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Original? Custom? Doesn't matter....

To: michael.shimniok@usa.net, datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Original? Custom? Doesn't matter....
From: "Andrew Murphy" <solex67@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 10:38:17 -0800
Hey All,

First off, Happy Holidays to everyone. My best wishes to all. I am pretty 
much coming out of "lurk mode" and will be contributing and learning once 
again. It's good to be back.

I have followed with interest the "original Vs. Custom" debate. It's been 
done before (along with solex Vs. SU, 1600 Vs. 2000, Low windshield Vs. High 
Windhshield, etc) and I still think the best answer is: Whatever makes you 
happy.

I have heard of events sponsored by Austin enthusiasts where they wouldn't 
even let a car on the grounds because he had an engine swap. I hope that 
never happens at a Datsun event. We are just happy to see another Datsun 
Roadster on the road.

For my .02, I like it all. I have seen some incredibly nice stock cars and I 
have seen some incredibly nice customs. It's your car, do what you like with 
it. My 67 2000 is completely dismantled awaiting restoration. I have 
confided in some friends that I am not going to do a total stock restoration 
on my car. Some people think that 67 2000s should only be stock. Forget it. 
It's my car. I am not restoring this car to win awards or impress anyone. I 
am doing it because I love the car and I want it to be the car I want it to 
be.

Yes, a U20 engine is getting very hard to buy parts for. When I rebuild mine 
I am keeping all of my spare components against the day I will need them.

Who cares if it is bone stock or completely tricked? Do YOU like it? That's 
the only question that matters.

Andrew Murphy
SoCalROC


From: Michael Shimniok <michael.shimniok@usa.net>
Reply-To: Michael Shimniok <michael.shimniok@usa.net>
To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Re: Originality (kind of long)]
Date: 17 Dec 2001 11:15:20 MST

I certainly see the value of keeping the car original...

I'm real new to the roadster thing.  For a lot of reasons it was my 
impression
that these cars were collectable, but not as collectable as some euro
roadsters.  I hope that I'm wrong now or in the future.

Meanwhile I'd rather have this roadster than lots of others as I gather it 
is
cheaper to buy and keep running.  For me it's a practical issue.  Whatever I
change will be slanted towards improving reliability (fixing things that 
break
using more modern components) and slightly improved performance.

I am finding the U20 may not be a viable motor to keep in the car with the
timing chain weakness.  I'm not adverse to keeping the original motor; I 
just
spent $2800 on an AMC motor rebuild in my Wagoneer, but hi dollar rebuilds
don't look so attractive to me anymore.  Not sure I want to put down $900 on 
a
timing chain set that is just going to go bad again soon.  Perhaps a 
different
Datsun motor would cost less to keep running?  An L20?  If I didn't mind
losing cc's I'd just get a 1600. :)

I'm doing a Boone EI distributor.  I'm going to make a few minor wiring
improvements.  Probably will shoot for new springs, possibly custom.  Likely
will end up with some brake mods if rotors and drums are too spendy.  The 
body
needs lots of work that I may not bother with for a long time.  The interior
needs work too but I may ignore that was well.

For now I'd be happy with it if it was safe, reliable, and running strong.
Sad to admit, I wouldn't worry much about how it looks until I can do
something about it.  Even so, I've never much been into the resto thing and
figured it wasn't too much of a crime if I didn't restore the roadster or 
keep
it entirely original. :)

Michael

 > ----- Original Message -----
 > From: John Peak <johnepeak@hotmail.com>
 > To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
 > Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 9:34 PM
 > Subject: Originality (kind of long)
 >
 >
 > > Roadster list,
 > >
 > > Does anybody here care about originality?  As a long time roadster 
owner,
 > I
 > > joined this list in the hopes of connecting with likeminded 
enthusiasts.
 > > What I have found is people who see the roadster as primarily a 
platform
 > for
 > > customization.  Engine swaps, body mods, wheel and suspension changes
seem
 > > to dominate what few technical threads I have seen.  Please do not view
 > this
 > > as being critical of what you are doing.  I know that many of these 
cars
 > > have been spared from the crusher by your work.  I just feel that
 > something
 > > valuable may have been lost in the process.

---
Michael Shimniok - KC0EKI
1968 Datsun 2000, Silver

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