Just so my 510 doesn't get lonely during the long winter months not being driven. I found a sibling to keep it company, a '67 Datsun 1600 Sport, it's a good solid car that I'm told originated in the west coast of Mexico

   This photo was taken in May of 1996. Its an ugly picture of an ugly car, rescued by someone who can see it for what it can be and not how it is.

   Restoration had just begun, I removed the top and interior and began stripping the paint, seven layers and heaps of unnecessary body filler.

   Not much has changed over the past few months although I have acquired a few extra parts and a lot of information on my topless beauty.

Here is a sample of the progress so far:

   I began at the rear and moved up the right hand side replacing the rust holes with new twenty gauge steel. I made a new rocker panel with a brake and then bending the steel over the front bucket on a tractor. The top edge of the bucket happened to have the exact shape I needed to make a bend with the same radius as the original panel. No filler required! Handy too since the other side needs one.

   The passenger door was pushed forward against the fender and there was a small collision just behind the headlight. My arms felt like noodles when all the dents were hammered out.

   The next move is to go across the back and up the left side finishing on the hood.

   Here it is , the end of 1998 already. Pretty soon now the roadster will be going to a body shop for a frame-off restoration. It seems like there is just not enough time to complete the job myself and I am under extreme pressure to do something about it. Good news though , the work includes photos. Here's one of the left side as it is now.

To Complete this tour I think you should all see the front view just to view her broken nose. It is definitely a Mexican car, you can tell by the dents and little smashes.

Paint Codes for your Datsun

Images and Text Copyright © 1997 Frank Roggeband. Not responsible for the content of other sites linked to from here.

1. The Datsun Roadster Home Page
   
2. Fairlady Products
   
3. 1999 Datsun Calendar