I'm getting that crazy itch again...

[John Kestler]

Mako knows my addiction. And Chad has it worse!
Who knows anything about Datsun Roadsters? I seem to remember a few Datsun gurus in the club. What years/engines to avoid? What to look for? Not really for autocross but I may be tempted to run it in HIST.


BTW the Lotus is sold and I have to get a car running first to change my avatar

[Robert Puertas]

2 liter with the solex carbs.

[Max Hayter]

Sebastian has one in his back yard!

[John Coffey]

Put some cortisone cream on it. The itch will go away.

But, just in case:

http://www.risensonracing.com/forums" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[John Coffey]

And then there's this:

http://www.risensonracing.com/forums/vi ... 590a53d9b1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Bolt on modification? I used some bolts."

[Steve Coe]

and this too

Les is the guy to talk to.

http://www.classicdatsun.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Theo O.]

2 liter with the solex carbs.

Ditto on what Robert said.

The solex carb drove me nuts but I eventually became a guru at tuning it. I had two roadsters and sold both of them for mod money for the BMW ;)

[Theo O.]

Also,
Local shop that specializes in Roadster, I started living there after a while I recommned browsing around the site, things are not cheap for that little car.

http://www.datsunparts.com/

[Mako Koiwai]

What about your Shannon! Get that going first!

360 interactive view:
John's old one: http://www.zoomhome.com/watkins_glen/index2.html

[John Kestler]

What about your Shannon! Get that going first!

I knew you'd chime in. I made promises to the more responsible half that I wouldn't race it right away. We are trying to finish home renovations. The Shannon is otherwise ready to go with a few hours work.
I don't want (or really need) another racecar..just a convertible for the occasional drive now that the Lotus is gone. I also don't want another project. Mako knows I haven't finished the last two yet.
It's really all Chad Stubblefield's fault. He sent me photos of a Triumph TR-6 he just picked up that looked real nice. }:)

Wasn't there a Datsun shop in Glendale run by one of the SCNAXsters?

Thanks for the resources guys.

[Mako Koiwai]

Art's Sunrise Z shop ...

It's not that Chad bought a TR6 ... it's that he sold his M Coupe, after selling his Exige, after his Dream Car RX7 3rd Gen, after his other RX7 ... the one with the sun roof that didn't give his helmet enough room after his nicely set-up STX WRX ... our version of Annie B.

[John Kestler]

I have a similar laundry list. The only time I hear all of it is from my wife when I buy the next car...

[Chad Stubblefield]

after a while the wife just expects this to happen. You just have to get through the first four cars or so.
If I just had the money and the space to keep them all it would have been a nice little collection.

[Robert Puertas]

I don't know what a nice Datsun Roadster is worth, but have you considered a Lotus Elan?
Probably no more expensive to restore and worth more when its done.
Plus a stock Elan is just about the most fun car you can ever drive.

[Robert Puertas]

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/elan-fo ... 20825.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pure awesomeness.

[Robert Puertas]

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/elan-fo ... 20303.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pure insanity.

[Chad Stubblefield]

alright
Times up John
what did you buy?

well then buy this http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 26619.html

The trick is to buy the first thing you see.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Now can you put like a Sentra SE-R motor in the Roadster? }:)

[Will Kalman]

Now can you put like a Sentra SE-R motor in the Roadster? }:)

I'm thinking electric conversion... Torque-monster weekend runner

[John Coffey]

Steve, you're such an underachiever...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC_lPfVV_9k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Steve Ekstrand]

Steve, you're such an underachiever...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC_lPfVV_9k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was trying not to screw up the car. You know maintain balance and handling in a stock appearing weekend cruiser? At least if you want to build an undriveable toy to make YouTube video's and 14yos drool, then use an Infiniti V8 or the Nissan VQ V6.

[Arthur Grant]

I don't want (or really need) another racecar..just a convertible for the occasional drive now that the Lotus is gone. I also don't want another project. Mako knows I haven't finished the last two yet.


If you really just looking for a convertible, I have a nice (non-race) 1985 VW cabriolet looking for a new home. However if you plan to race it, why not come over to the dark side and pick up a C4 Corvette. The top comes off, and they are loads of fun to drive. Both Lisa Severy and Rita Wilsey have sorted run ready cars available for sale reasonably (no project) or you can pick on up off the street (always a project).

[Bucky MacConaghy]

As a former and current Datsun Roadster owner, please allow me to chime in.

http://www.311s.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has probably the most complete body of knowledge on the little cars. There are members in Australia, Denmark, the UK, Canada, back east, out west and in the middle. Quite a few of the folks at risensonracing are also on 311s.org, but not necessarily the other way around.

The engine out of the Sentra SE-R can be made to work in the 311, but it will be a MAJOR project. The Sentra is FWD and the Roadster is RWD, so it will take quite a bit to make that combo work. The popular "hot rod" engine is the SR20, but there are also a number of KA24s being used if you like torque, albeit with a lower red-line. There are a smattering of other engines: V8s, V6s, Miata engines, CA18s, etc etc.

For a fun car to just drive around in, don't pass over the 1600 just because it doesn't have as many ponies as the 2000. The later cars ('68 +) have more "safety" features, but with the higher windshield they are uglier to me. The one linked to in this thread is way overpriced in my opinion. For $15 large, the map pockets should have elastic, not a sagging piece of vinyl on the door. No telling what else is wrong.

You should be able to find a decent runner for $3-6K. "Back in the day" (late 60s, early 70s), my 1600 was Cali smog exempt because it had multiple carbs standard from the factory. I'm not sure how they're handled today.

Parts are above average in cost, but the guy who runs datsunparts.com is very knowledgable.

If you're looking at a 60s sports car, the Elan is faster. But then it should be.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Yeah, it needs to be an engine that had either a RWD config or that shares a bellhousing (unless an adapter is available). The dodge turbo 2.4L (in the FWD SRT-4) can use some 1st gen Dakota truck trannies to make for a nice RWD conversion. Don't think I haven't considered a 400hp four-banger for my 69 Barracuda.... Just to get the weight balance right.... And to piss off the V8 guys.....

The KA24's weigh as much as some modern V8's. Heaviest four-banger on the planet.

[John Kestler]

Sorry to have posted and run. But I'm at the beach this weekend. I'd love an Élan but haven't seen any for a reasonable price. I'm looking for a 60 % restored weekender. Not a show car. Even the Roadster's seem overpriced unless it's a bucket of bolts. I like the small light cars and anything pre 1975 so they are smog exempt.
Thanks for all the advice and weblinks. I always do a
ot of research before i actually do anything