Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Curious if you ever purchased a roadster...

AC77 wrote:Curious if you ever purchased a roadster...

Nope not yet,
Due to some unexpected circumstances I had to postpone my projeçt to get a roadster a few months which actually has been a good thing as I have continued to learn much about these cars and know more clearly what I want

It also help me build a very good list of potential cars to buy Ike the two 66s i posted previously . But I have to be honest and say that because I had to wait I also missed a few good ones

Hey guys , looking to make an offer to someone on his car and parts , I know what most of the stuff that come with the cars is worth but there are a few things I’m not sure about

So if you could give some guidelines on the following items that would help

Full U20 NOS timing set including chain guide , tensioner etc.
Almost new (9/10) early Solex Air filter assembly
NOS Solex air filter elements
NOS Solex velocity horns

Thanks
JackB

Those are all big $$$

Im spending ~$1000 on the timing stuff

Just go to the vendor sites to price the parts. Simon is right.
Linda

Linda wrote:Just go to the vendor sites to price the parts. Simon is right.
Linda

Thanks Linda,
Maybe I should clarify , These are all genuine Nissan unobtainium parts still in boxes and not reproductions

Since I have access to an already rebuilt engine I'm trying to see how much this stuff is worth to determine
1) how much to offer and
2) would i be able to finance the purchase of the engine trough the sale of the parts ( I already have the Solexes and Head with Bcam)

Jacques, I think that the NOS Solex velocity horns should be in the $250 - $300 range.
Also, I have a late (still in the original carton) NOS Solex Air filter assembly that I value in the $900 - $1,000 range.
Just my opinion.

Not sure on the timing set, maybe talk to Ross since it’s nos stuff?

The last early, open element filter I bought was $700, shipped almost 1.5 years ago...

You are certainly free to spend your money as you like, but IMHO the NOS gears are a waste of money. The sprockets we build exceed the quality of the the Nissan gears. They were spec'd and machined by an aerospace certified contractor.
Stan's have a good track record as well.

The early OEM crank and all the small JS, and cam gears are the worst offenders. The Nissan gears are nothing special, thrown out dozens...I doubt many people would give you more than 100 per gear since higher quality parts are available now that allow adjustable cam timing. Ive dumped most the Nissan gears I had. Vendors might pay you 50 a gear.

Same with the oem filter. Its only worth big bucks to a 1/2 year owner who insists on original. If it goes much past the cost of the ultra nice reproduction, 95% will be more than happy with the repro part for less money. As you prefer, j.

Thank you all for your responses , this is useful

Jack, here is some even better input, perhaps the best I can give you. If I were you, I'd find the best complete, running driving, restored or semi restored car I could afford and buy that. If you try to build yourself a car by buying parts here and there, start rebuilding or buy an engine/trans etc, or picking odd and end pieces as you find them, or buy someone elses abandoned project, unless you are a very good mechanic yourself, and have considerable experience specific to roadsters, there is a good chance you'll never wind up with a decent car you can actually drive.

For instance Mike Young has a great running low miles 69 2L that you could buy for less than you could even think about rebuilding an original 2L for. It runs great, drives and stops great and has had a lot of pro work. Very original, not screwed up by ham fisted mechanics...Best thing is, it works right now! Word to the wise....

Still, you get a lot of points if you restore/assemble a car yourself. There are many guys who enjoy that part the most, more than driving.
So, to each his own.
If you have done it yourself with good guidance I think your confidence in the car rises alot.
If you can do it, a solid restoration that takes awhile can be offset with a little beater Roadster you can blast around in and have fun. Pass it along once the other is done as a starter car for someone else.
Linda

I wasn't trying to help Jack get points, was trying to help him actually own a roadster. From what I've seen over the years, about 80% of guys who buy a project car can't or won't end up finishing it, for any number of reasons (life gets in the way)

I think it all depends what you want. Parts for these cars are more expensive than other classics. I can see how one would underestimate cost to get a project on the road. And projects that stretch over years if you're not prepared can seem never-ending.

I'm here for the points