Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

'69 1600, black over red, barn find, with nearly an entire second car in parts.
Just getting started at introducing myself to this project.
Looking forward to first getting it on the road, then deciding on which way to go with the engine, suspension, etc...
Also looking forward to hearing some lessons learned from y'all.

Welcome! You'll find that you will have a lot of local support up there in/near Seattle. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Lack of side markers make it appear a 1968.. not that it's a bad thing. Maybe the fenders are from the donor car.

Kris.

Wondering how common it is to find fenders that have the side markers blanked out?
The spares that came with it show one blanked and the other not. Neither on the car are blanked. '68?

Is the consensus to remain true to the brand, be purists and really RESTORE? Or is there a good mix? The more "dear" these cars become, I can see the value in originality...
But faced with some of the replacement costs (brakes!!?) some other options sure are tempting...

Some 1968 cars didn't sell until 1969 and were titled accordingly. Best way to tell is the fuse box as I believe they were different every later year (67-70). The car looks awesome. Black with red interior always looks great. There is a good mix for these cars, tons of swaps restomods and purists. The important thing is to get it running and fall in love with it before restoring. A lot of projects get sold off halfway through. And a running 1600 engine seems easy to find.

Welcome, more pictures please!
As far as original versus mod, that is a completely personal decision. Looking at the one picture it sure looks like a fine specimen, and personally I would want to keep it mostly original. upgrades to brakes can be reversed, so I am not against that type of resto-mod. And I also love some of the all out transformations with the SR20 and KA24's - but if it were me, I think I would do that type of conversion on more of a basket case or heavily modded car. Either way you can't really go wrong and will get all the support you could possibly need here.

Blanked out side markers is common. 68-70 front fenders are easily interchangeable.
If the hood latch receiver exhibits a safety hook, its likely a 69 in real life. The cowl that retains the latch receiver is rarely modified, unlike the backup lites, license lites, side markers, gauges and switch knobs.
The 69 ignition switch is a stamped tin, 68 is cast and chromed.
And please, post your location in your profile so we can join you for BBQ, and home made apple pie

Couple more pics. Numbers matching 5 main is on the floor next to car, 3 main donor (PO states) is installed and "should run"... !



I was happy to find this in the trunk! Only one missing grommet.



What a petite front end you have! None of the joint covers are there. (How many grease zerks?!) Couldn't resist the volvo brake conversion, already...



Looking forward to getting it on the road, but it may be longer than originally projected... Two shims between the backing plate and axle housing. Is it really _that_ sensitive to spacing? Need to find more literature about this beast...
Snow chain "evidence" is a bummer, but is mendable.

Smogged 3 main? Seems like alot of work to reinstall that stuff.
Have you checked the block numbers?
Great looking car btw.
VTOs, big exhaust,,,

Looks great, another pacific northwest roadster!