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  • P71

    Nov. 9, 2008 11:49 p.m. P71 HalfDork

    http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/cto/912655982.html

    1970 Datsun Fairlady Roadster with a 12A/5-Speed swap for $1500. I talked to the owner, he's desperate to sell something buy tomorrow and not necessarily this. Clean title in his name, was a runner/driver but now there's a problem with the throttle cable. No rust through, but a little bondo on a dent repair. No top, no windows, but it does have a rollbar.

    I have the space and money, but no time, and the misses is going to be very upset (though I guess it is cute, I could make it "her" car?). What do I do?!?!???

  • wherethefmi2000

    Nov. 10, 2008 12:12 a.m. wherethefmi2000 New Reader

    Man if I was you I'd do it but I'm impulsive

  • ArthurDent

    Nov. 10, 2008 12:32 a.m. ArthurDent New Reader

    I'd buy it - that is cool as hell

  • Alonso

    Nov. 10, 2008 12:36 a.m. Alonso New Reader

    in my best Arnold Schwarzenegger impression:

    Do it if you want to live!

  • Ryan9118

    Nov. 10, 2008 2:12 a.m. Ryan9118 HalfDork

    Buy it for sure. If I didn't have so many POS cars and an urge to spend $1500, I'd do it.

  • Datsun1500

    Nov. 10, 2008 6:31 a.m. Datsun1500 HalfDork

    If you don't have time, a non running, motor swapped Roadster is not for you. It is tough to do one right, much less re do one in progress. I would also look to see if the frame has been cut, it is hard to fit the 12a in there without cutting.

  • GameboyRMH

    Nov. 10, 2008 8:11 a.m. GameboyRMH Dork

    Do it!

  • P71

    Nov. 10, 2008 8:47 a.m. P71 HalfDork

    I'm thinking I should low-ball the crap out of him. He's got a dozen or so items up for sale on CL trying to raise immediate cash, so the amount he needs has to be less then $1500. Guess I better get used to the couch...

  • porksboy

    Nov. 10, 2008 8:50 a.m. porksboy HalfDork

    If you dont you dont have a hair on your ass.

  • wherethefmi2000

    Nov. 10, 2008 12:01 p.m. wherethefmi2000 New Reader

    NO BALLS!!!!

    Not like I have any lol.

  • P71

    Nov. 10, 2008 12:02 p.m. P71 HalfDork

    Sooooo tempted...

    I'm even considering bartering away the RX-7 to keep her happy...

  • EastCoastMojo

    Nov. 10, 2008 12:49 p.m. EastCoastMojo HalfDork

    I'd sure as hell drag it home.

  • Greg Voth

    Nov. 10, 2008 12:59 p.m. Greg Voth Associate Publisher

    If it was in FL I would own it.

  • Travis_K

    Nov. 10, 2008 1:13 p.m. Travis_K Reader

    I wouldnt buy it. Look at how much a set of new ball joints costs (if I remember correctly its similar to what he is asking for the car)

  • belteshazzar

    Nov. 10, 2008 1:35 p.m. belteshazzar Dork

    In my experience you should impulsively buy cars as often as possible. The first 8 or 10 you're sleeping on the couch for, but after awhile she won't even notice when you bring one home.

  • belteshazzar

    Nov. 10, 2008 1:36 p.m. belteshazzar Dork

    Last week I casually mentioned to my wife that I bought a monte carlo. she just said "oh", and that's been the last I've heard about it. It helps if you have a place off-site to keep them.

  • P71

    Nov. 10, 2008 1:55 p.m. P71 HalfDork

    Holy jebus parts for Datsun Roadsters are expensive!

    I'd have to keep it a race car for sure!

  • wherethefmi2000

    Nov. 10, 2008 2:18 p.m. wherethefmi2000 New Reader

    belteshazzar wrote:

    Last week I casually mentioned to my wife that I bought a monte carlo. she just said "oh", and that's been the last I've heard about it. It helps if you have a place off-site to keep them.

    You are my new god, I will praise you with sacrafices of grease and fire!!!

  • littleturquoiseb

    Nov. 10, 2008 2:34 p.m. littleturquoiseb Reader

    before I clicked I knew I would recomend buying whatever it is. Now that I've read I can with out reservations say BUY the M-F-er. Two of my must haves in one car, Early Datsun and magic spinning triangles!!!

    If I didn't just bring home a babe rally car and I was alot closer it would be me on the couch.

    Jeff

  • Jensenman

    Nov. 10, 2008 2:44 p.m. Jensenman SuperDork

    Jensenman wrote:

    P71 wrote:

    Holy jebus parts for Datsun Roadsters are expensive!

    I'd have to keep it a race car for sure!

    Price a timing chain set for a 2000 sometime. Whoo.

    As far as ball joints and stuff like that, if you have a good 'in' at the local parts house sometimes they'll let you in the suspension aisle with a digital caliper. That's how I found the ball joints to adapt Miata front suspension uprights to the lower control arms on my Jensen Healey race car project, which will also be magic triangle motivated. Funny how a set of Taurus ball joints worked so well.

  • pete240z

    Nov. 10, 2008 5:06 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

    yeah, i would wait and look around. portland has tons of datsuns that are not rotten.

    come to chicago and see what you can find. squat.

    1. there was no reason to drop a different engine into a roadster. heck, 1600 engines are cheap, 2000 engines are not.

    2. those ball joints and suspension pieces are gold. go to the 311.org site to check out parts and discussions.

    3. are you a diehard datsun guy? you must really love roadsters in order to keep one in fair to decent shape.

    4. look at Z's. I just bought an engine on ebay for $10.

 
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