68 1600 $500

Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68

TI3FIGHT3R
Roadster Newby
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 7:03 am

68 1600 $500

Post by TI3FIGHT3R »

New to the forums but have been reading up for a while. Wanted to do a 240 build but saw a pic of the roadsters and fell in love.

I am going to see this later this afternoon and wanted to know what you guys think before I go. I know it needs new floors and there is a hole in the trunk but he says that's about all the major rust that's on it. Frame is in pretty good condition. Hes only asking 500 bucks with a clean title. Idk seems like a good deal to me.

Thanks guys.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
69' SPL311-22105
User avatar
notoptoy
Vendor-Site Supporter
Posts: 9674
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:55 pm
Location: Winston-Salem, NC and Ocala, FL
Contact:

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by notoptoy »

$500 is excellent for a parts car, while others would, I would NOT take that on as a restoration project. It has a lot of visible rust, which to me means it has more unseen rust to make a viable candidate for restoration. It would simply cost way more than reasonable to make that even a driver - in my opinion. I would start with a more solid candidate - but certainly consider this for parts or to part out.
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.

67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
User avatar
AidanDawn2000
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 1018
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2015 6:33 pm
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Contact:

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by AidanDawn2000 »

I agree. You’ll spend far less in total if you spend more now.
Oil a little low? Time to get a longer dipstick:)
Instagram!!!
1968 2000 SRL311-05110 (first car! Rust Bucket. Sold :( )
1969 2000 SRL311-10440 (matching numbers, Solex!)
User avatar
mblue97
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 227
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:35 am
Location: Pennsylvania (near Philly)
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by mblue97 »

Another vote for it as a parts car only...unless you have a lot of time, money, and skills, and don't mind having more into it than it will be worth when you are done.
David
1967 1600
1986 Porsche 944
1991 Celica convertible
User avatar
theunz
Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
Posts: 2394
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 1:54 pm
Location: Catoosa Ok.
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by theunz »

I would have to agree with everything Tom said. That car and another $15,000 along with a lot of hard work will net you a nice driver quality car worth.....well $15,500. If you have the room to store it I would definitely suggest picking it up for a parts car. You could easily part it out for double what you paid for it.
Mike M

Old enough to know better, too old to remember why!


1969 2000 solex mine since 1972, under resurrection. (Finally resurrected as of spring 2019!)
1969 Porsche 911s -worth more, but not as valuable! Gone!
2017 Lotus Evora 400 - Oh my!!
greydog
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 1790
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:37 pm
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by greydog »

I'm not quite so fast to decide to scrap a car. There are fewer and fewer of these and every time we scrap one that's savable (at some level) we have some parts gone that "aren't worth saving" today.
At $500 it's hard to imagine getting hurt badly.
Assuming you have the room to get it out of the weather, why not pick it up and do the very basic "get it running". If it runs (at all), you can make a determination of electrical systems. If it can be made to run and drive without spending several thousand dollars, you may decide to patch the floor and drive it. If not, it's worth much more than the asking price as a running car.
One guys idea of a driver may be another's idea of a show car. If it can be saved, why not make the attempt?
Dan
SPL311 aka Skooter. Sold. Now wasting away in the SF area.
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
User avatar
redroadster
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 2383
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:58 am
Location: KCMO
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by redroadster »

Im on team greydog
You should see what is available around here K C
I havent seen the underside,frame though
They can be fun to drive without full restore
Datsun dealer tech 76 to 87
Mitsubishi tech 9 yrs
Volvo, Kia, Toyota too
6 month - Rolls Royce
ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster
User avatar
mraitch
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 3629
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:03 pm
Location: Lake Balboa (SFV) - CA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70
Contact:

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by mraitch »

+1 on 'just buy it' evaluate and then decide. Depending upon condition and your skill level then determine it's future.
Peter Harrison
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California
User avatar
notoptoy
Vendor-Site Supporter
Posts: 9674
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:55 pm
Location: Winston-Salem, NC and Ocala, FL
Contact:

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by notoptoy »

As I said, some WOULD take on this project. I note that you are looking at $2000-2500 just to get it driving - IF the motor doesn't need much (it's apart for a reason I am sure), $1200 or so on hydraulics (brakes, Clutch), a Radiator, various hoses etc. That contains the fluids - then it'll need tires, and more than likely will need the fuel system flushed. So a driver for $2500 to $3000 grand may be worth it - just depends on your long term project goal as to how far past driver you want to go. My experience is body repair is expensive - the good news is all of the new mechanicals and hydraulics etc., that you may invest in, are transferrable to a more solid body, if that is the way you choose to go.
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.

67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
greydog
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 1790
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:37 pm
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by greydog »

Absolutely right, and probably more but....
It doesn't cost much to see if the engine is frozen and if it's got oil.
If it turns over by hand, drain the old oil and dump in 4 quarts of 10-40 with a new filter.
Run the pump intake hose into a can of fuel and turn 'er over. Squirt a little starter fluid in the cars and see if she tries to start.
So far, you're not into it too much.
If it runs at all, you can worry about a radiator and hoses. Who knows? Maybe the hoses are good.

You'll know if the brakes work by the time you get the car on a trailer.

So, getting it home, cleaned up and making an attempt to start it won't cost a lot and you'll have a much better idea of what it needs and what you're willing to do.

If this car was local and I was looking to get divorced I'd be all over it.
Dan
SPL311 aka Skooter. Sold. Now wasting away in the SF area.
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
User avatar
Linda
Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
Posts: 7807
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by Linda »

You can get a used engine or rebuild a stock 1600 for not too much. So for me it depends on the body. To keep costs down you need to plan on doing a lot of your own work
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
User avatar
mshort07
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:45 pm
Location: Urbanna Va

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by mshort07 »

I guess it depends on your starting budget, final budget, what is available in your area, and how deep a project you want to get into. I started with a lot worse and since then brought home a total of 4 parts cars and still have an ongoing project that snowballed. If my starting car wasn’t so rough it wouldn’t have snowballed into suck a big project. Looking back, it was all worth it because I learned a lot and it’s been a rewarding experience.

With that car, you can probably expect to work on every system of that car.

Be careful. It’s addictive. Once you buy one $500 roadster, you have to buy another and another. I bought one just to get a windshield.
Matt
Urbanna VA
1969 SRL311 / 1967 SPL311 - Resto Project
1967 SPL311 - Donor Car - long gone
1967 SPL311 - Donor Car - long gone
1968 SRL311 - Donor Car - long gone
1968 Datsun 520 pickup
1993 Jeep
TI3FIGHT3R
Roadster Newby
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 7:03 am

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by TI3FIGHT3R »

Hey guys. Thanks for the responses. It turns out hes only selling it for 300 just because he wants it gone and apparently I was the only one willing to drive out to him to even look at it. I am picking it up next week when I have access to a truck and trailer.

From what I saw its in rough shape but definitely restore-able. I plan on doing a sr20de resto mod. I know its going to be expensive and probably not worth the time for a lot of guys but my spending money comes in spurts so I would rather have a car that takes me a while and I do myself then buy something someones already built. Plus in my area there arent very many of these things around. So might as well grab it while i can. When I get it home and start the build Ill start a new build log for it. If all else fails, Ill part it out and make my money back plus some.
69' SPL311-22105
User avatar
notoptoy
Vendor-Site Supporter
Posts: 9674
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:55 pm
Location: Winston-Salem, NC and Ocala, FL
Contact:

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by notoptoy »

Post your location so we know who and what resources are nearby. I think the game changes completely when you are doing an engine swap. You can't lose at $300!
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.

67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
User avatar
mraitch
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 3629
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:03 pm
Location: Lake Balboa (SFV) - CA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70
Contact:

Re: 68 1600 $500

Post by mraitch »

GREAT - if it lives on as a complete car, then fantastic - if it lives on by keeping others on the road - then fantastic. Thanks.

Please make sure you put it in the registry and really look forward to the build story.

Pls post your location. Helps if you need stuff, so people know where you are.

Welcome to our merry band, you will find this site full of people out to help.

Suggest you read through the tech-wiki - there will be a lot of answers to questions you didn't know to ask.

These cars are fun to drive, and once sorted, quite easy to maintain. But knowledge is power.

Thanks for saving another one. They are dwindling in number, but increasing in importance.

Don't know where you live, but you might consider coming to Solvang for the annual Roadster meet. Lots of cars, people, ideas, support.

Welcome again,

Pete
Peter Harrison
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California
Post Reply