The Resource For All Things Datsun Roadster S211/SPL212/310/311 Datsun Sports Roadster 1959-April 1970 circa 40,000 produced https://www.311s.org/phpBB3/
Recently came across someone selling an old 620 Mini Motorhome (motorhome term used VERY loosely) - Pic attached.
I must have put it out of my mind for a long time, since only when I saw the ad was I again reminded that we had one many decades ago. Can’t remember exactly what year it was (‘75-‘76 ) but I remember it had a 2L engine (L20B maybe) which put out only about as much HP as our roadsters, a 5-speed manual, went from 0-60 only if there wasn’t a head wind, and weighed about the same as a nice split-level bungalow.
One of the first trips with it was through the Rocky Mountains … which was also the last trip with it through the mountains. Never been so scared driving in my life! The brakes were way too small and faded to nothing after every downgrade, the springs were way to soft and every time there was a cross-wind or a Rig passed you in the other direction, it would sway side to side violently like you were in a life raft in a storm. You could never just hold the steering wheel straight, as that was never the direction it was going and people on pedal bikes were passing me on the steeper inclines while I pinned it in first just to keep moving.
I miss that little death trap …
D65A3C87-B07C-4155-AEF5-408E50104E74.jpeg
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:01 pm
by Gregs672000
For most of my kid/teen life my dad drove a Chinook camper built onto a Toyota PU frame, powered by an 18RC (2 liter. Later they used the 20R and 22RE, with the 22RE being 2.4 liters and fuel injected). It was a fiberglass job, with a pop up top, same size as what you show but smooth fiberglass. We would strap the canoe onto the top and go fishing in eastern WA, and mushroom hunt on the west side in the fall and spring months. It was a great rig for what it was designed to do. The 18RC was just enough, but it ate throw-out bearings like crazy (I recall at least two if not three replacements, and dad was not mechanically inclined so he paid). I think the Toyota was crammed for a bit more low end torque than the typical L20s I've messed with (L16, L18 and an L20b all in my '73 620 PU). The only time the small engine became more apparent was facing a head wind while going up the mountain passes. If I were to seek one now I've be sure to get the 2.4EFI Toyota engine... the 22RE is one of the most bullet proof engines ever made... 350k on my '83 Celica GTS when I sold it, didn't burn a drop of oil between changes. Heck, I'm adding a least a quart between changes on my 2006 Mazda 3 with 106K, and its been well maintained.
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 6:02 pm
by Bwk2000
Gregs672000 wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:01 pm
For most of my kid/teen life my dad drove a Chinook camper built onto a Toyota PU frame, powered by an 18RC (2 liter. Later they used the 20R and 22RE, with the 22RE being 2.4 liters and fuel injected). It was a fiberglass job, with a pop up top, same size as what you show but smooth fiberglass. We would strap the canoe onto the top and go fishing in eastern WA, and mushroom hunt on the west side in the fall and spring months. It was a great rig for what it was designed to do. The 18RC was just enough, but it ate throw-out bearings like crazy (I recall at least two if not three replacements, and dad was not mechanically inclined so he paid). I think the Toyota was crammed for a bit more low end torque than the typical L20s I've messed with (L16, L18 and an L20b all in my '73 620 PU). The only time the small engine became more apparent was facing a head wind while going up the mountain passes. If I were to seek one now I've be sure to get the 2.4EFI Toyota engine... the 22RE is one of the most bullet proof engines ever made... 350k on my '83 Celica GTS when I sold it, didn't burn a drop of oil between changes. Heck, I'm adding a least a quart between changes on my 2006 Mazda 3 with 106K, and its been well maintained.
+1 on the 2.4 efi. Greg. That really was a bullet proof engine. Sadly, I wasn’t so lucky.
What I remember most about mine was that it was completely gutless. I suppose pushing around 2-Tons was a bit much to expect of it from the start. As for a canoe on top … mine was so top heavy to start, a canoe would probably have tipped it before I left my driveway!
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:47 pm
by redroadster
I drove a few , that overhang gave me the creeps , guess you got used to it
Ive still got a 78 starsky & hutch striped ferd van raised roofer ...my hair was kind of like Hutches , so I'd get " "wheres Starsky " at stop lights.
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2021 9:45 pm
by Bwk2000
redroadster wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:47 pm
I drove a few , that overhang gave me the creeps , guess you got used to it
Ive still got a 78 starsky & hutch striped ferd van raised roofer
Lol … Starsky & Hutch … I loved that show!
Yup, the over hang took some getting use to - Creaked like crazy and acted as a big wind brake on the hwy.
In retrospect, probably just should have just got a normal van and camperized it. Too many limitations with that Datsun.
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 7:03 pm
by redroadster
Check out video @8:15 wow
I was in an auto m
Parts store APA A big guy came in asked where to bring an engine too that they were going to work on
The parts man said well just in here .
The guy leaves but a bit later he comes in with a 396 short block on his shoulder with a thick leather pad
Every one freaked
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 7:49 pm
by Bwk2000
redroadster wrote: Thu May 26, 2022 7:03 pm
Check out video @8:15 wow
Lol … I know how he ended up that short.
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 9:59 pm
by Gregs672000
Ha, I laughed out loud at some of those!
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 9:25 pm
by redroadster
What doesn't kill you , scares the sh!t out of you
I live next to a defunct Jr high @1020pm on 6/14
4 military choppers kinda small MD500 s came in fast and low no lites and landed at this school also no lites , followed by 3 bigger ones 2 Cobra and ? Blackhawk all landing I thought they were going to land in my land @1st set off a boom Army rangers ? Deltal force ?
Guess just an exercise weird not on a military base though right ? Chopper blades had to be close
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2022 10:56 pm
by Gregs672000
Practice for handling school shootings... God, what a country... we can do better.
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 5:54 am
by redroadster
A kid in a suberb, had on social media, threatens to attack many school districts days before ,maybe why or because that inop / waiting too long in Texas tragedy ,but sending in the air calvalry ? Attack helicopters Police were watching it maybe they are practicing for something else ,it's not a school anymore
Re: What doesn’t kill you …
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 8:02 am
by notoptoy
This category has gone too far off topic (Datsun Roadsters) and has been locked.
) but I remember it had a 2L engine (L20B maybe) which put out only about as much HP as our roadsters, a 5-speed manual, went from 0-60 only if there wasn’t a head wind, and weighed about the same as a nice split-level bungalow. 
) but I remember it had a 2L engine (L20B maybe) which put out only about as much HP as our roadsters, a 5-speed manual, went from 0-60 only if there wasn’t a head wind, and weighed about the same as a nice split-level bungalow.