Thinking about getting a Roadster

[Sierra]

Hello everyone!

I am a long time Datsun owner (B210, and 620 truck) and a loyal Ratsuner.

I been thinking on getting myself a Roadster.

Any advice for a newbie?

Thinks I might look for? Year? Engine? Model? Body type?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

There are a couple here in San Diego for sale but I just dont know what to look for.

[ggzilla]

They all good. Some prefer the 1600, others the 2000.

 

Drive the ones for sale and buy the one you like.

[67_1600]

Roadsters are great little cars, whether the 1600 or the 2000. I had a '67 (low windshield) with a 1600 (R16) and 4-speed - the car was a lot of fun as it was. When I get another, I'll probably go with a taller windshield model ('68 through '70) because it will fit me a little better. I'll also probably stick with the 1600 engine - it's just fine powering the Roadster. I wouldn't have minded a 5-speed, but they are pretty pricey. The U20 engine is an overhead cam engine and components are generally very expensive. A timing kit alone for a U20 at least $1500 and I wouldn't be surprised if they were more by now. It's supposed to be a good engine as well and adds a bit of HP and torque, but I'd still go with a 1600 if I did it again.

 

The most sought after of the Roadster is the '67.5 2000, which there were I think 4-500 built. It was the first year of the 2L and has the low windshield. These can get very pricey. There are more '68 through '70 cars available generally, but they have a different dash setup that not everyone is fond of (more modern looking vs a flat dash with the earlier cars).

 

As far as what to look for, I'd start with this link to a buyers guide on the 311s website. The site is dedicated to all things Roadster and there is a ton of information there - no matter what your question, someone there will be able to answer it.

 

http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.php?n=TechSection.BuyersGuide

[banzai510(hainz)]

Not telling you what to buy but Roadsters are not as practicle as one thinks.

They low ,hard people to see, and could be a Hackjob unless you get a good one.

 

this would be better. Slow built like a tank and with some BBS wheels slammed down PIMPin!!!!!!!!!!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/4357151708.html

[wayno]

Roadsters are expensive to buy parts for, so get one that needs nothing, or very little, just pay the money, you will be ahead in the end.

If you like old school, get the 67 or older with the flat dash and low windshield, otherwise get the 68-70 padded dash with the high windshield, but either way I will repeat, parts are expensive for roadsters.

I have had both engines, for around town driving, you cannot ask for a better engine than the R16 and it's drive train, it is a great around town engine, but if your on the hiways and like zooming around corners on mountain roads going up or down hill, the U20 is the way to go, the R16 just doesn't have the oomph going up a hill after you get around that corner to get back up to speed quickly, your floored all the time, but I will admit, my roadster had a hangglider on top of it, and it was loaded with everything needed to fly and camp out.

People laughed at me with this glider on top of it, the car was very small compared to the glider.

This was before all the chrome was finished, it was a daily driver hanggliding rig for years.

[gcmustang]

I agree with Wayno. If doing a full restoration roadsters are expensive. The gaskets for everything are around $1000. If you just want to drive it the way it is it might not be bad.

[67_1600]

Roadsters are expensive to buy parts for, so get one that needs nothing, or very little, just pay the money, you will be ahead in the end.

If you like old school, get the 67 or older with the flat dash and low windshield, otherwise get the 68-70 padded dash with the high windshield, but either way I will repeat, parts are expensive for roadsters.

I have had both engines, for around town driving, you cannot ask for a better engine than the R16 and it's drive train, it is a great around town engine, but if your on the hiways and like zooming around corners on mountain roads going up or down hill, the U20 is the way to go, the R16 just doesn't have the oomph going up a hill after you get around that corner to get back up to speed quickly, your floored all the time, but I will admit, my roadster had a hangglider on top of it, and it was loaded with everything needed to fly and camp out.

People laughed at me with this glider on top of it, the car was very small compared to the glider.

 

This was before all the chrome was finished, it was a daily driver hanggliding rig for years.

 

 

I absolutely loved taking my 1600 up over Stevens Pass and the North Cascades Highway - it pulled just great and I never felt like it was underpowered. I did have some issues driving down to Shasta for the Roadster show there, but that was from mechanical issues of basically my own doing more than anything else.

 

[Sierra]

Thanks for all the feedback.

The buyer's guide at 311.org was awesome. Thanks 67_1600

I will now start my CL search and see what come up.

As of now I am thinking a 1600 with a manual transmission.

Will see.

Thanks again everyone.

 

PS @ wayno those pics are awesome!

[wayno]

I absolutely loved taking my 1600 up over Stevens Pass and the North Cascades Highway - it pulled just great and I never felt like it was underpowered. I did have some issues driving down to Shasta for the Roadster show there, but that was from mechanical issues of basically my own doing more than anything else.

 

As I said, my roadster with a R16 had a hangglider on top of it, sometimes 2 of them, but I have driven it that way for thousands of miles, I have also driven it with a U20 loaded up also, the U20 is hands down the better hiway engine.

[MikeRL411]

By the way, all roadsters have manual transmissions as built.  If you find one with an automatic it probably had a RL411 drivetrain transplant.

[banzai510(hainz)]

thats orange one is clean!!!!!!!!!

[67_1600]

As I said, my roadster with a R16 had a hangglider on top of it, sometimes 2 of them, but I have driven it that way for thousands of miles, I have also driven it with a U20 loaded up also, the U20 is hands down the better hiway engine.

 

I wasn't disputing whether the U20 would be better on the highway but you'd said that most of your R16 experiences were with your hangglider/s strapped to the top - I was just saying that without the additional weight and drag, I didn't have any issues getting up over mountain passes or zipping along winding mountain roads. If anything, I'd find a 5-speed for the R16 but I think I'd still go with the 1600 if I had to do it again - it seems, at least to me, to have plenty of power for the Roadster.

[Sierra]

what do you guys think about this one?

1970 1600 $3000

 

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/4354897252.html

[banzai510(hainz)]

NO!

[67_1600]

I agree with hainz - find yourself a running, driving car and have some fun with it. Who knows how much you'd have to sink into that car to get it to the point where you can enjoy it. Something like that maybe would be a good winter project for someone with plenty of experience depending on damage, rust, what's missing (there are some pricey parts missing), etc. but not something for someone looking for their first one.

[phong13]

Hello everyone!

I am a long time Datsun owner (B210, and 620 truck) and a loyal Ratsuner.

I been thinking on getting myself a Roadster.

Any advice for a newbie?

Thinks I might look for? Year? Engine? Model? Body type?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

There are a couple here in San Diego for sale but I just dont know what to look for.

 

I am in the process of getting mine restored.  It is not cheap, but I am looking forward to having driveable by the Summer time.  There are a lot of resources in Southern California.

[ggzilla]

For getting up over mountain passes or zipping along winding mountain roads, a five-speed won't help.

[67_1600]

For getting up over mountain passes or zipping along winding mountain roads, a five-speed won't help.

But cruising at 65 or 70 on the highway or freeway it would be nice.

[phong13]

But cruising at 65 or 70 on the highway or freeway it would be nice.

What's the cruising speed with the 4th gear?

[67_1600]

What's the cruising speed with the 4th gear?

I had no problems cruising at 70+ but was also at about 3800rpm at that speed if not a little more. A 5th gear would have reduced that is all.

[wayno]

I got my 1600 to go a 100mph once, I had to go down a hill to do it, it will cruse 70pmh on flat ground with no issues, even 80mph, but you put it on a mountain road with curves and steep places, and your going to find yourself floored.

You will also find yourself running at 4000rpms in the 1600 with a 4 speed, and putting a 5 speed in it will not help much except on flat ground without a head wind, and you will have to give up one of your limbs for that 5 speed unless you have a buddy with an extra, or you some how have managed to score a diesel front case.

[Syne']

im also thinking of getting a roadster project, thinking of letting the 510 goon go for at roadster or a Z....

 

looking for a sporty 2 seater. 

[Sierra]

Stupid question: Can you swap the 4 speed tranny for a 5 speed on a R16 motor?

[phong13]

Stupid question: Can you swap the 4 speed tranny for a 5 speed on a R16 motor?

 

Yes, if you can get your hands on one.  I haven't looked, but I heard they are expensive.