Every 2nd Saturday of the month there is a Cars & Coffee gathering in San Jose, only 1-mile from our house! My neighbor invited me to this event held at the Starbucks on Hillsdale Ave yesterday. We left together with the roadster and his Barracuda:
I was surprised at the turnout and sheer number of Hot Rods and Muscle cars from every era. Here are a few of my favorites with more in the gallery below.
Mopar or No Car
1st, 2nd and 3rd gen ‘Cudas and Belvederes:
Modified Formula S Barracuda:
Killer paint colors and graphics from Plymouth and on this 2nd gen Roadrunner:
J-Tin!
Always happy to see Japanese classics:
Triple tail lights Check:
GM
Impalas, Camaro, ‘Vette, Chevelle, Nova and more:
Wild Riviera:
Ford
’32 Hot Rods, Thunderbirds, Mustangs and more
Ford Firetruck with a late-model diesel drivetain:
Two of my favorites, a 70’s Disco-themed GM Van (see video below) and track-prepped Pantera:
I spotted a few British cars as well including a Triumph Herald, Spitfire, Silver Cloud Rolls and Mini
We had a blast and my family even got to enjoy the show. If you are in the area and love Classic American cars this is the spot. Free donuts and coffee is also a plus!
On Sunday I joined 6 other roadsters for a drive in the North Bay. I left San Jose ~7:45am and it was very foggy. On the freeway it was actually quite wet like rain, not a good sign as I thought the weather would be worse heading North.
As I approached San Francisco the fog disappeared, revealing the city Skyline and iconic Golden Gate Bridge. I was excited to see everyone and do some driving.
Meeting point: Fort Baker 9am
I arrived to see 6 roadsters already lined up against the GG Bridge and clear sky. It was really fortunate that weather was amazing….usually this time of year the GG bridge is shrouded in fog!
We chatted for a bit and I consulted with Jerry about staging the cars for quick photoshoot. He’s a talented photographer and you can see his positioning and composition created some spectacular shots.
The cars:
Dan’s 1970 1600. Dan owns three roadsters and this one is completely stock:
Mike’s 1967 2000. This is considered one of the most sought-after models (#0072 out reportedly 1000) sporting a 5-speed transmission, 150hp twin-Mikuni carb 2L engine, 160mph speedo/8krpm tach…all stuff other cars dreamed of in 1967:
Andy’s 1969 1600, looking great on stock wheels and whitewall tires:
Pat’s 1969 1600. Pat has swapped in a 2L/5-speed drivetrain from the 2000 model. Note the factory roll-bar:
Jerry’s 1969 2000. This SRL caught my attention as soon as Jerry started the fire-breathing Solex-carb’d U20. Make sure you watch the video below to hear it rev. Note the pretty Longchamp XR-4 wheels:
Scott’s 1967 1600. I met Scott back in Aprril at the 2019 Solvang Datsun Roadster Show and admired this full frame-off restoration. Stunning paint and a nice interior with carbon fiber touches. Power is from a modified 1600 engine now displacing 2L…powerful! Note the full stainless exhaust (and hear it in the video below!)
We got each owner next to their roadster and a nice group photo. Big thanks to Jerry for the camera work.
Our leader Dano was anxious to get moving to avoid tourist traffic so we rolled out. We were also joined by fellow roadster owners Eric (in his NA Miata) and Will (in his E30 M3). The next 4 hours was a mix of ever-changing scenery that was new to me. From Downtown Sausalito to twisty HWY1, ribbons of road winding through forest and coastline it was fun!
Stop #1: Limatour Beach
Quick stop close to the coastline and back through the forest…
Stop #2: Lunch at Tony’s Seafood Restaurant in Marshall:
After lunch, some parted ways while Dano, Pat, Will and myself headed to Nicasio Reservoir back to 101. Pat and I rode together for a stretch of freeway heading home.
I had a blast driving with everyone, here is a video of the sights and sounds, enjoy!
The 2019 Solvang Datsun Roadster show took place on April 27. Now in its 32nd year, this event continues a tradition of uniting owners from all parts of the world in a little town just outside of Santa Barbara. There is something for everyone here: shopping, food, wine-tasting, outdoor activities, and in the last weekend of April an epic gathering of Datsuns!
This year I did not bring my roadster but I was able to experience it with my wife and three children (now all walking):
We keep returning to Solvang year after year to see the latest roadster builds, meet new owners and catch up with old friends……and it was a fantastic show with perfect weather and close to 100 Datsuns on First Street in downtown Solvang:
Highlights from the Show
On to the cars! Here are some highlights from the day…starting with the “Holy Grail” of Datsun Roadsters: The 1967 2000! This year there were only a handful of these rare (less than a 1000) models. Some of these cars are considered the “cream of the crop” with full restorations or OEM levels of detail like Kurt’s Sora Blue #520:
Interestingly, all of the ’67 2000 models present possessed the fabeled “rivet in the C” on their valve covers. Different body colors as well! Gary Vigil’s SRL #126 was still in the process of being completed, looking brilliant in Beige Grey Metallic:
Arnold’s SRL 485:
The sole “Thunder Black” ’67 SRL:
Stock is Good
Solvang showcases everything from pristine to highly modified examples of roadsters. These two examples are exemplary of the “high-windshield” models. John Baker’s ’69 2000: several years of intense restoration by John has resulted in one stunning, concours-level 2000. Finished in Spanish Red with plenty of engine bay details to drool over. Best part is that it is driven, even with the Bias-ply tires!
Mike Ramirez’s ’68 1600 was stored for 32 years before a full restoration in 2014…it is pristine:
There were several early 1600s with chrome-ringed gauges and classy red interiors. Alvin’s ’65 SPL was originally imported to the US by a Naval officer and he found it in a barn with 32k original miles. His goal is to take it back to Japan for a springtime tour!
Engine Swaps
Like the 510 and Z cars, the Datsun Roadster chassis can accept many engine swaps and this year the show-stopper was Eric Straw’s 1969 SRL.
We have known Eric for many years and he is a talented fabricator with a penchant for high-powered Datsuns. ZCG tuned his RB26-powered Nissan DR30 Skyline and plan on tuning this Haltech-managed SR22VET beast of a roadster.
Backing the SR22VET is a Nissan 350z 6-speed transmission, but there are so many details to be found at the surface like the factory OEM(!) Hardtop, 225 front/245 rear tires, Brembo calipers, Lotus Elise seats and more.
Eric’s fabrication skills are really displayed in this chassis with full coil-over suspension and a Watts-linkage. With guidance from Michael Spreadbury of Spriso Motorsports, the level of chassis development is mind-boggling:
More pictures in the gallery, but this masterpiece deserves its own feature!
JDM Feel
Two cars that I really like have a special “JDM” feel to them. Greg’s ‘1968 2000 finished in Gray sitting on 14″ Watanabe wheels looked just right:
Mike’s 1967.5 SPL sports 15″ Watts, a full solex-equipped U20 drivetrain, roll bar, SRL gauges and rare EMPI steering wheel:
A Break for Wine
A few roadster owners proudly offered their own vintage wine creations alongside their cars. Al’s SPL graces the label of his wine:
Vanity plates
When Sidewall is Good
This ’70 SRL not only had one of my favorite white/red color combos, the wheel/tire choice was spot on. Beefy sidewalls on the AR Libras and a nice stance looked great:
The 3-Seater: Datsun 1500s
There were only 2, three-seater 1500 roadsters. Raymond Lim’s 1963 1500 was in amazing condition considering its age. This single-carb, three-seater was remarkably preserved. Best part was watching Ray’s son show off the roadster to everyone! This is why I love the Solvang Show.
Even older than the 1500s were the SPL212s owned by Jeff Silvey:
People
People. It’s what makes the Solvang Datsun Roadster Show so much fun. Datsun folks in general are cool people and they came from all parts of the world:
The Beast Within
Corey’s ’66 SPL had a mighty stroked 1600 engine. Final displacement is 2.3L(!) courtesy of parts from Datsun-specialist Lou Mondello of Australia. We look forward to dyno-tuning this quad-motorcycle carb’d monster soon:
Non-roadsters
Don’t have a roadster but want to park and enjoy the show? The Solvang show also welcomes Japanese classics that are not roadsters. Lots of cool trucks, Z-cars and 510s joined in on the fun. Brian K drove and displayed his Nissan Patrol. He is also the man behind our Z Car Garage CV Axles. When he’s not enjoying Datsuns, Brian owns/operates KaD Models machine shop in Berkeley, CA making various parts for our cars as well.
Going the Distance
The Solvang Show draws roadster owners from all over the US, and world! We can always count on Jim and Susan to make the trek from Mexico in their ’70 SRL with matching trailer:
Adrian Christian made the long journey from New York in his ’70 SRL:
This is the actual car from Nissan’s multi-million dollar Datsun Heritage advertising campaign in the late 90’s. Check it out in this Super Bowl Ad – “The Dream Garage”.
Family Affair
Ted Heaton drove his three roadsters down from Bellvue, Washington. He had help from his son and grandson!
We love this event and hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 2019 Solvang Datsun Roadster Show. Big thanks to the organizer Harlan Katz and SoCal crew for hosting! Please visit our picture gallery below: …[read more]
Every year we have a local Holiday light show called the Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Park. It’s a drive-through event and I always wanted to take my family in the roadster.
Last week we did it! Fun for the wife and kids and a bit emotional for me…15 years ago Rob Fuller handed me the keys to this newly SR20-powered Datsun and it’s been an integral part of my life ever since.
Enjoy the video:
Happy Holidays🎄 and Happy New Year! We hope you you can Enjoy The Ride with family and friends.
