Saleofcar.com :Datsun

Datsun Other (1968)
for sale

Price: US $200.00

Description:

1968 Datsun Roadster with Nissan SR20 engine and 5-speed gearbox
This is the story, so far, of SPL311-17600. A 1968 Datsun Roadster. I narrated a video for YouTube that covers what's written below and offers more images. here
I grew up with Datsuns, Mazdas and Toyotas and dreamt of owning a Roadster. In 2014 I was finally in a position to buy one.
I scoured eBay, Craigslist and the Roadster forum. I found a car interstate that looked perfect. The ad said the hard and dirty work was done. It had been media blasted and rust-proofed. What remained was painting, the interior and a soft-top, and some gearbox repairs. It was just what I wanted. I could apply the finishing touches and choose the colors.
I organized a transporter and it was on it’s way.
When the car arrived I pulled it into the garage and set about going through the parts. I sought the repair for the gearbox.
One night I borrowed some issues of Hot Rod magazine from the local library. There was an article titled, “Best Bang For Your Buck: 15 Secrets Every Great Car Has, And How You Can Get Them For (Almost) Free.”
“Performance engine, overdrive transmission, horsepower, paint job, killer wheels, wide tires, distinct look, loud exhaust, cockpit interior, race connection, something shiny, something custom made, air-grabbing induction system, something that looks fast, stance.”
The Roadster had many of these. Racing heritage, twin carburetors, aftermarket wheels and tires, upgraded suspension.
The gearbox repair was proving to be a nightmare.
I pulled the engine and looked at the car more closely. There were problems, but I didn’t think they were insurmountable. I envisioned what it could be.
I began looking at some modified roadsters. The Sake Rocket, the Spriso Motorsport cars and a beautiful yellow Roadster had a big impact on me.
My previous car was a Datsun 510 with FJ20 turbo, Haltech ECU, 5-speed gearbox, 16” wheels, Nissan GTR front brakes, racing seat, harness and roll cage.
I created a spreadsheet and plugged in some numbers. “It won’t cost too much more to make this car really sing”, I thought.
I am fortunate to live near Ruth Engineering - The Hot Rod Shop - in Spearfish, South Dakota. The foreman, Chris, is talented and understanding. I bought a Nissan SR20 engine and 5-speed gearbox, and supplied Ruth Engineering with the car and a print-out of Spriso’s conversion how-to.
My Roadster was soon in pieces and the metal work began. It got Spriso's engine, alternator and gearbox mounts. Plus a Subaru Justy alternator. Chris and I agreed that Spriso’s workmanship was classy; there was no reason to start from scratch.
Getting a talented shop to do the work meant it was done very well, but it exceeded my modest budget.
At the end of the first year the work stopped. I retrieved the rolling chassis, with engine and gearbox installed, and put it back in my garage. The Roadster’s body remained at the shop while I saved some more.
Many months later I returned the rolling chassis to the Hot Rod Shop and work started again.
A couple of weeks later Chris called and said to come over. The body was back on the chassis and everything fit. The body, however, was a no-go. My initial inspection, that suggested any problems weren’t insurmountable, was inadequate. The sills beneath the doors had been repaired with tin and pop rivets. The car had taken a hit in the front. New bodywork had been grafted on with pop-rivets. There were holes drilled everywhere. The hood was bent. One of the braces surrounding the engine bay had been repaired with a lot of fiberglass. A second brace was missing altogether.
Chris said it would be dangerous to drive the car with the current body. I was not allowed to. End of story.
The bottom half was great. All that was left was to remove and detail the engine and suspension, and powder coat the chassis. The top half had to be replaced.
My to-do list, which originally included a cooling system, fuel system, brake lines, an ECU, wiring harness and sparse interior, now included a new body.
I began to seek a body for my now SR20-powered Roadster. Given the work outstanding, it would be better if it included an interior, chrome side strips and soft top.
That was before I was married, had a child and have a wife heading back to college. Now I’m getting rid of it all. This includes the car as it stands: The body bolted to the chassis ready to roll away. The SR20 and 5-speed installed. Plus a matching numbers 1600cc engine that will probably never fit again. Two sets of carburetors. An aluminum radiator. And a whole heap of spares, including gauges, knobs, lights, bumpers, badges and hardware and clips for the soft top.
Please watch the video for more, if you haven't already.
The auction winner must pay me a $500 deposit within 48 hours and the balance within 14 days or I will re-list the vehicle. The winner is responsible for pick-up and/or shipping. Should you be interstate, I will meet your chosen transport company and help them load the car.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions if you have some. I don't know the car's entire history but will do my utmost to answer them.
_{update: 2015-11-28}