Hi John,
Welcome, welcome, welcome! Glad to meet you, good to meet a fellow roadster
nut - even if they're an owner-in-waiting! God knows I was an OIW for many,
many years before I got my baby.
You're basically right about the model you're looking for. As others, no
doubt, will tell you, it's the SRL311 or SR311 (the L is for "left hand
drive) that has the gob-smacking, rev-loving, sex-on-a-gearstick U20 2 litre
overhead-cam motor. However, it comes in two forms. Most US cars came in a
less highly tuned 135hp version, and the goodies that turn it into the 150hp
fire-breather (hey guys, I'm having fun with this post, cut me some slack!)
that you've referred to are optional extras. They include a wilder camshaft
(referred to as the 'B' cam), Solex carbs (replacing the SU's), and a deeper
oilpan. So you'll either have to do some searching, or you'll have to find
the bits to get it to full spec. Ignore what anyone says about driveability
of the full "Solex" set-up. I have one as my daily driver, and it's just
fine. If you're used to driving a V8, though, you'll find it kinda peaky,
to say the least. Those 150 horses really only come out to play up high in
the rev range. But once they're out... Maybe I'll send my recent story to
you for a feeling of these things. I just love my Datsun 2000 to death,
though.
Having said all that, I wouldn't recommend one as a daily driver, simply
because parts and expertise are rare enough that it could leave you stuck -
it is a 30+ year old car we're talking about, after all.
Well, I've said about all I have to say. Welcome again, hope you find your
dream.
Cheers,
Steve
1968 2000 Solex
(Melbourne - Australia, sorry, or we could have hooked up, eh?)
>From: John Hogan <mad@madgrizzle.com>
>Reply-To: John Hogan <mad@madgrizzle.com>
>To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
>Subject: New to list
>Date: Mon, 08 Oct 2001 13:12:15 -0400
>
>Hello, I'd just like to introduce myself as I am new to this list. I
>currently do not own a roadster, but am looking at purchasing one. I have
>been visiting many of the Datsun roadster websites over the past few weeks
>trying to get familiar with the models. I have been a longtime Z-car fan
>(my dad worked for Datsun/Nissan since I was a little kid) but would like
>to have a convertible/removable top if possible. I have no real preference
>over the stylings of the various models (they all look great in my
>opinion), but I do like bigger engines. It seems to me that the SRL311 are
>the models with the 150 hp engines so I think this will be the one I will
>look to purchase. Is this correct?
>
>A major concern of mine, living in Florida, is rust. It's my understanding
>that they came with little or no rust protection and I've seen very little
>information on the web about people rustproofing the roadsters. Is this
>something that is commonly done, and if so, does anyone have first hand
>experience with it?
>
>Also, does anyone have suggestions on where to find cars for sale? I
>prefer to get a car from out west where the humidity isn't a constant 100%
>like it is here in Florida. I have the Ebay-motors page for datsuns
>bookmarked on my browser, but is there another place I can find roadsters
>for sale (not necessarily on the web)?
>
>I'm not looking for a project car to perform a restoration on, I would
>prefer to find one that is in good condition where maybe minor things need
>attention. From what I've seen, project cars go for around $500-$2,000,
>good condition cars for around $5,000, and excellent restorations for
>around $10,000. Does this seem about right?
>
>Thanks for any information (or leads to information) you can provide me.
>
>John Hogan
>
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