Finally found my car.

[damarble]

Buying over the internet a 5 hour drive away may turn out to be a mistake, but I agreed to terms with the seller and he was very open the whole time.

It's a 68 1600, one owner car, 49k miles. The engine turns over and has even compression but it hasn't been tested further.

I will pick it up in 2 weeks.

[spl310]

Looks like a good base. Get it running and driving - deal with cosmetics after.

[damarble]

Looks like a good base. Get it running and driving - deal with cosmetics after.

Exactly my plan. I've had enough failed projects to finally know what not to do.

I'll probably want a hard top or redo the soft top fairly early on though. The bows are still there but no fabric. I've redone a Mustang top in the past so hopefully it's doable.

[rwmann]

Welcome to project world (again). The soft top is doable. Easiest if you do it in a heated garage or on a warm, sunny day outdoors.

[theunz]

The tops on these cars are very easy to do. Look in the tech Wiki for instructions. Used hard tops are dirt cheap for the most part.

[damarble]

Thanks guys.

[spl310]

Looks like a good base. Get it running and driving - deal with cosmetics after.

Exactly my plan. I've had enough failed projects to finally know what not to do.

I'll probably want a hard top or redo the soft top fairly early on though. The bows are still there but no fabric. I've redone a Mustang top in the past so hopefully it's doable.

Experience is a cruel teacher, but the lessons usually stick. Yes, the top is doable, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

[jrusso07]

Congratulations on the buy and your "new" roadster. I was looking at this one too. Looks to be a very solid car...although shipping to NY was a bit pricey...and I don't think I need 4 roadsters...but then again.

I have done the soft top once. Tech Wiki is a good resource and definitely do it on a warm, sunny day to help stretch the material. I have one more new top to do...it's easier with two people helping

Enjoy the new project!

[damarble]

Congratulations on the buy and your "new" roadster. I was looking at this one too. Looks to be a very solid car...although shipping to NY was a bit pricey...and I don't think I need 4 roadsters...but then again.

I have done the soft top once. Tech Wiki is a good resource and definitely do it on a warm, sunny day to help stretch the material. I have one more new top to do...it's easier with two people helping

Enjoy the new project!

Luckily I'm much closer. I hope it's a good one. I was looking for a driving car but this seemed like it might be worth taking a chance on.

I read the wiki, it doesn't sounds too bad. I read a lot of wikis actually. There's good information there.

[jr02518]

I'm going through same "refresh now rather than restore" on my 1970 1600. I starred with WD40 down each cylinder before I started turning the motor over and was rewarded with a running lump.

Of course it would only idle, but given you have an early car without the smog enhancements, you will have better luck. Find a vendor you can work with and the parts are available. If you have access to and do not mind pressue washing down the under carriage before you get under an old car, you will be hours ahead on the cleaning process.

One tip, convince/prove to your self that you can get the new oil in the transmission, before you drain the old stuff out.

[damarble]

One tip, convince/prove to your self that you can get the new oil in the transmission, before you drain the old stuff out.

This sounds ominous. The wiki says it's a side fill, sounds pretty typical. I use a hand pump for those.

[jr02518]

It's doable, I learned on old BMW's that spending the time getting the fill plug loose/off the transmission first is the key to a getting this done. Scope creep just gets started when you are staring at the transmission mount that might be mush, the speedo cable that has collected all that seeping oil from everything in front of it and....

Just an other chapter in old car 101.

David

[damarble]

I called Spriso today and I'm pretty sure the SR20 swap is for me if supplies increase and prices come back down. He mentioned the RX7 rear ends are hard to get now too, so naturally when I stopped by the junkyard later that day I found one. Didn't have the time or tools to pull it.

[C.Costine]

damarble, if you share where you are you may find parts offered nearby.

[damarble]

damarble, if you share where you are you may find parts offered nearby.

Eastern Washington state.