I was going to hold my tongue on this thread, but Sidney's comments ring
true!
I'm one of those on the list "guilty" of customizing - i.e. putting in a
Chevy V6/ T-5 5-speed, modifying the body etc., but from my calculations,
based on the starting condition of the Roadster I acquired, I realistically
would have to invest 2-3 times what the car is worth in restoring it.
The interior was missing save for some seats, which turned out to be early
1500's, which I traded to a local Roadster owner who is doing a restore.
The 1600 4 cyl. had been sitting for 10 years, was removed from the car, and
the V6 installation already started by the PO - truly botched and
Afghani-engineered. Sure it could probably be rebuilt, but fact is I'm
making all the parts available to other owner's with cars in more
"restorable" condition.
I know its not going to be a high-revving screamer, but what I will have is
approx. 220-230HP, plenty of low-end torque, gearing appropriate to the
task, in an easy to maintain, low cost package.
I'll take on ANY challenger in my 350cid/350HP V8 Z - that car was
engineered with a full road-race suspension ( bump-steer mods, progressive
wound springs urethane bushings, gas-cartideges, etc.), close ration
5-speed, with the weight balance even better than the stock 6. Plan is to
take the same approach with the "R"
I live in Ohio - also known as the center of the Rust Belt - and Roadster's
are few and far between here. The car I found was relatively rust-free
sheetmetal wise ( wouldn't have even considered it otherwise), but every
piece of chrome is completely pitted, rusty, and otherwise shot. Should I
spend a fortune on NOS, or replated tailights, bumpers, buckets and grille
just to make it correct? Or is it just as appropriate to sandblast, epoxy
prime, and satin-black those parts for a custom look? ( did the same on my
Z)
I've always loved the Datsuns from the 60's & 70's, primarily for the racing
heritage, underlined by their superb handling. The styling of the Z rivals
many of the snootier marques, and the Roadster looks very agressive.
However, I personally have never liked the "flat" rear-end panel on the
Roadster, and have always suspected it was due primarily to ease of
manufacture, rather than a planned styling detail. If you look at the
Cobra, bug-eye, jag, etc., the smooth, curved tail ends just sing. Not that
I object to the Roadster's unique look - in fact it gives a restored car a
distinction from the others I mention, but being both a designer and
engineer, I feel its my right to re-work the body in my own fashion,
creating something truly unique.
Phil and I have been trading notes regularly, and I think we'll both end up
with finished vehicles that will be noticed, appreciated, and a total blast
to drive - and isn't that what its REALLY all about?
Enjoy the ride!!!!
Mark Sedlack
OROC
Cuyahoga Falls OH
66 1600 http://home.neo.rr.com/mark2000/images/datsun1600/
77 280Z http://home.neo.rr.com/mark2000/Myz.jpg
----- Original Message -----
From: "sidney raper" <spl310@hotmail.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 1:45 PM
Subject: Sid's Diatribe on Originality (kind of long and full of opinions)
> I was going to keep my trap shut, but the time has come for me to chime
in.
> I like stock restorations, but I do not care for trailer queens. Cars
were
> meant to be driven, not to become works of art that only come out for fair
> weather to be shown and then put back into a hermetically sealed garage
away
> from all until the next show. This means that I don't have a problem with
> some mods to enhance reliability. I also like period accessories. For
> example, bullet Talbot style mirrors were all the rage in the 60s. They
> look right on a Roadster. Vitalonis were available in the 70s - 80s and
> look stupid on a Roadster (imho). The stock mirrors look best though.
>
> All that having been said, I would rather see a modified roadster on the
> road than in the junkyard. But please don't sacrifice a clean original
for
> a custom since there are SOOO many project cars out there. If the car had
> previous mods (like Gordon's car), or is missing a substantial amount of
> parts (like the one that Phil is making into a custom), it is better that
> they are saved and made roadworthy than to have them become another
> Campbells soup can. It bothers me when someone finds an unmolested 30k
mile
> original and begins cutting it up for a custom. Sure, one that is clean
is
> easier to work on, but how many of us have seen (especially on the east
> coast) an unmolested, unrestored, low mileage, mint original roadster?
They
> are rare because they were viewed as disposable cars and were treated as
> such.
>
> Keep the clean cars original, and modify the ones that need help. That
way,
> everyone has a Roadster to fill the bill!
>
> Sid
>
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