1968 Datsun 2000

Condition: Used
Make: Datsun
Model: Other
Type: Convertible
Year: 1968
Mileage: 1,993
VIN: SRL311 02911
Color: Red
Engine size: OHC 2000 cc 135 HP
Number of cylinders: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: 5-speed
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Black
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Description

An estate find in 12/17 that had been sitting for a while, now ready for great spring and summer fun. An appreciating classic sports car. Japan's answer to the MGB but with quite a bit more power. Straight, unmolested, rust free survivor. Matching numbers. Runs, drives, and looks great. Overhead cam 2 liter 4 cylinder engine, 5 speed, with brand new fuel pump, intake manifold, and twin SU carbs, 135 HP. A respray in single stage red over the original Sora Blue. 1993 miles on odometer, most likely 101,993. A great network of Datsun people, new and used parts suppliers, and internet resources to support you with your ownership. Datsun is the featured marque at the Mitty at Road Atlanta later this month, and at Pebble Beach in August. Interest and values of these cars are increasing.
Rescued from an estate in 12/17, had been sitting in a garage for a year and a half. Long time Baton Rouge car, but unknown history. Car was not in the part of Baton Rouge that flooded in 2016. Drained the gas, squirted some oil in the cylinders and turned it by hand, put in a new battery, and she fired right up. Good oil pressure. Coolant stays at about 155 F idling in the driveway on an 80+ degee day. Starts right away with the choke, and warms up to a smooth idle. Loves to go, I have revved it up to 5,000 rpm on several occasions - pulls smooth and hard the whole way. I've driven it about 125 miles in the last couple of months. Transmission shifts crisply and smoothly, no grinding or noise. That 5th gear is marvelous for highway cruising. Have had it up to 80 mph with only a minor vibration around 60 to 70 mph. No squeaks, rattles, whining, or any other concerning noises. Solid car. This model was made without a brake booster so it takes some force to stop, but rear drums and front discs stop the car straight and smooth. Rack and pinion steering is tight and responsive, the boots are in good shape, and the shocks and suspension work effectively.
A practically rust free, matching numbers survivor that received an exterior respray in red over it's original Sora Blue. Single stage paint makes you'd think the repaint is aged but the absence of many chips seems like very few miles. A few small parking lot dings and a couple of dings on the hood, but no substantial bodywork found, even with a thorough check underneath on a lift. Passes the magnet test looking for filler in all the lower fenders and rockers with flying colors - one place where it doesn't stick is the outer rockers where the seam between the rocker and the rear fender is, below the rear line of the doors, apparently leaded at the factory. The other place is on the the front face of the front fenders between the headlights and the hood on both sides. Must have been a minor front end ding that did a little damage, and there is some filler used there to smooth it out. The bumpers have been dinged a few times, almost all on the overriders, and the bumper frames have been bent a little and could use some straightening.
Western Wheel classic turbine wheels offer a sporty upgrade to the standard steel wheels/chrome hub caps. Relatively new - date code shows manufacture date week 43 2013, 185/70-14 tires - very few miles - garage stored so no dry rot.
The glass and mirrors are all good - no nicks, scratches, rock chips, or cracks in the windshield. Turn signals, lights, emergency flashers, brake lights, windshield wipers all functioning normally. The horn works but with an auxillary button, not through the steering wheel. The clock and the back up lights don't work.
Odometer at 01993, likely 101,993, but don't know the car's history.
Recent work includes:
* New electronic fuel pump, filter, carbs, and intake manifold in 2016
* New rear brake drum wheel cylinders and rubber seals and front brake hoses in 2016
* Compression check showed 145, 150,145, 145 psi
* New battery 12/2017
* Recovered the console, new shift boot, installed steering column cowl 2/2018
* Just replaced the coolant temperature sending unit 3/2018.
* Freshened the interior with trim paint 3/2018.
* Oil and filter change, lubricated suspension 4/2018.
* New distributor cap, points, rotor, and condenser 4/2018.
* Valve guide oil seals changed 4/2018.
Rust Free - Did I mention that this car is a rust free survivor. Take a look at some of the pictures I've taken of the underside of the car. I have plenty more if you'd like to see them. The typical trouble spots behind the front wheels, in front of and behind the rear wheels, inner and outer rockers, and floors are solid as a rock. Floors may have some surface rust - carpet is glued down, so hard to see much, but none where I've pulled it up. Unbelievable to have survived so long without an attack of the tin worm.
Enjoy as is, or a great candidate for a rolling restoration as you improve chrome, replace deteriorated rubber and plastic, and repair some of the things I've found that could use improvement, listed below.
* Just replaced the speedometer cable, but the odometer still does not work. Sounds like gauge out, and off to refurbish.
* Other than the tires, most of the rubber on the car is old, dry-rotted, cracking. I've replaced the window seals on both sides to keep water out of the doors.
* Chrome looks original and has quite a bit of "patina". Bumpers are straight and can be rechromed. Overriders have dents and would be better to replace or do without when doing a chrome upgrade. Many small parking lot dings in the chrome side strips.
* Dash mounted throttle cable and knob (manual cruise control) are missing. Choke only enriches the mixture, so without the throttle cable, you have to give it some gas with your foot for a couple of minutes until it warms up and runs smooth.
* Map light in the trans tunnel console is missing.
* The car has a 240Z steering wheel.
* The spare wheel and tire are missing.
* The attractive driver's door mirror is not original.
* A replacement dash cap has been set in position but not glued in case the new owner would like to work on the dash, instruments, knobs, switches.
* Convertible top is fairly nice and useable as is - one small tear has been patched (see picture), some stitching is coming loose, plastic windows are clear (see picture).
* There is no convertible top boot or tonneau cover.
* Interior looks good in pictures, and is useable as is. Panels and carpets are customized and have nicks, tears, bald spots, the seats have a few holes and split seams, and are missing the head rests. The aluminum "swoosh" on the bottom of the door panels has been replaced with carpet pieces. Interior has been freshened with trim paint.
Compared to a restored 1970 2000 currently for sale on eBay for $35,000, what a bargain! A running, driving classic; appreciating in value while you drive as is or continue to improve over time - sounds like an inexpensive or maybe even profitable adventure. Clean Louisiana title.

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