Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hello fellow enthusiasts! Jack (DATMAN) here from Ontario Canada. Like others, I've been following this forum for quite some time while I searched for a project - to keep me busy during our long Canadian winters. I'm partial to the low windshield flat dash variety but would have been overjoyed with any model year Roadster. I located a '67 1600 in Ohio about 2 weeks ago - drove down there in my truck w trailer in tow and knew as soon as the owner backed the little beauty out of his garage, she would have a new home in Ontario. She is exquisite if I do say so myself. Aging very gracefully - ideal bone structure, with her taught curves engulfed in a beautiful glow of scarlet red. I will now spend time with her, encourage her, dance with her, and nurture her to her full glorious splendor.
In all seriousness; I'm stoked that I found such a classic in such exceptional condition. Frame is as solid as the oak in the front yard. Body panels are as straight as Wilt Chamberlain. Mechanicals are as tight as Warren Buffet's wallet. The interior needs TLC much like Canada needs in the NAFTA negotiations with Trump.
Sorry folks, couldn't help myself. I'm debating on what modifications to execute on my little Scarlet, but will enjoy her in stock configuration for the foreseeable future while ensuring everything is where, and doing what it should be doing. I've owned my '76 Datsun 280Z for 34 years (completely modified and still 'street legal'), and have a '16 370Z that I've also modified for track days. Scarlet looks at home beside her younger siblings. Here's a couple of pics.
BTW; absolutely love this Forum and greatly appreciate the time people put into posting their experiences and sharing their knowledge. Thank you very much. USA, USA, USA, and Canada Eh!!!

Looking good! Glad to see that you found something that is pretty much what you wanted!

Nice. Beautiful car, beautiful surroundings, handsome Prime Minister, sensible people, what's not to like about Canada, eh?
Looks like you won't even have much to do on that car....but you could throw a BBQ anyway
Linda

Welcome, nice looking car. Make sure the Vin # is in the registry.

Looks like you scored big time with that beauty and she was well worth the trip into the good ol' USA. Glad she found a new home. Looking forward to reading about your adventure with her.

Steve

Thank you all for the great comments! There's a couple of items with the car I'm not clear on so I will reach out again shortly with some questions and pics. Thank you again,

Looks like a good find. Always great to get another roadster back in Canada. Where in the GTA are you located I'm down in the Niagara area but will definitely drive up for the BBQ that Linda suggested

OOH NO, NOT ANOTHER CANADIAN!
Love my Canadian brothers, many good Roadster friends there, and you sound like you'd fit right in with that crazy crowd!
Look forward to hearing how you dive into the Roadster. Planning on keeping her stock, or planning some mods? Regardless, in my opinion the best additions to a stock or most any car would be the EI dizzy and the Bilstein shocks... better running engine and a much better ride/handling/driving experience!
Welcome!
Blame Canada!

Panda Boy; good meeting you as well. I'm located just on the outskirts of Hanover (about 2 hrs NW of Toronto) - but my business is located in Bolton.
BBQ and a cruise sounds great. I have a list of 10 items that I need to address to obtain the Safety on my Roadster. I may be able to go for a rip before the white stuff arrives. I'll keep you posted. Thank you,

Gregs672000, thanks for the note; I'm focused on getting Scarlett saftied (Safey Certificate, so I can get it plated) - so will remain mostly stock for the foreseeable future with the exception of comp. lowering springs in the front and some aftermarket ignition components. Already have my new wheels and tires installed. I don't love the front wheel offsets, so may look for an adjustment to that config over the winter. BTW; what is the EI dizzy? Also, the plan is to build a 2L motor, or swap in a SR20DET (S14) - I kinda like the idea of building the U20 motor though w 5spd. Cheers,

The EI dizzy is a converted Nissan electronic ignition distributor (the one with the black box on the side) to Roadster specs and configuration. Much better spark, reliable and no points to wear out. Car simply runs better, and would be adaptable to an R or U engine. You can get it with the early advance curve so you can remove the smog equipment, but your car is early so there's nothing more to do than drop it in, wire it up and time it. Also, do not overlook the Bilsteins... Roadsters get hoppy when it's choppy and do not like bumps, especially in corners. The Bs change all that. You'll thank me (and JT68) later!

I love my U20 and it is built. However, it will never produce the power of an SR-DET, but they make a great sound with Mikuni style side drafts (I love Dellortos myself) and are period correct, and specific to Roadsters only. Can be spendy to build, and the 5 speed is harder to locate, but they are an under-appreciated engine (the cylinder head rocks for its time, large valves and ports) and very sell suited to the Roadster, with the weakness being the double chain set up (they were converting a pushrod engine to an OHC). If you bump compression a lot you will need better ignition control... megajolt works great on my car, but again all of this starts to add up, and obtaining a set of sidedrafts and the intake manifold can be difficult and expensive these days.

Great info Greg, thank you very much! If I start sourcing U20 components - especially the head ( is there a specific marking I should be seeking?

I think the U20 was made in such small numbers that there isnt a specific casting type that is better... though I would say try to source one from the Great White North since I dont think you guys go the smog heads that the 68+ U20s got. My 68 has a non-smog head but my motor was also rebuilt at some point so the previous owner either needed one, or sourced one... Im not sure.

U20s are cool though, I cant wait until I can get mine properly built up but that will be the last thing I spend money on, unless the car demands it before I get to it

There are detail variations on the heads, but they are basically cosmetic iirc. There are rumors of a head that was made with HUGE ports for the 50mm carbs. I have seen the intake, but not the head. Basically any head that you get that is serviceable will be fine - smog ports can be plugged.

ok cool - thank you both for the reply!