Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hey everyone,

I decided back in January that I was in need of a new project. A few years ago I completed a complete restoration of a 1972 240Z (I'll post some pics) and now I'm bored. Hence I started looking for some kind of a convertible to restore. There was no better place to look than the pre-cursor to the Z cars.....the Datsun Roadster.

I picked up a 1969 2000 from a local guy in Salt Lake City that had been sitting in a garage for the last 15 years. It looked decent on the outside but once I started tearing it down, it was obvious that it needed a total restoration.

Work done:

• Sandblasted
  Rear end rebuilt
  Engine rebuilt
  Trans rebuilt
  Body work
  New rebuilt SU carbs from ZTherapy
  Paint (Mango Tango)

Now it's time to put it all back together. The wiring harness had been hacked up over the years where several units either didn't work at all (headlights) or worked intermittently. So a new harness is called for. I'm thinking about building a custom dash with new gauges. Any thoughts? Will a flat 67 dash fit easily in a 69?

- Curtis

Welcome, that will be nice!

I have a 69 with a 66 dash.

There are lots of posts on doing the conversion.......

Actually very easy to make it fit......a little harder to get everything to work.......I used the "stock 69" switches (pull type) in the 66 dash with Autometer Gauges.......

The 5" tach and speedo need to have the "stock" holes reamed out just a touch.

TRY "+early +dash +conversion" as a search and you will get hundreds of pages of information.....LOL

Welcome. I like your Z as well. You will love the roady once you get it all put back together. Nice color on the roadster as well. Enjoy and keep us posted on your progress.

Steve

Nice color on the Roadster. Are you doing your own painting, and is it a 2 stage?
It's going to be fun when it is complete.
Linda

Welcome!

I used to live in SLC. Great place and people.

Welcome you have skills. Flat dash should easy after seeing the work you have already done. Great color!

Welcome. There are a few roadster owners here in SLC. I have a couple of 66 flat dashes if interested. Let me know if you need any help on your project. By the looks of the pictures, you seem to have it under control.

You should consider hooking up with datsunbucky and his race car project being for sale. No idea if he is close but it sounds like a lot of good parts that could help (flat dash?) and either turn into another project or a cash source by parting it out.

Gregs672000 wrote:You should consider hooking up with datsunbucky and his race car project being for sale. No idea if he is close but it sounds like a lot of good parts that could help (flat dash?) and either turn into another project or a cash source by parting it out.

Greg, you beat me to it, again.

Thanks for all of the advice. I'll try to keep you posted with pics. I'm now actually toying with the idea of doing my own vacuum forming with the '69 padded dash (like justdashes.com does it). I figure I should be able to do it for a lot less than what they charge (around $1,500). Got some research to do on the process.....it looks interesting.

cagowers wrote:Thanks for all of the advice. I'll try to keep you posted with pics. I'm now actually toying with the idea of doing my own vacuum forming with the '69 padded dash (like justdashes.com does it). I figure I should be able to do it for a lot less than what they charge (around $1,500). Got some research to do on the process.....it looks interesting.

Search the postings, as someone was on that process and could probaby save you a bunch of time!

I have one of those Just Dashes redone dashes for my '68 (that will probably be sold when I get the raccoon crap out of it next spring... nasty stuff that... probably not helping the sale here!), done by the PO, and ya it was expensive! Nice work though.

welcome and i must say very nice Z. could i send my 74 260Z 2+2 over and let it stay with you for a while? beautiful work, and I like that blue.

Wow, it's been awhile. The work has been a little slow. But here's some pics of the progress to date. The engine is installed. Vintage air heater. Universal wiper motor installed and just yesterday I installed the rear lights. Looking good.

You might notice that the alternator has been moved from the driver's side to the passenger side. This was a pretty easy swap. I had to fabricate only one bracket arm. This was easy enough because I had an extra universal arm from my 240Z project where I had added a Vintage air compressor. So after a few cuts and some polishing it fit perfectly. I used the old smog pump bracket for the lower pivot point and had to order a longer water pump bolt. Now I have a cheap GM 10SI alternator versus the expensive original....and I get to get rid of the external voltage regulator. This means I'll be doing a complete wire harness swap.

Sharp looking car!