Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

That's a single skin panel and IMO would be easy to repair.
Don't cut it off yet, if you don't want to tackle it, someone on the Forum may be able to help you straighten them out.

Hi Jeremy
I'm in Calgary as well. Just acquired a 68 1600 SPL311-19828 with a transplanted 2000 and 5 speed. Not currently running. I haven't owned one of these for a long time but have some history with a 68 2000 so just getting familiar again. Would like to connect with other owners locally.
Regards
John Ostrom

Welcome John! That's a solid looking start, we look forward to your progress and getting it running and on the road again.

Hi John, that looks like a great start, much better than what I have!! I would love to get together sometime, I'll PM you and we can set something up.

-Jeremy

Ha! That is my old car! John, look me up. That motor is brand new. The car was well bought. I assume you got it on kijiji two weeks ago.

I can tell you lots about it.

dw

Okay I decided to try and straighten out the crunched panels figuring that if I botched the job I was back to needing patch panels.

I started with the driver's side as it wasn't damaged quite as bad as the passenger side, after about an hour of using c-clamps, vise grips, chunks of bar steel and a good sized hammer I had it beat back to where it ought to be.
Seeing as how I had decent success on the driver's side I figured I would give the passenger side a go, working it little by little with the same selection of tools plus a little heat here and there I think I have usable results.
So thanks to all that gave me a bit of a push to try fixing it, I built a little confidence as I went and in the end I guess I saved some $$$.

Thanks to those that offered up parts to help, I guess I won't be needing them!

-Jeremy

Looks great Jeremy. Great to see the momentum. With the weather around here lately, you could be driving her soon...

Yes the repairs look good, well done.
I actually wrote a reply to your post suggesting they could be repaired but I guess I pressed the wrong button
You should re-fit the front guards and maybe the hood to make sure everything fits OK.
The flange is the important bit.
Better now that when it is all painted up

Hi Jeremy
I'm also in Calgary with a newly acquired 1600 with a 2000 drivetrain. I'm new to this forum and this is my first message.
Regards
John Ostrom

oops
Guess that was my second post! I actually scrolled up just now and saw my first post which was giving me some trouble last night.

OK then, Datsun.David, I would greatly appreciate getting together with you (and Jeremy etc..) I have zero information on the history of my "Fairlady" because the last owner lost the file. Whats the best way of getting in contact?

Regards
John

And the story continues! Isn't this fun? Welcome to the family!

Welcome John! Check your messages. I just sent you a note. I know LOTS of history on that car. And it should be a lot of fun... Never should have sold it. But, if I kept every Datsun I ever owned... I wouldn't have a wife, kids, or a house to keep them at...

John/David - if you guys wanted to get together sometime for a coffee or a beer that would be great! I would love to get some more details on these little roadsters too!

Hi David, Jeremy and Mike,
Thanks for coming over Saturday for a quick meet and greet and a look at my project.

I tried to soak in all the tips and observations but we'll have to get together again soon as I'm a slow learner! Beer helps my memory BTW. I am very pleased that David knows the history of my car (as a previous owner) and that it's pretty much a freshly rebuilt U20 (B cam!) and 5 spd transmission. I'm feeling pretty confident It will be on the road this spring.

Just as a progress report, i've ordered East Coast Roadster's Electronic Ignition package. I'm also going to order a mechanical fuel pump to replace the electric one. There's a new battery and I'm going to carefully inspect the fuel tank and lines given that this FairLady has not really been driven in the last 5 or 6 years. After that is done, full attention will be applied to the Weber 40DCOE34s. I will order various rubber pieces but will hold off on a full interior until I get the floor pan rust-through addressed.

Thanks again guys! let's plan the next meet.
JohnO

Great to meet you guys too! 4 roadster owners in one place in Calgary doesn't happen very often! So, we should definitely make a regular event of it! I can drag out a couple of other guys too...

In retrospect, I am not sure about the cam... I am more inclined to think it is a regrind, but maybe one of the smarter guys can give some feedback... The 8 looks a lot like a B, but I haven't seen one with the 2 on there before... Anyone got any ideas?