Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hi folks,

I retired five years ago and decided to restore a family-owned Datsun 260Z. This was a first-time restoration for me, i.e. never done something like that before. That journey is pretty much complete and it was such a success (plus I'm getting bored) that after looking around I decided a Roadster would be a neat next project. They're going up in value, the experience with the Z has given me confidence to tackle an older car plus being smaller, I can shoehorn it into my garage space without evicting any other vehicular residents!

If you care to see the previous journey on the Z, click: here!

This is the car I've just purchased... At this time it is in Nevada (I'm in Tucson, Arizona) and it should be here in a week or so. A California car (owner just moved to Nevada) "it says here" but certainly has been driven quite a bit.

So for now I'm reading through this forum as well as checking out many of the other sites on the web. Already ordered "The Datsun Roadster Book" (all three) as I found the Z car's factory service manual was so valuable, this book is likely to be a must have.

Looking forward to keep y'all updated as well as the help and advice I'm certain I'll need over the next couple of years.

Scott

Welcome! Checked out your Z thread - beautiful car, great attention to detail. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the Roadster. I think you'll find it a much easier project.

Welcome, looking forward to see what you do with your new project!

Thanks for the welcome, it is very much appreciated. I'll probably drive this for a couple of weeks, just to get a good feel for its current condition. Ok, yeah for a little fun as well. During that time I should get a better idea of what needs replacing, what can be refinished and so on. I'll formulate a plan of attack like I did with the Z. Being a body on frame car instead of a unibody like the Z, I imagine some of my approach will be a bit different. Any advice from y'all is welcome and desired.

Oh, you'll get plenty of advice. But yours is the best approach, DRIVE it, enjoy it, bond with it. Once totally infected, you'll know what questions to start asking. This group is ready with the answers for ANYTHING roadster, and a few side items as well. Also, start by posting pictures, we'll help with the easy low hanging fruit things.
One sound piece of advice, check to see if it has a brake brace installed, this is a solid piece of metal at the master cylinder mount inside the car on the firewall. The firewall where the Master mounts is notoriously weak, and will crack over time. Several vendors offer the braces, and most Roadsters that have ever been a subject on this forum already have them. It's the easiest safety enhancement you'll ever do.

notoptoy wrote:
One sound piece of advice, check to see if it has a brake brace installed, this is a solid piece of metal at the master cylinder mount inside the car on the firewall. The firewall where the Master mounts is notoriously weak, and will crack over time. Several vendors offer the braces, and most Roadsters that have ever been a subject on this forum already have them. It's the easiest safety enhancement you'll ever do.

Thank you so much. I will do that as soon as it arrives. Never shortcut safety and a little prevention goes a long way.

Also, check the registry, if yours is in there, you'll get a lot of background. If not, add it and help complete any missing slots!