Forget the stock tailights. Get something nicer with that flush look like
maybe vette lights as a guide.
Leave the bumpers off and use nerf bars. JCs sells them for bugs and they're
cheap.
You can also customize a new grill using just mesh wire. I know it's made in
stainless too.
I guess the only thing you will need to do something about are the headlight
buckets but if you bondo up the area and smooth it out and get some kinda
round finishing piece from some other car to hide the headlight adjusters
and the other stuff you won't need the headlight buckets either.
Some thoughts,
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Sedlack" <msedlack@neo.rr.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 4:24 PM
Subject: Re: Sid's Diatribe on Originality (kind of long and full of
opinions)
> 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
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
> > http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
> >
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