Hey,
Just wanted to give you all a chance at a '64 Datsun Fairlady if you're
interested. Several weeks ago I put an ad in at work (always looking for a
parts car or just parts) and got a call from an individual who indicated that
he has a 1964 Datsun Fairlady for sell - his son had given him my name. I
asked what he was interested in selling it for and he indicated $2500. When I
explained that I was looking for a parts car he snickered over the phone -
indicating that this was not a parts car. I asked him to tell me about it.
He indicated he was the original owner, that the car had very little rust, had
never been in an accident, was a bronze/goldish color with red and black
interior, had a 2000 cc engine and 5 speed transmission, had decent chrome, a
hard top, soft top and tonneau cover, and was able to be towed as it has been
fitted with a tow bar which was included. While I wasn't originally
interested (my Wife would kill me if I brought home another roadster), I
couldn't resist the opportunity to see it in person. One thing I wasn't aware
of until I got there was that the car has not been driven but has been covered
for the last 10 years. He said it ran fine when parked.
Some observations after viewing:
The body is very clean with very little rust on the vehicle. I did notice a
very minor amount (3 small bubbles) on the drivers side of the car on the
lower rear bumper in front of the wheel well. Note that very clean means
essentially no dings at all. The car was pretty dirty from sitting for 10
years but the paint seemed decent. No rust in the trunk area or floor panels
at all. No rust under the doors. The car had been repainted once - the
original color appeared to be black. Side trim was in very good shape.
The chrome on the front and rear bumpers was pretty badly pitted with rust
showing (this seemed to surprise him as well). One Chrome headlight ring was
ok, the other one would have to be replaced due to rust. Tail light chrome
looked ok but also had pitting and showed a fair amount of aging.
Looking into the engine compartment, the 2000cc engine w/ SU's was pretty
dirty but there was nothing that didn't seem like it wouldn't wash off with a
little work. Oil stick indicator showed full. I did notice some surface rust
beginning to appear in the area below the master cylinder and steering column
- not bad but it would need some attention. Looked like it would be kind of
a pain to get to - this area is pretty congested. No other area had rust.
He indicated that the current engine had about 42,000 miles on it. It has a
positively grounded system with the battery located in a compartment behind
the passengers seat. Note that it originally had a 1500cc engine but when the
crank broke, he replaced it with a 2000cc engine and transmission. The
original parts are not available
Inside the car: The flat dash was in decent condition and instruments were
all there - some minor rust appearing around the instrument chrome rings - not
bad at all though. The ash tray was gone and a temp gauge was installed in
its place (didn't appear that the dash had been modified though). The padded
portion of the dash was in clean with no apparent cracks. the carpet was
toast and the interior was pretty bad - not that it was ripped or anything but
the choice of colors, red and black (I guess I'd call it speckled), with a
bronze car just didn't go together. It had obviously been redone and was
pretty basic as well. It would have to be gone over completely in my opinion.
The 3rd seat was no longer there either.
The hard top was on the car and looked to be in pretty good condition. The
soft top wasn't really a soft top, it was a set of rails but appeared to be
complete. Dale couldn't find the tonneau cover.
A few other things; He indicated that he put a gas treatment in the car
roughly 10 years ago. The brake and clutch reservoirs were dry. The car
still rolls - the emergency brake was not set. Tires still had air in them
but left rear was pretty low. He said it has been on Ebay and it sold once
for $2700 but the guy never came by to pick it up.
My heart wanted to "buy the car" but I could only do it with the premise that
I make a little money on it. Mag, my better half, just wouldn't appreciate me
sinking money into another datsun or even having another one around -
especially one that was 5 years older than the one I own. There is a house a
couple of blocks down from us where a guy has 4 Opel GTs sitting around his
house and I get accused of turning into this guy.
It has true potential - the body and frame are excellent for a car that is
almost 40. But, the accountant in me says that there is a fair amount of risk
when it comes to the brakes and fuel system. Further, since the car was not
in a running condition when I viewed it, I had no way of knowing the true
condition of the engine or whether the fact that it had sat, not started, for
ten years had a negative effect on it.
I made him an offer that he didn't accept and I told him I'd pass it on to
'The list' in case there is someone out there that is interested in a car that
has potential for restoration.
Call him, Dale Speakes, directly at (253) 863-2152 or email him at
momanddad@speakestoyou.com . He lives near Puyallup, WA.
I did take digital pictures and could send a few of them to anyone who is
truly interested. However, they will take up significant space and they load
and send slowly so please only request them if you truly are interested. I
ask that you speak to him 1st. I spend too much time on this machine
already.
One last note, he indicated that he will be gone from June 4th to June 18th.
Jon Rider
'69 2000 Roadster
Bothell, WA
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