As for spare parts prices, I believe that they do compare favourably with many other cars, past and present. Prices may not be as cheap as an old Holden, but they're not too bad.
Thanks to the efforts of the three Australian clubs, as well as individual owners and businesses, both here and overseas, parts that were unavailable a few years ago are being remanufactured and supplies of New Old Stock are being rescued from under houses, in garages, attics and workshops around the world.
I've recently been spending a lot of time preparing my wife's car for registration. We bought the car about twelve months ago. It hadn't been registered for a couple of years and needed a good "tidy up". It's a 1968 model 2000 fitted with an H-20 motor and a 5-speed gearbox from a 720 series diesel ute (more about this in a later issue of Dat Chat).
Working on this car has really reminded me of the way that roadster ownership has changed in the last decade or so. Thanks to the efforts of a number of other club members, I've found some vital parts and had a few repairs made that I couldn't have done by myself.
This is the sort of thing that really shows the value of our club and make all of the effort that goes into it worthwhile.
Special thanks also to the organisers of our two recent runs South of Sydney.
Andr‚, Julia, Syd and Marlene did a great job putting together the observation trial and run to Hamden Bridge on February 12th. Read Andr‚'s report in this magazine.
James Murray also did a great job with the observation trial and run to Sutton Forest in March. This run ended at the monthly Medieval Scottish Fair where a good time was had by all on a glorious Autumn day. Thanks Jim.
If you have any ideas for a run, why not talk to our Club Captain, Helen Crisp.
See you on the road,
Phill Brook
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A combination of driver error and a gearbox which could have been centering better between 3rd and 4th gave me more than a little excitement. The snap spin at the crest of the hill on cold tyres on my first official practice lap was caused by erroneously selecting 2nd gear (I suppose at more than 130 k's).
After locking everything up and steering into the spin I was surprised at how nicely the front of the car moved away from the wall as I was achieving that lovely panoramic view of the nail holes on the wall and eyes of the spectators that only a 360ø can give. This is one rare occasion when it is correct to steer into the spin rather than out of it. Thanks to the knowledge gained from a couple of professionally run racing drivers courses and the bit of experience Ive had in racing in the last twelve months. While I don't profess to rate with the more expert drivers in the club or even with a moderately capable apprentice mechanic, there are two hints which may save someone a large problem:
Mechanical Tip: Always consider or specify that the "detent" springs and pins are replaced when your gearbox is rebuilt. This is a major factor in ensuring that you don't select the wrong gear: e.g. reverse or 2nd when you are attempting to select 4th.
Driving Tip: (Learnt at a couple of driving courses which in retrospect were very inexpensive) In a case where you are in trouble and the inertia of the car is going in a particular safe (or least dangerous) direction, if you lock your brakes then the car will continue to go in that direction. If you don't lock your brakes, when the car regains adhesion you will rapidly spear off in the direction the front wheels are pointing. It would be better still to attend a reputable driving course especially with something as quick as a 2000.
Congratulations David: In case someone else doesn't mention it - congratulations to new member David Stone who is now the lap record holder for group S(b) historics at Amaroo (at 60.47 seconds) and the official winner of both scratch races (he even came 3rd in the handicap).
Market information
A non-member in Ballarat has a 1600 which is for sale for $3,500. It looks unloved from the photo he sent me with possible rust in both rear quarters. The car seems complete but some body and interior parts are not original, including one fibreglass front guard which is a throw-away.
In Unique cars, March 1996, Collectable Classics of South Australia have a "1500" 3-seater with hardtop for $7990. They also have a 1600 Sports for $6990 (page 210). A red 2000 Sports is for sale for $15,000 in Victoria phone 0414 400 801 (page 286). I am not sure whether this is the car that was sold recently in Victoria for $12,000.
Club member Martin Renwick has been looking at a Queensland Datsun 2000 at about $6000 which is in need of some work according to Martin.
Parts
Some parts recently sold in Victoria:
A complete Datsun U-20 (2000) engine including carbies which had done 7,000 miles. Plus one brand new set of carbies (Solexes) plus a spare distributor and alternator for about $2,000. I understand that the purchaser had befriended the vendor over a period before the sale was made.
I understand that two new U-20 motors may be available in Victoria but that the vendor may need some convincing before he agrees to part with them.
I had some luck at a friend's barbeque where another guest offered me a set of early model 44mm Solexes (no manifold). I ended up buying them for under $200. Not a bargain but an acceptable price.
I recently acquired a mint condition owners handbook for a 1500. It came to me at a swap meet. I was wearing a DSOA T-shirt at the swap meet with the idea that maybe vendors would approach me with loads of rare items. It worked! I am trying to arrange a high quality reproduction of the manual for the club if I can arrange it at a good price.
For contributions etc. to this column, please phone Howard on (02) 418 1023 or mobile & messages on 015 948 834.
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Go Kart (Oct/Nov '95)
Andr‚ Breit.
Solvang is a Danish town about 150 miles North of Los Angeles, California and about 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The 9th annual Datsun Roadster meet was held during the last weekend in April.
My wife Judy and I left Torrance (near L.A.) about 10a.m. on Friday in our 67.5 SPL311 and drove leisurely toward Solvang. We arrived there at approximately 2p.m. after taking a detour to avoid a traffic jam (that we heard on the original radio still fitted in the car). After arriving at Beullton (near Solvang), the rest of the day was spent on motel registration, lunch, dinner and BS'ing with some of the other roadster people staying at the same motel. The town seemed to be full of car enthusiasts, there were meets for Corvettes, Alfas, FIATs and Volvo P-1800s, not to mention a horse show. Needless to say, motel rooms were in short supply.
The meeting was held at Nojoqui Falls Park a few miles out of Solvang. Starting time was about 9.30 on Saturday the 27th when people began arriving and staging their cars in the parking lot near our assigned area. The first order of business was registration where show and shine ballots, dash plaques and previously ordered T-shirts were dispensed. The rest of the morning was spent looking at other cars, filling out the informal car show ballot (voting is done by the participants without any formal criteria) and talking to old friends and new people about their cars in general. I'm confident that a few lies were told and maybe even believed.
After the voting and the BS'ing was completed most of the cars went on a docile ride. The route had been specified in the handouts in the registration package. The destination was a site overlooking the Pacific Ocean and had a beautiful view. People took pictures of the cars and the participants with the ocean in the background.
Ballots were counted and the catered Barbecue was prepared while the run was going on. At about 3p.m., after everyone returned from the run, the food was served and people sat around on the park benches complaining about the heat (85 - 90øF) but enjoying the great food. The menu consisted of barbecued steak, chicken, salad and beans, potato salad and soft drinks and was an all-you-can-eat affair.
A meeting was held when the participants finished their eating and while they were still seated on the benches. The main subject of the meeting was a discussion about moving the date for the next meet to avoid the other groups that were in town.
Trophies were presented for the car show and the big winner was Bob Moranda with his beautiful 67.5 2000. Bob received four trophies; Best car, Best 2000, Best engine and another that I don't recall. The fellow with the 1500 won his category hands-down as his was the only one there.
Each year the cars seem nicer than the year before and the number of running wrecks seem to decline.
There were about 25 roadsters in attendance with the longest distance driven about 400miles. That was a smaller turnout than previous years when closer to 50 roadsters were there. There were a number of first time participants and one of them won the best 1600 trophy. There was an Australian fellow who showed up in a Mitsubishi pickup (ute?) because his car is still under construction (contemplation).
After the show, everyone dispersed, some back to their hotels and some returned home as they had only planned day trips. The show was officially over but groups of people met at various restaurants for dinner, deserts and more BS. The agenda for Sunday, for most who stayed, was to go to the restaurants in Solvang for Danish-style breakfasts and souvenir shopping, then heading home.
I didn't see or hear of any cars that wouldn't run or that had any serious mechanical problems.
Our trip home was uneventful although the fuel economy was undetermined. The odometer always reads 42,065 miles as the worm gear on the transmission main shaft is rough and new speedo pinions last less than 100 miles. I can't make any claims about speed since it must be estimated from the gear selected and the tachometer reading.
Stan Chernoff
Torrance CA USA
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