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]

 

We are super excited to see Alex McDowell’s Hakosuka Skyline featured on the cover of the upcoming May issue of Classic Motorsports Magazine. The article discusses the changing face of vintage racing (Japanese cars joining) and where the sport is headed:

  

This C10 Skyline was built by our friend Jim Froula of Racecraft, and Alex acquired it several years ago. Z Car Garage has prepared and supported Alex’s race efforts with the Hako and it has been an awesome experience. Two very memorable racing events were the The Mitty and Historics at Laguna Seca last year. Check out our reports below:

RMMR
The Mitty

  

Enjoy some video of the the Hako in action with Alex behind the wheel!

 

 

 

  

“Love cars. Love people. Love life”…this motto was immortalized by Nissan legend Mr. K, and embodied perfectly by car enthusiast Ben Y with his 1974 Datsun 260z. We met Ben in Fall of 2016 when he visited Z Car Garage for a full mechanical restoration and it’s been a joy helping him realize his sportscar dream. Read on to learn about the Z’s history and how our restoration efforts culminate with a memorable father-son roadtrip.

 

A Family Affair

Ben has owned this S30 for nearly eighteen years. The car really is a family affair beginning with his father:

 

“I was showing it a lot as a college student and won best stock 260Z at the MSA nationals in 2002. The picture below (left) of me and my dad with Matsui-San was a great time in my Z life. I was learning so much and he was and still is one of my hero’s. The car he is pictured in is Katsuaro-San’s (Kats) 1970 240z. On the right,  I mounted a free set of stock steelies/hubcaps because I thought the factory fresh look was what I was going for. I waited until I found the right set of Watanabe’s.”

 

“In 2005 I took my 260Z to a show in Fremont at Ohlone college where I saw Rob with his green 240z complete with red Porsche brakes, RB25, and the photo of his “Z” tooth.  His car was unforgettable and with me pursuing a career in dentistry I would never forget his tooth.”

 

Ben has written a blog dedicated to his Datsun addiction HERE. His ultimate goal with the 260z is to complete a coast-to-coast trek of the United States for the 50th anniversary of the Z car in 2020 with his family.

Let’s move on to the restoration…

Building the Dream

  

Ben’s vision of his perfect Z car comes from his admiration of period-style Japanese tuning:

“My concept is to create a 260Z as if it was owned in the 1970’s in Japan by someone who worked at the Datsun Sports Corner. When looking at the car’s engine-bay, interior, and exterior it is neither original nor modified.  I am open to making modifications to improve the car’s drivability, but outside of the Datsun Competition parts the changes will need to be internal.”

We performed a full inspection on the Z and it had a long list of needs. Ben reported the car lacked power and we found cylinders ‘3’ and ‘5’ in bad shape, necessitating a rebuild. The engine was removed while a 3.0L Rebello was built.

 

We wanted to build the car exactly to his specification and Ben decided to not leave a single rock unturned with engine, cooling system, exhaust, suspension and braking refurbishment. We would also install his prized Datsun Competition racing seat.

Engine Bay

With the tired engine removed we began the clean-up process.  Many more pictures of the teardown and assembly in the gallery:

  

All new hydraulic lines replaced corroded parts:

  

In keeping with Ben’s desire to have a factory-looking appearance, the new 3.0L engine retained SU carbs, built by Z Therapy. A JWT Aluminum flywheel and HD clutch back the powerplant:

    

Ben’s excellent choice of exhaust: the Fujitsubo Legalis R twin-pipe system:

 

From header to twin tail-pipe we love the craftsmanship, finish, sound and performance this setup offers.

  

We added our own touches like a factory-like silver finish at the rear and O2 bungs for Wideband tuning in-house:

   

Small details in the engine bay make a huge difference:  powdercoated air filter assembly with reproduced OEM decals throughout,  proper plating, wire clips for hoses, ZCG mods to intake/exhaust manifolds and a stock radiator updated to 4-core:

 

The completed engine bay:

 

Chassis

As the engine bay started to come together we realized the chassis needed to match the rest of the car. The drivers’s side inner fender had enough rust to compromise the sway bar mount. We cut it out, built a new brace for the sway bar mount and welded in a replacement panel.  All inner fenders were cleaned/undercoated.

 

The entire fuel system was gone through including all recovery hoses/lines, fuel sender and boiling out the gas tank:

  

The Z received entire front and rear suspension refurbishment with full coil-over suspension from Techno Toy Tuning. New parts included adjustable T/C rods, rear control arms, new bushings, rack bushings, steering coupler, ball joints and more. All parts were powdercoated:

 

Steering rack before/after and the T3 suspension going in. All nuts/bolts were bagged for zinc plating:

   

T3 f/r coil-overs and Suspension Techniques f/r sway bars:

  

The braking system was restored to factory spec to keep it vintage. Mild performance upgrades included Stoptech 309 pads with slotted front rotors and stainless steel braided brake lines.  All wheel bearings were replaced. Up front we replaced the front calipers with NOS units:

 

In the rear, stock suspension and old brakes vs new:

  

The drums were turned and new Nissan wheel cylinders/shoes installed:

   

The T3 coil-overs allow ride-height adjustment and Ben’s Z now sits much lower over those gorgeous Watanabe wheels with generous sidewalls:

“One of my hero’s had Watanabe’s on his car and that sealed the deal in terms of me eventually deciding on a wheelset.  My set’s dimensions are 14″ x 7.5jj (+1.5mm) for the rear and 14” x 7jj(+8mm) for the front, Type B. “

Stock suspension vs T3, more pics gallery!

 

We love it:

 

Datsun Competition

Ben’s appreciation for Datsun’s Competition-specific parts can be highlighted in the interior where he has an original rallye shift knob, steering wheel and for the tifecta: the competition seat. He even tracked down the matching headrest from a Bluebird.

   

He’s super passionate about the Comp seat, you can read more about it in his personal blog post HERE. We removed the factory seat, made a bracket to allow his comp seat to fit and installed it. It looks great with that un-cracked factory dash!

  

We paid attention to all of the little things that make a Z car fun to drive everyday. Finalizing door fitment and getting the vintage A/C unit working again was important:

“I want to drive it across the country. That is a big goal of mine, but really I just want to drive the car always.”

Since A/C had been on Ben’s mind, we fixed and made one of the lines, all mocked up to clear the Fujitsubo header. More details in the engine bay to satisfy’s Ben’s penchant for the vintage look: we passed along our rare factory spark plug wires and OEM choke cable set.

 

  

Enjoying The Ride

With the mechanical restoration completed, Ben embarked on his originally planned road trip with his father.

“I got back last night from my trip with my Dad. We went a bit north of 1000 miles in three days in my Z Car Garage 260Z! The car is perfect. I really want to thank you for building such a glorious machine. It does everything it should. Handles well, makes all the right sounds, is comfortable, and soaks up the miles. I took it up to an elevation of 7500′ without even a hiccup. My Dad drove a lot and he loved it too. He got it up to 100mph on the highway and I didn’t even know it the car was so smooth. He told me later.”

 

 

We were stoked for Ben. Seeing him drive the Z everywhere, including a visit to the epic 2018 RMMR where Datsun was the featured marque. Being on the road is really what he loves and the S30 is a scalpel.

 

Love for the Z, with Family

Ben’s family is an integral part of his Z passion. He even had these T-shirts made for his crew. Rob has one as well 🙂

 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Z Car Garage! We hope you can find time to Enjoy The Ride over the holidays. Please note our hours of operation below:

We will be closed this Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving

ZCG will close on the 20^th of December 2018,  reopening on the 2^nd of January 2019

Thank you!

James’ turbocharged L-series Datsun just got a new set of wheels. Big thanks to Love20bee for sourcing and re-finishing these SSR Watanabe RS8s sized:
Front 10.5, -6 offset
Rear 12.5, -32 offset

 

The crew at ZCG worked diligently to ensure the 275/40 front and massive 315/35/17 rear NT-01 tires cleared at full lock and suspension travel.

 

Our ZCG Big-Brake Kit( 328mm) is framed nicely behind the RS-8 spokes:

  

We also installed fender mirrors and James’ already hit the roads to Enjoy The Ride!

 

Enjoy this video of the Z rolling with the new footwork, speakers UP!

 

 

Stay tuned for a full report with dyno/tuning!