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.

 

Dyno Tuning

 

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:

 

Enjoying The Ride

 

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!

 

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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:

 

 

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

 

The 2020 Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic will be held on April 24-25 in Solvang, CA. Now in its 33rd 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! We are only two months away from the big show so prep your cars and book those hotels!

 

Come check out roadsters and other vintage Datsuns April 24-25.  Reminder: ALL DATSUNS are welcome! There are even award categories for non-roadsters. For registration and show info please go HERE.

 

To catch a glimpse of the show check out Last Year’s Show Report and movie( By Michael Anderson) below. Admission is free to the general public, see you in Solvang!

 

 

 

We are happy to report a Best In Class win for this 1967 Datsun 2000 at the 2020 Boca Raton Concours D’Elegance in Florida. Typically reserved for European and American marques, Concours events rarely accept Japanese classics to enter and compete on the same field, let alone a Datsun.

 

Acquired by noted marque expert Mike Young several years ago, owner Steve Tetreault took it upon himself to bring the rare Datsun 2000 roadster to concours-level status. Steve recalls how his Datsun was even considered for the event:

“After hearing about the Boca Concours in April of 2019- I decided to submit an application for the Datsun. I soon realized the category that I would be in was named “European Class Sports car” ’65-’75. I completed the application and submitted photos as required in June 2019 and asked the question, “Where does a Japanese car fit here?” In October of that year I received an email requesting more information about the significance of the car, and a few other questions, including more detailed photos”

Steve soon received an email from the nominating committee that he was in fact in the Concours! The class name had been revised to: “Foreign Sports Late” 1965-1975. He was in good company as well:  *1966 Lamborghini superleggero *1965 Porsche 356 cabriolet *1967 Jaguar XKE *1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal *1971 Mercedes 280SL pagoda *1970 Ford Capri Perana *1967 Datsun 2000 Sports

 

Steve describes his Concours experience:

“The 3 very astute judges asked to be left alone while they surveyed the exterior- top up windows up. They asked to see the engine room , open the doors and to explain the significance of the car and why I am showing it. I explained the rarity of a half year car, and that this car is #455 out 750 produced with factory options of 5 speed trans, Mikuni/Solex carbs, B cam, 7 quart finned oil pan, 4 bolt windscreen, and then referenced John Baker’s race credentials for Nissan. I completed the conversation with my true mission: To elevate the Datsun Marque and its ability to compete equally in any Concours D Elegance class such as the one I’m in.” 

 

 

To be considered for a Concours and then go on to WIN best in class amongst impressive peers is an incredible achievement for Steve. All Datsun owners can share and benefit from this breakthrough as well: it’s a sign that our cars are being taken seriously and command respect.  So kudos to your efforts Steve. We remember seeing your roadster at the Solvang Shows and now it is a superb ambassador! Here is SRL-0455 after a 6-month restoration by Steve, sporting vintage Enkei Comp 8 wheels, #665 Paint and fresh chrome:

 

Old photos I snapped from Solvang:

 

Speaking of Datsun Roadsters, this a good time to remind you about the big Solvang show coming up April 25th. I’ll post a flyer shortly.

 

 

 

 

 

  

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:
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