Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Added an adjustable temperature switch for the radiator fan so that it doesn't run at key on from a cold start. I'm also slowly removing all crimped butt connectors with soldered and shrink wrapped connections. Who would've known soldering in 40 degrees is tough?

It's up to 35F today and I was bored so I started replacing some screws that were showing their age, a trip to Fastenal and I should have everything covered.


A while ago I also finished the half way done heater setup from the previous owner. It had just a vacuum controlled valve on the heater hose, so I setup a vacuum solenoid to turn on when the heater fan is blowing.

I run that same fan temp switch. Its been great.

Purchased the console Ron had up for sale and it's nearly finished after $10 in fabric and lots of elbow grease.

As it came out of the box, I was excited to have one unmolested.


Unfortunately the original radio does not output sound, but it does illuminate.


After some cleaning and test fitting, this was originally in a red interior car and dyed black.


Almost done, just need to paint the letters on the cable controls and the knobs, and figure out what to do with the lighter. I do know that the choke is from a late roadster, I might replace it but who knows, I don't even have a choke. If I ever find a radio bezel that fits I'll pick one up.

transformation indeed -wow - congrats

That looks great.

I'm doing the exact same thing with the mess of a console I have. I was thinking i was going to have to make a custom face plate to use my stereo, but I'm wondering what it is you have in there (maybe you've already said?). I'm old school and still doing CDs, so that may not work. I also have no heater so no need for heater controls. I would probably fit a cubbyhole in that spot.

Looks great.

Thanks guys, I have a Retrosound Model One, it is really wedged in there to make it fit. I has L brackets to attach the radio to the knobs which had to be cut down to fit. Then I had to flip the brackets from left to right etc in order to get the knobs centered as there wasn't enough adjustment.

Still waiting on some nicer weather to do work on the fuel lines and pump. In the meantime I refurbished some knobs I'll never use. Testors white paint, time and some acetone later I am content with how they look. There is still one or two specks of paint I probably need to get at, but I need daylight to see them.

Preparing for tomorrow's maiden voyage of this year, just gotta move a fence and a boat out of the way.

Awkward angle shot of a dusty roadster.

Fire that puppy up! Enjoy the ride. Mines still sleeping... Actually, in surgery with an electrical bypass underway...

I have been enjoying the heck out of it so far... it's just odd that I have zero problems to fix now, nothing to work on except some cosmetics and switching to a hall effect speedometer which is on the bottom of my list. Nothing like walking out, starting the car up, taking the top down and going wherever. I've put at least 100 miles on it in 3 days, and may be pushing it a little too hard as the car is becoming a handful around some turns here.

In other news I did find the original photos from the previous owner's ad, the transformation since it's been in my ownership is more obvious now since I couldn't remember some of the things that I've touched.

And how she looks today after a few coats of wax and polish, the old paint really does shine up well.

Looks great, and I bet the VG is a monster...

I will say that first gear is useless and unnecessary.