Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I recently acquired a 1968 1600 roadster SPL311-17836 (for free!) from my father in-law. The car was originally from Nevada and as such is essentially rust free, unfortunately it has some front end damage due to a collision with what looks like a tube style bumper. The damage is in the worst place as far as repair goes as both front fenders, the hood and the center grill support as well as the headlight bezels are toast (see pictures).

The interior and anything that is plastic/vinyl/rubber also needs replacing. Although I have not started it yet the car does run.

My plan is to go through the entire car and get it back to upgraded driver status so we can use it at our vacation home in the Okanogan valley. The plan is to eventually install a SR20DET and 5 speed so I am building the rest of the car to be ready for that motor sometime in the future. Upgrades to the suspension, brakes and rear axle will be done. The engine swap will be a year or two in the future so I'll use the stock motor & transmission in the meantime.

I've had the car for about 3 months now and so far I have stripped the entire interior, front suspension, steering (except for the steering box), rear suspension and dropped the gas tank.

I've had the gas tank boiled/cleaned and lined, blown out the fuel lines and replaced the fuel filters. I have not yet rebuilt the carbs but likely will. Once the fuel tank is reinstalled I will get it running and address whatever items need replacing/tuning/repair etc.

I have never owned or driven a roadster so my thoughts were to give you guys an idea of where I am headed with parts and modifications that way you all could provide any feedback/suggestions based on your experiences with these great little cars.

So a rough overview of what I have planned is below:

Body:
Replace both front fenders, hood and center grill support with NOS parts from Rallye (I acquired these last weekend and the fellas at Rallye are fantastic to deal with!)
repair very minor rust behind the rear wheels
strip the floors and trunk floor and seal them with rubberized undercoat
Straighten out any dings/dents and re-spray it the factory off white color Suspension:
replace all the bushings, ball joints, shocks and springs - front and rear (comp springs front, fiberglass mono leafs in rear)
replace idler box, all other steering components are in good shape (except for rubber boots)

Rear end:
John Wallum is building a 1980-83 RX7 LSD rear end with all the brackets and parking brake assembly to hook up to the stock actuating cable. It will also be 1/2 narrower than stock.

Wheels:
I scored a brand new never used set of 16x7 Riken Mesh aluminum wheels with 0 offset (hence the 1/2 narrower rear end, I also rolled the rear fender lip).

Interior / top:
All new everything (carpet, panels, top, weather-stripping and rubber bits) the seats will be recovered and I am going to have heated seat pads installed under the new upholstery. Does anyone make new seat foam? It's one thing I have not been able to locate.
I will likely change the steering wheel as well.

Please feel free to make suggestions/comments on my plan of attack.

Thanks in advance!

-Jeremy

Welcome from Oz
Been to your fair city and loved it!
So, in-laws aren't that bad are they

Nice car, I'm sure it will appreciate your attention.

Hey Jeremy -

Welcome aboard. There are a couple Calgary members on board here.
I might have a set of headlight trims for you if you need them. Nice to fit them before you buy... They all tend to vary a bit. If you got NOS fenders and want to get rid of your old ones, let me know. I know a guy here in town that could use yours for sure.

email me at datsun.david@gmail.com. If we get a bit of a dry spell here, I can let you drive a local roadster and give you something to look forward to.

dw

Looks like a great start! if you need any help with SR conversion parts we can help!

http://www.spriso.com

Michael

Welcome Jeremy. Sounds like you have a good plan laid out. Dont just throw stuff away, many can and will use parts that others wont,,$$
I have not seen new seat buns for these cars, however the Z seatbuns may work if modified. Havnt tried them tho.
Whats up with the D100? I sold my D200 crewcab (and the blue parts truck) this past summer after 15 years of pain and glory!

Welcome, that's a great start. And a very ambitious list, though I like your first plan is to get it running and driving while you plot the restomod process. Are are those wheels, in the last picture the Riken's you scored?

Jeremy:

Nice car! Very early 68 1600 as they started the 68 run at 17000. I have a beautiful rechromed 1600 grill if you need one.

Ross Mullen
sports imports
White Rock, BC

Thanks all for the warm welcome, I am excited to get the roadster back out into the sunshine! So far I've had a lot of fun working on the car.

Datsun.David - I have a drivers side headlight bezel that is serviceable, but I would be interested in having a look at the ones you have. Also I have no use for the old front end sheet metal so if you know someone that could use them that's great. The good thing they have going for them is that they are not rusted out in the areas where you would typically see as such they should serve as donors for rust repair. BTW - I would love to go for a spin in one of you cars, it should serve to keep me motivated!! I will email you offline.

Spriso - when the time comes I will be needing your mounts and advice on the swap.

Pebbles - I have had the D100 since 2006, it was a daily driver of sorts for awhile, however it was a farm truck and needed some TLC, I got a bit carried away from what I originally had planned but it has been a great learning project from a fabrication standpoint. I also have a 1965 D300 Caveman Camper that my wife I use for camping. The D100 project is currently on hold until I get the roadster done.

Sports imports - I have a (barely) serviceable grille but would be interested in yours - please email me at jfilipenko@hotmail.com

Welcome to the addiction. Where in the Okanagan is your summer home? Hope to see you in Kelowna if we can get David to plan the 3rd annual Datsun meet.

Fourth Kelowna matsuri.....

I have a place in Penticton - a Datsun meet/cruise would be fantastic (and great motivation!!).

Jeremy, welcome to the Roadster group.
Arnold
Medicine Hat, AB
A few Roadsters .....
A good body man can fix your damaged fenders.

Well I have a bunch of roadster goodies on the way! Mostly suspension, brake and steering parts, as well as a fully prepped RX7 LSD rear end, I'm excited to get this thing rolling and running soon.

Cool! Congrats! Can't wait to see her on the road!

I am in need of a small patch panel if one you guys can help me out, see below: (also posted in the wanted section).

My car has minor front end damage and is in need of a small patch near the front of the inner fender where it meets the radiator support / grille support (see pictures).

I am hoping that one of you guys out there has a parts car that is too far gone to save that may be able to contribute to my project. I need the passenger side for sure, I think I can straighten out the drivers side but if you can send both that would be fantastic!

I have taped off the rough area that I need, if one of you could fire up the grinder/sawzall and harvest a patch(es) for me I would be very grateful!!

I course I am willing to pay for the piece(s) and shipping.

If anyone is able to help me out please let me know.

Thanks in advance!!

-Jeremy