I thought I was cured, but it looks like a relapse...

[DivinDave]

Greetings all,

Well it appears that I have fallen for the Roadster once again. I had one for many years back when they were a new car, in fact it was one of the first good cars I ever bought. Sold it to my brother once, bought it back and eventually sold it for good in the 80's. Went the Z car and dime route for some time and sold my last one of those a few years back. Came across some roadster info on the web and the Sirens' song was stong, next thing I know I start actually looking for one...

Saw a 2 liter on the CL not too far from me over in the Baltimore area a few weeks back and went to see it. The first look was "Oh man, what am I thinking?", but looked a bit beyond the crappy faded Macco paint job. All the pieces are here and dang the floorboards, rockers and rear fenders are solid. Got it up on a lift and the uderside is solid as well. Turned out to be a two owner car that spent most of it's life in sunny CA and the rest sitting around under cover out here. Fresh engine and gearbox, servicable interior, decent top and covers, and it ran just great on a test ride -except for the brakes were a bit scary trying to get it stopped in a straight line. Not bad for a car that had been sitting for several years.

I had to have it. So now I am back as a crazy roadster owner.

Trailered it home and good thing too as the radiator hose blew out driving it off the trailer followed shortly by the fuel pump. Both were fixed with the spares that came with the car so it was on to sorting the brakes and then driving it. So far I have gone almost 200 miles and every mile has put a smile on my face. I had forgotten what great fun the Roadster is. I just drove it around for about an hour earlier tonight and it was a blast but had to turn for home too soon as that crazy long heater hose started to leak some fluids.

The work list is already long with a decent paint job and all new rubber on the list near the top. The purchase cost is the tip of the berg for sure; at least I know that up front. Best part is my wife thinks it is the coolest car; she likes riding in it and can't wait for it to get painted. I think I will keep her - the roadster of course...

[Roman]

There is no cure. Quit being foolish in your thinking. Once you get addicted to being in the drivers seat of a roadster it becomes part of your DNA. You are bound to come back.

Congrats on your purchase.

[bikermike]

Welcome.

Your story is perfect for the "So, Why did you buy a Roadster?" thread any likely resonates with several here.
http://311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f= ... 78#p126025

Looking fwd to reading about and seeing your progress. (Hint, post some pics.)

[notoptoy]

Welcome! Looking forward to more pictures and information about your ride!

[tjp]

worthless jpg.jpg

LOL

Welcome!
tim

[spl310]

You need to hit up Mark in Phoenix. Cool story!

[Garm]

welcome.

pics.

please.

[dbrick]

You need to hit up Mark in Phoenix. Cool story!

Great advice, if you have alot of parking space, spare disposable income and an understanding spouse.
I'll probably run into you there in the near future. Resistance is futile.

[Kurt]

You never really believed you were out, did you?!

There's nothing like the scent of a roadster!

And, Ooooahhh!

[DivinDave]

As requested here are a few pics of the ratty roadster.

loadedtogohome.jpg

Here is when I picked it up to bring it home.

greenindrive.jpg

Here is what it looked like yesterday

nowredratster.jpg

This is what happens when you hate the green color and all the surface rust and have some old red paint laying around. It now has 50/50 paint on it - looks decent from 50 or going past at 50. Plus it won't surface rust as fast now.

The plan is to do a real paint job on it this winter after I collect a few more parts and have the time to do it right. Just have to decide how far the car is going to come apart for a decent paint job. I have some concern that if I take it apart too much then it might be a long time getting it back together again and I won't be able to drive it.

[sleepyzzz]

welcome to the site. you work fast man. i kinda liked the green, but you can't go wrong with red.

[notoptoy]

Good thought, get it together and drive it if possible, then tear it apart later.

[peter]

welcome, I like the green color too, but red is always good, hope you have a lot of fun with it.
And of course a nace set of wheels.