First Roadster project

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desmith
Roadster Nut
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed May 09, 2012 6:45 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

First Roadster project

Post by desmith »

About twenty five years ago was my first sighting of a Datsun Roadster. It came along beside me in traffic and I didn't have a clue what it was. I followed it to a parking lotand got a closer look. At that moment I was hooked! I remember thinking, "It would be nice to own one of these little cars." It took awhile but now I own two. Perhaps I should say one and a half. One is undergoing a frame off restoration. The "half" car is a parts car. The Sacramento Delta moisture took its toll on this one.

My restoration project is a 1970 SRL. The U20 engine is on a stand awaiting rebuild. The previous ower hit road debri and knocked a hole in the oil pan. Before stopping a main bearing burned. Good news is is it didn't score the crank. A little polishing during rebuild will take care of it. The car is totally dismantled at this time. The frame has been blasted and powdercoated a nice gloss black. The front suspension has been re-installed. Next I will refurbish the axel and finish the rear portion of the frame suspension.

I found someone to soda blast the body inside and out. The only rust issues that I've found are in the rear quarter pannels (right and left sides). The standard spots are rusted out. The wheel well flares and the lower section aft of the rear wheels next to rocker pannel.

On that note.... Is there anyone that would be willing to sell (or donate :D ) some good quarter pannels. I've heard rumors that there are new pannels available somewhere. New or used, I need quarter pannels at a reasonable price (?). Since some may be confused about the parts I'm looking for let me define them.

I need the pannels that are on the rear of the car, right and left sides. These pannels extend from the rear of the rocker pannel to the rear tail lights. There is a seam that runs the length of the rear of the car and is consealed by trim. To be precise, I need the lower rear quarter pannels, right and left. This would be a sheet metal pannel that extends from the rear of the door and rocker pannel to the rear of the car. The pannel should include the section where the two tail light are mounted. This is the section that covers the rear wheel portion of the car. The pannel should be seperated at the factory seams leaving these seams intact for installation.

Once these pannels are secured the body work will begin. I hope to post a link for pictures of work done along the way.
Don Smith
Visalia, CA
1970 SRL 311 2000
85% done with Complete frame up restoration
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spl310
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Re: First Roadster project

Post by spl310 »

http://datsunroadster.com/SUB_SECTION_D ... _metal.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Frisky311
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 4:23 pm
Location: Trail bc canada

Re: First Roadster project

Post by Frisky311 »

Sounds like a good project. But could you be a bit more clear on which pieces ou are looking for? Lol
1968 Datsun Roadster 1600 spl311-19266
~Only 6000 more hours and it'll be done!
311ken
Roadster Nut
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:34 pm
Location: Vancouver Island B.C.

Re: First Roadster project

Post by 311ken »

I got those exact pieces from sportsimports
desmith
Roadster Nut
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed May 09, 2012 6:45 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: First Roadster project

Post by desmith »

I secured a NEW drivers side quarter panel from Stan Chernoff. It still has the Nissan stickers and coding and isprimered and ready to install. After I secure a patch panel from Ross Mullen, SportsImports, to repair the passenger side quarter panel, I will take the body to be soda blasted inside and out. Once back home,I will neutralize the soda residue to receive primer and begin the body work.

I also managed to secure some new in box tail light. I had planned to rechrome the original lights from the car. But these new lights were to good of a deal to pass up.
Don Smith
Visalia, CA
1970 SRL 311 2000
85% done with Complete frame up restoration
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