There have been quite a few posts lately about cars from back in the day. The nostalgic look back in time just happens to coincide with what I'm doing with my Foxbody Mustang and where I am with the Datsun.
When I bought the Mustang I thought I was going to do an all out CAM-T and track day prep but once I saw the nearly pristine stock interior I decided it was to nice. I'm now modifying the Mustang as someone would have back in 1990. No, it won't be as fast but it would be far easier and cheaper to just buy a 20 year newer car (Yes, you Club Sport Mustang). The car just has a great hooligan factor as it is.
The Datsun is a bit more tricky. I wrestle with a motor swaps all the time. For SCCA time trials and vintage GT I can use a 2.0 liter motor. For vintage the bigger motor puts it in a even faster run group and I'd still get mauled at SCCA Time Trials.
This always brings me back to why I've kept the Datsun the way it is for the last 30 years. For all it's flaws it's most fun the way it is. I also like driving a slice of history; sure as vintage cars go it's Boone's Farm of cars but you're not going to get any drunker or happier with really expensive Bordeaux so why not save money and do more events.
It would be fun to build a tube frame twin turbo V8 mid engine Datsun 1200 but then it stops being what it is. I like old cars for their flaws not in spite of them.
I also realize there are a whole host of folks who like building cars that look old but drive new. So out of curiosity which to you prefer "old and busted or new hotness"?
I'm in the old car/drives like new camp.
Not a small amount of that is because if an old car drives like an old car with all is problems from not being driven much....it ends up never being driven.
Currently doing a 1950 Chevy coupe build for my Dad and I told him when I'm done he'll be able to drive it to AZ and back (we're in MN) if he wants to.
In reply to Tom1200 :
Wait, did I miss a Datsun "A" series 2-liter thread?
Datsun240ZGuy said:In reply to Tom1200 :
Wait, did I miss a Datsun "A" series 2-liter thread?
No you didn't
It's possible to build a 1725cc A-series engine (maximum bore and an E16 crankshaft).
The rules for Vintage GT are such that I can use the Australian IPRA rules which allow for a non turbo SR20.
A 1725cc A-series, depending on tune, could make between 140-170hp at the wheels. At the 170hp A-series motor would need rebuilding often.........as in every other race weekend.
A moderately modified SR20DE will make 170hp and won't need constant rebuilding.
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