Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Out with the old.



Don't forget the captive nuts.



Starting with the new.

This took some time. So will the other side. 18 gauge on the hinge pillar. 20 on the rest. It's not as lumpy as it looks the galvanized coating is sanded through in the darker spots which makes it look that way. Tomorrow is supposed to be another nice day. I hope to sand off the exterior paint.

Separated the body and frame today. The frame is in remarkably good shape. I could only find one 1/2 inch rust hole which when I poked at it with a screwdriver came to solid metal quickly.

I was a bit confused as to the original paint color on my car. There were 3 shades of red on the exterior, the 1 st one being the most vibrant. The interior was original color but the sticker in the firewall proved elusive.



I have some experience and I know that the color matching camera/computers are iffy at best, especially with old paint so I really wanted an actual code. I thought maybe it was pagoda red after staring at it for a while but then a light bulb went over my head (ha ha) and I thought about using a black light.



BOOM! 664 - Red. Quite pleased. Maybe this tip will help someone else.

Link to 69 paint colors. http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/chipdisplay ... del=Datsun

Very cool tip on the black light. That would not have occurred to me.

Body work looks great!

Been a little while since I've worked on this. Rebuilt a VW motor in the meantime. Been back at it recently.

Repaired and fitted fender.



Cut out the next problem area.



Beginning to put metal back.



Made parts to go back in.



Parts fitted in. Last one tacked in. I ran out of welding gas.



And now the next problem area cut out.



So much fun.

Got some more gas. Cut out rough shape and clamped to car to finish shaping inner fender.



Decided to do a lap joint on the inner fender. I roughed it out some more after spot welding. Taking measurements from the other side.



Cleaned up and epoxied.

4-5 hours of work for this piece.

Next area to fix.



Parts



Fixed



Next area to fix.



I'm sensing a pattern.

Please be very careful when welding galvanized steel! I realize that you will be plug welding your sheet metal patches, but it is amazing how much they outgas when being welded!

Nothing like temporary zinc poisoning

pretty amazing work, welding upside down and stuff, dam!

This piece is such a pain to make. I'm glad I only had to make 2 for this car. It's already welded in but no picture of that. Looks a lot like the other side. After a couple small floor patches I'll mostly be done with the metal work on the body and be able to move on in the process.

Disassembled and test fitted the doors and fenders. The gaps are pretty even but HUGE. I understand this is normal but I am very tempted to add some 1/8" rod to the door edges. I also brushed bare metal areas with some Metal Ready to prevent flash rust.





Soon I need to scrape the underside which I'm not looking forward to. Goal is to get the body metal worked, epoxied filled and primed and let it sit while I work on the chassis. Also cutting in the interior with a new coat of red would be nice.