I heard about this 1967 Datsun 1600 Roadster over 6years ago through colleagues, but was so busy with work, automotive and home commitments I never got around to seeing the car. It came up from time to time in conversation but was more of a phantom in my mind. At the time I was under the impression that the car was stored in a garage and had not been driven in many years. I feared it would be in very tatty shape, mouse infested and really rough, and really I did not need another “project�…ahem..money pit, as I was fortunate enough to own a few of those. In the mean time, I perused the internet, Datsun Roadster forums and eBay looking at these charming cars on and off, fuelled by my good friends Brian and Mike.
Fast forward to the early spring of 2007, the owner of the car approached me and said that he and his wife wanted their garage space back and wanted to get rid of the Roadster. The devil on my left shoulder kept singing “top down blissful verses to me�, the angel on my right kept shouting “RUN!�….well to give you some history I had just rescued a decaying 1978 Datsun 280Z that had been sitting in the Pine Forest for 13years a few weeks earlier and my garage was looking like some sort of Datsun bone yard (as I have a 280ZX that I am piecing back together as well) – featured in August 2007 Classic Cars.
Well the devil won the arm wrestle and off I went to see this Roadster. It was located almost 9,000 feet above sea level, about ¾ of the way up to Pike Peak in the Rocky Mountains. The drive up to see the car was spectacular but the roads were about as wide as the Datsun Roadster, and the ascent was very humbling not too mention the very bumpy non paved gravel roads.
I kept hoping that the car would be “too rough�, “too rusty� and “too much� of a project for me to tackle as this point, making the decision easy to look the other way and let common sense prevail (does it ever?). I bit my lower lip, as the owner opened the garage door and there it lay covered in very heavy construction plastic (as the make shift car cover). We pushed it out into the glorious Colorado sunlight and the love affair was ignited, I officially said “goodbye to common sense�.
As I walked around the car with a thousand thoughts per second flooding my mind, the owner emphasizing that the car ONLY covering 3200 documented and actual original miles since new and that the car was bought brand new by his mother in law in 1967 and was only driven 2-3 times per year and that was over to the mechanic to rotate the tires and get oil changes only at Sears!
The car was simply a summer toy for the mother in law and upon her passing away had left the car to her daughter. I was in awe (understatement). I even found a hand written card in the glove box dated from 1984 that said next oil change at 4,000 miles! The original owner’s manual, factory workshop manual and factory supplied tools were all perfect. The car came with a few spare parts (including brand new fabric surrounds and a bikini top) and even a custom made and hand stitched cotton car cover neatly folded in the trunk.
The car was driven briefly around 6 or 7 years ago and that was the last time it had seen any asphalt. It was VERY original…it had the original brakes, original radiator hoses, original bias ply tires (that held air very nicely), original muffler and exhaust, basically original everything! If time and an automobile in my eyes and definition ever stood still, I was looking at it, as I ran my fingers over its very attractive lines.
So we struck a deal. A week later, the money was paid, and I went back up the side of Pikes Peak to fetch my little convertible that once hailed from the enchanting land of the rising sun.
The first problem we had was a dead battery, the gas tank was bone dry, it needed coolant and a push on the brake pedal confirmed that the car had absolutely no brakes as the pedal and the floor contacted. So I raced back down the mountain to the Parts store, I obtained the necessary automotive fluids and an hour or two of bleeding brakes with the battery jumped and a cross of toes and fingers and “vroom� she coughed, spluttered and came to life….it was rough, it was smoky, it was very much a cacophony of moving metal parts but it was a concerto sweeter than Beethoven to my ears.
The couple I bought the car from very were happy that the Roadster was bought by myself as they knew I would take great care of it, they made sure they received “visitation rights�. We said our good-byes and off I went down the very steep Pikes Peak decent.
As I made my way down the side of this humbling mountain, I had my friend with his Toyota Tacoma lead, should the 40year old brakes decide that they were not up to the task and I needed to use the truck as my bumper guard. I kept saying “OK Yasin…the emergency brake is your friend� (and thankfully it worked well). Well, I made it down the mountain in tact, white knuckled and having a huge respect for modern brakes all in the same breath.
The drive home was not bad, the twin SU carburetors were spluttering and had a few flat spots but the engine was running well and I was able to keep up with traffic with ease. All the gauges worked, even the AM radio, interior vanity light and the clock!
As a bonus, all the electrics worked as well, the lights, the wipers and even the horn. The next few weeks I drove the car once to twice per week and then realized that I had leaks appearing faster than my cardboard box under the car could absorb. All the years of being parked had dried out the many rubber seals and components and it was time for replacement and much deserved TLC. The next few months I spent considerable time and money on the car, and replaced the following items:
1) Replaced the rear brake shoes
2) Replaced every single rubber brake hose
3) Replaced the front brake pads and rebuilt the unique brake calipers
4) Replaced the radiator hoses
5) Replaced all the rubber gas and coolant hoses
6) Replaced the air filter, oil filter and very neat fuel filter
7) Converted the car over to electronic ignition and removed the points and condensor
Changed the 23year old oil and flushed the cooling system9) Changed the thermostat (which was a very sobering experience)
10) Changed the valve cover gasket and checked the valve clearances
11) Replaced the leaking clutch and brake master cylinders
12) Replaced the clutch slave cylinder
13) The transmission and diff oil had NEVER been replaced, so I drained them and installed Amsoil 80W90 synthetic
Many thanks to Dean at www.datsunparts.com.
From the years of neglect, the paint had started to turn “ashy� so I water sanded the car one night at 1am, when I could not sleep in my pajamas no less!! I started with 1500grit and then worked my way to 2000grit. As the car’s paint is original I wanted to see if I could revive it. I also did an extensive compound and several stages of buffing and polishing including using a clay bar. All the elbow grease has greatly improved the aesthetics of the paint but I do feel there is some more potential in the paint, I am waiting for another sleepless night!
With all the attention I gave the car, it was transformed. The more I drove the car, the more it improved. The flat spots in the carburetor were all gone, the engine was responsive and very linear and converting the car to Electronic Ignition improved drivability, smoothness and overall performance. The transmission shifted very smoothly as well with the new Amsoil. The car did come with a few containers of lead additive which were in the trunk and I make sure and add it, when I fill it.
I have removed the original steel 14in wheels (the full size spare even had a very neat cover on it - which is deteriorating) with their bias ply tires and replaced them with a more modern 4 spoke alloy wheel from Revolution Wheels (14in x 6in). The new wheels definitely compliments the car, and at the same time saves 7.5lbs per corner and I have fitted modern and slightly wider radial BFGoodrich tires (185/60). The new tires have definitely made a huge difference in overall drivability. I have some suspension work to do next on the list as I address worn bushings and very weak shock absorbers. Part and parcel of ownership, and no complaints from my camp.
The car drives really great and enjoying the magical summer evenings in this car, reinforces that the Datsun was worth the price and all the effort and improvements along the way. I have never owned a Convertible before and I have discovered a new view and respect of motoring with the top down.
My girlfriend also loves the car and also gets equal bliss from driving it.
Well enough blabbing...here is the fun stuff...pictures!
When I first bought it early Spring:
After all the work and photos taken this morning:
Looking forward to participating in this forum and learning from you all!
Best Regards - Yasin
