. The
"65-67.5" indicates the frame fits 1965
1500s (SPL310-10000-11500) 1965-67.5
1600s (SPL311-00001-16500) 1967
(actually 67.5) 2000s (SRL311-00001-00999) First
off; we get a lot of inquiries asking if the front bow is
collapsed or broken. If that WAS a problem we would
surely mention it; but the 65-67.5 units are very strong;
it was the 68-70s that come with a much bigger bow made
from the same thickness metal! They had other problems
that promoted damage. Be glad you have an older
car! Unless
specified otherwise, the basic top frame comes without
the components shown below. There are two front bow to
windshield frame latches (#3 or #5). The #3 is the type
of latch used from 65-67. In 67 the #5 latch was
introduced to work with the then available visors. You
can use the later type on the earlier cars. You can use
the earlier cars on the later cars if you do not have
visors installed. There is also a version for the earlier
cars that looks similar to #3 but is has a more squared
off latching "hoop". These latches are expensive and
getting harder to find used. If you have a hardtop it may
have these latches on them and if so you can switch them
to your frame. On
each side of your car body behind the seats, are part #1
and #7. The #1 part is what holds your softop frame side
support bars, the main posts that hold up the frame.
These mounts are also used to hold most hardtops on the
car. The #7 part is the receptacle that the #4 part
slides into. The #4 part is the softop cable end bracket.
The cars originally came with cables (actually a long
tiny spring) that was inside the top material around the
side windows. The spring cable acts like an elastic band,
designed to keep the top tighter against the window
glass. These cables were not available as a separate
part. On one end of the cable was a sheet metal "eye"
that attached to a screw on the sides of the front bow.
On the other end was #4, a knife-blade like bracket that
you hand push into the #7 clamp bracket. You pull down on
part #1 as hard as possible then shove it into the
clamping portion of part #2 to keep the cable tight.
Universal cable is sometimes available at upholstery
supply houses. . ............... WEATHERSTRIP
RETAINING PLATE The
various parts above are usually available new or used,
check both the TOPS AND TONNEAUS, NEW and TOPS AND
TONNEAUS USED now and then. We are expanding the listings
constantly. CONDITION. We'd
have to actually restore one of these frames and install
it and a top on a car to be sure exactly WHAT the
condition is. All kinds of junk has been sold by others
(usually individuals; as "OK" or "GOOD") with none of the
above information forthcoming. Click
on any blue part number to see picture(s) and sometimes
additional information on the particular used frame. Hit
the "Back to Tops USED" link below. ..........
1965-1967.5 Datsun
Roadster TOP FRAME Information from Rallye Enterprises,
Ltd.
REAR
BAR
There are a couple of other items that do not come with a
used frame. One is a curved and tapered bar that is sewn
into the rear of the top. This bar is what slides under
the "chrome teardrop" receivers that just forward of the
front edge of the trunk lid. It probably be impossible to
correctly reproduce this bar as it is curved in two
directions, one of which is so it acts like a spring to
hold the top's shape between the two teardrops. In
acceptable look can be achieved however by using a
"homemade" bar or using two shorter ones, one on each
side. This is what is normally done when you get a
tonneau cover or top boot. Used originals are sometimes
available.
The other item is a very light piece of tin, cut into a
curved pattern to screw on to the front bow after the top
is glued over the front edge. It helps keep the top
material fastened to the front bow. Most of these have
been so beat up or rusted that there isn't much of the
metal left. These can be easily duplicated by trimming
some light metal like the home heating companies use. It
doesn't need to be one piece it can be made out of a
number of separate pieces.
The 65-67 1/2 frame are useable as sold. Frames that
have specific defects are listed separately and have
their own part number; in fact most frames have their own
DU part number whether they have defects or not. We try
to note anything like a broken bolt or stripped threads
in the bow but sometimes those get past us; so assume
they are there and be suprisngly delighted when they are
not.
1965-1967.5 Datsun
SPL310 - SPL311 - SRL311 TOP FRAME Information from Rallye
Enterprises, Ltd.