New project-- ok, new plan.

[ChrisS]

So, a year ago I adopted the Poor Little Thing (PLT), a 67 roadster rust heap. Over the past year the only real progress was getting the engine running (attributable to Notoptoy) and removing most non-drivetrain pieces.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when Cole455 offered up a 68 roller and sweetened the deal by offering to tow it to my place. Got her stowed away and had no time til today to really look at her. All in all, a very interesting project. Solid frame and good sheet metal with surface rust other than the rear left quarter. PO (not Cole) had replaced the fender with odd spacing. Cole included lots of bits and pieces including 4 speed, most of a disassembled motor 3/4 of the trim, master cylinders...

For an ugly car at first glance, it has a lot going for it. Only rust through is at the headlights!. Pans look great. Check out the dash.

P1000317.JPG

[ChrisS]

Of note is that Cole thought the car had 70k miles, reasonable based on the odometer. Looking at the manual,

P1000328.JPG

And the inspection sticker

P1000310.JPG

It looks like 168K! Not a bad life and well deserving of resurection.

[ChrisS]

So, as embarrassed as I am, I submit some pictures of the old project and the new. Am I on the right track to: Move the running 1600 5 speed to the 68, put my effort into getting it on the road, and reserve the 67 (with two extra engines, three extra carb sets, etc,) to salvage in some form when I get this one done? While I prefer the flat dash, the 68 is much closer to running.

[68DSU]

The 68 has some good bits, all the knobs and things. It looks like it has good bones too. From what I see can you need drivetrain, and seats to, at least, have a runner.

[dbrick]

Any roadster you can drive is the best one to have. Getting the 68 going will fuel the enthusiasm for the 67

[spl310]

My vote is move everything over, including the dash so that you keep the most sexy of all Roadster dashes in your car. Nice find on the body! I am jealous!

[Garm]

^ This is great advice all around, but I probably wouldn't move the dash. It defeats the purpose of getting the 68 going sooner, and it makes the 67 into more of a parts/scrap car. Just saying.

[spl310]

Oh, I wouldn't swap the dash NOW, but it would end up in there. I would make it run first, then after enjoying it do the dash swap over the winter.

[ChrisS]

I agree with everyone, especially Garm. Plus, the 68 dash is usable immediately (not perfect but whole) while the 67 needs a new cover, repaint, moving, etc.

The 68 needs drivetrain (have engine, trans, shaft, but haven't looked at rear end) and unknown other (beyond basic body) to be drivable. Hope to look at brakes over the weekend. At worst, I have rebuilt front calipers for the 67 that could transfer, a rebuild kit for the dual brake master, new hard lines.... have shocks that would transfer, etc. Otherwise, significant issues would be rear brakes, differential,....what else? Have my 67 low seats (may have a line on cool replacements).

[spl310]

I bet your diff in the high windshield is fine. The only thing you may run into is crossmember issues - your early crossmember won't work on the later frame. That being said, 5 speed crossmembers can be had. If you are serious about it, you can have it driving in a couple of weekends! Get on it!!

[notoptoy]

Chris:
I know your 67, concentrate on the 68, period.
I have an engine hoist, and I know I can swap the drive train over in under 5 hours (removing from one and installing in the other).
Go with the 68, and swap the dash later.
T

[Garm]

I'm jealous too -- you HAVE a dash to swap, that flat dash is just so nice.

[69shell]

use the 68' as your "practice car", you'll learn a lot of very usual roadster knowledge that you will need on the other car. Get it running and drive it.

[cole455]

Looks like the dash and floor-pans cleaned up nicely! Good luck on however you decide to proceed... and if you need a hand with anything, let me know. I remember looking at those service records several years ago, but somehow I came to the conclusion that it was from a different car. It belonged to Carl Spell and he had plenty of roadsters over the years. When I bought this car, I bought everything else roadster related he had which included several additional warranty books and owners manuals. If that car did in fact travel 168,000 miles in 13 years on the original engine; I'm impressed, quite the testament to these old datsuns!

[ChrisS]

Thanks Cole- I'm excited about the project. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but Notoptoy (Tom) has offered to spend a day swapping the engine from the '67.

My plan is to make an invite to 311.org folks for a get together at my place on that date (as yet to be determined) to wield some wrenches, tell stories, and eventually have some burgers and drinks by the pool. All would be welcome! I'll be posting details as they are set.