Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion

[manifest]

Been a while since I have posted anything on here about our MS build.  We concentrated on our Classic Production VW Karmann Ghia (which is for sale) for the past few years. 
I have built new front susp. and did away with the factory front clip and struts that we had planned to use.  Stretched the wheelbase 16". Went with a straight axle with early Ford spindles.  Kept the factory Datsun rack and mounted it to the axle to eliminate bump steer.  The coilover work off of a cantilever setup. Hope to get the car on the ground in the next few weeks and Have our friends in Knoxville start work on the front sheetmetal body work.

Zach Burns

[manifest]

another picture

[manifest]

more pictures

[kustombrad]

You've done your homework, very nice!

[manifest]

Thanks kustombrad, your liner is top notch from what I've seen.

Got a new steering u-joint from Woodward out of Wy the other day so we don't have to rely on the 1974 one that's in the pictures.  Because the front 4 link is swinging on a much small radius than the steering column, which only has a u-joint at the rack and at the firewall, I machined a slip joint using some original splined male and female parts out of the stock Datsun column.  I will try to get some more pictures up in the next few days.

Zach

[gkabbt]

Zach, Looking good so far! I'm sure the build quality will be equal to the Karmann Ghia!
You going to run Wilmington when you finish!

Gregg

[manifest]

Oh yea, Wilmington is to close to home for us not to run there.  Like to make it to Loring sometime too.  Got the front suspension back on with the exception of a few washers and spacers on the cantilever rockers this weekend.

Zach

[manifest]

Got the car on the ground this weekend.  Still so much to do I can't see straight.

[debgeo]

I found I am much better to focus on next step, When I look at whole elephant it overwhelms me. Good Luck it looks great.

George

[wickedwagens]

It's looking great! Did you guys sell the Ghia?

[manifest]

No, we still got it Mark.  A lot of lookers but no interest in it yet.

[manifest]

Baby steps being made.  Got the body tide to the cage along the A-pillar so it wont move when we peel the top off later on.  Ended up ditching the Datsun rack and going with a 20:1 Stiletto. 

Zach

[SteveM]

Beautiful work on a beautiful machine!

[Milwaukee Midget]

Got the car on the ground this weekend.  Still so much to do I can't see straight.

You know, it's tough.  You start on one aspect, a dozen other things come up while you're working, and you question whether or not you'll ever get done.

But the build diary helps.

When I found myself questioning the end game, I'd take some time, pull up the diary, and took stock of what I had already gotten done.

The diaries are a slick way to show off your work, but they also make for a great tool to keep you to task, and to assess how far you've actually come.

Keep posting - it's good for you, good for the car, and good for us.

Chris

[lsrjunkie]

I have to agree 110% with the Midget!

One other little trick I use is, As your working on one part and you think, "I'm going to need to do this or that." I'll jump up and run over to the bench and make a note of it in. Those sheets of paper with beer, grease, and my chicken scratches all over them sure have kept me moving in the right direction.

Great looking project, and a cool car in general. Looking forward to watching this project come together!