Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

jfunkdelicious wrote:Definitely one of my favorite roadsters. Are you still rockin factory paint or have you done a respray during your ownership?

Not factory paint, but it was painted sometime in the late 80's by the PO. Lacquer!
A full repaint is on the to-do list.

The nice thing about lacquer is you can pile it on and cut and buff it to a deep mirror, and you can fill chips and have them disappear. Then again, it chips easier, but it looks so nice!

2008

I was contacted by Jeff Koch to do a photo shoot for Hemmings magazine. We never hooked up after several tries and eventually we did a shoot at Solvang in April '08. The feature was in Issue #44 of Hemmings Sports and Exotics, April 2009.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hsx/2 ... 96484.html

The author also wrote a driving impression on their blog:
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/index.php ... -roadster/
A few shots from that day:





I started looking for a limited-slip unit to replace my original open setup. From all the abuse, drag launches, track days, etc I thought it would be prudent and in my search I found the factory units to be expensive/rare. Best leave them to the real roadster racers is what I thought.

So I started a new project to replace the rear axle with a Mazda GSL-SE setup.

I got the Mazda setup from a friend ~ along with an entire stock roadster front suspension that was all destined for his roadster project.


Sold my rear end+NISMO leafs:


Neat thing about the GSL-SE axle is that comes with vented disc brakes, factory clutch-type limited-slip, and 4.08 R&P. All for a fraction of the cost of factory roadster LSD unit alone. It just made sense!
Axle about to be shortened:



While I was there I thought about improving the travel and getting rid of the skittering that comes with running the NISMO leaf rear springs. A 4-link with Panhard rod using coil-overs was the solution.

the build thread for this rear end is here:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... qa1#p65266

A new exhaust aft of the muffler had to be fabricated around the links/suspension.


Later switched to Eibach ERS500 springs (red), made a few height adjustments too:


My first order of business was to make sure the limited slip unit was working. A burnout ensued:
[youtube][/youtube]

I've put over 25k miles on it and it has taken a beating since 2009, still no sign of failing. We are thinking of doing a re-design soon.

Next up: 16" Panasports, over rider removal and a 1500 grille!

You should not do a redesign, but sell it to me, and start a new project!!........

Yeep740 wrote:You should not do a redesign, but sell it to me, and start a new project!!........

Got married, and had roadster with a few other Datsuns at the reception:


2010
I got a set of 16" Panasports. Went through different sets of tires and sizes over the next 7 years:





Drove to JCCS in Long Beach, CA




2012
I wanted to run a 1500 grille. I went with Ross Mullen of Sports Imports and he did a brilliant job of restoring an old grille. You can see the installation here:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... 500+grille




The grille was rad but the front end looked busy. I was a fan of over riders for a long time and finally caved, removing them front/rear.
Before removing, I replaced the amber turn signals with clear ones:



Then finally removed the over riders:




2013
SS award at JCCS led to feature in SS magazine
http://www.superstreetonline.com/featur ... -roadster/


Did a track day at Laguna Seca with a '67 2000, it was one of my favorite roadster moments!

Alvin wrote:2013
SS award at JCCS led to feature in SS magazine
http://www.superstreetonline.com/featur ... -roadster/

Which led to a new photo in every "rusted in a field but I wanna sell it for a lot" Craigslist ad..

2014-2015
I didn't add/remove anything to the roadster.
Just Enjoyed The Ride.

Took her to Solvang

http://www.zcarblog.com/2015/05/02/even ... -show.html
Even tried a Spocom show:

http://www.zcarblog.com/2015/08/10/even ... -2015.html

2016 was a big driving year!
Mike Garrett of Speedhunters did a feature on it in January:

http://www.speedhunters.com/2016/01/lov ... -roadster/

In April was invited to participate in the 2016 Touge California rallye hosted by Japanese Nostalgic Car.
One of the requests of my co-pilot was that the exhaust must be quieter. To satisfy them we installed a larger muffler and added a resonator in the factory location. Much quieter:


http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... ow#p238033

I drove all the way down to San Diego, back up to the rallye, and returned home! It was the most memorable automotive event of my roadster life!

http://www.zcarblog.com/2016/04/12/even ... eport.html

Visited Nissan Design America after the rally:

http://www.zcarblog.com/2016/05/08/even ... ornia.html


In October JNC invited me to be part of their booth at the Japanese Classic Car Show. I drove back down to SoCal again!
Before driving I installed a steering wheel from my collection. A BNIB MOMO Jackie Stewart:


http://www.zcarblog.com/2016/10/06/even ... -show.html




2017

Started off with a neat feature on Petrolicious. By far my favorite one as they mentioned 311s.org!

https://petrolicious.com/articles/this- ... es-to-tell

Drove to Solvang again:

http://www.zcarblog.com/2017/05/04/even ... -show.html

Did some sliding for a fun, family-made July 4 video:


And here we are! What's in store for the roadster after all these years? V.2 is coming stay tuned!

Some pics from one of the rallye participants (with a real camera!) last week.

Man I love this dash , simply beautiful

Pjackb wrote: ↑Fri Nov 02, 2018 7:34 am Man I love this dash , simply beautiful

haha thanks. It will look much better when I return it to the stock finish

Bump
Alvin can you PM me? I'm new to the board and my PM's to you keep getting stuck in outbox and won't go through.

Alvin.. you’re an inspiration pal.. Each of these roadsters have their own personality. It somewhat reflects their owners as well. That’s what I like most of all. Whenever I get mine up to presentable., (I don’t want to say finished, in reality their never finished), I will make the pilgrimage to Solvang and hope to meet you and all the gang.... the evolution of your roadster is a great read. Shamus...

Woody66 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 15, 2019 10:49 pm Bump
Alvin can you PM me? I'm new to the board and my PM's to you keep getting stuck in outbox and won't go through.

Done!

Shamus980 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 16, 2019 12:11 am Alvin.. you’re an inspiration pal.. Each of these roadsters have their own personality. It somewhat reflects their owners as well. That’s what I like most of all. Whenever I get mine up to presentable., (I don’t want to say finished, in reality their never finished), I will make the pilgrimage to Solvang and hope to meet you and all the gang.... the evolution of your roadster is a great read. Shamus...

Solvang is a must-do, "presentable" or not!

Lol... Alvin.., I live in Chicago... I have to make it across 2200 miles in my Roadster that isn’t road worthy yet. Hahaha. But I agree.. it’s a must do but I wanna do it with my roadster. Call it a “Scott Fisher” aspiration...