Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Here is a look at the engine.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, but glad to hear you both are ok.

Looking at the pic, I'd guess electrical fire. Could your + terminal have made contact with the inside of the hood or have become grounded somehow?

Regardless, main thing is that is wasn't worse. Hopefully the insurance hassle won't be too bad.

^^ yeah most of the paint on hood seems to be missing near the battery side and not the carb side

Bummer that happened. Hope it's not too bad to fix.

What a bummer. It does look repairable though. Hope the insurance comes through and you can use the money to make it even better! Mike

Oh man, what a tragic chapter in your Roadster adventure! I am so sorry to see this. As already stated, thank God it didn't result in a crash or bodily harm to you, your wife, or anyone else. You will surely have the support of the local group, as well as here clearly.

I am no expert, but from the burn on the hood and the completely melted battery... that looks like it started on the other side of the engine. Air cleaners look remarkably intact for a fire on the intake side...

Sorry to hear of this!

Thanks everybody for the kind words... Its been a rough couple weeks figuring out insurance stuff. But insurance came through and I was covered. They claimed it as a total loss and towed her away yesterday . That was hard watching it leave like that.

I don't have the time or skills to restore a half melted Roadster, so i didn't really fight to keep the car. Now I'm starting back at square one looking for a good running Roadster again...

Thanks again for all your responses.

Good that it all worked out. It will be interesting to see where any of the recognizable parts come up for sale soon if it is parted out. What was the VIN and block s/n?

Are you looking for another stock low windshield car? What is your target budget?

Feel your pain. Eliza caught fire a coupla years ago - trashed the interior - but fortunately didn't impact the actual running of the car. Bummer indeed.

bikermike wrote:Good that it all worked out. It will be interesting to see where any of the recognizable parts come up for sale soon if it is parted out. What was the VIN and block s/n?

Are you looking for another stock low windshield car? What is your target budget?

Yea that will be interesting.. the VIN is SPL311- 00832.

I like the look of the low windshield cars the best, but wouldn't mind a later year either. My budget is around 5k.

Glad They came through, Hope they did not lowball you.
Who is your insurance company and where is their yard?!?!?!?!

pebbles wrote:Glad They came through, Hope they did not lowball you.
Who is your insurance company and where is their yard?!?!?!?!

I believe Copart Salvage Yard in Portland, Oregon took it. Would love if one of you guys revived her.

Why don't you buy it back? To me the real sin is that they took a sawzall to your hood and fenders. It couldn't be opened?? All the rest is easily repairable. ( relatively)

Roman wrote:Why don't you buy it back? To me the real sin is that they took a sawzall to your hood and fenders. It couldn't be opened?? All the rest is easily repairable. ( relatively)

No the hood wasn't popping open at all. Must have been melted shut already? The insurance adjuster who looked at it says they do it to a lot of cars who catch fire.

Like a said earlier, I just don't have the time, money, and skills to do a restoration like that right now. My plan from the beginning was to buy a good runner. I struggled a little bit thinking I wanted to buy it back, but I decided ultimately thats not what I want right now.

Hopefully you did well on the insurance. You'll get another. Once the bug hits you it becomes part of your DNA. I first got into Roadsters in 1978 or 79. I've had lots of cars including the "ever so snobbish" sportscar, the Porsche 911, and I always go back to a roadster.