1970 Roadster Resto in San Diego

[motorman7]

Hi Everyone,

Nice to be here….FINALLY! I have to say this has to be one of the most exclusive clubs around and most difficult to join. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to guess the secret spambot password and failed. When asked the spambot question of what this site is about, I have learned that it is not about, Cars, Roadsters, Datsun Roadsters, 311s, SPL311s or SRL311s; it is about ‘Datsun Sports’. Who would have guessed? Now I am looking for the Datsun Football and Datsun Baseball threads but coming up short.

Anyway, now that I am here, I can share a bit about my Roadster project. Currently, I am in my third year of a full off roadster restoration. What a major undertaking, way more than I expected. I have restored several 240Z’s, but the roadster has proven to be a much bigger challenge. Seems that it is twice as hard to find parts and they are usually double the price. You definitely have to have your contacts and resources in place. Thankfully Les Cannady is just 10 miles down the road so most I have been able to get answered. Although, I do hope to be able to use the collective wisdom and resources here.

This is my second roadster. I did own a 1967 roadster for about 10 years. I bought it when I was 16 and sold it when I was 26 after the birth of my first child (Had to get a family mini-van). Anyway, three years ago, with the kids in college and ‘mostly’ out of the house, I wanted my roadster back. A friend from the Z club had a 1970 roadster sitting in his shop that hadn’t been driven for close to 20 years and he asked if I was interested. I definitely was, and $1000 dollars later, the roadster was in my driveway.

So attached are few before pictures. I will do what I can to keep things updated. Actually, I am pretty close to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so I am very motivated to get this on the road. Hopefully in two months, I will be able to drive this around. My goal is to get this to the 2014 JCCS show. We will see how that goes.

Also, If you want to follow the restoration from the start, you can catch it at: http://www.rcdeng.com/1970Roadster.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"


Best regards,
Rich

richs roadster 1.jpg

motor_start.jpg

[motorman7]

And here are some of the latest pics

DSCF2503.JPG

DSCF2435.JPG

[Roman]

Damn! You are almost done! Welcome.

Great documentation on the website as well!

[spl310]

Welcome, very nice! If you are desmogging it, lose the two nipples on the intake and plug those holes.

[notoptoy]

That is some very meticulous, and exceptional work!
Welcome - the hardest part of this website is getting signed on, now you can reap all the rewards!

[jrusso07]

Art.

A pleasure to look at.

Did you do the CAD plating yourself? I have heard of people doing it out of their homes.

[spl310]

Looking really nice. You may want to check the orientation of the float chamber lids...

[pebbles]

Welcome, very nice! If you are desmogging it, lose the two nipples on the intake and plug those holes.

Are those standard size smog nipples? Ive never seen the actual size ,,,the few I have seen are always plugs.

[pebbles]

Very nice bodywork Rich. Panel alignment is top notch! Are the fog light plugs red? Chip that red paint off and polish those babies up..just like the side trim.

[mraitch]

Beautiful - well worth the wait I hope - could you please post the link to the dashboard restoration _ I couldn't find it.

See you at JCCS

Pete

[bikermike]

Welcome! Great documentation of your build.

JCCS...Looks like you may be ready in time for a roadtrip to Shasta: http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... lit=shasta

I suppose I'll beat Sid to suggest painting the area behind the grille flat black. It will certainly make the grille pop once you have it installed.

Looking fwd to seeing your progress.

[spl310]

Welcome, very nice! If you are desmogging it, lose the two nipples on the intake and plug those holes.

Are those standard size smog nipples? Ive never seen the actual size ,,,the few I have seen are always plugs.

They look like it to me. I have destroyed a few of them trying to remove them. I have a few more to go! LOL!!

[motorman7]

Welcome, very nice! If you are desmogging it, lose the two nipples on the intake and plug those holes.

Are those standard size smog nipples? Ive never seen the actual size ,,,the few I have seen are always plugs.

They look like it to me. I have destroyed a few of them trying to remove them. I have a few more to go! LOL!!

Yes, I need to remove those and stick in some plugs. I have removed the smog....seems like the hoses are impossible to find so I figured I would delete the whole system. I am guessing that the plugs are 1/4NPT. Will have to hit Marshall's hardware for those.

[motorman7]

Very nice bodywork Rich. Panel alignment is top notch! Are the fog light plugs red? Chip that red paint off and polish those babies up..just like the side trim.

Yes, they are still red...from the Earl Sheib paint job that was put on it. I put them in place just so I would not lose them. Will most likely paint white. I have a couple other items to paint white still so may will add those to the mix....eventually

[motorman7]

Beautiful - well worth the wait I hope - could you please post the link to the dashboard restoration _ I couldn't find it.

See you at JCCS

Pete

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/inte ... res-2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is the link for dash repair. Its a lot of labor but pretty inexpensive if you can do it yourself.