Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Thought I'd start a thread on my 1967 2000, #529.

I've known about the car since the early 2000's. It was put up for auction on Ebay during the early days (ie, no photos) and I lost the bid. About a year or two later, I met the new owner (Richard), and couldn't believe was a great car #529 was. The BADROC group went on a fun run down to the Santa Cruz area, and #529 didn't miss a beat.

When the opportunity came up to buy the car in 2014, I jumped on the opportunity.





#529 is a California car that along the way was fitted with a R16 motor. Well, the time has come to start converting her back to U20/5spd power. Stated prepping on Friday evening, and pulled the R16 today at my home. All went well, but found some PO modifications to the rear springs ...urgh...

U20 is at the machine shop under going a rebuild and the 5spd transmission is ready to pick-up at the Transmission shop.







The car is currently Red with a Tan interior and top. The original color was Thunder Black.

Dan what are your plans for 529? Restore back to black?

Dan what are your plans for 529? Restore back to black?

As can be seen in the photos, the engine bay is still painted black. I intend to clean up the engine bay with a cleaner coat of Thunder Black. But the current red paint is nice enough that I'm not immediately going repaint the vehicle.

However, I'm not sure what to do with the interior. The carpets are Tan and are completely filthy. Though it isn't a forever move...I may put in a clean new tan carpet kit, as the tan door panels and interior vinyl are still in pretty good shape.

Longest term...I'd like to switch back to ThunderBlack with Red Interior..

Open to all suggestions....

Black and red does look good but certainly in the interim the red/tan combo is nice as well, and a bit unique. I'd say go with your plan and get the full use out of the bits that are there.

Yeah...One thing I have to deal with is the dash surround. It has one of Dean's (No Longer Made) one piece dash surrounds without the foam/vinyl. Nice dash surround, but the surround is currently dark brown to match the piping on the seats. That will definitely be going back to black.



Then, I need to order some new carpets. Thinking about medium or dark saddle. What color carpet do you think?



The other weird one...The center section of the dash (Where the radio/heater controls reside) has been custom modified. It is about 1.5 inches wider than stock! Why??? ....Of course, to fit in a $20 Swap meet CD player. Going to need to swap that back to original.



Also, purchased some new 'period' drivers/passenger mirrors. Need the longer mirror base to hide extra holes drilled by PO. Just test fitting right now...





Oh...and I hate the current steering wheel. Think I'm going to replace with a nice period Datsun SSS steering wheel . Also will be swapping the Tach and Speedo back to stock.

Thanks for posting the pix Dan. I can't wait to see your engine when it comes back from the machine shop.

I have a set of original rear springs you can have. They are not that hard to change out - you need either 4 jack stands or 2 jack stands and a jack and a block of wood (for the diff/axle).

Pretty interesting interior on that car. Someone went to a lot of trouble to make it look fugly in there...

James

Someone went to a lot of trouble to make it look fugly in there

Words can't describe how much I dislike the steering wheel. Just not my style...at all.

If I keep the Tan seats and door panels...what color carpet do you think? A fresh new, clean new set of carpets should really help.



Medium or Dark Saddle?

I would almost consider the brown, it may tie things together better than you think, and make all the brown bits a little more tolerable.
Maybe you could get a sample big enough to compare?

I had a Jaguar with Doeskin interior and brown carpet. It was nice.

Thanks guys.

I have requested samples of 4 carpets (Brown and 3 shades of Saddle). Should be here by the end of the week.

Oh..Found that the driver and passenger seats are in the wrong spots Will fix that after the carpets.

Samples arrived today

#1

#2

#3

#4



Think I'm going to go with Tom & Sid's suggestion, #4 Brown

Don't forget the 'heel plate' for the driver's side

Thanks.

I purchased from this vendor once before, and the kit includes the 'heel plate'. jute padding, and rear parcel shelf.

And...on a separate note...Stopped by the machine shop and dropped off gears, chains, bearing, etc. for the engine.

Great - just checking - post results

I would suggest you ask some women for their opinion on the colors. Might get a different perspective.
The seats look almost grey to me, could be the monitor.
I'd go with a tan to match the soft top. And there are spray colors to change vinyl so anything can be changed.

Linda