Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Francis recently sold his beloved roadster. This is my tribute to his 1968 SRL...

I met Francis in 2000 and he introduced me to the Modesto Roadster Owner's Club. Francis helped me find my first roadster and eventually my current SPL. He also took me to my first Solvang Roadster Show in 2001. I had never sat in or driven a roadster until he let me drive his red '67 SPL. He had already begun restoring a '68 SRL and I visited often to follow progress and learn a few things.



He became my 'roadster uncle". When the '68 was completed he took for me for my first spin in U20-powered roadster...it was memorable.
About the car...Francis painted it Ford metallic blue with white stripes and it still remains one of the best paint jobs I've seen on a roadster:


Francis is a machinist and added his own custom touches to the interior with turned aluminum parts to an otherwise stock setup:



Started with 280zx wheels and ended up with 15" Panasports:



The blue '68 SRL was driven everywhere in the Bay Area as well as on the show circuit including the Mt. Shasta meet, Blackhawk and JCCS shows:
Circa 2002...me, Francis and yes that's Raul(roadsterdude) in Sora Blue!

At JCCS 2006 and a short video of us driving back home:

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Shasta and Blackhawk:


The last time I saw her was at the J-Tin show in San Leandro last month where I shot pictures for his for-sale ad on the blog:

The car is being deilvered to its new owner in Florida as I write this:

He texted me this today as the roadster left:
"Man, buying a car and driving it and then selling is not a problem. Restoring one, keeping it like a baby for 19 years, then selling it. That is a problem."
I told him he's still a proud Datsun owner and he's got lots to play with including the red SPL, still my favorite:





So don't worry too much Francis, you are still my roadster uncle and there is lots of Datsun fun ahead of us!
More pics here:
http://www.zcarblog.com/for-sale/1968-d ... roadster-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Alvin:
Where in Florida did this car go?
Is the new owner on the forum?

It's a beautiful car and shows an incredible amount of skill in its restoration. I'm sure it will be appreciated for a million more miles.

tom i don't know where in florida but I will update as soon when car reaches the new owner

Nice tribute!

The 1600 looks to be an awesome alternative. Francis should be fine for many miles of smiles to come...

Francis is my Roadster Uncle too.
On my first Solvang Show, I took the 1965 RHD.
I remember him calling me "The Mailman" for the first time.
I took me a while to figure out why he called me a mailman? Is it because I'm Filipino? LOL

Anyways...Francis have helped me with my roadster lots of times.

That 68 SRL is gorgeous...

Nice tribute Alvin....sorry I'm a little late to the party..

update!
Roadster was spotted in D.C.
Somebody posted a pic on Instagram:

Update! The owner that I sold the car to has sold it again and now the car is in the Netherlands with it's new owner.

what is it with the Dutch and roadsters? - not enough DAFs to go around - <G>

Francis wrote:Update! The owner that I sold the car to has sold it again and now the car is in the Netherlands with it's new owner.

Richard strikes again??!!

Pretty incredible! The owner did a 5k mile trip through Europe:


More pics here:
http://www.zcarblog.com/2014/07/20/feat ... urope.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow, another amazing Roadster journey.
One thing for sure, Roadsters get around!

Datsuns are driven....even to Macedonia.

It looks like the new owner rigged up some windscreens behind the headrests and perhaps an added a license plate lamp above the rear plate (or is that a bracket of some sort?) Is there a new hole drilled into the rear bumper?

Yes he has changed several things on the car. There's no more roll bar and he took the front air dam off. He also switched the front turn signals to clear turn signals.