Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Good afternoon. My name is Hector and I just got a 1966 1600 this afternoon. I live in Bakersfield, CA. I bought a battery (51) and it started right up. It had a leaking front passenger brake cylinder, so no test drive yet. Its missing the driver's door glass and the soft top mechanism. I have to pull the coil wire because the ignition switch does not turn the car off when I try to shut it off. Car needs everything and I am up for the challenge. I hope its all stock, but I have no idea what previous owners have done to it. The car had been in the Palmdale/Lancaster area its entire life and had old Edwards Air force Base decals on the bumpers. I have the original title with the original black plates on it. Rust is minimum, but the car has plenty of dents and scratches. Long term project. Would like to get the car running and somewhat dependable. Not too familiar with early Japanese cars. Cut my teeth on early VW's and a 63 Chevy truck. Well, here are some pictures.

We are going to start our projects the same time! I have a 66 that needs a complete rebuild.

Welcome! Spend time in the Tech Wiki, perusing the forums and make sure to get to know the vendor links!

I've decided (for the time being) to rebuild the car to a mostly stock condition. The engine swap is very attractive (SR20). This is a numbers matching car. I have the original title and owners manual too. I'm going to build the body removal wooden stand other have built on this site. I'm not too mechanically inclined to take on an engine rebuild. I'll remove it and take it somewhere. The car runs as is, but it has a small coolant leak and i'm not sure of its mileage or internal condition. Plenty to do with a 40 hour a week schedule. I'm going to start a thread with as many pictures as possible. Good luck and hope to learn and share with everyone.

Welcome Hector! You have come to the right place for everything Roadster, including a great bunch of folks who know these cars forward and backward and are happy to answer questions or direct you to the right sources. Many of us have taken years (or are taking years still) to do our cars. The typical suggestion is to get the car operational before you tear it down in order to bond with it. There's something about a Datsun Roadster that gets under your skin. I've had mine over 34 years, and am still modifying it. There are no jerks on this site and everyone is here to help, so ask away as the questions come. Welcome to the family!

Welcome and congratulations! May I make a suggestion? Make it run and drive safely. Drive it for a while before you take it apart...

Nice project Hector, looks like a good car as it is. Why do you want to remove the body? You say the rust is minimum, no offense, but sometimes when you get deep into a project it can take years and plenty of $$$$ to finish. I would get it driving, stopping, and looking goooood. Enjoy it, drive it, don't put it in the garage in a bunch of pieces. Just my 2 cents. I'm on the Central Coast if you make it out this way, stop by for a visit.

bossbob wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2020 12:11 pm Nice project Hector, looks like a good car as it is. Why do you want to remove the body? You say the rust is minimum, no offense, but sometimes when you get deep into a project it can take years and plenty of $$$$ to finish. I would get it driving, stopping, and looking goooood. Enjoy it, drive it, don't put it in the garage in a bunch of pieces. Just my 2 cents. I'm on the Central Coast if you make it out this way, stop by for a visit.

I have decided to get the car running before getting into anything too major. Since the car runs and drives, I'm gonna sort out the electrical issues and a few engine issues. It is easier to stay motivated if the car remains a runner. I did the same thing a few years ago with a 67 VW Ghia.

That is the best possible plan in my opinion!

And PS, the Ghia looks great!

Cosmic wheels on the Ghia, ya man I'm with you!