Datsun Roadster 1600...To build or not to build

hazzazi · 12-29-2009, 09:33 PM

good luck with the build, looks fun... i hope u enjoy

ChrisSlicks · 12-29-2009, 09:57 PM

You just bought what could arguably be called one of the original Z cars, or Fairlady as it is called in Japan. They looked pretty cool for a 1959 Japanese car, the first ones they sold in the US in 1960 had 47hp!

motoextreme · 12-29-2009, 10:37 PM

Its a 1967.5

You know what....I'm sorry to admit I don't know a whole lot of history about the car but just know that I've always liked them.

Heck, I crawled under the car tonight to see what's going on and was surprised to see disk brakes in the front, that's awesome!

I was thinking I would just paint it but looking at how simple the construction is I think I may do a Frame off, shouldnt take me too long so what the heck!

Going to hold off on ordering the parts just yet, I'll do that when its in the body shop. Need to find a motor now...

ChrisSlicks · 12-29-2009, 10:49 PM

Well I knew it wasn't a 1960's SPL212, those go for $100,000 unrestored! There was only 288 of those made.

The SPL311 which you have isn't as rare (but rare enough), had twice as much power, and still looks just as cool.

motoextreme · 12-29-2009, 11:00 PM

Chris, one quick question...

Considering the car is not as rare as some and I'll likely keep it, think I really need to keep the stock motor since its a numbers matching engine? I'm not one to stock pile things and considering the new motor will likely require some alterations to the mounts etc I doubt I'll ever need it... Suppose the right thing is to keep it but I'd really rather not unless I'm just blowing the whole value of this car by doing so.

What do you think?

speedworks · 12-30-2009, 07:51 PM

That car looks good. Congrats on the purchase. Some day I plan to purchase one of these, and do something similar to what you are doing. I first need to build my additional 4 car garage - no space in the current garage.

ChrisSlicks · 12-31-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoextreme

Chris, one quick question...

Considering the car is not as rare as some and I'll likely keep it, think I really need to keep the stock motor since its a numbers matching engine? I'm not one to stock pile things and considering the new motor will likely require some alterations to the mounts etc I doubt I'll ever need it... Suppose the right thing is to keep it but I'd really rather not unless I'm just blowing the whole value of this car by doing so.

What do you think?

Depends what you want to do with the car. If you are going for a full showroom restoration then keep the matching engine, it makes a big difference in the value in that case. If you just want to have fun with it then do whatever you want.

I think I would probably fall into the second category, I would store the original engine if I had space for it, although if you are doing heavy modifications then I wouldn't bother.

The best forum by far for information on these cars is 311s.org-Datsun Sport Roadsters

Here's a race ready car that's been heavily modified.
1968 Datsun SPL-311 Roadster "Small Bucks Racing" Ready to Race

motoextreme · 12-31-2009, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the info.

That site looks great, I'll dabble into it this weekend. That race one is a bit much but cool just the same. 2000 Lb car could be interesting with a 300HP motor..

12-29-2009, 09:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
hazzazi Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA, Virginia / KSA Posts: 648 Drives: 09 nismo Silver Rep Power: 18	good luck with the build, looks fun... i hope u enjoy __________________ i Don't Drive Fast, i just Fly Slow.

12-29-2009, 10:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	Its a 1967.5 You know what....I'm sorry to admit I don't know a whole lot of history about the car but just know that I've always liked them. Heck, I crawled under the car tonight to see what's going on and was surprised to see disk brakes in the front, that's awesome! I was thinking I would just paint it but looking at how simple the construction is I think I may do a Frame off, shouldnt take me too long so what the heck! Going to hold off on ordering the parts just yet, I'll do that when its in the body shop. Need to find a motor now... __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

12-29-2009, 11:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	Chris, one quick question... Considering the car is not as rare as some and I'll likely keep it, think I really need to keep the stock motor since its a numbers matching engine? I'm not one to stock pile things and considering the new motor will likely require some alterations to the mounts etc I doubt I'll ever need it... Suppose the right thing is to keep it but I'd really rather not unless I'm just blowing the whole value of this car by doing so. What do you think? __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

12-31-2009, 05:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 369	Thanks for the info. That site looks great, I'll dabble into it this weekend. That race one is a bit much but cool just the same. 2000 Lb car could be interesting with a 300HP motor.. __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

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12-29-2009, 09:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	You just bought what could arguably be called one of the original Z cars, or Fairlady as it is called in Japan. They looked pretty cool for a 1959 Japanese car, the first ones they sold in the US in 1960 had 47hp!

12-29-2009, 10:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	Well I knew it wasn't a 1960's SPL212, those go for $100,000 unrestored! There was only 288 of those made. The SPL311 which you have isn't as rare (but rare enough), had twice as much power, and still looks just as cool.

12-30-2009, 07:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
speedworks Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 550 Drives: PW purchased 01/09 Rep Power: 18	That car looks good. Congrats on the purchase. Some day I plan to purchase one of these, and do something similar to what you are doing. I first need to build my additional 4 car garage - no space in the current garage.