1970 SPL resto finally started...

[iloveredmeat]

Congratulations!!! Well deserved... I suspect (hope) that those Best of Show votes went your way because you have done everything beautifully, and you have done the work yourself... A decades-long commitment. The unique mosaic of an immaculate super engine, upgraded exhaust, interior, bright chrome... all cloaked in the original patina. Very very cool! Well done.
PM

[funkaholik]

Thanks, Peter. I love how almost everyone on this site is a cheerleader for everybody else. It lifts everyone up and motivates us to get even more work done.

I did the math, and I burned 29.588 gallons of premium dinosaur juice on this trip. That puts my mpg average at 20.6. Not bad considering how rich the carbs are running right now, and even more so when I was up at 4000 feet above sea level. Nowhere to go but up as we get the AFR dialed in.

[funkaholik]

Well, I got in my first race in the Datsun in over 24 years last night! I was driving home, coming up to a red light with a lone black Mercedes waiting at it. Just as I was slowing down at the light, it turned green, so I took off and shot past the Benz. Then I hear him punch it, and see them coming up fast on my right. So, of course, I downshifted into 2nd and nailed it. Still gaining on me, although much more slowly now, we are really starting to fly. They creep past me at speed, and then we both slow down to stop at the next red light.

All the windows roll down, and inside are 4 young guys (late teens to early 20's) and they are hooting and hollering and having a great time. I say, "That thing is pretty fast," just as I notice the "turbo" badge on the side of their car. "So is that!" comes their reply.

Here we are again at a red light, just the two (well, five) of us. One guy in the back seat has his phone out the window, presumably shooting video. Light turns green and we both hit it hard. My tires are squealing and his aren't, and he takes me off the line and slowly starts pulling ahead of me. This continues until I back off, since I'm now going too fast and have to turn right at the next light.

I'm not positive of the model of the Benz, but it was a smaller sedan, and not AMG. My best guess is that it was a new C 300, which has a turbocharged 2.0 litre 4 cylinder making 255 hp and 273 tq, a 9 speed auto trans, and all wheel drive.

I'm pretty impressed that Audrey held her own against a turbocharged, all wheel drive sedan, even if she didn't come out on top.

Who knows, there might be a video of it all, out there on some young guy's Instagram channel. Or whatever the kids are using this week.

[RustyBucket]

Cherries and Berries in the rear view

[Bwk2000]

Lol … Those days are behind me. Guess I’ll just have to live vicariously through you Erik!
I let the rabbits jump ahead now and am happy to stay far enough back in their rear view mirrors so when their brake lights suddenly come on and Rusty’s ‘Cherries & Berries’ join the party, I’m the one driving by in the car, not up against it

[RustyBucket]

Well after spending this much time and money, I’ll be driving like a little old lady making my car last, for sure

[Gregs672000]

Well, I'd admit that, while I don't frequently race, it has been fun to surprise some folks who may have slightly underestimated the car, either by what kind of speeds the car can achieve or how hard it can go into a corner. I find the car very stable at high speeds. That's part of why I have the car; I like to be able to have "warp drive" at my command... not that it's some turbo monster or 9000rpm super SR, but i can count on it to "engage!" when I ask it to. It's not a car for drag racing much... I hate the idea of banging my clutch and threatening the rear end, and it's really not geared well for that, but once rolling, on the freeway or a twisty country road, well "Warp 9, engage!" Heh heh heh...

Go get 'em funkie!

[iloveredmeat]

A great racing story... I love to imagine the young Mercedes kids' perspective.

All of a sudden, some "unpolished" little old car zips by. And then at the next light - is game to go - and then actually hangs in there!

I like to think those kids spent their evening googling what the hell that car was... and helping old ladies cross the street of course...

That stuff keeps you young, good on ya.
pm

[RustyBucket]

I bet the kids’ in ‘mommy’s’ car were shocked. No doubt their gaping mouths would have been a great photo op.

My luck would be to dump the clutch out if hole shot and lunch the trans (which cost major bucks to have rebuilt. :-@

You got your thrill and major your point ‘the car may be old , but it’s still got it!”

[Bwk2000]

… I like to think those kids spent their evening googling what the hell that car was …

Funny - That’s exactly what I did a bunch of years ago when my mustang was passed on the highway like I was standing still by an ‘elderly couple’ in a 4 door sedan. Remember quite clearly Googling: “What the hell is an M5?”

[70MTRoadster]

1973, just married June 2nd, driving across NV to Yellowstone Nat'nl Park. Passed by a 4 door BMW with pipe smoking male driver in suit and tie, wife all decked out too with boy and girl in back seat dressed to the 9's at 80 mph. So we picked up the pace and went clear to Ely, NV at 80+ mph with them. 32 mpg in my 69 2000! Without a doubt a Red Letter Day to Remember.

[funkaholik]

My brother & I drove 200 miles of twisty roads today in the Breakfast Club Rally. Several nice Datsuns there, including John Baker and his immaculate '69 2000, a couple 510s, and several Z's, including one with a G nose and full roll cage. Plus the usual Porsches, Alfas, BMWs, a vintage Ferrari, and a '70 Mustang convertible who was rocking a similar patina vibe to me.

Stopped in Stinson Beach for a photo op with the new wheels and tires. I say "new", but these wheels have been sitting in the original boxes in a corner for 19 years (and three moves) waiting for the car to be worthy of them.

[Gregs672000]

Wheels... now we're talkin!

[iloveredmeat]

So very cool! Love the wheels.

And Stinson... my old stomping grounds... have bmx'd/skated/driven that road a gazillion times and have to believe you had a blast.

Good on ya. I'm inspired.

[Gregs672000]

Yesterday, coming back from a wonderful drive over Mt. Rainier, as we were passing a train of slow cars at warp speeds, I said to my wife "There are those who have never heard of a Datsun Roadster, and then there are those who hear of them quite suddenly!"