good compromise. Watch this space.

Michael

Like this maybe?

DB623E76-06D6-4574-A83C-A666CADA6CBA.jpeg

[spriso]

Exactly like that...

Michael

[funkaholik]

The battery also caught my eye, due to its flat top, which is perfect for a plastic topper installation. Any of the models with the raised block of fill caps won't work.

Can you tell us the make & model of this battery?

I'm happy to see anything other than a day-glo green & white Interstate in a vintage engine bay. Just kills me every time I see a beautifully restored classic with an obnoxious battery color you can see from space.

At the risk of just repeating what others have said, this is a work of art. Thoughtfulness and attention to detail are stunning. Can't wait to see it in person, once we have car shows again...

[spriso]

Quick Update:

Back to work on Project Unicorn-- we got the chrome back from the platers and it looks really good-- now I can finally rebuild the doors and windshield so we can take this car for a drive!





But of course, there is a lot of prep work to do before we can put that all together. The inside of the over riders needed to be painted to keep a consistent look and finish:



And the 67.5 anti-dazzle matte silver finish needed to be applied to the inside of the chrome quarter window frames and windshield frame:





It's always hard to paint over perfect chrome, but that is what they did in 67.5 and we want to be as accurate as possible on this project.

With the chrome back, I was also able to finally get the grille rebuilt and put back in the car-- the original Emerald Empire Sports Car Club grille emblem was given a gentle clean and reinstalled back on the grille as well:



I also had to do a little shop re-arranging and while the car was outside, took a couple shots of the car before the chrome goes back on:







The car is now licensed and insured, so as soon as I have the windshield and doors re-assembled, we can start our test drive process to work out any final problems before this can be delivered back to the customer!

Michael

[iloveredmeat]

Wow! This one looks even amazinger.

Really beautiful work.

Michael are you using the Krylon dull aluminum spray paint for the anti-dazzle? Did you need to scuff up the chrome for adherence?

Thanks,
Peter

[spriso]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your comments-- we spent a long time looking for a perfect match for the matte silver, and use a Plasti-Kote Cast Aluminum paint that goes directly onto the chrome-- the paint has excellent adhesion and a couple light coats is all it needs.

Michael

[Gregs672000]

Man I hate you! Such a beautiful car... ahhhhh!

[iloveredmeat]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your comments-- we spent a long time looking for a perfect match for the matte silver, and use a Plasti-Kote Cast Aluminum paint that goes directly onto the chrome-- the paint has excellent adhesion and a couple light coats is all it needs.

Michael

Awesome, I'll get some of that and give it a go.

Thanks a ton Michael.
pm

[Datsun.David]

Michael, your attention to detail is inspiring. Particularly helpful to see the anti-dazzle detailing. How did you get the headlight bezels done? I have a set of originals that are blistering slightly... but I have heard the chroming discussion a couple of times... and never seen/heard a conclusive answer...

[DAC21]

Speculation 101, 45K build with labor? ( I know Michael can't comment)

[Alvin]

Michael the wheel/tire combo turned out perfect, imho. Again, I wish my paint looked this good!
What will be the treatment for the shift boot/console? Trim ring, or not?!

[Alvin]

Speculation 101, 45K build with labor? ( I know Michael can't comment)

Doubling that figure would be closer!

[spriso]

Alvin wrote:

What will be the treatment for the shift boot/console? Trim ring, or not?!

I'm still trying to decide on that. The original was glued with no trim ring:









I have one of Dean's shift boot kits, but it will require the trim ring to be used. I do not know of a glue which will keep the boot in place-- I just have not found anything that will stick like what the used back in the day.

The restored trim ring is ready to be installed, I just have not made up my mind on what to do yet...