Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Very cool Silvia that we weighed and dyno tuned, enjoy!
Full story:
https://www.zcarblog.com/2020/07/24/per ... ilvia.html

Nice to see, but the usual historical mistakes....sent them an email.

CSP311 wrote: Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:37 am Nice to see, but the usual historical mistakes....sent them an email.

Thank you!

Rick's Silvia is back for upgrades. Full report coming soon!

Man that thing is gorgeous!

I spent some time driving the Silvia on last weekend's rally event. This thing is too cool. Full report soon!

A tech @ the Datsun dealer we worked at had a Alfa Inazone that looked much like the Silva
That he often drove there
They , the managers suggested he not drive it there because customers saw it and then didn't want a b210 or 510 , 310
We parked by the customer cars

What kind of muffler is on that Silvia?

Here are my thoughts on driving the Silvia now that I've got over 300miles on it...


The Silvia was so much fun to experience. I thank the owner, Rick, for giving me the opportunity to take it on the rally. I was on edge about driving such a rare car...but it slowly melted away as I got to know it.





The RHD and isolated cockpit, gorgeous dash with familiar gauges and toggle switches...they all add to very special driving experience. I don't have any emprical data to support this, but I did have the feeling of more rigidity in the Silvia. Or was it that I was more isolated than being inside a roadster?


I am only 5"10 or 5"11 on a good posture day. The footwell was super cramped. For starters, I absolutely had to contort my legs and body to get beneath the steering wheel. Not unlike a roadster running a stock steering wheel, but the clearances here are exasperated since the foot rest and clutch are on the transmission tunnel side. Anyways, after I de-wedge my left foot from the foot rest/clutch pedal area...all is good. I could see myself spending time eating up endless of miles with my wife next to me...this is a proper GT cruiser. Whatever Nissan/Datsun designers had in mind when they created the Silvia...it's a winner.



Driving a RHD car...people frequently ask what it's like. Honestly if you drive any manual transmission car, it's second nature. The only thing that takes adjustment is minding your lane placement! Initially I find myself tracking on the left side of the lane. That's it. Its just cool to experience shifting through a familiar gearbox with your left hand!




Visibility is great in the Silvia. It is a tiny cockpit though. Pretty large trunk, interestingly.


I was stressed out about leading the rally group. I had to navigate using a printed route with turn-by turn steps. No GPS available. And I had to keep up a good pace. The Slivia was all about it. I put my foot down and it just boogied. Several folks asked me how it was going this quickly


It's a Datsun Roadster, that is why!



Cruising nicely at about 70mph and traveling across the Golden Gate Bridge...




I want one...


Breakfast Club Rally report:
https://www.zcarblog.com/2022/03/25/240 ... rally.html

Video of me driving the Silvia on the rally:

Truly a beautiful car that just makes me keep looking over it trying to decide what I like best. The front grill is way cool, but then I'm attracted to the car's overall dimensions and style, then back to the front... how the bumper, grill, headlights and side marker all make it look like it's moving forward... fun. Same 4 speed Trans/final drive as a Roadster? Did anyone ever swap in a U20/5 in one of these... seems like a natural.

Love those cars. Reminds me a little bit of an Alfa GTV, one of my favorite coupe’s. I’m not sure “cruising” is the right word, nearly 5,000 rpm’s at 70 mph might be better described as screaming!
If this is the exact same drive train as the 1600 roadster then I certainly understand the desire to swap to a five speed and higher gears!

I always chuckle when I hear people commenting about how fast old car engines turn over and speed. Everyone is so used to the modern cars that have gearing that lets the engine loaf along that they think the car is going to self-destruct if you get over 3,500 RPMs

Gregs672000 wrote: Sun Mar 27, 2022 12:27 am Truly a beautiful car that just makes me keep looking over it trying to decide what I like best. The front grill is way cool, but then I'm attracted to the car's overall dimensions and style, then back to the front... how the bumper, grill, headlights and side marker all make it look like it's moving forward... fun. Same 4 speed Trans/final drive as a Roadster? Did anyone ever swap in a U20/5 in one of these... seems like a natural.

The grille such a solid setup...several individual slats somehow perfectly aligned. Almost looks billet.


It's the same R16/4-speed as roadster but I can't confirm final drive. Yes, several U20-swapped ones around...I would LOVE that

theunz wrote: Sun Mar 27, 2022 9:07 am Love those cars. Reminds me a little bit of an Alfa GTV, one of my favorite coupe’s. I’m not sure “cruising” is the right word, nearly 5,000 rpm’s at 70 mph might be better described as screaming!
If this is the exact same drive train as the 1600 roadster then I certainly understand the desire to swap to a five speed and higher gears!

Yes. Cruising. I was impressed how none of the "drama" associated with the r16/4-speed was present. It was humming rather quietly along. But yeah If 80-90mph was needed I'd take a 5-speed all day

spl310 wrote: Sun Mar 27, 2022 9:35 am I always chuckle when I hear people commenting about how fast old car engines turn over and speed. Everyone is so used to the modern cars that have gearing that lets the engine loaf along that they think the car is going to self-destruct if you get over 3,500 RPMs

Yes! I think we forget that 60 years ago people actually drove these cars across the nation for long distances...the R16 is in it's sweet spot.

You get it Alvin

Sid, as one whose first car was a Plymouth with 4:56 gears, second car a Triumph Spitfire with 4:11 gears and my fourth car (and current) roadster with 4:62 gears, I too chuckle at how people who drive my car are in fifth gear when I would barely be in third. In fact I try to never let my rpm’s drop below 3,000 rpm’s. That being said, sustained speeds at 5,000 rpm’s is more than most manufacturers expected to see out of their cars. It’s one of the reasons the first imports had a reputation for not being suitable for American roads.