Hi From Mike in Australia.

[S Allen]

Hands down I prefer the Roadster over the Triumph any day. The cool factor was there for the Triumph being my first ever car but I love driving the Datsun. Triumphs will be a distant memory soon as you start tinkering with a Sporty.

Steve

[Mychael]

Hope so. Taking nothing away from either car I've had several TR's and long ownership of both as well as very long continous relationship with our TR register here in Aus. which caters specifically to the sidescreen TR's.
Having said that there is an active Datsun club here and I believe a forming Roadster specific group as well.

What appeals to me with this Datsun is it's registered, drivable and ready to use but the pricing (as opposed to the other cars I'm looking at) will leave me some play money to be able to do some personalisation to it without having it off the road for extended time.

I have it on reasonanbly good authourity that it's mechanically sound but the trim could use some tidying up and there are some cracks in the paintwork (seen from photo's sent to me by the owner) which suggest there might be some filler shrinkage. That could be a concern if it's hiding lots of rust or panel damage. If it's only cosmetic then not such as issue as the spare funds should cover that.

Otherwise (and still without having seen or driven the car,hope the weather is kind this weekend) I'd go for a woodgrain steering wheel, re-upolster the seats or maybe install Mazda MX-5 (Miata seats), add some accents to the trim, probably red as I find the solid black a bit depressing, new carpets. Exterior I'd fix the paint cracks, remove those thin stick on side trims and maybe try to come up with some stripe accents over the all white body (probably red again). I've seen a few photo's of cars with stripes and though they looked ok.

Mechanically probably not a lot, go for the high torque starter, electronic ignition and depending on the exhaust it has now a set of extractors and 1.3/4 pipe.

IF I had the time and more importantly the money I'd give the car to the engine guru guy here and get it bored/stroked to what he tells me wil be a reliable 2100cc.

Likewise maybe lower the suspension a bit, they seem a bit high compared to other sportscars and maybe a full retrim in red which I personally prefer with white cars over black trim.

I'll try to put up a couple of engine and interior photo's in another post.

[Mychael]

Here are some more images. Feedback and honest critique welcome.

[S Allen]

Looks like a great start to me. Hope it all works out for you.

S

[mattywood]

Hi Mike, welcome aboard. I spoke to Lou abut that car and he reckons its a good car. The roadsters clubs across Oz have our Nationals in June in Bathurst. Why not come along with the Victorians at meet some fellow owners http://www.dsrcvic.com/index.php?option ... &Itemid=14

[Mychael]

Hi Mike, welcome aboard. I spoke to Lou abut that car and he reckons its a good car. The roadsters clubs across Oz have our Nationals in June in Bathurst. Why not come along with the Victorians at meet some fellow owners http://www.dsrcvic.com/index.php?option ... &Itemid=14

I just might. All other things being equal. I had found that site for the dsrcvic a few days ago but few of their links work. How does one actually contact them to join as the relevent links within their site I try tell me it's under construction and to try again later.

Two days to go and then I do the test drive. Fingers crossed the weather holds.

[mattywood]

Email them at datsun.roadster@hotmail.com

[Mychael]

Email them at datsun.roadster@hotmail.com

That email address bounces on me.

[mattywood]

Try darren_house@yahoo.com.au