Datsun Roadster Questions

[garageless]

One of these has come into my orbit with a disinterested owner looking to sell. It's a 1600 and is very clean with no rust. I drove a ratty 2000 about 20 years ago and it was a hoot but I'm 20 years older now. Anyone here own one? Any experiences? What are they worth? Sorry, no pic.

[Iroczgirl]

A friend of mine is in the midst of restoring one. Some parts are tough to find, but the design is timeless.

[garageless]

A friend of mine is in the midst of restoring one. Some parts are tough to find, but the design is timeless.

The design is very eye catching. I'm on the fence but am very tempted.

[Dave_Car_Guy]

In the last few weeks, the Datsun Roadsters were discussed in another TCL thread:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...dster-or-miata

Bottom line: great car. Also, check out the help and forums at www.311s.org

[PsyberVW]

I've seen a few of these lately from $1800 to $3600
Been really trying to contain myself. Sexy little cars!

[Air and water do mix]

The two liter is a lot stronger, but I don't know of any issues with the 1600. If I had a place for one it would be on my short list of mid-life crisis cars. Thems is cool!

[Sherpa23F]

Depending on how good and how redone, they've been recently going for as much as $6500 - $7500 for great drivers. Great little cars. The Japanese answer to the British roadster. They have their pitfalls, namely rust, but if you do your homework you can get a great car for not that much money.

[garageless]

I took a good look it the car. 1600 is still in place. It is very clean and original under the hood. Interior is pretty complete and unworn, padding in seats looks to have shrunk or given out. One dent on r/f fender which is obvious once you find it. On 260z wheels which don't really suit it, (libres or panasports would be my choice. Stock rims are also present. Bumpers are off the car but included. Seller is asking 4000$. After looking around I think they are a little optimistic but maybe not by much. Any thoughts? Car is the silver gray over black like so many if these. I'd want to change it to a light nonmetallic gray over apple green but I know my taste is odd.

[rsclyrt]

A bit factor is cost/desirability is the year. The '67 and earlier seem to fetch more money and , IMO< look better with the lower windshield and flat dash.

[s-rocc]

A friend of mine is in the midst of restoring one. Some parts are tough to find, but the design is a timeless knockoff of an MGB.

ftfy

[garageless]

Maybe I'm missing something but I see the design of the SPL/SRL311 as distinct from the MGB.

[s-rocc]

Maybe I'm missing something but I see the design of the SPL/SRL311 as distinct from the MGB.

really? look at the two from a profile.

[PsyberVW]

I think $4000 is a bit high if it's not in really good condition. I've seen very nice ones for $3600 or so in SoCal. Extremely nice ones are going for ~$6500

Beater projects are anything from $800-$1800, depending on if they run or not...

But there's always supply/demand and time/money. It may be worth another $200 to save time and get one while you can.

Maybe offer $3300/$3500 and go from there?

[PsyberVW]

really? look at the two from a profile.

Don't see it.

[garageless]

I think $4000 is a bit high if it's not in really good condition. I've seen very nice ones for $3600 or so in SoCal. Extremely nice ones are going for ~$6500

Beater projects are anything from $800-$1800, depending on if they run or not...

But there's always supply/demand and time/money. It may be worth another $200 to save time and get one while you can.

Maybe offer $3300/$3500 and go from there?

Thanks. I'm in the boonies so this is the one in my county.

[s-rocc]

Don't see it.

[garageless]

Same basic shape but the surfacing and detail is different. I prefer the Datsun but I suspect the B is cheaper to keep running as parts are plentiful.

[Diamond Dave]

Any thoughts? Car is the silver gray over black like so many if these.

Did I miss where you posted the year you're looking at? If it's after 67.5, I'd keep looking. I much prefer the low windshield cars (easily distinguishable with opposing wipers). The 68+ had a Z influence and dropped a lot of the brightwork chrome.


Think about the asking price in a global context. As stated, parts aren't always easy to find, so what parts actually come with the car and is the car running? The stainless trim that Datsun covered the car with can be expensive to find and might even take several years.

Car is the silver gray over black

You mean, the most recent visible color is silver

[garageless]

I didn't check the year. I hate to waste too much of a seller's time unless I know I want to buy something. I'll see if I can't drop by this week sometime. I'm elbows deep in my Massey 135 right now and not feeling mechanically motivated to take on something new.