1st Annual BC Spring Thaw Classic

[Daryl Smith]

My car won't be ready, but thought someone might be interested......

http://www.the510realm.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 12&t=11396" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DatsunDave]

Had seen this previously...me thinks this is a tad early.

There will be snow on the ground at SunPeaks where the planned overnight stay is. Driving a convertible when it could be cold enough to snow doesn't sound like fun.

[Daryl Smith]

"There will be snow on the ground at SunPeaks where the planned overnight stay is. Driving a convertible when it could be cold enough to snow doesn't sound like fun."

Well, then, keep the top up and the heater on and stay warm. Drove my car through a couple Vancouver winters with no back window and survived..........

I'm not so sure it'll be snowing in May tho. Seems a tad late for that.

There will be some great twisty roads, lakeside stops amoungst snowcapped peaks tho, and if the weater is good, their is some fantastic scenery along those roads, as well as the possiblity to see some wildlife.........The only bummer for us in the convertibles is the weather can vary by the hour in this region........

If my car were ready, I'd be tagging along........

If you've got a car you want in it but can't make it, I'd b happy to be your driver......

[GeoffM]

I was thinking of doing this but I dont think I'll have my rag-top done in time...and the hard top would be no fun.

[Daryl Smith]

I am trying to get things done to go on this run. Have to organise a top and get my exhaust done as a bare minimum.

Anyone else considering it?

Need a co-driver If mine doesn't make it?

Have a second car you need a driver for if mine doesn't make it?

[Daryl Smith]

Decided to jump in.....I'm # 40.
http://www.touringadventure.com/entry-list.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are only 9 spots left if anyone is considering it. 1200+ km (~750 miles) over three days, amongst some great twisties and snow covered mountain peaks.......

Entrants Gallery:
http://www.touringadventure.com/entrants-gallery.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Entry Info:
http://www.touringadventure.com/entry-information.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

GeoffM..??????

[GeoffM]

You're a brave man Daryl. I love the write-up they gave you.

I'd love to join ya but the enterance fee happens to be the same price as a 'new' front bow I have my eye on. With all my other spring projects going on, I don't think I'd be able to get both approved by the budget comitee....and I want a top.

[Daryl Smith]

"....and I want a top."

ME TOO! Unfortunately I won't be able to make it happen before the run, so.....I have to borrow one! Thanks Ross!

I was going to try to patch my old one together for the trip, but it's just too far gone. Coming apart at several seams, a few snaps missing from when the car was stolen 20 or so years ago...The top is about 25 years old so I guess it is time for a new one. I don't think it's been on the car at all in the last 5 or 6 years......

Too bad you can't make it tho, would have been nice to have another roadster along to show up the Brit competition.....or not.

[ppeters914]

Wow, quite an eclectic group of cars. Should be fun. Remember, no pics means it didn't happen.

Too bad you can't make it tho, would have been nice to have another roadster along to show up the Brit competition.....or not.

There's always next year!

[Daryl Smith]

I am now home from the 1st Annual BC Thaw Classic Car Adventure!
Great bunch of people, cars, and ROADS! Snow covered mountains, frozen lakes, a brush fire that closed the road after we passed, and desert country......
The oil leak I was complaining about earlier was still there, but not enough to keep me from going. I added a litre of 20/50 in Squamish at the start of the run, and that was it. The car marked it's spot at every stop, but the level didn't go down enough to add another litre over the trip.
We had some noise from the drivetrain that we couldn't figure out, and just decided to run and worry about the towing bill later..........
But, the car ran great! Did a bunch of tuning the first day and a half (datalog and analyze with 'Megalogviewer'). and everything seemed great! Had one incident of overheating (220*) at the very end of day 2 while heading up to our hotel at Sun Peaks outside of Kamloops. Shut it down right away to check everything over and found nothing......
Started it back up and drove up to the hotel at a steady 180* where it had been running since the EFI/ignition conversion. No problems again on day 3......
The car also performed very well, tho not quite as well as expected. Seemed down on power from a few months ago.
A cam change may be responsible for that. I limited the RPM to 5000 for the trip and we didn't hit the limiter very often. That, however didn't keep us at the back of the pack. Even relaxing and taking photo's once in a while, we were usually about mid pack. Surprised many with the power of the car, including a couple of BMW 2002 owners, and a BMW 635 owner who was having trouble keeping up, tho I think his girlfreind/wife had something to do with that........
Overall the other participants were very impressed with the Datsun Roadster, and a few said they had never seen one before.
Had a great time, and would highly recommend this run for next year.
I'll post a few pictures in a day or so, and will post links to other sites with pictures also, as they come online.

If I wasn't so tired, I'd have a huge grin! Very satisfying to have the car run that far (1410 kilometers - not including backtracking for missed turns) almost trouble free!

I would also like to thank Ross Mullen/Sports Imports for his help getting the car ready, and the loan of a soft top for the trip.

Here is my Favourite shot of my car:


Keep Smilin'

[BlackEddy]

Hey Daryl, great to hear that everything went well for you, it was nice to meet you and your brother on Friday and check out your roadster. Sounds like it was a hell of a trip...I'm sure theres some stories to tell eh? I'm still blown away by the variety of cars that attended. Did everyone complete the rally?

Here's a few of my photos from Fridays start of the rally:

[Daryl Smith]

The last picture BlackEddy posted is a Lancia Fulvia. Very similar lines to the Sylvia. I loved the car, small, sporty, very clean lines.....then I found out that it is front wheel drive.....
Oh, well....

Here is a short write up by one of the participants, including a slideshow:
http://bringatrailer.com/2009/05/02/bc- ... /#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Daryl Smith]

Links to more pictures:
http://www.touringadventure.com/photos-video.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoy.....

Plans are in the works for next years run and I plan to be in it!