I certainly see the value of keeping the car original...
I'm real new to the roadster thing. For a lot of reasons it was my impression
that these cars were collectable, but not as collectable as some euro
roadsters. I hope that I'm wrong now or in the future.
Meanwhile I'd rather have this roadster than lots of others as I gather it is
cheaper to buy and keep running. For me it's a practical issue. Whatever I
change will be slanted towards improving reliability (fixing things that break
using more modern components) and slightly improved performance.
I am finding the U20 may not be a viable motor to keep in the car with the
timing chain weakness. I'm not adverse to keeping the original motor; I just
spent $2800 on an AMC motor rebuild in my Wagoneer, but hi dollar rebuilds
don't look so attractive to me anymore. Not sure I want to put down $900 on a
timing chain set that is just going to go bad again soon. Perhaps a different
Datsun motor would cost less to keep running? An L20? If I didn't mind
losing cc's I'd just get a 1600. :)
I'm doing a Boone EI distributor. I'm going to make a few minor wiring
improvements. Probably will shoot for new springs, possibly custom. Likely
will end up with some brake mods if rotors and drums are too spendy. The body
needs lots of work that I may not bother with for a long time. The interior
needs work too but I may ignore that was well.
For now I'd be happy with it if it was safe, reliable, and running strong.
Sad to admit, I wouldn't worry much about how it looks until I can do
something about it. Even so, I've never much been into the resto thing and
figured it wasn't too much of a crime if I didn't restore the roadster or keep
it entirely original. :)
Michael
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Peak <johnepeak@hotmail.com>
> To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 9:34 PM
> Subject: Originality (kind of long)
>
>
> > Roadster list,
> >
> > Does anybody here care about originality? As a long time roadster owner,
> I
> > joined this list in the hopes of connecting with likeminded enthusiasts.
> > What I have found is people who see the roadster as primarily a platform
> for
> > customization. Engine swaps, body mods, wheel and suspension changes
seem
> > to dominate what few technical threads I have seen. Please do not view
> this
> > as being critical of what you are doing. I know that many of these cars
> > have been spared from the crusher by your work. I just feel that
> something
> > valuable may have been lost in the process.
---
Michael Shimniok - KC0EKI
1968 Datsun 2000, Silver
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