Project Unicorn, the resurrection of 1967.5 Datsun 2000 SRL-00342

[spriso]

Shift Boot

I am to the point where the shift boot needed to be installed on Project Unicorn. Originally, it was glued (as seen in previous posts), but I knew that glue would not last. I am not a huge fan of having the later trim ring visible on top of the boot, and I wanted it to look as original as possible, but still stay in place. Here was my solution:

Dean at Datsunparts.com sells a nice kit with the boot, trim ring, and rubber surround. I looked at his directions, held it up to the shifter plate and decided to try this for a solution:

Since I did not want the retaining ring visible, I decided to tack the mounting hardware to the stainless ring (which is a beautifully designed part) with my TIG welder:





I then overlapped the boot so it was sandwiched between the ring and the shift plate. This also allowed me to adjust it so it was even all the way around:



And from the underside:



Now I can install it into the car...



Michael

[spriso]

Test Drives

[Gregs672000]

Wow, couldn't be a more perfect example!

[eye]

Is this one a "keeper" or is it for a client? I can 2nd mortgage my house.

[spriso]

Thanks for the kind comments-- it is far from perfect!

This is being built for a customer based in Eugene, Oregon.

Michael

[spriso]

NOS Wiper Blades

I was finally able to break out the NOS Datsun wiper blades that I picked up at a swapmeet in Solvang a few years ago from Tim Miner-- whom it appears to have bought it from another old friend! I'm very pleased to have been able to find the correct NOS blades for Project Unicorn.

[iloveredmeat]

That is so cool!

You have the best projects going right now... true tributes.

Fun to watch.
pm

[Pjackb]

Jacques wrote:

What did you do to get the satin finish on the inside ? painted or blasted ?

The inside chrome is painted per original-- detailed in a previous post.

Thank you

[SOUPY]

You say it's far from perfect.....but by God it's really close! Beautiful work! I was wondering, on the shifter plate and radio console, is that a stick on or paint on finish? Looks great whatever it is.

[spriso]

Soupy wrote:

I was wondering, on the shifter plate and radio console, is that a stick on or paint on finish? Looks great whatever it is.

The finish on the shifter surround and radio face plate is VHT black wrinkle coat paint, which was the closest I could get to a factory finish:



Thanks for the kind comments.

Michael

[spriso]

A Special Reunion

Yesterday was a special day. Project Unicorn's owners Ken and Ellen were having a house warming party for their new house in Eugene, and had asked that Project Unicorn be there (as the cherry on-top), and I was bound and determined to make that happen for them. I have been working my way thru minor teething issues and slowly working them off the list and worked hard to get the car looking as good as possible for their special day.

Ken and Ellen had also invited a special guest, Tony, the original owner of the car who bought it new from Hanum Datsun in Eugene in July, 1967. If you have been following Project Unicorn for awhile now, you may remember that Tony actually saw the car being delivered off of the truck and traded in his black 1966 Datsun 1600 in on this car.

Tony was anxious to see the car again, and I could see his beaming smile as he walked down the driveway (giving me some hell for putting the headrests on the car-- it did not originally come with them). He carefully walked around the car several times, commenting and remembering... being taken back in time (and mentioned again, that it did not look this good when it was new!)





And of course, he wanted to go for a ride, and despite my many attempts to get him to take the wheel, he was happy to be chauffeured. He wanted to hear the car, and the exhaust and of course the Solex roar, and I was happy to oblige. He was quiet, reflecting, smiling, being taken back to all those years ago. He directed me over to his car and said he brought us a present.

He handed me an envelope, and inside were some photographs of the car just after he had bought it-- lovely 60s snapshots of a bygone era:



After a snow dusting in Central Oregon:



On a rally with the Emerald Empire Sports Car Club in Central Oregon:



At a car show with the Emerald Empire Sports Car Club:



With his late wife and son on a road trip "...the kids just rode in the back..."



Washing the roadster with the kids:





The neighbor showing off her new VW Beetle:



And possibly one of my favorites-- camping in Central Oregon with a tent trailer (which was towed with the roadster!) Wife, two kids, and Tony... crazy stuff.



As I drove Project Unicorn back home last night, I reflected on this car and project and what a special journey this has been. Being able to bring this special car back to life, to reunite it with it's original owner, and getting it ready for it's new owner has been an honor. Tony had many special memories in his roadster, and soon Ken and Ellen will be able to do the same, and one day another generation of owners will hopefully be able to as well. Tony knew this was a special car and wanted to be sure it went to someone who was going to love and cherish it as much as he did-- I'm proud to have had a part in that process...

[spl310]

That's awesome - especially the camping pic!

[ted heaton]

Michael,
Well Done!!

Ted.

[iloveredmeat]

Michael.

Man, you have made something really special happen... this is an absolutely flawless journey.

I don't know why, but I've always been able to attribute a certain amount of 'soul' to special inanimate objects – I have my dad's old fly rod, and when I fish it, he's there. The house we bought from the original owner - who by all accounts was an amazing guy - there's just good soul here.

This is about so much more than just a car. You were presented an opportunity to restore a special car, for special people, and a special original owner – and you brought it all together better than anyone could ever hope for.

Likely the best Roadster story ever and you did it proud!

Beautiful job.

Congrats. Peter

[Gregs672000]

Amen brother. So good, so good.