Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

i'm a new guy. i'm going this weekend to look at a 1965 fairlady roadster and wanted to know what to look for. all i've heard about it is the upholstry and top are shot, and the windshields are broken, but there is not supposed to be much rust if any.

i am working on a 1950 chevy sedan, and drive it daily, so i know a little bit, but i don't know anything about small sports cars in general or datsun roadsters specifically.

other than the obvious potential problem of rust, what should i keep an eye out for?
i read that a '65 could be a 1500 or 1600. what should i look for to fully identify the model?
how hard are windshields to find?
what about engine rebuilt kits?
who are the main suppliers?

thanks for any help you guys offer.

tim

Tim,

Welcome to the wacky world of Roadsters! You are correct, the car could be either a 1500 or a 1600. If the ID tag is legible, that is the first place to check. The SPL310 is the 1500 and the SPL311 is the 1600. If the chrome trim on the side goes all the way to the headlight, then the car is likely a 1500. If it stops at the flare, it is a 1600. For pictures of details, go to www.datsun.org and click on information and literature. There will be a link that will show most of the variations.

Windshields are available aftermarket or used. Used goes for anywhere from free to a couple of hundred. New aftermarket are about $400 plus crating and shipping. Engine rebuild parts are mostly available. The website www.datsun.org also has a link to most of the vendors as does 311s.org. Both are fantastic sources of information.

I have a 64 1500, there is a 65 1500 languishing at my father in law's house for a little while and I also have a few other Roadsters - so I can help with some of the detail stuff. Just ask!

Sid

Welcome Tim. Pretty much everything is available-some of it more pricy than others. Sid pretty much covered it but I just got news today that Dean of Fairlady Products scored some windshields out of Japan and they will be below $300.00 plus shipping. That is good news as they are exspensvie otherwise for a new one. I have a 65 1500 that has a 1600 in it. It will be far from stock when I finish with it. Different strokes for different folks. Good luck.

Steve

Different strokes for different folks.

huh, huh, huh. He said "strokes". huh, huh, huh

here is a link to the Wyoming/Colorodo Roadser Owners Club website. It has pretty good page of most of the major vendors on one site. (Sorry, Steve)

http://www.wycroc.org/wycroc_res.htm

If these aren't enough leads there are others I can link you too. I should pratically have a rolodex at this point.

Bucky, you caught my sense of humor. Srokes-stroker-real close-heh! Minh, I do not claim to be the only game in town. WyCroc is one of many other sites with a lot of good info. Just trying to do my part. No offense taken.

Steve

thanks sid, bucky, steve & minh! i appreciate the quick info.
i can't wait until i get to see the car (this weekend, i hope). i'll let y'all know what i find.

tim

I contacted Dean at Fairlady and he does not yet have the windshields in his possession. They may be 6 months out. They will be $300 plus shipping. Thanks, Mark

I contacted Dean at Fairlady and he does not yet have the windshields in his possession. They may be 6 months out. They will be $300 plus shipping. Thanks, Mark

I contacted Dean at Fairlady and he does not yet have the windshields in his possession. They may be 6 months out. They will be $300 plus shipping. Thanks, Mark

well, i took the plunge. it turned out to be a 1966 spl311 1600 #00968.
it's pretty rough, but still cute.

what size tires do most of you run?
any cool wheels that aren't very expensive?

tim j
chattanooga, tn

Tim,
nice find. There are lots of cool wheels that you can use. Personally I like the 6 spoke 280z wheels that I have but need to get rid of. I'm running a 185-60-14, but my suspension setup warrents the use of larger tires, and I can't run them with the offset of the wheels. 5 slot mags look good as well. Some times you can find a set of American Racing Libra wheels for a resonable price. There are lots of possibilities beyond these.
Good luch and have fun with your new project.

Will

It depends also on what kind of overall look and styling you are trying to achieve.

Unlike the clothes in my closet and what I feel like wearing, I can't redress the Roadster as easily. So, I think about the overal final finished look before buying rims.

There are lots to choose from, and sometime there are even more rims that you may like but are NOT made for the our lug pattern.

I am running 185-60-14's from my Honda Civic for now. I much prefer the 195-50-15's. They are equal in diameter with about a 1/8 inch difference. The 15's being smaller.

You can also special order 195-50-14's if want smaller diameter.

here are a couple "before" shots. we must have been wearing thick rose colored glasses.

It looks like you have your work cut out for you but I am sure you will have her pretty an purring sooner than later. Sids seen worse I do believe.

Steve