Shop Talk for
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Happy 3/11 day to all Datsun Roadster owners across the globe! Give your Fairlady a hug and get out and drive! Here are a few memorable roadsters that have been at Z Car Garage over the years. Of course, Eric Straw’s SR20VET-powered beauty is high on our list:
Michael Spreadbury’s “Stingrey” SR20-powered ’66 SPL
Rob and myself have been Enjoying The Ride in our roadsters. His 1967 Datsun 2000 and my 1967.5 SPL:
More roadster-related content HERE
Datsun Roadsters hold a special place in our heart and recently we had the opportunity to tune this very beautiful example owned by Pat S. The only reason we don’t work on or build these gems: we simply can’t keep up with our Z car workload. Once in a while though, someone will throw around the name “Alvin” (our shop social media manager) and they will get into Z Car Garage.
Pat contacted ZCG to discuss his 1970 Datsun 2000 roadster’s twin-Mikuni carb setup. The 2L/U20 models could be optioned with dual Mikuni-Solex carbs (replacing SU carbs) as part of a factory “competition” package also including a hotter “B” camshaft and 7.5qt. aluminum oil pan. Pat had done all he could to make it drive nicely and wanted a touch more driveability. Once at the shop, Rob took his car for a ride, impressed with how nicely restored it was.
Rob and Pat discussed his goals and what he wanted to accomplish. We were able to go in and adjust the idle/off-idle settings, and of course wide-open throttle. The U20 put down 113hp/109tq to the wheels:
Pat was really pleased with the dyno tuning results. We actually saw him on the recent BCR Tokyo Calling Rally where he said the car was running fantastic and he was stoked:
“I saw Z Car Garage referenced on 311s.org when I was trying to sort out my carbs. I had the carbs completely rebuilt by Taka Sato at Kyusha House (beautiful job) and Z Car Garage did the fine tune adjustments on the dyno. Starts and runs great. So fun to drive! I once had a good friend that owned a high end Porsche shop (he races Lotus’ now) in LA. No matter who you were, if there was any oil or dirt on the engine, he would send them away. Rob reminds me of him. An expert with a true passion for the cars!”
Enjoy the sounds of a Solex-equipped Datsun 2000 on the dyno below!
Pat shared his Datsun story with us:
“I bought my first roadster in 1973 and it was a ’66 1600 that I paid $600 for. I’ve always wanted to get another so about 3 years ago I purchased my ’70 2L. Mike Young of DatsunSports rebuilt the top end and installed a ‘B’ cam for me and has been a true friend by not letting make too many mistakes.
The car was striped down to bare metal, rusted panels welded in and a new paint job with rechromed the bumpers and trim.
Pat refurbished all of the electrical switches and lights (LEDs now). Gauge expert Jon Frampton refurbished the gauges. Pat also rebuilt the seats and has new upholstery throughout:
It was great to see Pat driving his roadster on the BCR Tokyo calling rally where he was all smiles with the tuning results. Here a few shots of him at speed in the foothills of Sonoma, CA.
Roadster owners united at the rally’s final stage at Sonoma Raceway (Alvin, Rob, Mike Young, Eric and Pat):
Pat you have done a great job on the roadster. Nice work, and we love seeing Datsun owners realize the maximum potential out of their cars. Thanks for your support and Enjoy The Ride!
Sunday was a beautiful sunny day in the Bay Area, perfect for a quick drive in our Datsun Roadsters. Our destination was Uvas Reservoir and I joined Rob and his family in Sora while I drove my ‘67.5 SPL. Leaving our meeting point of 76 on Foxworthy/Almaden:
Z Car Garage shop dog Kane loves riding in the roadster!
Despite being only 25 miles from the heart of Silicon Valley, the landscape near Uvas Reservoir is entirely different with farmlands, rolling hills and idyllic bridge crossings:
At the reservoir we flagged down this Datsun enthusiast, also out Enjoying The Ride! It was none other than David Carroll in his beastly 1975 280z:
We snapped a few more pics of the cars and headed back home, it was fun to “exercise” the roadsters:
More pictures in the gallery below and remember, Datsuns Are Driven!
Our local Datsun Roadster owners enjoyed a great Sunday drive yesterday. I’ve been organizing these “Fun Runs” for several years and it always makes me smile to see fellow Datsun owners Enjoying The Ride on our backroads here in the Bay Area. We began in downtown Saratoga with a meeting point just before Big Basin Way. By coincidence we spotted ZCG customer James S in his 240z coming down the mountain!
The first stretch of HWY 9 down to Boulder Creek was exhilarating. We picked up another roadster on the way to our next meeting point in Felton:
The six cars represented an assortment of colors, years and trim level. Everything from SU and Solex-equipped U20s to R16s and SR20 drivetrains. Shown above are 1970, 1969 and 1968 with their distinct rear end treatments.
John B’s 1969 SRL
John B recently moved from SoCal to the Bay Area and has yet to explore the fantastic backroads here so I was excited to have him join us. His ’69 2000 is a prime example of how a Datsun 2000 would have looked back in the day. Sporting period-correct parts and even vintage tires John’s SRL was featured in Automobile Magazine driven by John Morton!
I drove my 1967.5 1600 with SR20:
Joe and Lisa’s 1968 SPL
Joe is an avid rally driver participating in this year’s Faultline and Snowball events with the roadster. He purchased it recently and it has a 5-speed from a U20. Lisa got some seat time in today’s run too!
Stacey’s 1970 SRL
Stacey joined us in Boulder Creek with his recently refreshed ’70 SRL. This car got engine/chassis overhaul and a host of upgrades. It was great to see stacey enjoying his new mods.
Aidan’s 1969 SRL
Aidan is the youngest roadster owner I know being a high school student. He is restoring his ’69 SRL by himself and recently completed the 600 mile journey to the Mt. Shasta Datsun Roadster meet. We are proud of him.
Eddie Wu’s E9 BMW
Ed is no stranger to Datsun Roadsters. He owns the famous “SAKE RKT”, an SR20 swapped ’66 SPL. He didn’t drive his roadster, but instead graced us with another silver beauty, this E9!
Mike B’s 1967.5 SPL
Mike B has been my go-to roadster driving buddy for a long time. His ‘67.5 SPL is built with period looks and modern conveniences. He was our fearless leader/hot shoe.
After we met Aidan in Felton we headed back up 9 to Skylinetowards Alice’s restaurant. Then we took 84 down to Pescadero. It was fairly warm even at the coast.
After a quick lunch break at Arcangeli’s Bakery we took Alpine Rd to Skyline and ended at the vista point.
Here’s a short video of us Enjoying The Ride:
Our route:
Thanks to all that came out it was a blast! More pictures in the gallery, enjoy!
