6 Months Later...Update On My '67 Datsun Roadster Many Pics!

[slow&rusty]

Some of you guys may remember that I bought this car in April this year, it is a true one owner car with only 3200 original miles and original paint that had been sitting for 7 years without moving.

I have been working on it a fair bit through the course of the summer and 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
8) Changed the 23year old oil and flushed the cooling system
9) 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

Parts are much more that I thought..wow!

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) from England. 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:








Best Regards - Yasin

[slow&rusty]

[Hugh R]

That's a very cool car. It looks ultra nice. I think they had a worm-box steering, if its loosey, its a simple adjustment. Make sure those SU carbs have some 20 weight or ATF oilunder those brass nuts on top of the bells. Just unscrew them and fill to about 1/2" of the top and slowly push the pistons back in and screw them in. Repeat about every 2-3,000 miles. Get a "Unisyn" to synch those babies up so that they suck equal air. I have an SU manual if you need me to scan and email it to you. If you don't KNOW how to properly tune them, you'll need the manual, they aren't hard, but some parts of it you won't figure out on your own, believe me.

PM me if you want me to scan and email the manual, otherwise, I may not see this thread for a while.

[equality72521]

I LOVE that car!!!

[speeder]

What a sweet little car! Nice work. I know what you mean about those magical summer evenings, the most fun car is not always the 500hp $100k ride. I had some blissful times riding around on a 1973 Honda 350 scrambler this summer.

Enjoy it!

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by speeder

What a sweet little car! Nice work. I know what you mean about those magical summer evenings, the most fun car is not always the 500hp $100k ride. I had some blissful times riding around on a 1973 Honda 350 scrambler this summer.

Enjoy it!

No doubt, I still love old Beetles. Slow as hell but I love 'em!

[masraum]

Beautiful car. I love that it's got a patina. The red interior is fantastic. I think I actually liked the stock wheels a little better, but it still looks great. I suspect it's a ton of fun and gets more looks than a Lambourghini.

[HardDrive]

AWESOME car man!

[goat]

Wow great car.
must be a blast to drive. Congrats of bringing her back to the road

[RickM]

What a great and rare car...love it.
For reviving the paint look here: Excellent detailing info...includes buffing

BTW, where did you find this gem. Please let us in on the hunt.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I remember the original thread, if I recall you got a pretty sweet deal on it? Regardless, she's coming along very nicely!

[tchanson]

Very nice!

Back in high school, I used to dream of being able to afford a set of those exact bolt through spoke Revolution wheels for my MGB.

They still look period great on cars of that vintage.




Tim

[Chuck Moreland]

Awesome car. I almost bought one of those when I was in high school.

But that battery hold-down looks scary. That metal top part is precariously close to the terminals!

[Jims5543]

Fantastic job, I suspect those rims look better in person. I know the rims on my 911 do, pictures never do them justice.

You have come a long way with that car, I remember the original thread. I am glad your enjoying it so much and glad your actually taking it out and driving it. Heres to many years of fun motoring with it.

[TerryBPP]

Originally Posted by Chuck Moreland

Awesome car. I almost bought one of those when I was in high school.

But that battery hold-down looks scary. That metal top part is precariously close to the terminals!

Looks like its made from aluminum. Shouldnt do much harm.

The car is great. I'm jealous.

[Seahawk]

There is nothing not to like about that car.

[Tobra]

Nice, had a friend in HS with a 510 sporting similar wheels, American Racing Libre, or something like that. I must say I also liked the original wheels with the dog dish hubcaps.

[livi]

Wow!

Dare I use the word fabulous on this board ??

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

That's a very cool car. It looks ultra nice. I think they had a worm-box steering, if its loosey, its a simple adjustment. Make sure those SU carbs have some 20 weight or ATF oilunder those brass nuts on top of the bells. Just unscrew them and fill to about 1/2" of the top and slowly push the pistons back in and screw them in. Repeat about every 2-3,000 miles. Get a "Unisyn" to synch those babies up so that they suck equal air. I have an SU manual if you need me to scan and email it to you. If you don't KNOW how to properly tune them, you'll need the manual, they aren't hard, but some parts of it you won't figure out on your own, believe me.

PM me if you want me to scan and email the manual, otherwise, I may not see this thread for a while.

Hugh - Wow - many many thanks on the offer! I am going to send you a PM for an electronic copy of the manual.

Originally Posted by equality72521

I LOVE that car!!!

Originally Posted by speeder

What a sweet little car! Nice work. I know what you mean about those magical summer evenings, the most fun car is not always the 500hp $100k ride. I had some blissful times riding around on a 1973 Honda 350 scrambler this summer.

Enjoy it!

Many thanks!!

Originally Posted by masraum

Beautiful car. I love that it's got a patina. The red interior is fantastic. I think I actually liked the stock wheels a little better, but it still looks great. I suspect it's a ton of fun and gets more looks than a Lambourghini.

Many thanks! The red interior is very rare and in very good shape, still has the factory carpets with the press down button to prevent them from bunching up. The car draws more attention than I thought, much more than my 911 Turbo! The stock wheels are neat, but I do love these old Revolution Racing Wheels, I have loved these wheels when I first saw them on a World Rally RWD Ford Escort in England back in 1978!!

Originally Posted by HardDrive

AWESOME car man!

Originally Posted by goat

Wow great car.
must be a blast to drive. Congrats of bringing her back to the road

Many thanks!

Originally Posted by RickM

What a great and rare car...love it.
For reviving the paint look here: Excellent detailing info...includes buffing

BTW, where did you find this gem. Please let us in on the hunt.

I will definitely check out that link for paint revival. The car was owned by a friend's mother-in-law who drove it only twice per year to get the oil changed at JC Penny and have the tires rotated. After she passed away, she left the car in her will to her daughter and I purchased the car from them. I have been trying to buy this car for 6+ years! I believe its the lowest mileage Roadster in the U.S, from the Roadster Registery.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I remember the original thread, if I recall you got a pretty sweet deal on it? Regardless, she's coming along very nicely!

I paid a "reasonable" price for the car, but after owning it and enjoying it, it was worth every penny. No regrets, and these cars are gaining value quickly these days.

Originally Posted by tchanson

Very nice!

Back in high school, I used to dream of being able to afford a set of those exact bolt through spoke Revolution wheels for my MGB.

They still look period great on cars of that vintage.
Tim

Thanks Tim!!

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

Fantastic job, I suspect those rims look better in person. I know the rims on my 911 do, pictures never do them justice.

You have come a long way with that car, I remember the original thread. I am glad your enjoying it so much and glad your actually taking it out and driving it. Heres to many years of fun motoring with it.

Thanks Jim! The wheels do look great in person. Its a fun car to scoot around town, top down, and just enjoying the evening.

Originally Posted by TerryBPP

Looks like its made from aluminum. Shouldnt do much harm.

The car is great. I'm jealous.

Yes the battery mount it custom made and its made from aluminum.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

There is nothing not to like about that car.

Many Many thanks!

Originally Posted by Tobra

Nice, had a friend in HS with a 510 sporting similar wheels, American Racing Libre, or something like that. I must say I also liked the original wheels with the dog dish hubcaps.

The Libres are totally hot wheels and VERY period correct.! They are worth big buxxx used.

Originally Posted by livi

Wow!

Dare I use the word fabulous on this board ??

Fabulous!! LOL

Many thanks for all the positive comments and great feedback I do appreciate it.
Regards - Yasin

[Z-man]

Nice restoration job! Looks very, very sweet!

-Z