Where did you DRIVE this weekend? (Roadsters only!)

[datsun65]

Here is a shot of James' 67 2000 at April's Cars and Coffee in Houston, TX. Sweet!

On the left is the fender of my black 05 350ZR.

[Skyman]

Beautiful car James!

[bikermike]

I went for a drive with Alvin and Glenn (cromgnman) this morning. We went from San Jose to Milpitas via 17/880 and then winded our way over to Sunol via Calaveras Rd. The photos below are at the Sunol train station. The video is on 680 on the return trip.

Sunol1 2013-04-14.JPG

Sunol2 2013-04-14.JPG

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Friday afternoon I was heading home and spotted a red Roadster parked at a shop less than a block from my house. I stopped and introduced myself and met Glenn. It turns out he lives nearby. I had not seen his '68 SRL before. He and Alvin had met years ago. When Alvin contacted me on Saturday to go for a drive I invited Glenn along and we enjoyed a sunny Sunday morning. We are trying to convince Glenn to make the trip to Solvang.

[Bob]

Drove to Carmel, about 3 hours.

Played golf at Spyglass Hill, which kicked my ass repeatedly, and Quail, where I faired better, but still sucked. Ate and drank very well, however, as that is what I am really good at. Drove home along the coastal Highway 1. Made it home in time to watch the final round of the Masters and be reminded of what great golfers do.

[Alvin]

I DROVE to Sunol with Mike and Glenn:



Calaveras is a super twisty single lane road with blind corners:


Glenn's tonneau detail and flatslide carbs:



Video, I hope this captures the experience of driving through this beautiful area:
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More pictures on the blog:
http://www.zcarblog.com/2013/04/14/even ... 41413.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Glenn has an electrical issue I hope we can all help him out so he can make it to Solvang.

[jamesw]

I DROVE my roadster to my kids school fundraiser gala in downtown Houston on Saturday night. Loving those brick-paved streets and just fledged sycamore trees - and driving around in a balmy 70 degree evening. Bringing the car around to pick up the wife afterwards we got at least FIVE "nice car!" passers-by which I think clued my wife into why I like driving her so much.

You can see I've installed my D-A-T-S-U-N letters up front now too

Cheers
James

[datsun65]

After months of preparation I took my 65 1500 from Houston Tx to San Anotnio (200 Miles) for the major Datsun/Nissan event in Texas called Fiesta Nismo. I had been so excited about attending!

On Saturday morning @ 5:30AM, I met up with two 370Z cars and we headed out in a caravan west towards San Antonio. The car was running beautifully. Oil pressure was good, cooling system was looking great. Stopped for gas near Sealy, TX (near Hennesey Peformance) and snapped this shot at about 6AM.



After about 115 Miles, we stopped at another Gas Shop called Buckee's for a break .Car was running great the whole time. Then about 5 Miles after Buckee's, had a severe breakdown. Heard a noise, then smoke from the engine bay and the car behind me said I also had smoke shoot out my exhaust. Had to call a tow truck and be towed 120 Miles back home.



And this is what I found when I got home on the left side of the stock G15 engine block.



I'm sick to my stomach just looking at the picture.

Oh well...

[jamesw]

What a bummer Dan! I have to hand it to you for trying to make that drive to San Antonio though.

It looks like you lost the bearing cap on the bottom of the rod. I have a set of U20 rods in my parts bin where one of them had this failure too.

Hopefully you can get another G15 block for your car. I saw in a thread here today that there is a 65 1500 for sale in the SF Bay Area and the seller has a spare G15 block. I wonder if he would be willing to part with it.

James

[datsun65]

Maybe I should go for a Stroker R18 engine? G15 Crank with R16 block?

[Gregs672000]

Oh holly crap. Here I was, reading along and enjoying the ride, then that... if I felt half of what you did looking at the picture... well, I feel for you man. She really came apart! How old was she? That hole looks like a perfect cut out. We sometimes forget just how fast things are turning at 4000 rpms. My bro-in-law dropped a valve seat in his old '90s Ford Escort (known to happen in this motor) sitting at a 700 rpm idle and it absolutely and instantly trashed the engine... broke the piston at the rod, sent the rod into the cylinder wall, scattered metal all through every part of the intake and exhaust.

We mourn your loss... but she'll be back.

[spl310]

Ouch!!

[datsun65]

After the tow back to Houston (120 Miles), we put the 1500 in Storage, then hopped in my 350Z and headed back out to show! Mike from San Anotnio brought down his Silver U20 powered roadster. Probaby another dozen 240-280Z, 510s, 210 and even a 77 200SX!

Long, long weekend.

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[Alvin]

geez that is terrible sorry to hear that happened to the 1500 Dan. It's not like you don't have a gazillion other roadsters to drive though
Keep us updated on the drivetrain solution

[spriso]

Dan,

PM mklotz70 on this forum-- he ended up with 2 G15 engines out of the 1500s that we sourced to build my wife's car- he might still have them!

Michael

[datsun65]

Thanks for the tip, Michael.

I'l give Mike K a buzz.