New addition to the garage...

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Well after a while soul searching an many long drives I came to grips that I think the Z is at a stopping point. I will continue my projects until she is closer to 99.9% done, but I had to snag this up. Will be wiring money to the guy this week. We eshook hands and the deal is finished.



Meet the Z's new mistress in the garage...

[HaZmatt]

Shes a beauty!

[psdenno]

Very nice!
Dennis

[Captain Obvious]

Awesome. There seems to be lots of roadster action in my area. Not sure why, but I'm always seeing stuff on Craigslist near me.

I've never driven a roadster so I don't know anything about them other than they're pretty. Are they "unrefined" in the creature comfort category? And what's the performance reputation?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Here is the crazy thing. I have never driven one either, but I have heard wonderful things. I just fell in love with the looks, and Datsun knows how to build a great driving car.

As far as performance goes, A 2000 with webers make 150 HP. Same as a 240Z. So it should be a fast little car.

[Captain Obvious]

Haha!! So you didn't know any more than I did and you bought one! Kudos!!

I think I might have done the same thing, but I'm officially out of room.

[Captain Obvious]

And they are pretty... In my mind, I put them in the same category as the Fiat Spyder, the Sunbeam, the MGB's, and others. Toyota made a roadster very similar as well. I'd never seen one of those before and just met a guy near me that has more than one.

[Travel'n Man]

Nice!! She's a beauty!

[Blue]

Japanese racing white! Wayyyyyy Coooollllll

[rossiz]

nice! looks super clean.
i remember having soooo much fun in my mom's '74 mg midget back in high school - the little car effect: felt like you were doing 80 all the time, even when you were doing 40 ;}

[Hardway]

That is beautiful! I love the white with the black top and the Panasports. Classy and sporty, I love it! Congrats on the purchase.

[Oiluj]

Is the car from the SF Bay Area? I almost went to look at one locally that could be it's twin. They are great cars!

[Bonzi Lon]

You are lucky to have the fog lights, they are very expensive to replace.

Be prepared to get the word "cute" a lot from everybody. My little sister, "That is soooo cute. What is it? I want it".

Did it come with the hardtop? I'm looking for one for mine, but the fog lights will have to wait.

Bonzi Lon

[Galaxybj]

VERY Nice. Lucky you.

Back in the fall of 1969 I was out looking/driving a couple different sports cars available - MGB, MGB/GT, Triumph Spitfire and TR6. One day I stopped in to Valley Datsun in Spokane Wa. where I first saw a 2000 roadster. The sales man took me for a drive in a red roadster that had just come off the truck. WOW!!! So much fun and fast. I ordered one right then. Unfortunately, not to much later, he showed me the first brochure for the 240Z. I dropped my roadster order and replaced it with a Z order. Still like the roadsters.

[Pop's Z]

My very first Datsun was a '68 2000. They were so much better than the British cars of the era it wasn't even close...reliable, started every time, no oil leaks, roll-up windows, no weird electrical system, 5 spd tranny, easy to work on, etc. I had a blast with it. To drive it fast all you had to do was point it at the corner and punch it...whoooeee. Yours is beautiful. Enjoy the ride.

Cheers, Mike

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Is the car from the SF Bay Area? I almost went to look at one locally that could be it's twin. They are great cars!

It is!!!

It is in Palo Alto

Guy named Chris.

Got any info?

[bacarl]

Weren't you talking about getting an Alpha GTV not too long ago?? ;-)

[Zedyone_kenobi]

um... yes.




This was closer to reality.

[jfa.series1]

Beautiful car!!! Congratulations on your upcoming expansion of holdings in the DATSUN brand.

[Diseazd]

Welcome to the multiple Datsun club Stephen. That looks like a really nice 2000!

[HuD 91gt]

Gorgeous. The Roadster was my first true Datsun love, but I found my clean 240z first. A little jealous.

[motorman7]

Congrats on the new Roadster! Got one in my garage as well, though mine is still about 4 months away from being complete. The lines on the car are just gorgeous. The hood and front end have some of the best lines. Love the color also.

Best regards,
Rich

[Hunter260Z]

SWEET Does it have black or red interior.

Ray

[tlorber]

Nice acquisition-and great keeping it in the family. I think you'll like the 5 speed.

Here's mine, although it is in desperate need of new paint.



The main supplier for Roadster parts is near me and he's become a friend over the 20 years that I've had the car. Let me know if you need anything for it.

His site is datsunparts.com (NOT to be confused with datsunpartsllc who some have had issues with).

[Mark Maras]

That is, without a doubt, the best looking roadster I've ever seen. I drove a friends 2 litre occasionally back in the mid 70s. In comparison to a MGB, which was my wife's first car, the Datsun wins in all catagories. Don't get me wrong, an MGB, with the top down, is great fun but a Datsun takes the fun to a higher level. I've always had a roadster on my wish list along with a 510. Enjoy

[73str86]

She's beautiful. Have a name yet? I've been eyeballing a local 1600 myself.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I need a set of OEM seats for it. Unfortunately the owner put in miata seats which I hate. I love the OEM looking seats with the headrest.

The interior is black, but I have pretty much convinced myself I am going to go red, or saddle brown.

[FastWoman]

Zedyone, I'm green with envy. We have a rule in my family: No more than one toy per person. My Z is both my DD and my allotted toy. Our Miata is our other toy (allotted to my other half). How I would love to have one of those little roadsters, though! Very sweet!

[mjr45]

Very nice, I always liked the roadster, but have never driven one. I used to want an MGB but all the weird British stuff turned me off. Have fun.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Loaded up and on the way to the house..should have it by mid week!









I know it is not Z content, but I will have a pick of them side by side soon enough

[Blue]

"93.9% done" lol

[Travel'n Man]

Nice!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I should update that Blue... I will be keeping the STI diff, so I may have broken 94% now.

[spitz17]

Sweet addition!

[Jeff G 78]

Awesome Roadster! Great add to the garage.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

tlorber... I have joined 311s.org and I have been lucky to find datsunparts.com. What an amazing resource. I have a few parts lined up. first I need a touneau cover. It does not have one. Then I think I am going to order that complete super kit for the interior and do an entire black to red conversion. I love the white / red combo. The only combo I love more is the silver red. So if I ever get her painted I will be tempted, even though it was originally white (which I really do like as well)

More info. It has 70100 miles on the chassis. The motor has been rebuilt once at 59000 miles, but the original block / heads valve cover etc are all in the car. It is funny, my Z had 69800 miles on the chassis when I first bought it. THe similarities of these two cars for me is crazy. Exact same purchase price as well. I will not be getting crazy with this one. I know it has the Gary Boone Electronic Dizzy, which is great, and it has the Datsun B cam. It has had the SU's removed and is running Webers DCOE 45's. It should be a screamer.

[Montezuma]

67 1600; with a 2000 stroker. New red iterior from Les at Classic Datsun.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I am loving those yellow fogs man!

[Blue]

Englishman in France

[ZCurves]

I am sooo jealous.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Don't be jealous yet, the final joke could be on me. I have just purchased a car without even driving it. Classic stupid decision. It may end up very badly. But I may also get lucky. We will see. Fingers crossed. She should arrive tomorrow!

[Diseazd]

Always fun to see the transport pull up to unload! Almost like Xmas only better. I've bought 5 without seeing the actual car in the flesh. Never been disappointed yet......the car looks great....I'm sure it'll be a good experience for you Zedy. I'm happy for you!

[Jeff G 78]

Site unseen cars have been hit or miss for me. All in all, I'd do it again, but those first 10 minutes with the new car are really scary.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Thanks guys.

Car should arrive today. Just waiting to hear from driver!

[tlorber]

Stephen,
You should look at the actual vinyl samples before committing to a color. I remember when I was redoing mine, I thought that the "red" was a bit on the burgundy side for what I wanted, so Dean had the interior guy make me a set that was a slightly brighter, truer red.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Driver is stuck in dallas as another customer has not bothered to show up to pick up his cars. So I am pushed waaay back. May be as late as saturday.

GRRRRR

I actually like a bit of burgundy.

If you think of the silver and burgundy Singer 911 you are getting what I am saying. But I will definitey ask for samples as your requested bud. Thanks for the good advice.

[Bonzi Lon]

This is a Datsun 2000 advertizing postcard printed in March of 1968. The tag is 1968 and the model looks like a 'Bond' girl. The back states:

'New Datsun Sports Cars! Two models! 2000 has new 135 h.p. OHC engine, all-syncho 5 speed transmission. 1600 has race-proven 96 h.p. engine, all-synchro 4 speed. Both deliver complete-all you add is fun! DATSUN - The Value Car of the Year!'

The only other card I have found in this (3-68) series is a 4 door white 510 sedan.

Bonzi Lon

[Diseazd]

If you think of the silver and burgundy Singer 911 you are getting what I am saying. But I will definitey ask for samples as your requested bud. Thanks for the good advice.

.......and the Singer 911 is only $350,000.00. Go ahead Stephen....one would look great in your garage!

[Blue]

[bacarl]

... May be as late as saturday.

Well?

[Jeff G 78]

Well?

[Captain Obvious]

I love that movie. I throw out quotes every now and then, and the best I can hope for is blank stares of "no idea what you're talking about". Worst that happens is I piss someone off...

So is it there yet?????

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Got her inspected today, balanced the carbs, checked timing, and cleaned her up a bit.

She is a solid 5 foot car. Drives wonderfully

[Diseazd]

Zedy.....Are those Panasports on your Z? Good choice old boy......much nicer than the other brand you had on it before! IMO

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Yup Guy, those are the panasports my Z came with when I bought it. I have taken them off and on many times when I get a penchant for something different and I want to rock my VTO LeMans. But time after time, I keep coming back to the Panasports. They are just timeless and classic. I am very fortunate to find a roadster with panasports as well.

[Captain Obvious]

Awesome. I'm jealous!

[Diseazd]

Well Kudos for making the right choice.....they really set your silver car off......beautiful car....and the white box is nice too!

[Jeff G 78]

Wow, that's really beautiful. Nice purchase!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Need to post an update. I got my OEM seats back in from the upholstery shop and just installed now vinyl in the back ... Car is looking REALLY good now.

What a completely rewarding job that is. Makes such a huge difference.




from this


to this

[Diseazd]

Nice transition Zedy! Love to see things done right. The Datsuns sure look awesome side by side.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

You would know man!

They do have totally different personalities. The Z is the jock of the two. After I stripped out the bleed threads to the roadster today on the front passenger caliper, don't ask... apparently there is a BB in there that seals, and I had no idea about that. It got ugly, profanities were involved, which naturally lead to my credit card being used. Well after all that, I took out the Z for a feel better spin. I am so pleased with where the Z is. That thing feels like a completely DONE car. It drives idles and reaches 7k with so much zest. She makes all the right sounds when you want her to, and nothing when you don't. Just needs paint and I consider the Z rally ready.

[Captain Obvious]

So about your Miata seats... I can see the top of one of them in the background of your pic. Why did you hate them?

At the last local import show, I went walking down "Miata Road" looking at the seats. Info was sketchy and hard to put together, but I believe there are (at this date) maybe four different styles?

First - something like 90 to 98
Second - something like 99-00
Third - something like 01-05
Fourth - 05-present

I think yours are the second generation.

A couple generous Miata owners also offered me the opportunity to sit in their seats, so I have some seat of the pants impressions (get it?), but I want to hear yours.

[Captain Obvious]

Zedyone, Any details you can share on what you disliked about the Miata seats?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

OH yes, One big detail.

They are NOT OEM Datsun Roadster seats.

They were nice and firm, but not too much, they fit me well, they were light, and looked decent. They moved up and back with ease, they reclined with ease. The fabric was well looked after. They were easy to get in and out of, they did not rub bad on the sides the back or the legs. They were perfectly functional...

But they broke the cardinal rule. They were not original to the car. So they had to go.



It is really as simple as that.

Here is a better look.

they are for sale by the way.

[Captain Obvious]

Oh! I thought it was something functional that you didn't like. I lurk seat swap threads and I've seen some not so good reviews of the Miata seats. My interpretation of the consensus is that they look a lot better than they feel. Especially the first design.

My own personal impressions after sitting in them is that the ones you have were undeserving of the bad press.

Getting a little off topic now, but I shied away from the Miata seats because of the reputation and am going with Fiero seats instead.

Thanks for the feedback and info!