Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hello All,

Just wanted to post and introduce myself. I live in San Jose, CA and new to the roadster scene. Hoping to soak up as much knowledge as much as possible on these fine cars. Have always wanted a roadster from afar but never took it seriously until now. Not a roadster owner yet but the search has begun. I want to start working on cars and was hoping the roadster will be a good car to really learn the fundamentals on. Not looking for anything overwhelming though.

I frequent auto posts on CL at least an hour a day and see that 1600 posts outnumber 2000 by quite a bit. In reading more about these cars, it looks like the one to get is the 67.5 2000. Seems like they are pretty hard to come by so I'll have to be diligent on my search. However, please correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that of the one's that are out there, because of their rarity, they are pretty much in the process of being restored, or have been restored, so they command a pretty penny.

Hoping to meet up with local folks (norcal where I live, and socal since I fly down there every now and then for work) to be more knowledgeable in catching good and bad things should I go look at potential cars to buy. And whether or not I even fit in a low windshield roadster since I'm 6'3". If not, I'll have to go with a later model 2000. And also would love to attend meet and greets or wrenching sessions anyone might have. Might not know how to fix anything but can follow directions pretty well.

Thanks,
John

Welcome John,
I am a newbie also. Just starting a restore on my 68 1600. The information in the wiki is an amazing place to start. I hammered it and read every clip in it. You may want to check out clubs in your area also. As far as Creigs List here is a link to a search engine for CL. http://www.searchtempest.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Penn vally ca found one for 1400 bucks. Good Luck to you on your awesome new hobby.

Hi Kemp,

Yep, searchtempest is one of my saved searches but always thought its easier to search by setting up RSS feeds. How was your 1600 when you picked it up? I always hear people say to pay as much as you can up front when getting a vintage car since chances are you are getting a car that someone else has paid alot more money to fix and work on. As true as that is, its always tempting when you see a roadster for around 1k.

Will definitely check out the wiki. Thanks for the tip.

-John

I got mine for 1500...But he let me make payments and store it in his shop..so it was and still is a good deal. The drive train is in great shape, Runs good, drives better. It needs some luv in the cosmetic section. The PO put a cheap paint job on it which I will correct when all things are done. I am another three weeks behind again as my wife forgot to get a money order for parts. Yea right, Blame it on the wife...no really... if you havent checked out the members
Gallery you may want to check. Mine is on the 3 page I think. Lots of cool pics. When you do pick up your dream car make sure you make a gallery. I am having a blast with my Roadster and it will be worth every dime and time I put into it when it is finished.

Welcome John, from a previous NorCal native and now SoCal (and work real near LAX) native.
6'3" in a roadster is do-able, it works better if you are "all legs", but I am "all back", and a high windshield car works fine for me.
You will definitely be going with a smaller-than-stock steering wheel, I went with 13" Grant, makes for a lot more room. You'll be sticking with stock seats too, as all else raise you, which ain't a good thing in terms of blind spots and drivers feel
.
Size-wise, I never drive with the top up, it is not-the -greatest, I just dress warm, drive fast, and grin large.
The "spend it up front" is sage advice, and I prefer runners because non-runners need so much hydraulic parts that you run into money outlay quickly, even before your first drive.
67.5 2000's are lovely (and flat dash cars are much more period, that is for sure), but a 67.5 1600 with a U-20 swap is a nats-ass from the original article, and they come cheaper (and the swap can be done-parts collected over time)

If you are coming down, give me about a weeks notice and I can come get you at LAX and take you for a spin during one of your biz-trips. (my work is a good 9-iron shot from the tarmac)

Welcome John!

Roadsters are a load of fun, but let me make a caution to you if I may. The 67.5 2000 is hailed as the high water mark and the one to have. From a collector's perspective, that is true. From a driver's perspective, not necessarily. My suggestion is to bum a few rides. Ride in a 1500, 2000 and a 1600 if you can. Ride in a high windshield and a low windshield. When you are riding, close your eyes a bit and soak in the experience. You may find that you like one better than the other. Lots of folks assume that they have to have a 2000 because it is the big engine version. Lots of folks assume that the 1500s and 1600s are dogs for performance. Lots of folks are drawn to the allure of the flat dash over the molded dash of the later cars. I have to admit, I was drawn into the 67.5 2000 trap. At one point, I had two 67.5 2000 project cars in the driveway. Then one morning while sipping a cup of coffee, it hit me. ALL Roadsters are equally cool. They each bring something different to the table. I have a 64 1500 that is a driver, and honestly, it is VERY enjoyable to drive - contrary to conventional wisdom. It has plenty of power for what it is best suited for - a touring car. The 1600s are plenty sporty, bullet proof and more forgiving of the sins of the PO. 2000s have more performance, but the chassis is identical to the 1600s. In the end, you really need to assess what you want from the car. If it is absolute performance from a vintage car, a solex 2000 is the answer. If it is a touring car, any of them will do fine, but for long drives a high windshield car may work better for you. Either way, take your time deciding exactly what you really want, then buy the absolute best one that you can find and afford. Then (and this is the most important thing) DON'T TAKE THE DAMNED THING APART!! Drive it for a while before you decide what you want to do to make it uniquely yours.

Again, Welcome! If we can help, shout out - you will get plenty of opinions!

Welcome!
The advice is already above. One thing to add to your question, I don't think you can do much better than to start your automotive hobby with a Roadster, all of the systems are supremely simple - and easy to figure out and repair, especially since there is so much clear and documented advice right here. The only issue is finding some parts, but even then most of that is covered here as well -just some expense involved, but that is so with any classic car. Finally - spend as much as you can comfortably afford, read the wiki on buying a roadster, and then as Sid (SPL310) says drive it long and hard before you make any changes!
Again, welcome!!

Thanks for the responses guys. This is good stuff.

Fergus - Thank you much for the offer. I work for DIRECTV so our drive from LAX to across the street will be real short. Haa haa. Will definitely let you know when I go down again, which looks to be probably in Nov. Will let you know what the dates are when I get them finalized.

Sid - From your sig, currently 5 datsuns in your stable? Wow. And thats just the datsuns. Its hard to find a 3+ car garage home in cali where the price is reasonable where I can house all the cars I want. Will take heed of your advice and will probably hit you up with my thoughts after bumming rides to zero in on the year/model thats good for me. Right now, I do admit, I'm falling into the 67.5 2000 trap.

Tom - good to know they'er not that bad to work on. I'll add the cars I currently have into my sig but I've always wanted to learn to work on them. Other than the basic oil changes, I haven't done much. There's always a fear of messing something up. For me, I like to have a car for each purpose, so the roadster fills in my convertible/roadster gap. At first, I looked at old school vehicles that have that look without breaking the bank, Karmann Ghias, Triumphs, MG's, and Roadsters. After reading about them, I felt the roadsters were all around the best value in terms of price/performance/reliability. If anyone feels otherwise, please let me know. And Sid, I'm looking to fill the truck gap with a 00-03 7.3L F250 PSD. Getting married next year so I can't get that anytime soon or the fiancee will get mad.

-John

The 7.3 Powerstroke rules!!! I flew to Missouri from Florida and invaded Katybug's house for 3 days to get mine. I LOVE it!! (btw, my neighbor has a crew shortbed 7.3 powerstroke for sale...)

John,

Welcome aboard...I'm up in NoCal as well (just a little further North). If you ever get up to the Napa area, there are a few of us up here. One guy with three 67.5 2000s (one is pristine mint, another well on it's way, a 3rd in progress), then Will has a race prepped 69 2L, and I have a very stock 68 1600. The 68 1600 was my first classic car and I agree it's a great one to start with. I was fortunate with mine, got it cheap, have been driving it while I've fixed it up, but it's mechanically sound and it's treated me well.

Also, Mike Young of DatsunSports is a good resource to help you find a good one. He usually has several cars on hand and is an absolute expert. Give him a buzz and see what he has around. He had a beautiful white 70 2000 not long ago that was a steal!

Dridge,

I've actually been in communication with Mike for about a week or so. Trying to coax the fiancee to make a day out of going up to his place with me but she's not too keen on going 150 miles and sitting around while I talk about cars. Would love to see all your cars should you guys be able to spare the time.

I'm thinking about trying to go to Jimmy's 22nd Annual Old Car picnic next weekend. You and any of the other Napa folks planning on going with your cars?

-John

limerence wrote:Dridge,

I've actually been in communication with Mike for about a week or so. Trying to coax the fiancee to make a day out of going up to his place with me but she's not too keen on going 150 miles and sitting around while I talk about cars. Would love to see all your cars should you guys be able to spare the time.

I'm thinking about trying to go to Jimmy's 22nd Annual Old Car picnic next weekend. You and any of the other Napa folks planning on going with your cars?

-John

Do NOT take a female to Mike's place. It's Datsun Roadster man heaven, but girls are bored after 5, maybe 10 minutes.

When is the picnic weekend? Will and I will be out at Infineon on Monday the 18th doing an AutoX day...except he'll have his Alfa and I'll be in my 240z. Not sure if Dan will be there or not, probably not.

It's on Saturday from 7-4. http://www.jimmyspicnic.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Welcome, John. Well, as one who has fallen, or should I say, almost. I looked for a 67.5 2000 for a couple of years. Could never get some one to actually sell. So I bought a decent 67.5 1600 and made a clone. I haven't given up on getting one just yet, and am still looking, but this is the exact same thing with the exception of the stamping. I just finished it, well almost, less than a year ago. I've been driving it as often as I can and have about 2200 miles on it so far.

Another thing regarding the 67.5 2000 models. Certain parts can be very, very pricey, if non-existent. Plan to spend a small fortune on your restoration. Another word of advice, get to know the vendors well. They are your friends, and can help greatly with parts questions. Each of them seem to have their own niche it seems.

Here are a couple of pics of my "clone".














Kyle

Kyle... that puppy is clean!